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).
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Patent number: 11002161Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 30, 2019Date of Patent: May 11, 2021Inventors: Faheem Ahmed, Sumukha Nagaraj, Béla Hofer, David Chandler
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Patent number: 10753237Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 29, 2018Date of Patent: August 25, 2020Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KGInventors: Sumukha Nagaraj, David Chandler, Béla Hofer
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Patent number: 10641137Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 6, 2017Date of Patent: May 5, 2020Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventors: Kevin Sittner, Donald Dixon, Béla Hofer, Todd Simcina
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Patent number: 10502102Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 10, 2018Date of Patent: December 10, 2019Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KGInventor: Béla Hofer
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Publication number: 20190368392Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2019Publication date: December 5, 2019Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventors: Faheem Ahmed, Sumukha Nagaraj, Béla Hofer, David Chandler
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Publication number: 20190368385Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2018Publication date: December 5, 2019Inventors: Sumukha Nagaraj, David Chandler, Béla Hofer
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Patent number: 10301978Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 31, 2017Date of Patent: May 28, 2019Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventors: Béla Hofer, Sagar Shinde
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Publication number: 20190107012Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2017Publication date: April 11, 2019Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventors: Kevin Sittner, Donald Dixon, Béla Hofer, Todd Simcina
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Publication number: 20180283230Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2017Publication date: October 4, 2018Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventors: Béla Hofer, Sagar Shinde
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Patent number: 9745874Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 21, 2015Date of Patent: August 29, 2017Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KGInventors: Béla Hofer, Donald J. Dixon, Kevin Sittner, Todd Simcina
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Publication number: 20170114679Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2015Publication date: April 27, 2017Applicant: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KGInventors: Béla Hofer, Donald J. Dixon, Kevin Sittner, Todd Simcina