Patents by Inventor Anthony L. Spoor
Anthony L. Spoor has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
-
Patent number: 11788439Abstract: A rocker arm includes an outer arm having a first side and a second side, an inner arm positioned between the first side and the second side of the outer arm, a pivot axle pivotally coupling the inner arm to the outer arm at a first end of the inner arm and a first end of the outer arm, and a latch pin having a first position and a second position. The latch pin in the first position pivotally fixes the inner arm to the outer arm at a second end of each of the inner arm and a second end of the outer arm, and in the second position allows the inner arm and the outer arm to pivot independently. Two lost motion springs are respectively secured to mounts provided on the outer arm.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2020Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power LimitedInventors: Andrei Dan Radulescu, Austin Robert Zurface, James R. Sheren, Anthony L. Spoor, Luigi Lia, Philip Michael Kline
-
Publication number: 20220356821Abstract: A rocker arm assembly can comprise a main rocker arm and a latch assembly. A latching arm can control the latch assembly and thereby control the extent to which a secondary rocker arm acts on the main rocker arm. The main rocker arm can comprise a main body configured to rotate around a rocker shaft, a valve end extending from the main body, a reaction end extending from the main body, and a latch bore. A bias pin can extend from the main body. The latch assembly can be configured to selectively rotate in the latch bore. The latch assembly can comprise a first latch end comprising a switch plate configured to receive actuation force on a first side and to receive bias force from the bias pin on a second side. A second latch end can comprise a first latch seat and a second latch seat.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2020Publication date: November 10, 2022Applicant: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITEDInventors: Mark Van Wingerden, Andrew T. Strong, Anthony L. Spoor, James R. Sheren, Brent L. Rehm
-
Patent number: 11486272Abstract: A switching roller finger follower comprises an inner arm assembly. A pair of outer arms surround the inner arm assembly. A pivot axle connects the inner arm assembly to pivot with respect to the pair of outer arms from a starting position to a lost motion position. A latch assembly comprises a latch selectively movable from a latched position latching the inner arm assembly to move dependent with the outer arms and an unlatched position unlatching the inner arm assembly to pivot independent of the outer arms. A stop pin spans between the pair of outer arms and through an inner port in an axle of inner arm assembly. The stop pin comprises a clearance fit with the inner port, and the stop pin is configured pivotable independent of the outer arms. At least one return spring biases the stop pin toward the starting position.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2019Date of Patent: November 1, 2022Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power LimitedInventors: Leighton Roberts, Anthony L. Spoor, James R. Sheren, Michael Campbell
-
Publication number: 20210131317Abstract: A rocker arm includes an outer arm having a first side and a second side, an inner arm positioned between the first side and the second side of the outer arm, a pivot axle pivotally coupling the inner arm and the outer arm at a first end of each of the inner arm and the outer arm, and a latch having a first position and a second position. The latch in the first position pivotally fixes the inner arm and the outer arm at a second end of each of the inner arm and the outer arm, and in the second position allows the inner arm and the outer arm to pivot independently. The latch is responsive to hydraulic pressure in a hydraulic fluid passage to selectively move to other of the first position and the second position. A lost motion spring is coupled to the inner arm.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2020Publication date: May 6, 2021Inventors: Andrei Dan Radulescu, Austin Robert Zurface, James R. Sheren, Anthony L. Spoor, Luigi Lia, Philip Michael Kline
-
Publication number: 20210131316Abstract: A rocker arm includes an outer arm having a first side and a second side, an inner arm positioned between the first side and the second side of the outer arm, a pivot axle pivotally coupling the inner arm and the outer arm at a first end of each of the inner arm and the outer arm, and a latch having a first position and a second position. The latch in the first position pivotally fixes the inner arm and the outer arm at a second end of each of the inner arm and the outer arm, and in the second position allows the inner arm and the outer arm to pivot independently. The latch is responsive to hydraulic pressure in a hydraulic fluid passage to selectively move to other of the first position and the second position. A lost motion spring is coupled to the inner arm.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2020Publication date: May 6, 2021Inventors: Andrei Dan Radulescu, Austin Robert Zurface, James R. Sheren, Anthony L. Spoor, Luigi Lia, Philip Michael Kline
-
Patent number: 10890086Abstract: An apparatus includes a ball plunger post and a valve stem post extending upward from a base, the ball plunger post having a size and a shape of a hydraulic lift adjuster (HLA) of a predefined engine, and the valve stem post having a size and a shape of a valve stem of the predefined engine. The apparatus includes a fixture sized and shaped to receive a switching rocker arm assembly, the switching rocker arm assembly having a first end for pivoting and a second end for latching, and a latch with a latch pin fitting into a latch bore and a latch seat. The apparatus includes a latch rod for positioning within the latch bore to rest upon the latch seat, the latch rod having a hardness higher than that of the latch seat and a same diameter as the latch pin, and adapted for coining the latch seat.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2017Date of Patent: January 12, 2021Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITEDInventors: Anthony L. Spoor, James R. Sheren
-
Publication number: 20200392875Abstract: A switching roller finger follower comprises an inner arm assembly. A pair of outer arms surround the inner arm assembly. A pivot axle connects the inner arm assembly to pivot with respect to the pair of outer arms from a starting position to a lost motion position. A latch assembly comprises a latch selectively movable from a latched position latching the inner arm assembly to move dependent with the outer arms and an unlatched position unlatching the inner arm assembly to pivot independent of the outer arms. A stop pin spans between the pair of outer arms and through an inner port in an axle of inner arm assembly. The stop pin comprises a clearance fit with the inner port, and the stop pin is configured pivotable independent of the outer arms. At least one return spring biases the stop pin toward the starting position.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2019Publication date: December 17, 2020Applicant: Eaton Intelligent Power LimitedInventors: Leighton Roberts, Anthony L. Spoor, James R. Sheren, Michael Campbell
-
Publication number: 20190338683Abstract: A switching rocker arm for engaging a cam includes a first arm having a first end and a second end, and a first and a second side arm; a second arm disposed between the first and second side arms, having a first end and a second end, where the second arm is an inner arm. The second arm is pivotably secured adjacent its first end to the first arm adjacent the first end of the first arm. The rocker arm includes an over-travel limiter that limits pivoting motion of the first arm relative to the second arm, where the over-travel limiter is pivotally coupled to the outer arm and interacts with the inner arm.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2017Publication date: November 7, 2019Inventors: Andrei Dan Radulescu, Austin Robert Zurface, James R. Sheren, Anthony L. Spoor, Luigi Lia, Philip Michael Kline
-
Publication number: 20190309663Abstract: A rocker arm includes an outer arm having a first side and a second side, an inner arm positioned between the first side and the second side of the outer arm, a pivot axle pivotally coupling the inner arm and the outer arm at a first end of each of the inner arm and the outer arm, and a latch having a first position and a second position. The latch in the first position pivotally fixes the inner arm and the outer arm at a second end of each of the inner arm and the outer arm, and in the second position allows the inner arm and the outer arm to pivot independently. The latch is responsive to hydraulic pressure in a hydraulic fluid passage to selectively move to other of the first position and the second position. A lost motion spring is coupled to the inner arm.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2017Publication date: October 10, 2019Inventors: Andrei Dan Radulescu, Austin Robert Zurface, James R. Sheren, Anthony L. Spoor, Luigi Lia, Philip Michael Kline
-
Patent number: 10415439Abstract: A system includes a rocker arm assembly for operative engagement with a first and second cam. The assembly includes a first arm for operatively engaging the first cam for a first desired lift profile, a second arm for operatively engaging the second cam for a second desired lift profile, where the second arm includes a latch to engage the second arm with the first arm. The latch is responsive to supplied oil pressure and release oil pressure to switch between lift profiles. The system includes the latch coupled to the supplied or released oil pressure to engage the arms before the first and second arms are engaged with the base circle portion of each of the respective first and second cams.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2017Date of Patent: September 17, 2019Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITEDInventors: Andrei Dan Radulescu, Austin Robert Zurface, James R. Sheren, Anthony L. Spoor, Luigi Lia, Philip Michael Kline
-
Publication number: 20190249575Abstract: A system includes a rocker arm assembly for operative engagement with a first and second cam. The assembly includes a first arm for operatively engaging the first cam for a first desired lift profile, a second arm for operatively engaging the second cam for a second desired lift profile, where the second arm includes a latch to engage the second arm with the first arm. The latch is responsive to supplied oil pressure and release oil pressure to switch between lift profiles. The system includes the latch coupled to the supplied or released oil pressure to engage the arms before the first and second arms are engaged with the base circle portion of each of the respective first and second cams.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2017Publication date: August 15, 2019Inventors: Andrei Dan Radulescu, Austin Robert Zurface, James R. Sheren, Anthony L. Spoor, Luigi Lia, Philip Michael Kline
-
Publication number: 20180163576Abstract: A method of assembling a switching rocker arm assembly having an inner arm, an outer arm and a latch. The method includes indenting an outer arm surface on the outer arm, the outer arm surface defining an arcuate aperture. An inner arm surface can be indented on the inner arm at an inner arm latch shelf. A latch can be positioned relative to the inner and outer arms.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2017Publication date: June 14, 2018Inventors: James R. Sheren, Anthony L. Spoor, Luigi Lia, Philip Michael Kline
-
Patent number: 9995183Abstract: Tools and methods for indenting and assembling a switching rocker arm assembly having an inner arm, an outer arm and a latch. The tools and methods are directed to eliminating requirements for matched sets of components of rocker arm assemblies so that the assembled indented parts have desired latch lash tolerances. The tools used include fixtures and clamps for indenting kidney-bean shaped passages in an outer arm that mount a pivot axle of the outer arm. The tools used may also include a fixture and clamps for indenting a latch shelf of the inner arm. Indenting the inner arm and outer arm using these methods and fixtures results in switching rocker arm assemblies that fit together, and when assembled into a valve, have a desired latch lash.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2016Date of Patent: June 12, 2018Assignee: EATON CORPORATIONInventors: James R. Sheren, Anthony L. Spoor, Luigi Lia, Philip Michael Kline
-
Patent number: 9915180Abstract: A novel latch seat for a switching rocker arm assembly used in variable valve actuation (VVA) systems for internal combustion engines. The seat is formed interactively in the assembled switching rocker arm using a novel fixture and press. The press interactively creates a curved dimple of the correct curvature, position and depth while measuring several lash dimensions. Since the latch seat is formed on the assembled rocker arm assembly, the latch seat depth is designed to account for the inaccuracies in the rocker arm assembly parts which create lash. Therefore all of the parts may be made with less precision since the latch seat is sized to compensate for the inaccuracies of all of the parts. The rocker arm assembly parts now may be manufactured to less stringent standards, but result in a rocker arm assembly with same accuracy of rocker arm assemblies manufactured to previous standards.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2015Date of Patent: March 13, 2018Assignee: EATON CORPORATIONInventors: Anthony L. Spoor, James R. Sheren
-
Publication number: 20180058275Abstract: A system includes a rocker arm assembly for operative engagement with a first and second cam. The assembly includes a first arm for operatively engaging the first cam for a first desired lift profile, a second arm for operatively engaging the second cam for a second desired lift profile, where the second arm includes a latch to engage the second arm with the first arm. The latch is responsive to supplied oil pressure and release oil pressure to switch between lift profiles. The system includes the latch coupled to the supplied or released oil pressure to engage the arms before the first and second arms are engaged with the base circle portion of each of the respective first and second cams.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2017Publication date: March 1, 2018Inventors: Andrei Dan Radulescu, Austin Robert Zurface, James R. Sheren, Anthony L. Spoor, Luigi Lia, Philip Michael Kline
-
Publication number: 20180058276Abstract: A switching rocker arm for engaging a cam includes a first arm having a first end and a second end, and a first and a second side arm; a second arm disposed between the first and second side arms, having a first end and a second end, where the second arm is an inner arm. The second arm is pivotably secured adjacent its first end to the first arm adjacent the first end of the first arm. The rocker arm includes an over-travel limiter that limits pivoting motion of the first arm relative to the second arm, where the over-travel limiter is pivotally coupled to the outer arm and interacts with the inner arm.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2017Publication date: March 1, 2018Inventors: Andrei Dan Radulescu, Austin Robert Zurface, James R. Sheren, Anthony L. Spoor, Luigi Lia, Philip Michael Kline
-
Publication number: 20180045089Abstract: A rocker arm includes an outer arm having a first side and a second side, an inner arm positioned between the first side and the second side of the outer arm, a pivot axle pivotally coupling the inner arm and the outer arm at a first end of each of the inner arm and the outer arm, and a latch having a first position and a second position. The latch in the first position pivotally fixes the inner arm and the outer arm at a second end of each of the inner arm and the outer arm, and in the second position allows the inner arm and the outer arm to pivot independently. The latch is responsive to hydraulic pressure in a hydraulic fluid passage to selectively move to other of the first position and the second position. A lost motion spring is coupled to the inner arm.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2017Publication date: February 15, 2018Inventors: Andrei Dan Radulescu, Austin Robert Zurface, James R. Sheren, Anthony L. Spoor, Luigi Lia, Philip Michael Kline
-
Patent number: 9885258Abstract: A novel latch seat for a switching rocker arm assembly used in variable valve actuation (VVA) systems for internal combustion engines. The seat is formed interactively in the assembled switching rocker arm using a novel fixture and press. The press interactively creates a curved dimple of the correct curvature, position and depth while measuring several lash dimensions. Since the latch seat is formed on the assembled rocker arm assembly, the latch seat depth is designed to account for the inaccuracies in the rocker arm assembly parts which create lash. Therefore all of the parts may be made with less precision since the latch seat is sized to compensate for the inaccuracies of all of the parts. The rocker arm assembly parts now may be manufactured to less stringent standards, but result in a rocker arm assembly with same accuracy of rocker arm assemblies manufactured to previous standards.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2015Date of Patent: February 6, 2018Assignee: EATON CORPORATIONInventors: Anthony L. Spoor, James R. Sheren
-
Publication number: 20180030861Abstract: An apparatus includes a ball plunger post and a valve stem post extending upward from a base, the ball plunger post having a size and a shape of a hydraulic lift adjuster (HLA) of a predefined engine, and the valve stem post having a size and a shape of a valve stem of the predefined engine. The apparatus includes a fixture sized and shaped to receive a switching rocker arm assembly, the switching rocker arm assembly having a first end for pivoting and a second end for latching, and a latch with a latch pin fitting into a latch bore and a latch seat. The apparatus includes a latch rod for positioning within the latch bore to rest upon the latch seat, the latch rod having a hardness higher than that of the latch seat and a same diameter as the latch pin, and adapted for coining the latch seat.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2017Publication date: February 1, 2018Inventors: Anthony L. Spoor, James R. Sheren
-
Patent number: 9869211Abstract: A method of assembling a switching rocker arm assembly having an inner arm, an outer arm and a latch. The method includes indenting an outer arm surface on the outer arm, the outer arm surface defining an arcuate aperture. An inner arm surface can be indented on the inner arm at an inner arm latch shelf. A latch can be positioned relative to the inner and outer arms.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2015Date of Patent: January 16, 2018Assignee: EATON CORPORATIONInventors: James R. Sheren, Anthony L. Spoor, Luigi Lia, Philip Michael Kline