Patents by Inventor Austin R. Zurface

Austin R. Zurface 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).

  • Publication number: 20250003357
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a system for synchronizing switching comprises a first body coupled to a pressurized fluid supply and a control fluid supply, and a second body comprising a spool valve that is configured to be contained within a spool valve housing and movable between an open position and a closed position, a biasing element that is configured to bias the spool valve, and at least three fluid channels that are configured to be fluidly connected to the spool valve housing. The first body and the second body are configured for relative movement to each other. The spool valve is further configured to selectively control fluid communication among the fluid channels based on relative movement between the first body and the second body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2024
    Publication date: January 2, 2025
    Inventors: Nicola Andrisani, Fabiano C.F. Contarin, Austin R. Zurface, Emanuele Raimondi
  • Publication number: 20240401508
    Abstract: A rocker arm assembly includes an engine brake capsule assembly. The engine brake capsule assembly is movable between a retracted position and an extended position to selectively engage a valve bridge to open a first exhaust valve. The engine brake capsule assembly includes an outer housing including a lower chamber and a plunger. The plunger extends out below the outer housing. The engine brake capsule assembly further includes a check ball valve assembly disposed within the lower chamber configured to selectively enable a hydraulic fluid into the lower chamber and an oil channel fluidly coupled to the lower chamber and configured to direct a flow of the hydraulic fluid out of the lower chamber. The engine brake capsule assembly further includes a spool valve configured to selectively block the oil channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2024
    Publication date: December 5, 2024
    Inventor: Austin R. Zurface
  • Patent number: 7798112
    Abstract: A rocker arm assembly includes first and second rocker arms defining a pivot location. The first rocker arm includes, toward a first axial end thereof adjacent the pivot location, a fulcrum surface and, toward a second axial end thereof, a latch assembly including a latch member moveable between latched and unlatched conditions relative to a latch surface defined by an adjacent portion of the second rocker arm. The latch assembly further including a spring biasing the latch member toward one of the latched and unlatched conditions, and a pressure chamber operable to bias the latch member toward the other of the latched and unlatched conditions. The first rocker arm further includes a fluid passage having a first end in open fluid communication with the fulcrum surface and a second end in open fluid communication with the pressure chamber of the latch assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Austin R. Zurface, Andrew P. Harman, Kynan L. Church
  • Patent number: 7484487
    Abstract: A valve control system including a camshaft having first and second cam profiles, the valve control system comprising a rocker arm assembly (11) including a first rocker arm (13) having a first cam follower (15) in engagement with the first cam profile, and a second rocker arm (17) having a second cam follower (23,25) in engagement with the second cam profile. The engine includes a fulcrum location (P) operable to provide a source of pressurized fluid, and the first rocker arm includes a latch member (47) moveable between latched (FIG. 6) and unlatched conditions. The latch member is biased toward the latched condition by a fluid pressure in a chamber (51), and the first rocker arm defines a fluid passage (55) having a first end (57) in open fluid communication with the pressure source, and a second end (59) in open fluid communication with the pressure chamber (51).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Austin R. Zurface, Andrew P. Harman, Kynan L. Church
  • Patent number: 7089899
    Abstract: A rocker arm (25) adapted to engage a pair of cam lobes (15,17), the rocker arm having first (31) and second (33) sidewall portions, and being formed from a flat sheet metal blank (25B) having a nominal thickness (T). The sidewall portions (31,33) define fold regions (51,53) whereby, after each is folded over upon itself, and the rocker arm is formed to have the sidewall portions generally parallel to each other, the fold regions provide first (41) and second (43) cam contact surfaces, each having a width (W) substantially greater than the nominal thickness of the blank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: David G. Genise, Austin R. Zurface
  • Publication number: 20020014217
    Abstract: The invention is a valve deactivator assembly (15) for use in connection with a valve train of an internal combustion engine. In application, a pre-selected number of the engine cylinders would each be equipped with a deactivator connected to its intake engine valve. Upon driver selection or predetermined road conditions, sufficient lost motion would be introduced into the valve train so that the valve would remain closed and the cylinder deactivated as the engine is in operation. The deactivator has in its inner body (19) a latch assembly that is in a latched condition for normal operation of the valve train. When it is desired to retain the valve in the closed position and deactivate a cylinder, the latch assembly is caused to be moved to the unlatched condition by increase in the pressure of the engine oil. When the latch assembly is unlatched, significant lost motion is introduced into the valve train causing the valve to remain closed and the cylinder is deactivated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2001
    Publication date: February 7, 2002
    Inventors: Kynan L. Church, Austin R. Zurface, Keith Hampton, Gary L. Janowiak
  • Patent number: 6321704
    Abstract: The invention is a valve deactivator assembly (15) for use in connection with a valve train of an internal combustion engine. In application, a pre-selected number of the engine cylinders would each be equipped with a deactivator connected to its intake engine valve. Upon driver selection or predetermined road conditions, sufficient lost motion would be introduced into the valve train so that the valve would remain closed and the cylinder deactivated as the engine is in operation. The deactivator has in its inner body (19) a latch assembly that is in a latched condition for normal operation of the valve train. When it is desired to retain the valve in the closed position and deactivate a cylinder, the latch assembly is caused to be moved to the unlatched condition by increase in the pressure of the engine oil. When the latch assembly is unlatched, significant lost motion is introduced into the valve train causing the valve to remain closed and the cylinder is deactivated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Kynan L. Church, Austin R. Zurface, Keith Hampton