Patents Examined by Kyle Riddle
  • Patent number: 6684836
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine is provided which comprises a variable valve timing mechanism provided at an end of a camshaft and actuated by oil pressure for varying a valve timing, an oil pressure control valve that controls the oil pressure, and an oil passage fluidly connecting between the oil pressure control valve and the variable valve timing mechanism, wherein the oil pressure control valve is installed on a head cover, and wherein the oil passage includes a first oil passage section formed in the camshaft and in communication with the variable valve timing mechanism, a second oil passage section formed in the head cover and in communication with the oil pressure control valve, and a third oil passage section formed in the cam bracket and provides communication between the first oil passage section and the second oil passage section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takahito Inoue
  • Patent number: 6684835
    Abstract: A valve timing control device is provided, which has an advantageous point of locking a relative rotation phase at an intermediate phase based on an engine halt signal. The valve opening-closing timing control device has a relative rotation control mechanism including the first path for supplying or discharging oil to or from the retard angle chamber and the advance angle chamber and for moving a relative rotation phase between the retard angle chamber and the advance angle chamber in the range between the most retarded angle phase and the most advanced angle phase. The relative rotation control mechanism has a lock oil passage for actuating lock portions for locking the relative rotation phase at the intermediate phase between the most retarded angle phase and the most advanced angle phase. The second path is provided separately from the first path. The second path supplies oil to and discharges oil from a lock oil passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Osamu Komazawa, Hiroshi Kubo
  • Patent number: 6681732
    Abstract: A control device for switching an intake or exhaust valve of an internal combustion engine has a control valve with a control valve piston for controlling flow of a hydraulic medium from a pressure line to the intake or exhaust valve. At least one actuating element is correlated with the intake or exhaust valve and has a first end acted on by the hydraulic medium. At least one damping device interacts with the at least one actuating element and is arranged at a second end of the actuating element opposite the first end. The at least one damping device exerts a damping force onto the actuating element counteracting a force exerted by the hydraulic medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Hydraulik-Ring GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Niethammer, Ulrich Augustin
  • Patent number: 6679207
    Abstract: A valve actuation system is provided. The system includes an engine valve moveable between a first position where the engine valve prevents a flow of fluid relative to the engine valve and a second position where the engine valve allows a flow of fluid relative to the engine valve. A first cam is rotated to move the engine valve from the first position to the second position during a first lift period. A second cam is rotated to affect movement of the engine valve between the first position and the second position during a second lift period. A phase shifting device is operatively connected to the second cam and is adapted to adjust the rotational phase of the second cam relative to the first cam, thereby adjusting the relative timing between the first lift period and the second lift period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventor: Scott Alan Leman
  • Patent number: 6679210
    Abstract: The present invention prevents abnormal wear of the friction surfaces surrounding the rocker arm, prevents poor lubrication when the engine is started at low temperature after a long period of shutdown, and improves reliability. A bag-shaped oil sump (24) opening upward is provided in the middle part of the rocker arm main body (17). A roller (15) and a roller pin (16) are provided inside the oil sump (24) and when the engine stops, these are immersed in the oil in the oil sump (24). When the engine stops, the area between the roller (15) and the roller pin (16) is lubricated. Further, when the engine is re-started after a long period of shutdown, until the oil has risen, the area between the roller (15) and the cam (8) can be lubricated using the oil adhering to the roller (15). When the rocker arm (6) oscillates downward, the oil in the oil sump (24) is supplied from the oil exhaust (28) by spraying towards the valve shaft end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Isuzu Motors Limited
    Inventor: Akira Iijima
  • Patent number: 6675753
    Abstract: To provide a cam phase variable apparatus, which can suppress the occurrence of play from abrasion at sliding portions of two rotatable members, which rotate relative to each other, to allow good accuracy in phase control to be kept over a long period of time without complicating the structure of the two rotatable members. A cam phase variable apparatus for varying the phase of a cam which is driven by power of a crankshaft includes a lever supported for rocking motion on a support shaft provided on an outer shaft, and a driving apparatus for rocking the lever. The driving apparatus includes a transmission member, which is driven to rotate by an electric motor, and an operation member which moves in an axial direction together with the transmission member. The lever has a first operating arm having a pin for engaging with the operation member, and a second operating arm having a roller for engaging with a cam tube on which the cam is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yutaka Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 6675751
    Abstract: A hydraulic damper for an automotive engine electromechanical cylinder valve 20 is provided. The hydraulic damper includes an inner piston 130 which is slidably mounted within an outer piston 110. The outer piston is slidably mounted within an interior hydraulic filled cavity 82 of a damper body 80. Movement of the valve body 20 along extreme positions causes the inner piston 130 to move the outer piston 110 within the interior cavity 82 to effectuate hydraulic damping of the valve body 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas William Megli, Philip Thomas Koneda, Stephen John Agdomy, Yan Wang
  • Patent number: 6668778
    Abstract: A variable cam timing system comprising a VCT locking pin in hydraulic communication with the control circuit of the differential pressure control system (DPCS) is provided. When the control pressure is less than 50% duty cycle the same control signal commands the locking pin to engage and the VCT to move toward the mechanical stop. When the control pressure is greater than 50% duty cycle the locking pin disengages and the VCT moves away from the mechanical stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Franklin R. Smith
  • Patent number: 6668777
    Abstract: An arrangement is provided for relative angle-of-rotation adjustment of a camshaft of an internal-combustion engine with respect to a driving wheel. An interior part, non-rotatably connected with the camshaft, has at least approximately radially extending webs or vanes. A driven cell wheel has several cells distributed along the circumference and bounded by webs. The camshaft is rotatable by way of the webs or vanes between two end positions relative to the cell wheel, and the interior part is laterally bounded by two cover elements connected with the cell wheel. Recesses forming chambers are provided to reduce friction between the webs or vanes of the interior part and the cover elements in the side walls of the vanes directed to the cover elements. During operation of the internal-combustion engine, the recesses are at least partially acted upon by hydraulic oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignees: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft, Hydraulik Ring GmbH
    Inventors: Gerold Sluka, Edwin Palesch, Alfred Trzmiel
  • Patent number: 6666180
    Abstract: A valve timing control device according to the present invention has a between-sealing-faces clearance defined between a frontal end of each shoe of a first rotor and an outer periphery of a boss section of a second rotor corresponding to the frontal end of the shoe and accepting the quantity of oil leaks having no effect on the responsibility of the device as a maximum value. The between-sealing-faces clearance is so set as to be larger than the maximum bearing clearance defined between the camshaft and a bearing section of the device supporting rotationally the camshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hirofumi Hase
  • Patent number: 6666178
    Abstract: An electro-hydraulic actuator assembly having a plurality of hydraulic pressure operated pistons controlled by a single solenoid operated shut-off and vent valve. Eaton hydraulic piston has an exteriorly extending arm attached thereto for contacting a release latch on the engine valve gear for disablement or deactivation of the valves in selected engine combustion chambers. The actuator assembly is disposed with the shut-off and vent valve vent port vertically above the hydraulic piston bores; and, a bleed orifice is provided for bleed flow from the hydraulic piston bores to the valving chamber in the shut-off and vent valve for permitting bleed flow and air purge. Gravity flow from the vent port may also provide lubrication for the engine cam surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Robert D. Keller, Michael L. Rasnick
  • Patent number: 6666181
    Abstract: A phaser which includes a housing and a rotor disposed to rotate relative to each other is provided. The housing has at least one cavity disposed to be divided by a vane rigidly attached to the rotor. The vane divides the cavity into a first chamber and a second chamber. The phaser further includes passages connecting the first and the second chamber, thereby facilitating the oscillation of the vane within the cavity. The phaser includes: a) a valve disposed to form at least two openings for fluid flowing between the first chamber and the second chamber and being disposed to keep at least one opening closed; and b) at least one by-pass disposed to stop or slow down the rotation between the housing and the rotor, thereby allowing a locking mechanism to lock the housing and the rotor together independent of fluid flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Franklin R. Smith, Braman Wing
  • Patent number: 6662770
    Abstract: The invention relates to a valve rotator having an annular body in which are circumferentially provided several ball pockets having inclined ball races and in which a ball and a tangential spring are located in each case. In a rest position, the tangential springs press the balls at an upper point of the inclined ball races. An annular cover is also provided, which is rotatable and axially displaceable relative to the body. There is also an axial spring device between the body and the cover, the axial spring device pressing them apart axially in the rest position and if a valve spring tension is applied the body and the cover are pressed axially against one another and the balls roll along the ball races to a lower point. There is a clearly defined rotation between the body and the cover. A drastic reduction of wear is brought about in that the axial spring device is spaced from the balls and on one axial side of the axial spring device is provided a pivot bearing. The balls are in contact with the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Inventor: Michael Engesser
  • Patent number: 6659054
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine comprises a variable valve control device that varies a lift degree of an intake valve, an air intake passage led to an intake port of the engine that is incorporated with the intake valve and a fuel injection valve arranged to inject fuel into the intake port. The fuel injection valve has a first injection mode wherein each fuel injection shot is entirely carried out during opening period of the intake valve and a second injection mode wherein each fuel injection shot entirely finishes prior to opening action of the intake valve. A control unit is further employed by the engine, which allows the fuel injection valve to select one of the first and second injection modes in accordance with the lift degree of intake valve effected by the variable valve control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takanobu Sugiyama, Shinichi Takemura, Tsuneyasu Nohara
  • Patent number: 6659055
    Abstract: When a target timing is determined, a current duty-ratio of a solenoid valve is initially adjusted based on a learned initial value, and then gradually adjusted until a current valve timing corresponds to the target timing. The initial value is chosen from learned initial advance and retard values from a map having independent variables of fluid temperature and battery voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Yong-Jung Park
  • Patent number: 6655332
    Abstract: Upon transmission of a first torque from a first brake portion to a first eccentric shaft, the first eccentric shaft rotates in a retarding direction relative to a rotating member. This causes a first planetary gear to rotate in an advancing direction together with a first output shaft and a driven shaft. Upon transmission of a second torque from a second brake portion to a second eccentric shaft, the second eccentric shaft rotates in a retarding direction relative to the rotating member. This causes a second planetary gear to rotate in the advancing direction together with a second output shaft and the first eccentric shaft, relative to the rotating member, while maintaining rotation in the advancing direction relative to the second eccentric shaft and causes the first planetary gear to rotate in the retarding direction together with the first output shaft and the driven shaft relative to the rotating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Akihiko Takenaka, Michio Adachi
  • Patent number: 6655330
    Abstract: A variable valve actuation (VVA) mechanism includes an output cam having a first output cam lobe and a second output cam lobe. A body portion adjoins and axially separates the first and second output cam lobes. The body portion includes an outer surface. A portion of the outer surface is configured for being pivotally engaged by a cam support bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald J. Pierik
  • Patent number: 6647933
    Abstract: An electronic control unit for a two-cycle internal combustion engine including an exhaust control valve which adjusts exhaust timing, a valve controller which controls the exhaust control valve, and a reversal controller which controls reversing a rotational direction of the engine in accordance with an instruction for reversal. In order to raise the probability of a success in reversing the rotational direction of the engine by generating a stable combustion pressure during the reversal of the rotational direction, there is provided valve opening and closing operation inhibition means which inhibits an opening and closing operation of the exhaust control valve by fixing the exhaust control valve in a fully-closed position while the reversal controller is performing control to reverse the rotational direction of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Kokusan Denki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Tsukada, Yoshinobu Arakawa, Kouji Sasaki, Mitsugu Koike
  • Patent number: 6644257
    Abstract: An actuator which is displaced by a force in one end position and is displaced into the other end position by an adjusting device that is controlled using a pulse duration modulated signal. If a quasi-stationary condition is identified, in which despite repeated control intervention the actual position of the actuator lies outside a targeted range around the desired position, the retaining pulse duty factor which is used by the adjusting device to main the actuator in one position is modified based on the distance from the desired position. If drift is identified, the drift behavior is determined and the retaining pulse duty factor is modified according to said drift behavior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Franz Kunz, Wolfgang Stowasser
  • Patent number: 6644256
    Abstract: A lost motion mechanism that biases a free rocker arm of a lift-amount changing member capable of lifting a valve in a direction to abut against a cam includes a spring accommodated in a support portion. The support portion is a recessed portion integrally formed on a camshaft holder below the free rocker arm. The vertical dimension of an engine is reduced as compared with a case where the support portion is provided above the free rocker arm. A camshaft cap supports the camshaft and a bolt that fastens the camshaft cap to the camshaft holder are not required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naoki Takahara, Toshiyuki Sato