Abstract: A variable cam timing phaser includes a housing disposed about an axis and having an inner housing surface defining a housing interior. The variable cam timing phaser includes a rotor moveable between an advance position and a retard position. The rotor includes a hub and a vane, with the rotor and the housing defining a chamber. The vane further defines the chamber into an advance chamber and a retard chamber. The variable cam timing phaser also includes a control valve assembly including a valve housing and a control piston. The variable cam timing phaser also includes a chamber biasing assembly disposed in one of the advance and the retard chambers and configured to bias the rotor into a predetermined position between the advance and the retard positions. The chamber biasing assembly includes a chamber piston, a chamber biasing member, and a chamber check valve.

Abstract: An oil pressure actuated or torsion assisted phaser with a lock pin that has a position which shuts off communication between the advance and retard chambers and the front cam bearing and/or oil control valve, effectively acting as a shutoff valve and preventing leakage of oil from the advance and retard chambers. The prevention of leakage maintains oil in the phaser after engine shutdown. Additionally, by shutting off communication between the advance and retard chambers and the oil supply, the side load on the lock pin from the oil pressure torque on the rotor vanes during unlocking of the lock pin can be reduced or eliminated.

Abstract: An oil pressure actuated or torsion assisted phaser with a lock pin that has a position which shuts off communication between the advance and retard chambers and the front cam bearing and/or oil control valve, effectively acting as a shutoff valve and preventing leakage of oil from the advance and retard chambers. The prevention of leakage maintains oil in the phaser after engine shutdown. Additionally, by shutting off communication between the advance and retard chambers and the oil supply, the side load on the lock pin from the oil pressure torque on the rotor vanes during unlocking of the lock pin can be reduced or eliminated.

Abstract: A variable cam timing phaser includes a housing disposed about an axis and having an inner housing surface defining a housing interior. The variable cam timing phaser includes a rotor moveable between an advance position and a retard position. The rotor includes a hub and a vane, with the rotor and the housing defining a chamber. The vane further defines the chamber into an advance chamber and a retard chamber. The variable cam timing phaser also includes a control valve assembly including a valve housing and a control piston. The variable cam timing phaser also includes a chamber biasing assembly disposed in one of the advance and the retard chambers and configured to bias the rotor into a predetermined position between the advance and the retard positions. The chamber biasing assembly includes a chamber piston, a chamber biasing member, and a chamber check valve.

Abstract: A phaser which has three camshaft start positions at start-up during cranking before the engine can fire. By having three possible start positions of the phaser, there is an increase in flexibility of the cam position at startup during cranking. The three start positions can also be achieved in open loop, reducing the complexity of the control system needed at cranking.

Abstract: A control valve assembly of a variable cam timing phaser of a variable cam timing system, with the variable cam timing phaser including a housing and a rotor, and with the variable cam timing system including a camshaft, includes a valve housing extending along an axis. The valve housing includes a threaded portion adapted to engage the camshaft, and a body portion spaced axially from the threaded portion. The body portion defines a body interior. The control valve assembly also includes a piston disposed in the body interior and moveable along the axis between a first position and a second position. The control valve assembly further includes a cap removably coupled to the body portion of the valve housing. The cap includes a torque driving element configured to be received by a tool for transmitting torque from the tool for fixing the cap to the body portion.

Abstract: A control valve assembly of a variable cam timing phaser of a variable cam timing system, with the variable cam timing phaser including a housing and a rotor, and with the variable cam timing system including a camshaft, includes a valve housing extending along an axis. The valve housing includes a threaded portion adapted to engage the camshaft, and a body portion spaced axially from the threaded portion. The body portion defines a body interior. The control valve assembly also includes a piston disposed in the body interior and moveable along the axis between a first position and a second position. The control valve assembly further includes a cap removably coupled to the body portion of the valve housing. The cap includes a torque driving element configured to be received by a tool for transmitting torque from the tool for fixing the cap to the body portion.

Abstract: A phaser which has three camshaft start positions at start-up during cranking before the engine can fire. By having three possible start positions of the phaser, there is an increase in flexibility of the cam position at startup during cranking. The three start positions can also be achieved in open loop, reducing the complexity of the control system needed at cranking.