Patents Examined by Jorge L Leon, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11125119
    Abstract: An engine system and valvetrain can comprise a rocker shaft combined with a first block, a first cylinder deactivation oil control valve in the first block, a second cylinder deactivation oil control valve in the first block. Also, a second block can be combined with the rocker shaft with a third cylinder deactivation oil control valve and an early exhaust valve opening oil control valve in the second block. The rocker shaft can comprise oil infeeds and oil outfeeds configured for supplying hydraulic pressure to the first and second blocks, the blocks can distribute the pressure to the control valves, and the blocks can return pressure to the rocker shaft. Intake and exhaust rocker arms can receive the returned pressure to actuate valves, and the rockers arms can be arranged line-to-line with no overlap during motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventor: Ramy Rezkalla
  • Patent number: 11111828
    Abstract: A valvetrain for an internal combustion engine has a camshaft that can be rotated in a direction of rotation around an axis of rotation, at least two cam pieces arranged on the camshaft which each have at least two cams for actuating a respective gas exchange valve and which are rotationally fixedly connected to the camshaft, and an actuator via which the cam pieces can be shifted in the axial direction of the camshaft. A first of the cam pieces has a first rib protruding outwardly from a first base body of the first cam piece in the radial direction of the camshaft and the second cam piece has a second rib protruding outwardly from a second base body of the second cam piece in the radial direction of the camshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Alexander Von Gaisberg-Helfenberg, Thomas Stolk
  • Patent number: 11105226
    Abstract: A rocker arm assembly having a rocker arm including a pair of sidewalls, each sidewall defining a support aperture, a rocker arm support including a pair of opposed bearing support arms, each bearing support arm being disposed within a corresponding support aperture of the rocker arm and defining a lubrication groove extending along an outer surface thereof, and a pair of radial roller bearings, each including an inner cup, an outer cup, and a plurality of rollers disposed therebetween, wherein each radial roller bearing is disposed both on a corresponding bearing support arm and within a corresponding support aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Koyo Bearings North America LLC
    Inventor: Anthony Copper
  • Patent number: 11098617
    Abstract: A hydraulic camshaft adjuster for adjusting the control times of gas exchange valves of an engine is provided. A stator is rotatable synchronously with a crankshaft of the engine. A rotor is arranged so as to be rotatable relative to the stator, and is rotatable synchronously with a camshaft. A plurality of ribs are provided on the stator, dividing an annular chamber between the stator and the rotor into a plurality of pressure chambers. A rotor hub and a plurality of blades extend radially outward from the rotor hub, dividing the pressure chambers into two working chambers having different effective directions. An additional connectable pressure booster is provided at least in an effective direction of the hydraulic camshaft adjuster. The pressure booster can boost the rotor when active.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventor: Torsten Zschieschang
  • Patent number: 11092044
    Abstract: A cylinder head, where a pivot member configured to pivotably support a rocker arm is fastened with a bolt, is provided. The cylinder head includes a bottom wall part forming an inner bottom surface of a cam chamber that is a space where the rocker arm is disposed, and a side wall part forming an internal surface continuously rising from the inner bottom surface. A bolt hole into which the bolt is inserted is formed in the inner bottom surface. The side wall part has a protrusion protruding inward in the cam chamber from the internal surface at a position separated from the inner bottom surface, and a support hole configured to support the pivot member is formed in the protrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Takakazu Onishi
  • Patent number: 11092046
    Abstract: A first rotator (6) includes an internal gear (14) and rotates in conjunction with a crankshaft (4). A second rotator (12) includes an output gear (121) and rotates in conjunction with a camshaft (3). A planetary rotator (13) includes a planetary gear (131) that meshes with the internal gear (14) and the output gear (121), and the planetary gear (131) meshes with the internal gear (14) and the output gear (121) to perform planetary motion, thereby changing the relative rotational position between the first rotator (6) and the second rotator (12). An input shaft (16) causes the planetary rotator (13) to perform planetary motion. A first bearing (18) is interposed between the input shaft (16) and the first rotator (6). A planetary bearing (17) is interposed between the input shaft (16) and the planetary rotator (13), and is included on the same plane orthogonal to the rotation axis (O) as the first bearing (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Atsuyoshi Nakayama, Masayuki Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 11085337
    Abstract: A valve timing adjustment device includes: a first rotatable body that is rotated about a rotational axis synchronously with one of a drive shaft and a driven shaft of an engine; and a second rotatable body that is rotated about the rotational axis synchronously with the other one of the drive shaft and the driven shaft. The first rotatable body includes: a fastening portion, a slide portion and a bearing portion. The fastening portion is fastened to the one of the drive shaft and the driven shaft. The bearing portion includes an outer peripheral surface that is opposed to an inner peripheral surface of the second rotatable body, and the bearing portion rotatably supports the second rotatable body. The fastening portion projects on one axial side of the slide portion and the bearing portion in an axial direction toward the one of the drive shaft and the driven shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Soichi Kinouchi, Kenji Tada, Makoto Otsubo
  • Patent number: 11078813
    Abstract: A valve timing adjustment device includes a sprocket, a vane rotor and a shim. The sprocket is configured to rotate. The vane rotor is received in the sprocket such that the vane rotor is rotatable relative to the sprocket. The vane rotor includes a supply oil passage that is configured to communicate with an external oil passage, and a rotational phase of the sprocket is changed when the vane rotor is rotated relative to the sprocket. The filter is configured to filter hydraulic oil, which is conducted in a connection oil passage that is configured to connect between the external oil passage and the supply oil passage. The shim is placed between the driven shaft and the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yuki Matsunaga
  • Patent number: 11066962
    Abstract: An engine valve actuation system includes a rotatable camshaft having a cam lobe, and a lifter arm assembly having a lifter arm with a roller in contact with the cam lobe. A bushing is positioned in a pin bore of the lifter arm and journals the lifter arm upon the pin for reciprocation in response to rotation of the camshaft. An incoming oil passage extends to the pin bore, and an outgoing oil passage extends from the pin bore. The outgoing oil passage forms an oil spray port defining an oil spray path oriented to direct a spray of oil at the roller and/or the cam lobe. An oil feed groove is formed in at least one of the lifter arm or the bushing and fluidly connects the incoming oil passage to the outgoing oil passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Richard Newell, Prabhu Nagaraj
  • Patent number: 11066964
    Abstract: A linkage for coupling between an actuator and a valve in an engine valve actuation assembly. The linkage provides some compliance in the operation of the linkage to close the valve. The linkage comprises a rocker having a rigid body portion, the body portion including a pivot axis about which it is rotatable, and a link mount for coupling to a valve link arm. The link mount is moveable from a rest position relative to the body portion, and the link mount is urged back towards its rest position when displaced from its rest position relative to the body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Camcon Auto Limited
    Inventors: David Yates, Richard Tyrrell
  • Patent number: 11066965
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for oil flow for hydraulic lash adjusters of a vehicle engine. In one example, an engine cylinder bank includes a plurality of deactivatable hydraulic lash adjusters and a plurality of non-deactivatable hydraulic lash adjusters. A first linear oil supply passage and a second linear oil supply passage are formed within the cylinder bank and extend linearly through the cylinder bank without bends or curvature to the deactivatable and non-deactivatable hydraulic lash adjusters, with the deactivatable and non-deactivatable hydraulic lash adjusters having a same length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Forest Heggie, Robert Stephen Furby, Jeff D. Fluharty
  • Patent number: 11066966
    Abstract: A device for adjusting camshaft phase is proviced that includes a stator, a rotor and two guard caps that limit the rotor are fixedly provided at axial ends of the stator. The device further includes a belt pulley that is sleeved on the periphery of the stator and the guard caps and fixedly connected to the stator or the guard caps. An annular seal is disposed on the device and includes a first sealing portion and a second sealing portion located at axial ends. The seal body is fixedly provided between the stator, the guard caps and the belt pulley, and the annular seal encloses a sealed cavity. The stator, the rotor and the guard caps are fixedly provided in the sealed cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Xin Li
  • Patent number: 11060426
    Abstract: A switching finger follower for an engine valve train utilizes an adjustable support assembly that eliminates potential for partial engagement during operation. A lever engagement member or latch is disposed for movement on the follower body and interacts with a lever to provide a constant contact geometry. The finger follower may be configured as a lost motion device and may include a biasing assembly and a travel limiter. The latch may support the lever in at least one precise position and may support the lever in a second position for partial lost motion, or permit the lever to pivot free of the latch for complete lost motion, as in cylinder deactivation applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: JACOBS VEHICLE SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: John Mandell, Justin D. Baltrucki, David M. Ferreira
  • Patent number: 11053819
    Abstract: A valve bridge system comprises a valve bridge configured to extend between at least two engine valves of an internal combustion engine. In one embodiment, a valve bridge guide is operatively connected to the valve bridge and configured to extend between at least two valve springs respectively corresponding to the at least two engine valves, the valve bridge guide defining a surface conforming to a valve spring of the at least two valve springs. In another embodiment, the valve bridge guide may comprise at least a first member maintained in a first fixed position relative to and at a predetermined distance from the valve bridge. In both embodiments, the valve bridge guide is configured to avoid contact with the valve bridge in a controlled state, but to permit contact with valve bridge to resist uncontrolled movement of the valve bridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: JACOBS VEHICLE SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Steven Benn, Dong Yang, Gabriel S. Roberts, Bruce A. Swanbon, Justin D. Baltrucki, John Mandell
  • Patent number: 11047271
    Abstract: A compression release type of engine brake socket module is provided between an exhaust rocker arm rotating with respect to a rocker arm shaft and a valve bridge connecting an exhaust valve of an engine. In particular the socket module incudes: a housing which includes an inlet through which brake oil is introduced, a brake piston mounting portion, and a reset member mounting portion communicating with the brake piston mounting portion; a brake piston that is provided to be movable in the brake piston mounting portion; a stopper disposed on one side of an inner space of the housing to limit a moving position of the brake piston; and a reset member that is provided in the reset member mounting portion, and that discharges the brake oil by selectively contacting a push pin coupled to an upper portion of a cylinder head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jae Hee Jeon, Dong Hyuk Choi
  • Patent number: 11047270
    Abstract: A valve train may include a camshaft, a cam sleeve adjustable in an axial direction between first and second positions and non-rotatably arranged on the camshaft, a first cam and at least one second cam, a pin and at least one cam follower mounted thereon, a guide contour arranged on the cam sleeve and having first and second guide tracks, and a control pin optionally engaging in the first or second guide track to adjust the cam sleeve between the first and second positions. The at least one cam follower in the first and second positions may interact respectively with the first and second cams. On the camshaft or an internal surface of the cam sleeve, first and second snap-in recesses and a third snap-in recess therebetween may be arranged. A snap-in device having a snap-in element preloaded into the snap-in recesses may be provided, the snap-in recess fixing the cam sleeve in the first or second position. The first and second guide tracks may intersect in an intersection region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Inventors: Patrick Altherr, Thorsten Ihne, Rolf Kirschner, Mario Mohler, Markus Walch
  • Patent number: 11047267
    Abstract: A summation rocker system is disclosed for acting on the end of a stem of a poppet valve (16) in dependence upon the combined lifts of a first and a second cam profile defined by different cam lobes (14, 22) of a concentric camshaft (46). The system comprises a first rocker (12) mounted on a pivot shaft (18) and having a first follower (44) to contact the first cam profile and an end acting on the valve (16) to displace the valve (16) by an amount dependent upon the lift of the first cam profile, a rocker shaft (24) to be fixedly mounted on the engine, and a second rocker (20) pivotable about the rocker shaft (24), the second rocker (20) having a second follower (48) to contact the second cam profile and acting to displace the pivot shaft (18) of the first rocker (12) in dependence of the lift of second cam profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Mechadyne International Ltd.
    Inventors: Ian Methley, Timothy Mark Lancefield, Kyle Webb
  • Patent number: 11041415
    Abstract: A valve control for an internal combustion engine may include a tilt lever, a cam shaft, two cam groups arranged on the cam shaft, a roller bolt arranged on the tilt lever, and an adjusting assembly including a switching pin that engages through the roller bolt. The roller bolt may include two rotatable rollers. The switching pin may be adjustable into a switching position and into a home position. The switching pin may cooperate with a slotted guide of the cam shaft when in the switching position and may have no contact with the slotted guide when in the home position. When the switching pin is in the switching position, the two rollers may be axially adjustable via the adjusting assembly. The switching pin may be axially movable in the roller bolt and the two rollers may be axially movable on the roller bolt into one of two roller positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Inventors: Patrick Altherr, Thorsten Ihne, Mario Mohler, Markus Walch
  • Patent number: 11041416
    Abstract: A valve train of an internal combustion engine may include a camshaft, first and second cams, a rocker arm assembly having a displacement bolt, which may be adjustable between at least first and second positions in the axial direction and on which at least one cam roller, may be mounted in an axially fixed and rotatable manner, wherein the displacement bolt may be mounted in associated bearing lugs of the rocker arm assembly, a guide contour arranged on the camshaft and having first and second guide tracks, a switching pin, which may be arranged in the displacement bolt and which may optionally engage with the first or second guide track to adjust the displacement bolt between the first and second positions. In the first and second positions, the cam roller may cooperate with the first and second cams, respectively. First and second catch recesses may be provided on the displacement bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Inventors: Patrick Altherr, Thorsten Ihne, Herrn R. Kirschner, Mario Mohler, Markus Walch
  • Patent number: 11028739
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for intermittently operating poppet valves in an internal combustion engine when desired by the selective locking or unlocking of one or more cam lobes with the camshaft. One or more cam lobes, with a small radial clearance, ride on a camshaft such that an engagement mechanism may be activated as desired to lock the cam lobe to the camshaft, thereby activating the respective poppet valve. The cam lobe is prevented from moving axially to ensure correct alignment with a follower. A suitable holding device may be used to ensure the non-activated cam lobes are restrained at a suitable orientation relative to the cam follower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: YELIR, INC
    Inventor: Michael B. Riley