Patents Examined by Jorge L Leon, Jr.
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Patent number: 10704430
    Abstract: A phase setter for adjusting the rotational angular position of a cam shaft relative to a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine. The phase setter includes a stator; a rotor which together with the stator forms a first and second pressure chambers; a control valve featuring a pressure port, and first and second working ports; a feed for the inflow of pressure fluid to the pressure port, a first connecting channel connecting the first pressure chamber to the first working port, and a second connecting channel connecting the second pressure chamber to the second working port; and a reflux valve device acts in the feed and includes a valve structure extending annularly around the rotational axis and has one or more spring tongues or can be axially moved to restrict backflow of pressure fluid through the feed more significantly than the inflow of pressure fluid to the pressure port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Schwäbische Hüttenwerke Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Jürgen Bohner, Uwe Meinig
  • Patent number: 10697334
    Abstract: A driving rotor is configured to rotate about a rotational shaft center in conjunction with a crankshaft. A driven rotor is configured to rotate about the rotational shaft center in conjunction with the camshaft. A deceleration mechanism is configured to change a relative rotational phase between the driving rotor and the driven rotor by using a driving force of an electric motor. The deceleration mechanism includes an internal gear portion, which includes an internal tooth extending radially inward, and an external gear portion, which includes an external tooth extending radially outward and engaging with the internal tooth. A linear expansion coefficient of the external gear portion is greater than a linear expansion coefficient of the internal gear portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Soichi Kinouchi, Akira Iwasaki
  • Patent number: 10690017
    Abstract: A hydraulic lash adjuster (HLA) sleeve configured to be received within a lifter bore of an engine block, includes a cylindrical sleeve having an outer surface defining an outer diameter, and an inner surface defining an inner diameter. The outer diameter is sized for an interference fit with the lifter bore to prevent rotation of the HLA sleeve within the lifter bore. The inner diameter is sized to receive a lifter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Leon Brown, James E. McCarthy, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10690023
    Abstract: A valvetrain assembly for an internal combustion engine includes a first camshaft, a first intake cam, a second intake cam, a first cam slide member, and a first actuator. The first camshaft rotatably is supported by a cylinder head. The first intake cam and a second intake cam are disposed on and engaged with the first camshaft for common rotation. The first cam slide member is fixed for common rotation with the first and second intake cams. The first cam slide member has a pin groove disposed on the outer periphery of the first cam slide member. The pin groove includes a first side wall and a second side wall opposite the first side wall. The first actuator has a first and a second pins. The first and second pins are individually extendable into the pin groove of the first cam slide member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Mark Claywell, Maqsood Rizwan Ali Khan, Kevin Eckerle
  • Patent number: 10690019
    Abstract: Using existing phaser control valve and a solenoid to create a pumping chamber which provides enough oil pressure to disengage a locking pin at all conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Braman Wing, Mark M. Wigsten, Chad McCloy, Chris Pluta, Jonas Adler, Jason Moss, Keith Feldt
  • Patent number: 10677116
    Abstract: A decompression pin is inserted into a swing range of an end portion of a rocker arm, on a side which is supported by a lash adjuster, when the rocker arm has been inclined toward a direction in which a valve is opened. The decompression pin comes into contact with the end portion of the rocker arm when the rocker arm is inclined toward a direction in which the valve is closed, and thereby restricts the rocker arm from returning to a position at which the valve is completely closed, and the valve becomes in a slightly opened state even in a compression stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Manabu Tateno
  • Patent number: 10677105
    Abstract: A camshaft for an internal combustion engine has a fundamental shaft which has a first toothing designed as external toothing and has at least one cam element which is arranged on the fundamental shaft and has a second toothing designed as internal toothing, The cam element can be displaced in the axial direction relative to the fundamental shaft and is connected to the fundamental shaft in a rotationally fixed manner via the toothings. At least one of the toothings has teeth whose respective tooth width varies in the axial direction of the fundamental shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Thomas Gramkow, Markus Wuensch
  • Patent number: 10677106
    Abstract: A rocker arm includes an outer arm with an outer follower including a first outer roller and a second outer roller both supported on an outer arm roller shaft, the outer arm roller shaft having a first portion having a first diameter which is supported in the outer arm by a first outer bearing; a second portion having a second diameter which is supported in the outer arm by a second outer bearing; and a third portion having a third diameter such that the third diameter is smaller than the first diameter and the second diameter. An inner arm selectively pivots relative to the outer arm, the inner arm having an inner follower and also having an inner arm aperture through which the outer arm roller shaft extends such that the third portion of the outer arm roller shaft is located within the inner arm aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES IP LIMITED
    Inventors: Cynthia A. Tawaf, Ian R. Jermy
  • Patent number: 10662828
    Abstract: A camshaft phaser includes an input member connectable to the crankshaft of an engine; an output member connectable to a camshaft of the engine and defining an advance chamber and a retard chamber with the input member. A valve spool is moveable between an advance position and a retard position and includes a valve spool bore extending thereinto. An insert within the valve spool bore and carries a check valve. The check valve includes a check valve member which moves between a seated position and an unseated position. The check valve also includes a check valve positioning member which is held in compression against an inner periphery of the valve spool bore such that compression of the check valve positioning member holds the check valve in contact with the insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES IP LIMITED
    Inventors: Thomas H. Fischer, Prashant Bhokardole
  • Patent number: 10662827
    Abstract: A center bolt oil control valve including a valve housing, a piston within the valve housing, and a calibration cap having at least a pressure check valve and filter. The calibration cap is located within the valve housing and is extending out an end of the valve housing. A supply pressure port may be placed in the valve housing, wherein the supply pressure port supplies a hydraulic fluid to ports in the valve housing depending on a position of the piston. The valve housing includes a threaded portion and is fastened to a cam nose with the threaded portion, wherein a supply pressure port of the cam nose is adjacent the threaded portion. This valve provides improved design flexibility, especially for axial constrained applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: ECO Holding 1 GmbH
    Inventor: Daniel Stanhope
  • Patent number: 10662826
    Abstract: A method of operating an internal combustion engine that includes a valvetrain having a rocker arm assembly including a rocker arm on which a latch pin is mounted. An actuator for the latch pin, including an electromagnet, is mounted separately from the rocker arm. Rocker arm position information is obtained by gathering and analyzing data relating to a current or voltage in an electrical circuit that is operative to power the electromagnet. The rocker arm position information is used to perform a diagnostic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Douglas Anthony Hughes, Matthew Richard Busdiecker, Dale Arden Stretch
  • Patent number: 10662825
    Abstract: A method of operating an internal combustion engine of a type that has a combustion chamber, a moveable valve having a seat formed in the combustion chamber, a camshaft on which a cam is mounted, and a rocker arm assembly having a rocker arm and a cam follower configured to engage the cam as the camshaft rotates. The method includes obtaining rocker arm position data, using the rocker arm position data to obtain camshaft position information, and using the camshaft position information in an engine management operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Douglas Anthony Hughes, Matthew Richard Busdiecker, Dale Arden Stretch
  • Patent number: 10662831
    Abstract: A method for controlling an engine having a continuous variable valve duration (CVVD) apparatus is provided. The method includes: correcting a torque required by a driver; transmitting, by a hybrid control unit (HCU), a start signal to an engine control unit (ECU) when the corrected torque satisfies conditions required to drive the engine; determining a target CVVD value for operation of an intake CVVD apparatus corresponding to the corrected torque; determining a target current value corresponding to the target CVVD value; and changing the target CVVD value to a synchronizing CVVD value when a current state of the engine is in a cranking interval, wherein the synchronizing CVVD value is configured to synchronize starting revolutions per minute (RPM) of the engine with RPM of an automatic transmission or RPM of a motor generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, KIA Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Young Kyu Oh, Yeong Jin Nam, Yong Seok Kim, Se Geun Kim
  • Patent number: 10655549
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an engine in which compression and expansion is performed in the same cylinder. Also disclosed is a microprocessor for controlling the state of various valves in the cylinder—including an intake valve, a transfer valve, and an exhaust valve—to cause a compression or expansion to occur. A compression tank is provided for receiving, via the transfer valve, compressed air, which may be retrieved during an expansion (combustion) cycle. Compressed air for from multiple consecutive compressions may be stored in the tank and retrieved later, including for multiple consecutive expansions. Compression and expansion are not required to occur in any fixed or predetermined pattern and the microprocessor may evaluate vehicle sensors to determine a power demand, and cause compression or expansion to occur depending on the given power demand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Inventor: Francisco Ruiz
  • Patent number: 10655508
    Abstract: A variable camshaft timing system for an internal combustion engine with an idler shaft mounted camshaft phaser is provided. The camshaft phaser includes a driven wheel that is driven by the crankshaft, a driving wheel that drives the camshaft, and a hydraulically driven phasing assembly therebetween. A valve body is connected to the idler shaft for directing the flow of pressurized hydraulic medium to the camshaft phaser. The valve body includes a center part with an integral retainer for holding the camshaft phaser on the idler shaft, and a radial extension integrally connected to the center part that extends radially outwardly from an axis of the idler shaft a predefined distance. A control valve receiving part is integrally connected to radial extension and includes a control valve bore. A control valve is located in the control valve bore in the valve body. The control valve extends through the engine cover at a desired location for control valve maintenance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Dipan Patel
  • Patent number: 10648375
    Abstract: An electrically-controlled eccentric camshaft phaser (10) that adjusts phase between a camshaft and a crankshaft includes a sprocket (12), configured to connect to the crankshaft and rotate about a center axis (x), having a sprocket ring gear (14); a camshaft plate (20) configured to connect to the camshaft and rotate about the center axis (x), having a camshaft ring gear (22); an eccentric shaft (28) that includes a crankshaft eccentric section (52) and a camshaft eccentric section (54); a sprocket bearing (16) that is received by the crankshaft eccentric section (52); a camshaft bearing (64), having a different diameter than the sprocket bearing (16), that is received by the camshaft eccentric section (54).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: BORGWARNER, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel Brown, Shawn Blackmur, Chris D. Thomas
  • Patent number: 10648376
    Abstract: A biasing assembly used with a VCT device includes a torsional biasing element that is elongated and configured to engage and receive rotational motion from one of a rotor or stator of the VCT device; a rigid element that is configured to engage the other of the rotor of the stator of the VCT device and be inserted within a cavity of a camshaft with the torsional biasing element; a receiving feature that couples the rigid element to the torsional biasing element and inhibits angular movement of the rotor and the stator away from a default angular position, wherein the torsional biasing element and the rigid element are angularly displaced from a resting position to a pre-loaded position when the torsional biasing element and the rigid element engage the rotor and the stator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: BORGWARNER, INC.
    Inventors: Chad McCloy, Joshua D. Plumeau