Patents by Inventor Béla Hofer

Béla Hofer 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: 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: 10753237
    Abstract: A switchable lever is provided that includes an outer lever, an inner lever pivotably mounted to the outer lever, and a coupling assembly that is capable of selectively locking the inner lever to the outer lever. The coupling assembly includes a coupling pin that has a first end that is configured to be received by an actuator. The coupling pin can be configured with at least one slot, which can be received by the actuator. The coupling pin is moveable from a first, locked position to a second, unlocked position, by an actuator and can be configured to be received by the actuator continuously throughout a valve lift event. The coupling pin can be configured with at least one protrusion that is arranged to be received by an actuator, or the actuator can be configured with at least one protrusion to receive the coupling pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Sumukha Nagaraj, David Chandler, Béla Hofer
  • Patent number: 10641137
    Abstract: A variable valve train module has a valve control block positioned on a cylinder head of the engine. The valve control block has a first block and a second block and variable valve train components. These components include at least one valve, a rocker arm, a brake, and a pump configured to receive input from a camshaft. The components are positioned with respect to the blocks such that the first block receives a first portion of the pump and the second block receives a second portion of the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Kevin Sittner, Donald Dixon, Béla Hofer, Todd Simcina
  • Patent number: 10502102
    Abstract: A switchable lever is provided that includes an outer lever, an inner lever pivotably mounted to the outer lever, and a lash adjustable coupling assembly capable of selectively locking the inner lever to the outer lever. The lash adjustable coupling assembly includes an inner rod and an outer cylinder configured to adjustably receive the inner rod. The inner rod can be formed with external threads and the outer cylinder can be formed with internal threads. A lash adjustment spring can be arranged to outwardly urge the inner rod with respect to the outer rod to adjust lash within a switchable lever system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventor: Béla Hofer
  • Publication number: 20190368392
    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: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2019
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Faheem Ahmed, Sumukha Nagaraj, Béla Hofer, David Chandler
  • Publication number: 20190368385
    Abstract: A switchable lever is provided that includes an outer lever, an inner lever pivotably mounted to the outer lever, and a coupling assembly that is capable of selectively locking the inner lever to the outer lever. The coupling assembly includes a coupling pin that has a first end that is configured to be received by an actuator. The coupling pin can be configured with at least one slot, which can be received by the actuator. The coupling pin is moveable from a first, locked position to a second, unlocked position, by an actuator and can be configured to be received by the actuator continuously throughout a valve lift event. The coupling pin can be configured with at least one protrusion that is arranged to be received by an actuator, or the actuator can be configured with at least one protrusion to receive the coupling pin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2018
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventors: Sumukha Nagaraj, David Chandler, Béla Hofer
  • Patent number: 10301978
    Abstract: A variable valve train module for an engine includes a camshaft including at least one cam and a valve control block. The valve control block is positioned on a cylinder head of the engine. The valve control block includes a first sidewall and a second sidewall and houses valve train components configured to control the timing of at least one valve in the cylinder heads between the first and second sidewalls. The valve control block includes a support block forming the first sidewall and a plurality of integral bearing supports extending inwardly from the first sidewall and supporting the camshaft. The valve control block also includes a reinforcing block forming the second sidewall and which is attached to the support block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Béla Hofer, Sagar Shinde
  • Publication number: 20190107012
    Abstract: A variable valve train module has a valve control block positioned on a cylinder head of the engine. The valve control block has a first block and a second block and variable valve train components. These components include at least one valve, a rocker arm, a brake, and a pump configured to receive input from a camshaft. The components are positioned with respect to the blocks such that the first block receives a first portion of the pump and the second block receives a second portion of the pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Publication date: April 11, 2019
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Kevin Sittner, Donald Dixon, Béla Hofer, Todd Simcina
  • Publication number: 20180283230
    Abstract: A variable valve train module for an engine includes a camshaft including at least one cam and a valve control block. The valve control block is positioned on a cylinder head of the engine. The valve control block includes a first sidewall and a second sidewall and houses valve train components configured to control the timing of at least one valve in the cylinder heads between the first and second sidewalls. The valve control block includes a support block forming the first sidewall and a plurality of integral bearing supports extending inwardly from the first sidewall and supporting the camshaft. The valve control block also includes a reinforcing block forming the second sidewall and which is attached to the support block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Béla Hofer, Sagar Shinde
  • Patent number: 9745874
    Abstract: A piston assembly for pressurizing a hydraulic chamber is provided. The piston assembly has a cylinder and a piston configured to reciprocate within the cylinder. The piston has a first end in the cylinder and a second end adapted to be acted on by a drive element. The piston assembly also has a spring configured to bias the piston. The piston assembly further has a retainer mounted to an exterior of the cylinder and including a seat surface. The spring is seated on the seat surface. The outer diameter of the spring is less than the outer diameter of the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Béla Hofer, Donald J. Dixon, Kevin Sittner, Todd Simcina
  • Publication number: 20170114679
    Abstract: A piston assembly for pressurizing a hydraulic chamber is provided. The piston assembly has a cylinder and a piston configured to reciprocate within the cylinder. The piston has a first end in the cylinder and a second end adapted to be acted on by a drive element. The piston assembly also has a spring configured to bias the piston. The piston assembly further has a retainer mounted to an exterior of the cylinder and including a seat surface. The spring is seated on the seat surface. The outer diameter of the spring is less than the outer diameter of the cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2015
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Béla Hofer, Donald J. Dixon, Kevin Sittner, Todd Simcina