Patents Examined by Jorge L Leon, Jr.
  • Internal combustion engine and straddled vehicle having the same
    Patent number: 10794240
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine 5 includes an intake valve spring 60 including a closely-wound section 62 and a sparsely-wound section 63. The closely-wound section 62 is provided so that elemental wire portions thereof are closely in contact with each other in the direction of the coil axial line L1 while an intake valve closes an intake port. The sparsely-wound section 63 is provided so that elemental wire portions thereof are spaced apart from each other in the direction of the coil axial line L1 while the intake valve closes the intake port. The coil outer diameter D62 of at least a part of the closely-wound section 62 is smaller than the coil outer diameter D63 of at least a part of the sparsely-wound section 63.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Manabu Miyata
  • Roller reaction force lubrication system
    Patent number: 10794347
    Abstract: Embodiments of a tappet are disclosed herein. The tappet has a front and a back, and the tappet includes a first stirrup and a second stirrup. The first stirrup has a first opening with a plurality of angular positions from 0° to 360°. The angular position of 90° and 270° correspond to the back and front of the tappet, respectively. The second stirrup has a second opening. The first and second openings are configured to carry a roller pin on which the roller is provided. The first stirrup includes a first region having a first depth below a first interior surface of the first stirrup. The first region extends from 150° to 210° around the first opening. The first region has a first end located at an angular position of between 180° and 270° and a second end located at an angular position of between 0° and 90°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Woodward, Inc.
    Inventors: Antony Owen Parsons, Enda M. Walsh, Jim Askew
  • Automatic lash adjuster for use with high compression internal combustion engines
    Patent number: 10794235
    Abstract: A hydraulic lash adjuster for use in diesel engines including a cylinder head having a first valve, a second valve, and a valve bridge extending between and in contact with both the first valve and the second valve. Where the diesel engine includes a first rocker arm, and where at least one of the first valve and the second valve undergo an oil can valve deflection rate. The hydraulic lash is configured to selectively transmit force between the first rocker arm and the valve bridge, and where the hydraulic lash adjuster is normally in the open configuration, and where the hydraulic lash adjuster changes from the open configuration to a closed configuration at a critical velocity that is greater than the oil can valve deflection rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Neil S. Erickson, Alok N. Pandey, Eric J. Rego
  • Device for varying load of valve system
    Patent number: 10794234
    Abstract: A device for varying a load of a valve system can vary a load acting on a valve spring in accordance with driving conditions of a vehicle. In the device, in a low load mode, only a first valve spring is compressed, and a second valve spring is not compressed. Accordingly, the load acting on the valve spring is reduced, and as such, an enhancement in fuel economy is achieved. In a high load mode, both the first valve spring and the second valve spring are compressed. Accordingly, the load acting on the valve spring is increased, and as such, it is possible to prevent a danger of breakage occurring due to striking components of a valve train system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Jung Ho Kim
  • Device for controlling at least one valve in an internal combustion engine
    Patent number: 10794242
    Abstract: A gas valve actuation device for an internal combustion engine includes a first arrangement for actuating two gas valves in a first lift event, a second arrangement for selectively actuating a first one of the two gas valves in a second lift event, a fluid circuit for controlling actuation of the first gas valve in the second lift event, wherein the fluid circuit includes a first fluid circuit valve which is arranged to be controlled by the first actuation arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATION
    Inventor: Per Persson
  • Electrically latching rocker arm assembly having built-in OBD functionality
    Patent number: 10781726
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a cam-actuated rocker arm assembly with a solenoid-actuated latch that provides for cylinder deactivation or variable valve actuation. The solenoid has an inductance that varies significantly in relation to the position of a latch pin as it translates between latching and non-latching configurations. A sensor is positioned to monitor a current or a voltage in a circuit that includes the solenoid. Diagnostic information relating to the operation of the rocker arm assembly is determined by comparing data collected from the sensor over a first period to data collected from the sensor over a second period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: James Edward McCarthy, Jr., Mark Allan Juds, Douglas Anthony Hughes, Nicholas Peter Gillette, Matthew Richard Busdiecker
  • Switchable rocker arm
    Patent number: 10781729
    Abstract: A switchable rocker arm is provided for a valve train of an internal combustion engine. The switchable rocker arm includes a first lever arranged to be rotated by a camshaft about a pivot, a second lever arranged to actuate an engine valve, and a locking part arranged to selectively lock the first lever to the second lever. The locking part is arranged to be mechanically actuated by the pivot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventor: Colin Foster
  • Valve train carrier assembly
    Patent number: 10774694
    Abstract: A valve train assembly includes an intake rocker arm, an exhaust rocker arm, a carrier configured to couple to a cylinder block and operably associated with the intake rocker arm and the exhaust rocker arm, the carrier including a first aperture, and a cylinder deactivation (CDA) capsule disposed within the first aperture. The CDA capsule is configured to move between a latched condition that transfers motion from a push rod to one of the intake rocker arm and the exhaust rocker arm, and an unlatched condition that absorbs motion from the push rod and does not transfer the motion to the intake rocker arm or the exhaust rocker arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Mark VanWingerden, Douglas Nielsen, James E. McCarthy, Jr.
  • Variable valve drive of a combustion piston engine
    Patent number: 10767517
    Abstract: The invention relates to a variable valve drive of an internal combustion engine, comprising at least one functionally identical gas exchange valve per cylinder, the valve stroke of which is specified by at least one primary cam and at least one secondary cam of a camshaft. The valve stroke can be selectively transmitted to the at least one gas exchange valve by a switchable cam follower which has a primary lever and a secondary lever. A coupling element of the switchable cam follower is designed as a coupling pin which is guided in a transverse bore of the primary follower, which can be moved into an opposite coupling bore of the secondary lever by a switching pin. An outer end of the switching pin is connected to a switching rod via a connecting element, the switching rod arranged parallel to the camshaft and longitudinally movable by an actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Harald Elendt, Dimitri Schott
  • Oil control valve to control a cam phaser with a spool positioned by an external actuator and having a groove
    Patent number: 10760454
    Abstract: An oil control valve for a cam phaser of an internal combustion engine where the spool is positioned by an external actuator. The valve includes a spool assembly including a spool that is axially movable in a central opening, and there is at least one groove in the spool. The groove substantially increases fluid flow through the hydraulic valve when opened. By controlling the size and position of the groove, the amount of the fluid flow may be controlled. Further fluid flow control may be had by controlling the size of holes in the spool. The increase of fluid flow attributable to the groove may be at least 50%, 100% or even 200% compared with the at least one groove being absent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: ECO Holding 1 GmbH
    Inventor: Daniel Stanhope
  • Rotor part of a rotor for a camshaft adjuster and pressing tool for the production thereof
    Patent number: 10753238
    Abstract: The invention relates to a first rotor part for a camshaft adjuster, wherein the first rotor part is configured in the form of a disc, and wherein the first rotor part has an encircling shoulder in a circumferential direction, said shoulder extending in a first axial direction beyond the first end side, wherein the first rotor part has at least one inner first opening which is arranged on the first inner casing on that side of the shoulder that is remote from the first end side and which is connected to the first end side via a first fluid duct which extends outwards in the radial direction from the shoulder through the first rotor part; wherein the first rotor part is produced in one part by powder metallurgy with all the inner first openings and first fluid ducts and the shoulder. The invention also relates to a pressing tool for producing a first rotor part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: GKN Sinter Metals Engineering GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Schmitt, Hasim Tekines, Sascha Frey, Ümit Aydin
  • Sliding cam system
    Patent number: 10738665
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a sliding cam system for an internal combustion engine. The sliding cam system has a camshaft and a plurality of cam carriers with in each case at least two cams, the plurality of cam carriers being arranged fixedly on the camshaft so as to rotate with it and in an axially displaceable manner. The sliding cam system has a plurality of fluid-actuated actuator apparatuses which are configured in each case for axially displacing a cam carrier of the plurality of cam carriers. The sliding cam system has a fluid feed apparatus which is provided for feeding a fluid in a fluidic connection upstream of the plurality of actuator apparatuses for actuating the plurality of actuator apparatuses. At least two actuator apparatuses of the plurality of actuator apparatuses are coupled fluidically for simultaneous actuation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: MAN TRUCK & BUS AG
    Inventors: Jens Dietrich, Thomas Malischewski, Steffen Hirschmann
  • Sliding contact for electrically actuated rocker arm
    Patent number: 10731518
    Abstract: A valvetrain for an internal combustion engine of the type that has a combustion chamber, a moveable valve having a seat formed in the combustion chamber, and a camshaft includes a rocker arm assembly, a pivot providing a fulcrum for a rocker arm of the rocker arm assembly, and a latch assembly. An electrical device mounted to the rocker arm assembly receives power or communicates through a circuit that includes an electrical connection formed by abutment between surfaces of two distinct parts. The rocker arm assembly is operative to move one of the two abutting surfaces relative to the other in response to actuation of the cam follower. Forming an electrical connection through abutting surfaces that are free to undergo relative motion may reduce or eliminate the need to run wires to a mobile portion of the rocker arm assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Petr Liskar, Jiri Cecrle, Dale Arden Stretch, Michael J. Campbell, Tomas Drabek, James Edward McCarthy, Jr., Austin Robert Zurface, Robert Philip Benjey, Eric John Yankovic, Brian Karl Vandeusen, Nicholas Peter Gillette, Michael James Stanton, Thomas Michael Tembreull, Anthony Leon Spoor
  • Force transmission device
    Patent number: 10718237
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a force transmission device for connection between a camshaft and a gas exchange valve including a main body with a receptacle which extends along a longitudinal axis. The force transmission device has an actuating piston which is provided in the receptacle such that it can move between a first position and a second position, and a contact body for actuating the gas exchange valve and in operative connection with the actuating piston. The force transmission device has a first blocking piston which is provided in the receptacle such that it can move in a radial direction with respect to the longitudinal axis between a third position, in which the first blocking piston blocks the actuating piston in the first position, and a fourth position, in which the first blocking piston releases a movement of the actuating piston between the first position and the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: MAN TRUCK & BUS AG
    Inventor: Peter Bogdanski
  • Variable valve timing system for an engine
    Patent number: 10718238
    Abstract: An engine for a two-wheeled vehicle includes at least one cylinder comprising a combustion chamber and a cylinder head positioned adjacent the combustion chamber. The engine further includes a crankcase coupled to the at least one cylinder which includes a crankshaft. Additionally, the engine includes a valve train operably coupled to the crankshaft which includes at least one intake valve fluidly coupled to the combustion chamber, at least one exhaust valve fluidly coupled to the combustion chamber, at least one pushrod operably coupled to at least one of the intake valve and the exhaust valve, at least one camshaft operably coupled to the at least one pushrod and the crankshaft, and a cam phaser assembly operably coupled to the at least one camshaft and positioned generally outside an envelope of the cylinder head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: Indian Motorcycle International, LLC
    Inventors: Urs Wenger, David A. Galsworthy, Brian J. Hitt
  • Combined identification of an inlet valve stroke phase difference and an outlet valve stroke phase difference of an internal combustion engine with the aid of lines of the same amplitude
    Patent number: 10718283
    Abstract: Various embodiments include a method for identifying an inlet and an outlet valve stroke phase difference comprising: measuring pressure oscillations during operation; generating a corresponding signal; determining a corresponding crankshaft phase angle; applying a discrete Fourier transformation to the pressure signal to determine amplitudes of selected frequencies in relation to the crankshaft phase angle; determining lines of equal amplitudes of the frequencies based on the amplitudes depending on the phase differences using reference lines; determining an intersection of the lines by projection into a common plane; and determining the inlet valve stroke phase difference and the outlet valve stroke phase difference from the determined common intersection point of the lines of equal amplitudes of the selected signal frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: VITESCO TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventor: Tobias Braun
  • Valve drive for an internal combustion engine
    Patent number: 10711663
    Abstract: A valve drive of an internal combustion engine may include a camshaft, at least one cam follower, and a hydraulic actuating element. The camshaft may include at least one first cam structured as a brake cam and a second cam structured as an exhaust cam. The at least one first cam may have a reduced cam lift relative to the second cam. The at least one cam follower may be connected to an exhaust valve of the internal combustion engine via a rocker. The hydraulic actuating element may include a plunger that is adjustable to an extended position and a retracted position. When the plunger is in the extended position, the hydraulic actuating element may be operatively connected to the brake cam providing a braking stroke. When the plunger is in the retracted position, the hydraulic actuating element may be operatively disconnected from the brake cam providing a cylinder cutout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Mahle International GmbH
    Inventors: Patrick Altherr, Thorsten Ihne
  • Camshaft connector of an electric-hydraulic camshaft phaser assembly
    Patent number: 10711660
    Abstract: An electric-hydraulic camshaft phaser assembly, including a hydraulic camshaft phaser and an electric camshaft phaser. The hydraulic camshaft phaser includes: a stator arranged to receive rotational torque and including a plurality of radially inwardly extending protrusions; a rotor arranged to be non-rotatably connected to a first camshaft and including a plurality of radially outwardly extending protrusions circumferentially interleaved with the plurality of radially inwardly extending protrusions; and a plurality of chambers bounded at least in part by the plurality of radially inwardly extending protrusions and the plurality of radially outwardly extending protrusions. The electric camshaft phaser includes: an input non-rotatably connected to the stator; an output gear; and at least one protrusion fixed to the output gear and arranged to be inserted into at least one slot of a second camshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Dan Zehan
  • Methods and systems for cylinder valve deactivation
    Patent number: 10711666
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for monitoring and controlling a cylinder valve deactivation mechanism. In one example, a method may include sending a lower command signal to a cylinder deactivation valve control (CDVC) system without actuating a cylinder valve transition, determining an impedance of a solenoid of the CDVC system while sending the lower command signal, and actuating the cylinder valve transition responsive to the determined impedance by sending a higher command signal to the CDVC system. In this way, the cylinder valve transition is performed when the impedance is high enough to prevent over-current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Adam Krach, John Rollinger, Rob Ciarrocchi, Adam Richards
  • Method for the combined identification of phase differences of the inlet valve stroke and of the outlet valve stroke
    Patent number: 10711717
    Abstract: Various embodiments include a method for identifying valve stroke phase differences during operation comprising: measuring dynamic pressure oscillations in the air intake tract; generating a corresponding signal; acquiring a crankshaft phase angle; acquiring the phase position and the amplitude of a signal frequency of the oscillations based on the pressure oscillation using discrete Fourier transformation; acquiring a line of an equal phase position and of equal amplitude of the signal frequency reflecting the inlet and the outlet stroke phase difference using reference lines; acquiring a common intersection point of a line of equal phase position and a line of equal amplitude by projection into a common plane; and determining the stroke phase differences and from the common intersection point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: VITESCO TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventor: Tobias Braun