Patents by Inventor Calin Petru Itoafa

Calin Petru Itoafa 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: 11761359
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a hydraulic unit of an electrohydraulic gas exchange valve control system of an internal combustion engine. The hydraulic unit includes a hydraulic housing having a receiving opening, a piston guide, and a slave piston. The piston guide is fastened in the hydraulic housing by way of self-staking with a wall of the receiving opening. The piston guide includes an outer part that brings about the self-staking and an inner part that guides the slave piston. An inner surface of the outer part is radially interspaced from the outer surface of the inner part in an axial region of the self-staking and the outer part and the inner part are connected in an axially form-locked manner so that a first end section of the outer part facing the gas exchange valve is partially or fully formed into an outer circumferential recess of the inner part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Christian Hagen, Calin Petru Itoafa, Robert Seeger, Marco Meisborn, Murat Yakan
  • Publication number: 20220381165
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a hydraulic unit of an electrohydraulic gas exchange valve control system of an internal combustion engine. The hydraulic unit includes a hydraulic housing having a receiving opening, a piston guide, and a slave piston. The piston guide is fastened in the hydraulic housing by way of self-staking with a wall of the receiving opening. The piston guide includes an outer part that brings about the self-staking and an inner part that guides the slave piston. An inner surface of the outer part is radially interspaced from the outer surface of the inner part in an axial region of the self-staking and the outer part and the inner part are connected in an axially form-locked manner so that a first end section of the outer part facing the gas exchange valve is partially or fully formed into an outer circumferential recess of the inner part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Christian Hagen, Calin Petru Itoafa, Robert Seeger, Marco Meisborn, Murat Yakan
  • Patent number: 9920664
    Abstract: An actuator for an electrohydraulic gas exchange valve train of a combustion engine is provided. The actuator has an actuator housing which can be mounted on the combustion engine with a borehole, a hydraulic piston, which is mounted therein such that it can carry out a reciprocating movement, for actuating the gas exchange valve and an axial stop which, when the actuator housing is in the unmounted state relative to the combustion engine, limits the piston stroke out of the borehole to a mounting stroke (T). This mounting stroke is smaller than a maximum operating stroke (L) with which the hydraulic piston actuates the gas exchange valve, the piston stroke being only temporarily limited to the mounting stroke by the axial stop and no longer being limited to the mounting stroke once the actuator is in operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Calin Petru Itoafa, Sandra Schafer, Thomas Kremer
  • Publication number: 20160341080
    Abstract: An actuator for an electrohydraulic gas exchange valve train of a combustion engine is provided. The actuator has an actuator housing which can be mounted on the combustion engine with a borehole, a hydraulic piston, which is mounted therein such that it can carry out a reciprocating movement, for actuating the gas exchange valve and an axial stop which, when the actuator housing is in the unmounted state relative to the combustion engine, limits the piston stroke out of the borehole to a mounting stroke (T). This mounting stroke is smaller than a maximum operating stroke (L) with which the hydraulic piston actuates the gas exchange valve, the piston stroke being only temporarily limited to the mounting stroke by the axial stop and no longer being limited to the mounting stroke once the actuator is in operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Calin Petru ITOAFA, Sandra SCHAFER, Thomas KREMER
  • Patent number: 9267397
    Abstract: The invention proposes a subassembly of a hydraulic variable valve train of an internal combustion engine, having a guide bushing (4) that can be installed in a hydraulic housing (3), and having a piston (5) supported therein so as to be axially movable for actuating a gas exchange valve (1), and having a valve element (7) that, together with the end face (10) of the piston distant from the gas exchange valve, defines a hydraulic pressure chamber (11) in the guide bushing, wherein the valve element is a throttle check valve that allows hydraulic medium to flow out of the pressure chamber throttled by a continuously open throttle opening (16) and allows hydraulic medium to flow into the pressure chamber with little throttling by a ball check valve (17). The subassembly is intended to be implemented as a modular unit assembled outside of the hydraulic housing, wherein the guide bushing and the valve element are fastened to one another, and the piston is secured in a captive manner in the guide bushing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Calin Petru Itoafa, Hermann Keller
  • Patent number: 9004032
    Abstract: A switch valve for a hydraulic unit, in particular a quick-acting valve for a hydraulic unit of a hydraulically variable valve gear of a reciprocating internal combustion engine, having a valve body, which is guided in an axially movable manner in a housing part and which is sealed with respect to the housing part by a seal, wherein the seal is designed as a flat seal element, which encloses the valve body in a sealing manner and which is operatively connected to an axial surface of the housing part in a sealing manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Calin Petru Itoafa
  • Patent number: 8826875
    Abstract: The invention relates to an actuator of an electrohydraulic gas exchange valve drive of an internal combustion engine, comprising an actuator housing (4), which can be fixed in the internal combustion engine and which comprises a bore (9); a valve play compensation element (8) which is received in said bore in an axially movable manner and which comprises a compensating housing (12) for actuating the gas exchange valve (1); and an axial stop which limits the extending movement of the compensation housing out of the bore (9) and which comprises stopes (14, 15) that overlap each other radially. The stop (14) on the compensation housing-side is a collar of a sleeve (18) that surrounds the outer casing of the compensation housing said collar extending outwards in a radial manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Calin Petru Itoafa
  • Patent number: 8726860
    Abstract: An electrohydraulic valve controller for variable actuation of a gas exchange valve of an internal combustion engine. The electrohydraulic valve controller has a first hydraulic valve and, for the purpose of providing an emergency running capability, a second hydraulic valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Andreas Kufner, Michael Berger, Calin Petru Itoafa
  • Publication number: 20140048024
    Abstract: The invention proposes a subassembly of a hydraulic variable valve train of an internal combustion engine, having a guide bushing (4) that can be installed in a hydraulic housing (3), and having a piston (5) supported therein so as to be axially movable for actuating a gas exchange valve (1), and having a valve element (7) that, together with the end face (10) of the piston distant from the gas exchange valve, defines a hydraulic pressure chamber (11) in the guide bushing, wherein the valve element is a throttle check valve that allows hydraulic medium to flow out of the pressure chamber throttled by a continuously open throttle opening (16) and allows hydraulic medium to flow into the pressure chamber with little throttling by a ball check valve (17). The subassembly is intended to be implemented as a modular unit assembled outside of the hydraulic housing, wherein the guide bushing and the valve element are fastened to one another, and the piston is secured in a captive manner in the guide bushing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co., KG
    Inventors: Calin Petru Itoafa, Hermann Keller
  • Publication number: 20140041609
    Abstract: A switch valve for a hydraulic unit, in particular a quick-acting valve for a hydraulic unit of a hydraulically variable valve gear of a reciprocating internal combustion engine, having a valve body, which is guided in an axially movable manner in a housing part and which is sealed with respect to the housing part by a seal, wherein the seal is designed as a flat seal element, which encloses the valve body in a sealing manner and which is operatively connected to an axial surface of the housing part in a sealing manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Calin Petru Itoafa
  • Publication number: 20130174799
    Abstract: The invention relates to an actuator of an electrohydraulic gas exchange valve drive of an internal combustion engine, comprising an actuator housing (4), which can be fixed in the internal combustion engine and which comprises a bore (9); a valve play compensation element (8) which is received in said bore in an axially movable manner and which comprises a compensating housing (12) for actuating the gas exchange valve (1); and an axial stop which limits the extending movement of the compensation housing out of the bore (9) and which comprises stopes (14, 15) that overlap each other radially. The stop (14) on the compensation housing-side is a collar of a sleeve (18) that surrounds the outer casing of the compensation housing said collar extending outwards in a radial manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co.KG
    Inventor: Calin Petru Itoafa
  • Patent number: 8387946
    Abstract: An electromagnetic valve, which has a magnet armature chamber, a pressure medium chamber, a pressure medium inlet channel and a pressure medium outlet channel respectively connected to the pressure medium chamber, a valve seat, and a valve closure member that, upon bearing contact on the valve seat, blocks the connection between the pressure medium inlet channel and the pressure medium outlet channel, and a valve guide extending between the magnet armature chamber and the pressure medium chamber. A sealing ring made of a polymer, which surrounds the valve closure member and separates the magnet armature chamber from the pressure medium chamber, extends between the valve closure member and the valve guide. The geometric design of the sealing ring to the valve guide provides wear resistance for the sealing ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Calin Petru Itoafa, Andreas Kufner
  • Patent number: 8215271
    Abstract: A hydraulic unit (5) is provided for a cylinder head (2) of an internal combustion engine with a hydraulically variable valve train (1). In the hydraulic unit, a high-pressure chamber (11), a medium-pressure chamber (12), and a low-pressure chamber (16) used as the hydraulic medium reservoir are formed. The low-pressure chamber communicates via a throttle point (17, 17?, 17?, 17??) with the medium-pressure chamber, and the throttle point is formed by a displaceable valve body (19, 19?, 19?, 19??) and has through-flow cross sections of different sizes according to a position of the valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Mario Kuhl, Lothar von Schimonsky, Thomas Kremer, Calin Petru Itoafa, Jens Lang, Andreas Eichenberg
  • Publication number: 20110291035
    Abstract: An electromagnetic valve, which has a magnet armature chamber, a pressure medium chamber, a pressure medium inlet channel and a pressure medium outlet channel respectively connected to the pressure medium chamber, a valve seat, and a valve closure member that, upon bearing contact on the valve seat, blocks the connection between the pressure medium inlet channel and the pressure medium outlet channel, and a valve guide extending between the magnet armature chamber and the pressure medium chamber. A sealing ring made of a polymer, which surrounds the valve closure member and separates the magnet armature chamber from the pressure medium chamber, extends between the valve closure member and the valve guide. The geometric design of the sealing ring to the valve guide provides wear resistance for the sealing ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Calin Petru ITOAFA, Andreas KUFNER
  • Publication number: 20110290204
    Abstract: An electrohydraulic valve controller for variable actuation of a gas exchange valve of an internal combustion engine. The electrohydraulic valve controller has a first hydraulic valve and, for the purpose of providing an emergency running capability, a second hydraulic valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Inventors: Andreas KUFNER, Michael BERGER, Calin Petru ITOAFA
  • Publication number: 20100224148
    Abstract: A hydraulic unit (5) is provided for a cylinder head (2) of an internal combustion engine with a hydraulically variable valve train (1). In the hydraulic unit, a high-pressure chamber (11), a medium-pressure chamber (12), and a low-pressure chamber (16) used as the hydraulic medium reservoir are formed. The low-pressure chamber communicates via a throttle point (17, 17?, 17?, 17??) with the medium-pressure chamber, and the throttle point is formed by a displaceable valve body (19, 19?, 19?, 19??) and has through-flow cross sections of different sizes according to a position of the valve body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Mario Kuhl, Lothar von Schimonsky, Thomas Kremer, Calin Petru Itoafa, Jens Lang, Andreas Eichenberg
  • Patent number: 7478615
    Abstract: The invention relates to an axial fixation (17) of a spring support part (9) of a switchable tappet (1) for direct transmission of a cam stroke to a tappet push-rod (7) of a valve drive of an internal combustion engine. The tappet (1) has an inner part (3), which receives the force of a spring means (13), in that the spring support part (9) used as a support (12) for the spring means (13) is fixed axially to the inner part (3) in a direction of force of the spring means (13), such that the spring support part (9) and the inner part (3) face each other in a region of the axial fixation (17) and form a common channel (18) by means of formed parts (20, 23) aligned with each other, in which a retaining ring (19) is arranged for positive-fit connection of the spring support part (9) to the inner part (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Calin Petru Itoafa, Mario Kuhl
  • Patent number: 7389757
    Abstract: A force-transmitting arrangement (4) for a valve train (1) of an internal-combustion engine (2) with hydraulic valve play compensation device (6) with a hollow cylindrical compensation piston (15) is provided. The compensation piston (15) borders, on one end, a working space (32) of the valve play compensation device (6) and, on the other end, a hydraulic medium reservoir (33), which is used for supplying the working space (32) and which is connected to a hydraulic medium supply (18) of the internal-combustion engine (2). A run-off safety device (22, 22a, 22b) at least partially prevents a hydraulic medium flow from the hydraulic medium reservoir (33) in the direction of the hydraulic medium supply (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Calin Petru Itoafa, Friedrich Hieronymus
  • Patent number: 6988474
    Abstract: The invention proposes a cam follower (1) comprising a hydraulic clearance compensation device (27) from whose reservoir (8) a controlled and throttled supply of hydraulic medium to lubricating points of the abutting tappet push rod and the associated rocker arm is realized with the help of an oil distributing disk (12) that extends in the reservoir (8). Projections (19) configured, for example, as bulging formations (21), are arranged on an underside (13) of a support (7) for the tappet push rod. In the presence of hydraulic medium pressure, the oil distributing disk (12) is pressed against the projections (19) and enables a purposed and throttled transfer of hydraulic medium between its upper side (18) and the underside (13) into an axial passage (11) of the support (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Ina-Schaeffler KG
    Inventor: Calin Petru Itoafa