Patents Examined by Daniel Bernstein
  • Patent number: 9284864
    Abstract: A switching roller finger follower, including: a housing with a first wall with a first opening, a second wall with a second opening, and an interior space at least partially formed by the walls; first and second outer arms; and a locking pin disposed in the openings and including a longitudinal axis, a body, and first and second protrusions extending radially outward from the body, formed of a same piece of material as the body, and at least one of which is located within the space. A respective portion of at least one of the first or second protrusions is aligned with the first or second wall in a direction parallel to the first longitudinal axis. The locking pin is displaceable such that: in a locked mode, the locking pin blocks pivoting of the arms; and in an unlocked mode, the locking pin is free of contact with the arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Debora Manther, Rainer Pfeufer, Matthias Kapp
  • Patent number: 9279348
    Abstract: A mechanically controllable valve drive for a reciprocating piston engine configured to adjust a gas exchange valve includes the gas exchange valve, a cam assembly comprising a camshaft and at least one cam for the gas exchange valve, a valve, a valve lift adjustment assembly, a drag lift assembly, and a device. The valve lift adjustment assembly comprises a valve lift adjustment device, and an intermediate lever assembly comprising at least one intermediate lever comprising a working curve comprising curve portions. The valve lift adjustment assembly is configured to shift the valve between a zero lift and a maximum lift. The drag lever assembly is operatively connected to the working curve. The device is configured to provide a valve-lift standstill range so that, in a maximum lift position, the valve is opened for a turning angle ? of the camshaft with a flattened valve lift height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: KOLBENSCHMIDT PIERBURG INNOVATIONS GMBH
    Inventors: Frederic Lauer, Daniel Hosse, Rudolf Flierl
  • Patent number: 9267397
    Abstract: The invention proposes a subassembly of a hydraulic variable valve train of an internal combustion engine, having a guide bushing (4) that can be installed in a hydraulic housing (3), and having a piston (5) supported therein so as to be axially movable for actuating a gas exchange valve (1), and having a valve element (7) that, together with the end face (10) of the piston distant from the gas exchange valve, defines a hydraulic pressure chamber (11) in the guide bushing, wherein the valve element is a throttle check valve that allows hydraulic medium to flow out of the pressure chamber throttled by a continuously open throttle opening (16) and allows hydraulic medium to flow into the pressure chamber with little throttling by a ball check valve (17). The subassembly is intended to be implemented as a modular unit assembled outside of the hydraulic housing, wherein the guide bushing and the valve element are fastened to one another, and the piston is secured in a captive manner in the guide bushing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Calin Petru Itoafa, Hermann Keller
  • Patent number: 9267402
    Abstract: A multistage variable valve lift apparatus includes: a camshaft; a plurality of cams slidably provided on the camshaft and each including a cam base with a guide projection and a cam lobe; a solenoid unit that includes an operating rod with a guide slot into which the guide projection is selectively inserted; and a valve opening/closing portion that comes into selective contact any one of the plurality of cams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Soo Hyung Woo, Jong Hyeok Choi, Young Hong Kwak, Byong Young Choi, Jin Kook Kong, Gee Wook Shin
  • Patent number: 9260985
    Abstract: A seat surface of a flat head bolt and a seat surface of a front plate are in contact with each other such that a tightening axial tension acts at an axial tension action point in an axial cross-section. A normal vector is perpendicular to the seat surface of the front plate and passes through the axial tension action point in the axial cross-section. An axial tension reach point is an intersection point between the normal vector and a shoe front surface in the axial cross-section. The normal vector intersects the shoe front surface at the axial tension reach point in the axial cross-section, and the axial tension reach point is included in a range of a shoe part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takuji Nakamura
  • Patent number: 9260983
    Abstract: A valve control apparatus includes first and second engine valves; a first drive cam configured to rotate integrally with the drive shaft; a second drive cam provided on the drive shaft and configured to rotate integrally with the drive shaft; a swing cam configured to swing; a transmission mechanism configured to convert a rotation of the first drive cam into a swinging force and to transmit the swinging force to the swing cam; a first swing arm configured to open the first engine valve by a swing of the swing cam; a second swing arm configured to open the second engine valve by a rotation of the second drive cam; a control mechanism configured to vary a swing amount of the swing cam by varying an attitude of the transmission mechanism; and a connection changeover mechanism configured to connect and disconnect the first swing arm with/from the second swing arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Makoto Nakamura
  • Patent number: 9255496
    Abstract: A valve train of an internal combustion engine includes at least one basic camshaft with a cam carrier provided thereupon in a rotationally fixed and axially displaceable manner. The cam carrier has at least one valve-actuating cam as well as a tubular basic element that receives the basic camshaft in at least some sections. At least one cam element of the cam carrier, in particular the valve-actuating cam, is arranged on the basic element. At least one torque-transmitting connecting element is located between the basic element and the cam element. An internal combustion engine having at least one valve train and a method for producing a valve train are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventor: RĂ¼diger Zeidler
  • Patent number: 9249695
    Abstract: A concentric cam shaft assembly, including: a first camshaft; a second camshaft including at least a portion disposed radially within the first camshaft; and at least one phasing assembly including first and second electric motors and a first input gear arranged to rotate at a first speed in response to receiving rotational torque from a crankshaft of an engine. The rotational torque is arranged to rotate the first and second camshafts. The first electric motor is arranged to circumferentially off-set the first camshaft with respect to the first input gear. The second electric motor is arranged to circumferentially off-set the second camshaft with respect to the first input gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Steven Burke, Craig Dupuis, Inhwa Chung, Mike Kohrs, Jens Schaefer
  • Patent number: 9243526
    Abstract: A method for operating an engine is provided. The method comprises adjusting an oil pressure in an oil circuit, the oil circuit including a pump in fluidic communication with a hydraulically adjustable cam follower and switching the hydraulically adjustable cam follower into a connected state to a disconnected in response to the oil pressure adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jan Mehring, Klemens Grieser, Kai Sebastian Kuhlbach, Bernd Steiner
  • Patent number: 9228454
    Abstract: A system for monitoring operation of an internal combustion engine having a rocker arm assembly for actuating an engine valve is disclosed. The rocker arm assembly includes a first arm with a first end, a second arm also having a first end pivotally connected near the first end of the first arm, a latch that when latched secures the first arm relative to the second arm in a latched mode, and when unlatched allows the first arm to move relative to the second arm in an unlatched mode. The system also employing a sensor attached to one of the first and second arms that can detect when the arms are moving relative to each other, and adapted to provide a signal indicating the sensed movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Eaton Coporation
    Inventor: Brian Karl VanDeusen
  • Patent number: 9228455
    Abstract: A marine engine for an outboard motor comprises a bank of piston-cylinders, an intake camshaft that operates intake valves for controlling inflow of air to the bank of piston-cylinders, an exhaust camshaft that operates exhaust valves for controlling outflow of exhaust gas from the bank of piston-cylinders, and a cam phaser disposed on one of the intake camshaft and exhaust camshaft. The cam phaser is connected to and adjusts a timing of operation of the other of the intake camshaft and exhaust camshaft with respect to the one of the intake camshaft and exhaust camshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Belter, Ryan E. Mueller
  • Patent number: 9222376
    Abstract: Various systems are provided for a cam follower of a cam follower system. In one embodiment, a cam follower of a cam system comprises a tappet positioned between a cylinder valve and a camshaft, the tappet configured to drive the cylinder valve, a roller, and a pin coated with a diamond-like carbon coating coupling the roller to the tappet, the pin having a depressed contour on an outer surface of the pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Keith Edward Massing, David Robert Furedy
  • Patent number: 9206714
    Abstract: Control valve for a device, in particular for a hydraulic control device, for variably setting the control times of gas exchange valves in internal combustion engines, including a housing component, a control piston and a retaining ring, the control piston being movably mounted, loaded by a spring, on the one hand, and limited with the aid of the retaining ring, on the other hand, the retaining ring projecting over the control piston in the radial direction and being fixable in the axial direction in a recess in the housing component, and a control sleeve and a plastic shell surrounding the control sleeve being provided between the control piston and the housing component, and the retaining ring being axially attachable to the plastic shell in addition to being fixable to the housing component, and limiting the movement of the control piston and/or the control sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: David Koehler
  • Patent number: 9206713
    Abstract: A stator (20) for a camshaft adjuster (4). The stator (20) has an outer part (50) for concentrically holding a rotor (22) with vanes (34) arranged around the rotor (22) and a segment (52) projecting from the outer part (50) for engaging between two vanes (34) of the rotor (22), in order to form, together with the two vanes (22), pressure chambers (44) of the camshaft adjuster (4). Here, the segment (52) has a cavity (70) for holding a hydraulic fluid from the pressure chambers (44).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jens Schafer, Martin Steigerwald, Michael Busse, Jurgen Plate, Andreas Wedel, Olaf Boese, Steffen Racklebe
  • Patent number: 9206711
    Abstract: A lash adjuster includes a body, a plunger inserted into the body and having a bottom wall with a valve hole and a peripheral wall having an oil passage hole, and a partitioning member. The partitioning member is inserted into the plunger and has an oil passage end located above the oil passage hole in an inserted state. The partitioning member has a recess defining an oil passage together with the peripheral wall. The partitioning member defines a low-pressure chamber reserving hydraulic fluid and has, together with the recess, a press-fit portion abutting against an inner periphery of the peripheral wall when the partitioning member is inserted into the plunger. Consequently, the partitioning member has a deformed cross-sectional shape except for a circular shape when cut at a same height as the oil passage hole. The partitioning member has a same cross-sectional shape over its entire height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: OTICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroki Fujii, Kimihiko Todo
  • Patent number: 9200574
    Abstract: A variable valve timing apparatus including: an actuator housing having a space at the inside thereof; an upper plunger mounted inside the upper portion of the actuator housing to move upward and downward; a lower plunger mounted inside the lower portion of the actuator housing to allow the upper plunger to move upward and downward; an oil chamber allows oil to be circulated upwardly and downwardly or blocks the flow of oil through a head formed on the top end periphery of the upper plunger in accordance with the upward and downward movements of the upper plunger; and a communicating passage allows the upper and lower end portions of the oil chamber to communicate with each other in accordance with upward and downward movements of the lower plunger and to adjust the oil flowing thereon to control the speeds of the upward and downward movements of the upper plunger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: HYUNDAI HEAVY INDUSTRIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seho Kim, Dongyeon Kim, Sunghyeok Kim, Hunsuk Kim
  • Patent number: 9200541
    Abstract: Systems and methods for actuating engine valves for positive power and engine braking operation are disclosed. The systems may include a self-lashing hydraulic piston slidably disposed in a fixed or rocker arm housing. The hydraulic piston may have an internal cavity in which a motion absorbing piston is disposed. A hydraulic fluid source may communicate with the hydraulic piston bore. A check valve which may be incorporated in a control valve may controls hydraulic fluid supply from the hydraulic fluid source to the hydraulic piston to provide self-lashing operation of the valve actuation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: JACOBS VEHICLE SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Gabriel Scott Roberts, Justin Damien Baltrucki, Kevin Audibert
  • Patent number: 9181821
    Abstract: Devices and related methods are disclosed that generally involve variable actuation of engine valves. In one embodiment, a valve train for a split-cycle internal combustion engine or an air hybrid split-cycle engine is provided that includes a cam phaser, a dwell cam, an adjustable mechanical element for performing a variable valve actuation function, and/or a valve seating control device. The devices and methods disclosed herein also have application in conventional internal combustion engines and can actuate inwardly-opening and/or outwardly-opening valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Scuderi Group, LLC
    Inventors: Riccardo Meldolesi, John Schwoerer, Joseph Paturzo
  • Patent number: 9181826
    Abstract: The present invention provides a variable valve mechanism of an internal combustion engine which includes a main arm that is capable of swinging and that drives a valve when swinging, a first sub arm that is provided on one side in the lateral direction of the main arm and that swings when driven by a first cam, a second sub arm that is provided on the other side in the lateral direction of the main arm and that swings when driven by a second cam, and a switch device that performs switching between a first coupled state where only the first sub arm of the first and second sub arms is coupled to the main arm, and a second coupled state where only the second sub arm of the first and second sub arms is coupled to the main arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: OTICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akira Sugiura, Koki Yamaguchi, Naoki Hiramatsu, Takayuki Maezako
  • Patent number: 9175581
    Abstract: An axial cam with a plurality of followers mounted within its diameter drives the followers in both axial directions. The followers operatively actuate valves such as those of an internal combustion engine. The cam can be driven about its exterior perimeter, providing an axially compact embodiment. The phasing of select followers can be established by modifying the azimuth positions of those followers with the cam in operation. By providing the cam with a symmetric actuating profile its followers can be linked to alternately actuate same-function valves in different engine cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Inventor: Ken Meyer