Patents Examined by Zelalem Eshete
  • Patent number: 11066963
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes, as a lost motion spring that urges a rocker arm toward a cam, a compression coil spring supported on a cylinder head. A shaft is located on an inner side of the compression coil spring and extends along a winding axis of the compression coil spring. The internal combustion engine significantly reduces or prevents a decrease in the fuel efficiency and an increase in the size of the variable valve mechanism, while surging is unlikely to occur while running at a high speed, and it is possible to reduce the size or the weight of the rocker arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yasuo Okamoto
  • Patent number: 11053820
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a hydraulic camshaft adjuster for the variable adjustment of the control times of gas exchange valves of an internal combustion engine, having a stator and a rotor rotatable relative to the stator. Radially inwardly projecting webs are formed on the stator and radially outwardly projecting vanes are formed on the rotor. Between the stator and the rotor are formed several hydraulic working chambers, each of which is divided into a first working chamber and a second working chamber by a vane of the rotor. Two locking elements are inserted into the rotor for the temporary, reversibly detachable fixing of the rotor relative to the stator in a middle position. The first locking element and the second locking element can be locked in a common locking slotted guide. The disclosure also relates to a method for locking of the rotor in such a hydraulic camshaft adjuster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Michael Keck
  • Patent number: 11041413
    Abstract: A hybrid dual phaser assembly is disclosed for mounting to an engine camshaft to allow the timing of two sets of cam lobes to be phased independently of one another relative to a crankshaft of the engine. The phaser assembly comprises an electrically operated phaser having intermeshing gears for transmitting torque to the camshaft and a phase control input driven by an electric motor to be mounted coaxially with the camshaft, and a hydraulically operated phaser having vanes movable within arcuate cavities. The cavities of the hydraulically operated phaser are defined in part by an annular member that radially surrounds, and axially overlaps, a gear of the electrically operated phaser, which gear is separate from the annular member and forms radially inner boundary walls of the cavities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Mechadyne International Ltd.
    Inventors: Timothy Mark Lancefield, David Arthur Bedborough, Ian Methley
  • Patent number: 11035313
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining operation of a cylinder deactivating/reactivating device are disclosed. In one example, a warm engine is rotated without being supplied fuel to determine the presence or absence of valve actuator degradation. Degraded valve actuators may be determined when there is a lack of a temperature rise in the engine exhaust system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Aed Dudar
  • Patent number: 11028740
    Abstract: A lubricating oil supply structure includes: a shaft; a bearing supporting the shaft and having an oil supply port, through which lubricating oil is supplied to between the shaft and the bearing, and an oil introduction port, through which the lubricating oil is introduced; a first oil passage, connected to the oil supply port, distributing the lubricating oil from an oil pump toward the oil supply port; a second oil passage, connected to the oil introduction port, supplying the lubricating oil introduced through the oil introduction port to a supply destination; a connection oil passage, formed by a gap between the bearing and the shaft, connecting between the first oil passage and the second oil passage, and a throttle portion, formed on a part of the connection oil passage, suppressing a flow of the lubricating oil from the oil supply port toward the oil introduction port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takashi Koyama
  • Patent number: 11022007
    Abstract: A camshaft for an engine and a method of assembling such a camshaft, wherein the camshaft has a base shaft and an external toothing which extends at least in certain portions axially along the base shaft A hub has an internal toothing which correlates with the external toothing of the base shaft such that the hub is connected rotationally conjointly and axially non-displaceably to the base shaft. The external toothing has at least one form-fit subregion, which extends axially at least in certain portions along the base shaft, or one force-fit subregion in order for the hub to be arranged at least in a form-fitting or force-fitting manner, and wherein at least the form-fit subregion or the force-fit subregion is adjoined by at least one alignment region which extends at least in certain portions axially along the base shaft and which serves for the angular alignment of the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignees: THYSSENKRUPP PRESTA TECCENTER AG, THYSSENKRUPP AG
    Inventor: Volker Junge
  • Patent number: 11015492
    Abstract: A method of operating a rocker arm assembly in a cylinder deactivation mode according to one example of the present disclosure includes providing a two-step variable valve lift rocker arm assembly and a deactivating lash adjuster. Operation of the rocker arm assembly in cylinder deactivation mode is selected. The rocker arm assembly is operated in low-lift mode based on the selection of the cylinder deactivation mode. Subsequent to or concurrently with operating the rocker arm assembly in the low-lit mode, the deactivating lash adjuster is operated in the unlatched mode. A first amount of the total lost motion required for cylinder deactivation mode is accounted for by lost motion of the rocker arm assembly operating in the low-lift mode and a remainder amount of the total lost motion is accounted for by lost motion of the deactivating lash adjuster operating in the unlatched mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventor: Dale Arden Stretch
  • Patent number: 11008902
    Abstract: A valve timing adjustment device having a phase adjustment unit including an input rotator, a driving rotator that rotates in conjunction with a crankshaft, a driven rotator that rotates in conjunction with a camshaft that changes a relative rotation phase between the driving rotator and the driven rotator. A controller is configured to perform a startup phase control when operation of the internal combustion engine is started, the startup phase control including setting the relative rotation phase to a predetermined initial phase, and perform a startup preparation control during a period after the internal combustion engine is stopped and before the startup phase control is performed, the startup preparation control including changing the relative rotation phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroki Takahashi, Kenji Tada
  • Patent number: 11008905
    Abstract: A variable valve apparatus includes: a swing body mounted to rotate to open and close a valve; an inner body driven by a cam and mounted in the swing body so as to switch a relatively-rotatable state and a latched state with respect to the swing body; a latching pin slidably mounted in the swing body so as to switch the latched state and the relatively-rotatable state of the inner body with respect to the swing body; and a control mechanism pressing the latching pin to make the inner body be latched to the swing body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Myung Sik Choi, You-Seok Back
  • Patent number: 11008968
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for diagnosing a cylinder valve deactivation mechanism in an engine system having cam-actuated valves. Movement of a latch pin of the deactivation mechanism is inferred from an induction current generated by a solenoid coupled to the latch pin, and the inferred movement is used to diagnose operation of cylinder valve deactivation mechanism. The inferred movement and a profile of the induction current is also used to estimate camshaft and crankshaft timing for improved cylinder fuel delivery in the absence of a camshaft sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Ulrey, Russell Senior, Gregory McConville, Amey Karnik
  • Patent number: 11008904
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a cover element for a camshaft phaser and a camshaft phaser. The cover element includes a journal and a cover plate, the journal is used to form sealing engagement with an oil seal, and the journal and the cover plate are connected by welding. A positioning portion is formed on the surface of the cover plate for positioning the journal. The cover element is formed by welding the cover plate and the journal, which are processed separately, so as to conveniently perform different processing of the cover plate and the journal. A positioning portion for positioning the journal is formed on the surface of the cover plate so as to easily position the journal during the welding process, which enables the journal and the cover plate to be easily welded together without requiring complicated fastening. This improves processing efficiency and reduces production costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Xin Li
  • Patent number: 11002163
    Abstract: A valve timing controller for controlling a valve timing of an intake valve that opens and closes by a rotation of a camshaft to which a power is supplied from a crankshaft of an internal-combustion engine. The valve timing controller includes a phase changer changing a rotation phase for an adjustment of the valve timing; an electric actuator driving the phase changer; and a control section controlling an operation of the electric actuator, in which the control section performs a start time control process, controlling the valve timing to a rotation starter phase retarded from a preset reference phase at a start of crankshaft rotation, and controlling the valve timing to an engine started phase advanced therefrom after a passing of a top dead center in a first compression process by a piston in a cylinder after the start of crankshaft rotation and before completion of engine start.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Genki Suzuki, Tomoaki Nakano
  • Patent number: 11002161
    Abstract: A switchable lever arrangement is provided that includes at least one switchable lever and a rotary actuator. The at least one switchable lever includes an outer lever, an inner lever pivotably mounted to the outer lever, and a locking part that selectively locks the inner lever to the outer lever. The rotary actuator rotates about a rotational axis to actuate the locking part. The rotary actuator has a first locked position defined by a first effective actuation length, and a second unlocked position defined by a second effective actuation length, with the second actuation length different than the first actuation length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Inventors: Faheem Ahmed, Sumukha Nagaraj, Béla Hofer, David Chandler
  • Patent number: 11002159
    Abstract: A camshaft phaser is provided that includes a stator, a rotor having a plurality of vanes that form fluid chambers with the stator, and a timing wheel attached to the rotor via a spline joint arranged between the rotor and timing wheel. The spline joint is configured to prevent axial and radial movement of the timing wheel relative to the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Timothy Simon
  • Patent number: 10995637
    Abstract: A rocker arm can comprise a forked outer arm assembly and a T-shaped inner arm assembly comprising an inner arm body comprising a valve side, a latch side, a bearing hole on the valve side, and a latch body on the latch side, the latch body comprising inner arm extensions extending away from the latch body. A pivot axle can connect the outer arm assembly to the inner arm assembly so that the inner arm assembly is configured to pivot with respect to the outer arm assembly. A latch assembly can comprise a latch configured to selectively extend to and retract from a latch seat on the latch body to selectively lock the inner arm assembly with respect to the outer arm assembly or unlock the inner arm assembly to pivot within the outer arm assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Santosh Patil, Matthew A. Vance, Dale A. Stretch, James E. McCarthy, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10989079
    Abstract: An ECU (101) causes lock pin-release hydraulic pressure to be applied to an advance-side lock pin-release oil passage (5a) to disengage an advance-side lock pin (6) from an advance-side engagement groove (9), thereby making a rotor (1) rotatable in an advance direction, and forming a clearance communicating with a retard-side lock pin-release oil passage (5c), between the advance-side engagement groove (9) and the advance-side lock pin (6). Next, the ECU (101) causes hydraulic pressure to be applied to advancing hydraulic chambers (16) to rotate the rotor (1), and causes the lock pin-release hydraulic pressure to be applied through the clearance and through the retard-side lock pin-release oil passage (5c) to a retard-side engagement groove (10) to disengage a retard-side lock pin (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takuya Chikayama, Masayuki Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 10982571
    Abstract: The disclosure relates 10 a device which is used to adjust the valve stroke of internal combustion engines and has an actuation element for the valve stem. The actuation element is actuated by the camshaft and has a receiving space for a pressure medium. The receiving space is fluidically connected to a reservoir space of an adjustment reservoir. The volume of the reservoir space can be adjusted by means of a reservoir piston. The reservoir piston is loaded toward the reservoir space with a force that is greater than the force applied by the pressure medium and that is less than the restoring force acting on the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Inventor: Bernd Niethammer
  • Patent number: 10982572
    Abstract: A hydraulic valve for a cam phaser, the hydraulic valve including a housing; a hollow cylindrical piston that is axially movable in a central opening of the housing that extends along a longitudinal axis of the housing and that includes shoulders; a supply connection configured to feed a hydraulic fluid; a first operating connection; a second operating connection; a tank connection, wherein one of the first operating connection and the second operating connection is connectable with the supply connection and another of the first operating connection and the second operating connection is connectable with the tank connection as a function of an axial position of the hollow cylindrical piston, wherein the hollow cylindrical piston includes a feed channel configured to connect with the supply connection and a drain channel configured to connect with the tank connection, wherein a divider wall is configured between the supply connection and the tank connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: ECO Holding 1 GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Knecht, Gordon Neudoerfer
  • Patent number: 10975737
    Abstract: A cam plate is coupled to a driven-side shaft and is rotatable relative to a housing. A gear is placed on a side of the cam plate, which is opposite to the driven-side shaft. The housing has a contact surface that is configured to contact a wall surface of the cam plate, which is located on one side in an axial direction of the housing. Among two external toothed portions, one external toothed portion is located on an opposite side of the contact surface, which is opposite to the gear in the axial direction. The cam plate has a bearing portion that is located on a side of the contact surface, which is opposite to the gear, and the bearing portion has an outer peripheral surface configured to receive a radial load applied from an inner peripheral surface of the housing in a radially inward direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Genki Suzuki
  • Patent number: 10968790
    Abstract: An actuation apparatus actuates a latching arrangement of a switchable valve train component of an internal combustion engine. The apparatus includes: a lever configured to contract an actuation source and configured to contact the latching arrangement; and a bias. The bias contacts the lever. The bias is configured such that, in use, the bias becomes biased by the lever when the actuation source moves the lever when the actuation source attempts to actuate the latching arrangement, via the lever, when the latching arrangement is non-actuatable, whereby the bias causes the lever to actuate the latching arrangement when the latching arrangement is actuatable again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Emanuele Raimondi, Nicola Andrisani