Patents Examined by Jorge Leon, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9995184
    Abstract: An arrangement for coupling two components that can move relative to each other in a switchable valve train component for an internal combustion engine is provided, with a coupling element (3) that can be moved for coupling the components with a flattened coupling surface (5) for contacting a corresponding locking contour. The locking contour has recesses (7) in which the coupling element (3) can engage so that it can move in contact with the locking contour for coupling with its coupling surface (5) in a position slightly rotated relative to a predetermined coupling position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Oliver Popp, Andreas Biermann
  • Patent number: 9995269
    Abstract: A power converting apparatus that may increase a generation efficiency by receiving a power from a power source, producing electricity by rotating an output shaft connected to a generator using a portion of the received power, accumulating a remaining portion of the received power in an energy storage device, and rotating the output shaft using the accumulated energy when a power is not transmitted from the power source, the power source that floats in the ocean, performs irregular motions in vertical and horizontal directions by waves within a predetermined range, and generates an intermittent linear power, is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: INGINE, INC.
    Inventors: Yongjun Sung, Junghee Kim, Donggeon Lee
  • Patent number: 9998040
    Abstract: A motor driver for driving a motor in a valve timing controller of an internal combustion engine, including an Electronic Driver Unit (EDU) that, upon receiving a target rotation cycle as the instructed rotation cycle, instructs a rotation controller to (i) calculate a duty value of a Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) signal for driving the motor based on an instructed rotation cycle and an actual rotation cycle and (ii) output a calculation result of the duty value to a motor drive unit, with the rotation controller outputting, to the motor drive unit, an instruction signal that rotates the motor forward along an actual rotation direction, when the calculation result takes a positive value as a duty ratio of the PWM signal, establishing an accurate motor rotation speed control together with an improved responsiveness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tatsuhiro Numata, Masatake Sato
  • Patent number: 9982619
    Abstract: It is intended to, when abnormality in either one of two rotation detection sections with different detection frequencies occurs, quickly and highly accurately detect the abnormality to favorably deal with abnormality occurring during low engine rotation. It is determined that abnormality is present in the rotation phase detection section, when an absolute value of difference between an actual VTC angle detected by a rotation phase detection section and an integrated value of a VTC change angle detected by motor rotation sensor 201 with the higher detection frequency than the frequency of detection of the actual VTC angle by the rotation phase detection section is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventor: Kentaro Mikawa
  • Patent number: 9982574
    Abstract: A multipart rotor (1) for a hydraulic camshaft adjuster, including a rotor main body (2) which is connected to a first rotor auxiliary body (3) for conjoint rotation and in an axially fixed manner, the rotor main body (2) and the first rotor auxiliary body (3) together forming at least one hydraulic medium guide channel (5). A second ring-shaped rotor auxiliary body (4) is arranged concentric to the rotor main body (2) and the first rotor auxiliary body (3) on the radially inner side of both components, the second rotor auxiliary body (4) being fastened to the rotor main body (2) and/or to the first rotor auxiliary body (3) for conjoint rotation and in an axially fixed manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Juergen Weber
  • Patent number: 9970338
    Abstract: A cylinder deactivation system includes an intake cam follower assembly, an exhaust cam follower assembly, an exhaust cam, and a controller. The intake cam follower assembly is used to open an intake engine valve and is switchable to operate in one of an active state and a deactive state. The exhaust cam follower assembly is used to open an exhaust engine valve and is switchable to operate in one of a primary lift state and a secondary lift state. The exhaust cam includes a primary lift cam lobe and a secondary lift cam lobe and is used to actuate the exhaust cam follower assembly in the primary lift state and in the secondary lift state. The controller is used to open the exhaust engine valve during the deactive combustion cycle in advance of the opening of the intake engine valve that occurs during the subsequent active combustion cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES IP LIMITED
    Inventors: Matthew G. Foster, Keith A. Confer, Wayne R. Moore
  • Patent number: 9970330
    Abstract: An electric variable valve timing apparatus includes a sprocket unit and an electric motor. The electric motor is fixed to a chain cover with bolts. The chain cover includes plural bosses each having an internal thread to which one of the bolts is threaded. The bosses extend from the chain cover toward the sprocket unit to positions at which the bosses face an outer periphery of the sprocket unit in a radial direction. The bosses are arranged such that, when the sprocket unit moves downward from an attaching position, at which the sprocket unit is attached to the camshaft, at least two bosses are engaged with the sprocket unit to restrict downward movement of the sprocket unit, and that the sprocket unit is allowed to move between a location outside of a space covered by the chain cover and the attaching position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiroki Toshitani
  • Patent number: 9957856
    Abstract: A hydraulic valve brake for a hydraulic valve drive of an internal combustion engine is provided. The valve brake includes a housing with a housing wall and with a housing base, and includes a piston which moves axially in the housing and one end side of which, together with the housing wall and the housing base, delimits a hydraulic pressure chamber and the other end side of which actuates a gas exchange valve. The housing wall is perforated in the region of the pressure chamber by one or more overflow openings, the opening cross sections of which are controlled by a control edge, which delimits the end side at the pressure chamber side, of the piston. In this case, it is the intention for the axial distance (h) between the control edge of the piston, when the latter is fully retracted into the housing, and the housing base to be set by a spacer of predetermined thickness (d).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Schaffer Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Steve Beier, Arno Bachstadt, Hendrik Thomann
  • Patent number: 9957848
    Abstract: A cam follower for operable attachment to a valve lifter assembly for use with a variable cam lobe camshaft in a variable valve timing system includes a housing with a central cavity and a mushroom head with a stem pivotably connected to the housing in the central cavity, the mushroom head having a radiused surface for contacting a cam lobe surface. The cam follower is used in combination with a variable cam surface of an axially displaceable camshaft to obtain improvements in idling speed and volumetric efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Inventor: Daniel Guy Pomerleau
  • Patent number: 9958076
    Abstract: A flow passage partition structure including a flow passage member including a flow passage space portion, a partition member partitioning the flow passage space portion into a first flow passage and a second flow passage, the partition member including a first plate and a second plate being in contact with the first plate in a state where the second plate is press-fitted in an inner circumferential surface of the flow passage space portion, the first plate including an outer circumferential surface that is out of contact with the inner circumferential surface of the flow passage space portion, and the first plate, the second plate, and the inner circumferential surface of the flow passage space portion forming a space portion that corresponds to a foreign material storage portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masaki Kobayashi, Yoshiaki Yamakawa, Hiromitsu Shigyo
  • Patent number: 9945273
    Abstract: A multiple variable valve lift apparatus includes a first moving cam, the first moving cam provided to rotate together with the camshaft and move in an axial direction of the camshaft, a plurality of cams realizing different valve lifts relative to each other, a second moving cam provided to rotate together with the camshaft and move in an axial direction of the camshaft, and forming a second cam guide protrusion and a plurality of cams realizing different valve lifts relative to each other, a first operating unit, a second operating unit, a controller, and a valve opening/closing unit, wherein at least two pins are respectively disposed at the first operating unit and the second operating unit so as to guide the first cam guide protrusion and the second cam guide protrusion, and an interference preventing pin formed to have a relatively large diameter in comparison with the other pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Byong Young Choi
  • Patent number: 9945270
    Abstract: A hollow rocker shaft including a central opening defined by a radially inner surface and a separator secured in the central opening of the rocker shaft is provided. A radially outer surface of the separator engages the radially inner surface of the rocker shaft via a press-fit. The separator divides the central opening of the rocker shaft into (1) a first chamber extending between a first chamber axial end and the separator, and (2) a second chamber extending between a second chamber axial end and the separator. The separator includes an orifice defined between the first chamber and the second chamber that provides fluid connection between the first chamber and the second chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Faheem Ahmed, Colin Foster, David Chandler, John Whitton, Debora Manther, Pradeep Mohan Mohan Das, Sumukha Nagaraj
  • Patent number: 9945271
    Abstract: Provided is a valve opening/closing timing control device that can speedily achieve a stable operation at the time of starting an engine. The device includes a drive-side rotating body that is rotated in synchronism with a crankshaft and has a plurality of projecting portions, a driven-side rotating body that has a partition portion which forms an advance angle chamber and a retard angle chamber and that is rotated together with a camshaft for valve opening/closing, an intermediate lock mechanism switchable between a locked state and an unlocked state, a pump for supplying fluid to the advance angle chamber, the retard angle chamber or the intermediate lock mechanism, and a communication passage configured to establish communication between the advance angle chamber and the retard angle chamber disposed adjacent in a circumferential direction when the intermediate lock mechanism is under the locked state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shigemitsu Suzuki, Naoto Toma, Hiroki Mukaide
  • Patent number: 9945272
    Abstract: In a variable valve actuation apparatus for an internal combustion engine, a rotor of a variable valve timing mechanism is fixed to one end of a camshaft by a plurality of bolts. An oil control valve configured to control hydraulic pressure that acts on the rotor is fixed to the rotor by one or some of the plurality of bolts. For this reason, by releasing fastening of the bolt that fixes the oil control valve to the rotor among the plurality of bolts that fix the rotor to the one end of the camshaft, the oil control valve is allowed to be removed from the rotor while the rotor is fixed to the camshaft. Therefore, it is not required to perform positioning for fixing the rotor to the camshaft at the time of replacement of the oil control valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yu Yokoyama, Haruhito Fujimura, Yoshiki Endo, Keisuke Hotta
  • Patent number: 9938864
    Abstract: A valve opening and closing timing control apparatus includes a drive-side rotational member rotating synchronously with a crankshaft, a driven-side rotational member arranged at an inner side of the drive-side rotational member to be coaxial with and relatively rotatable to the drive-side rotational member, an adapter arranged between the driven-side rotational member and a camshaft in a state being coaxial with the driven-side rotational member, a fixing member arranged coaxially with the camshaft and integrally fixing the driven-side rotational member and the camshaft in a state where the adapter is disposed between the driven-side rotational member and the camshaft, and a phase change mechanism including a portion which is press-fitted to the fixing member in a coaxial manner, the driven-side rotational member being fixed to the adapter in a state where a clearance is provided between the driven-side rotational member and the adapter in a radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuji Noguchi, Takeo Asahi
  • Patent number: 9932864
    Abstract: A valve train for a reciprocating piston internal combustion engine with a transmission element in the form of a rocker arm (1) or pivot arm that can be actuated, on one hand, at least indirectly by a cam of a camshaft and is in active connection, on the other hand, through an intermediate connection of a valve bridge (4), with gas-exchange valves (7, 8). The valve bridge (4) has hydraulic valve lash compensation elements (“HVAs”) allocated to each gas-exchange valve (7, 8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Marco Junker, Norbert Geyer, Steffen Gumbrecht
  • Patent number: 9932865
    Abstract: A valve timing control device for an internal combustion engine includes: a driving rotation member; a driven rotation member fixed to a cam shaft; an electric motor; a speed reduction mechanism; a power feeding brush; and a power feeding plate which is provided to the driving rotation member, and which includes a slip ring on which the power feeding brush is abutted, the power feeding plate including a rigidity plate portion whose outer circumference portion is fixed to the driving rotation member, and a resin portion formed by molding an outer surface of the rigidity plate portion, and the rigidity plate portion including a holding hole which holds the power feeding brush through the resin portion, and being integrally formed with a reinforcement portion which is formed at a portion except for the holding hole, and which extends in a radially inward direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Ryo Tadokoro, Atsushi Yamanaka
  • Patent number: 9926818
    Abstract: A valve opening and closing timing control apparatus includes a driven-side rotational member connected to a camshaft by a mounting member, a spool movably provided at an inner portion of a tubular wall portion of the mounting member, a first flow passage connecting a first port of the tubular wall portion and the advanced angle chamber to each other and a second flow passage connecting a second port of the tubular wall portion and the retarded angle chamber to each other, the first flow passage and the second flow passage being provided at the driven-side rotational member. A thermal expansion coefficient of a material forming the driven-side rotational member is greater than a thermal expansion coefficient of a material forming the mounting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takeo Asahi, Yuji Noguchi
  • Patent number: 9926815
    Abstract: An adjustable camshaft for a valve drive of an internal combustion engine may include an inner shaft extending through an outer shaft with a cam element disposed on the outer shaft. The cam element may be connected rotationally conjointly to the inner shaft. The cam element may have a shaft passage with an internal bearing surface, which, together with a bearing surface on an outer side of the outer shaft, forms a plain bearing arrangement for the rotatable arrangement of the cam element on the outer shaft. The bearing surface on the outer side of the outer shaft and/or the internal bearing surface of the shaft passage of the cam element may include one or more sections with a spherical shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: THYSSENKRUPP PRESTA TECCENTER AG
    Inventors: Martin Lehmann, Bernd Mann, Michael Kunz, Uwe Dietel, Jürgen Meusel, Manfred Muster, Markus Niederlechner, Marko Curlic
  • Patent number: 9926816
    Abstract: A switchable rocker arm for valve deactivation is provided for a valve train of an internal combustion engine. The switchable rocker arm includes a cam lever assembly, a valve lever assembly, and a hydraulically actuated coupling assembly that is radially arranged between the cam lever and valve lever assemblies. The coupling assembly includes a shuttle pin, a locking pin with a round or flat locking interface, and optional shuttle pin and locking pin sleeves. In a first, locked position, the rotational motion of a camshaft is translated to linear motion of an engine valve. In a second, unlocked position, the cam lever assembly rotates about the valve lever assembly, facilitating valve deactivation. A pivot joint arranged between the cam lever and valve lever assemblies facilitates an arcuate lost motion of the cam lever assembly. An integrated arrangement for one or more lost motion springs offers packaging and functional advantages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Faheem Ahmed, Colin Foster, David Chandler, John Whitton, Kate Higdon