Abstract: An electrically-actuated variable camshaft timing (VCT) phaser assembly, comprises a sun gear configured to receive input from an electric motor and one or more planet gears having radially-outwardly-extending gear teeth that engage the sun gear; a first ring gear, having radially-inwardly extending gear teeth that engage the radially-outwardly-extending gear teeth of the sun gear, configured to receive rotational output provided by a crankshaft; a second ring gear, having radially-inwardly extending gear teeth that engage the radially-outwardly-extending gear teeth of the sun gear, configured to couple to a camshaft; one or more planet gear pins that carry the planet gear(s) and engage a planetary gear set to prevent the relative rotation of the planet gear pin(s) relative to the planetary gear set; and one or more springs that bias the planet gear pin(s) and the planetary gear(s) toward the first ring gear and the second ring gear.

Abstract: An engine variable camshaft timing (VCT) phaser assembly is equipped in an internal combustion engine (ICE) to adjust the rotation of the engine's camshaft relative to the engine's crankshaft. The adjustments advance and retard the opening and closing movements of the engine's intake and exhaust valves. An electric motor and a planetary gear set work together amid use of the VCT phaser assembly. The planetary gear set can include two or more ring gears, planet gears, and a sun gear. A backlash condition sometimes experienced in previous VCTs is minimized in the VCT phaser assembly by one or more springs that urge the planet gears into engagement with the ring gears.

Abstract: An electrically-actuated variable camshaft timing (VCT) device, comprising: an input configured to receive rotational force from an electric motor; an output configured to couple with a camshaft of an internal combustion engine; a planet gear having radially outwardly extending gear teeth configured to engage ring gears and a radially-inwardly-facing surface; a planet pin, supporting the planet gear, having an outer surface and an axis of rotation about which the planet gear rotates; and a spring applying force in a substantially axial direction along the axis of rotation that moves the planet gear in a radial direction.

Abstract: An electrically-actuated variable camshaft timing (VCT) phaser assembly, comprises a sun gear configured to receive input from an electric motor and one or more planet gears having radially-outwardly-extending gear teeth that engage the sun gear; a first ring gear, having radially-inwardly extending gear teeth that engage the radially-outwardly-extending gear teeth of the sun gear, configured to receive rotational output provided by a crankshaft; a second ring gear, having radially-inwardly extending gear teeth that engage the radially-outwardly-extending gear teeth of the sun gear, configured to couple to a camshaft; one or more planet gear pins that carry the planet gear(s) and engage a planetary gear set to prevent the relative rotation of the planet gear pin(s) relative to the planetary gear set; and one or more springs that bias the planet gear pin(s) and the planetary gear(s) toward the first ring gear and the second ring gear.

Abstract: An electrically-actuated variable camshaft timing (VCT) device, comprising: an input configured to receive rotational force from an electric motor; an output configured to couple with a camshaft of an internal combustion engine; a planet gear having radially outwardly extending gear teeth configured to engage ring gears and a radially-inwardly-facing surface; a planet pin, supporting the planet gear, having an outer surface and an axis of rotation about which the planet gear rotates; and a spring applying force in a substantially axial direction along the axis of rotation that moves the planet gear in a radial direction.

Abstract: An electrically-actuated variable camshaft timing (VCT) phaser is employed for use with an internal combustion engine (ICE). The electrically-actuated VCT phaser includes a gear set assembly and a fixture. The gear set assembly has an input gear and an output gear, among other possible components. The input gear receives rotational drive input from an engine crankshaft, and the output gear transmits rotational drive output to an engine camshaft. The fixture is secured in the gear set assembly. Amid installation of the electrically-actuated VCT phaser on the ICE, the fixture constrains rotational movement of the gear set assembly. After installation, the fixture can be removed from the gear set assembly.

Abstract: An electrically-actuated variable camshaft timing (VCT) phaser is employed for use with an internal combustion engine (ICE). The electrically-actuated VCT phaser includes a gear set assembly and a fixture. The gear set assembly has an input gear and an output gear, among other possible components. The input gear receives rotational drive input from an engine crankshaft, and the output gear transmits rotational drive output to an engine camshaft. The fixture is secured in the gear set assembly. Amid installation of the electrically-actuated VCT phaser on the ICE, the fixture constrains rotational movement of the gear set assembly. After installation, the fixture can be removed from the gear set assembly.

Abstract: An engine variable camshaft timing (VCT) phaser assembly is equipped in an internal combustion engine (ICE) to adjust the rotation of the engine's camshaft relative to the engine's crankshaft. The adjustments advance and retard the opening and closing movements of the engine's intake and exhaust valves. An electric motor and a planetary gear set work together amid use of the VCT phaser assembly. The planetary gear set can include two or more ring gears, planet gears, and a sun gear. A backlash condition sometimes experienced in previous VCTs is minimized in the VCT phaser assembly by one or more springs that urge the planet gears into engagement with the ring gears.

Abstract: A variable camshaft timing (VCT) assembly includes an independent VCT device that can couple with a first camshaft and change an angular position of the first camshaft relative to the angular position of a crankshaft. The independent VCT device has a stator and an output fixedly coupled with the first camshaft. The VCT assembly also includes a dependent VCT device that angularly adjusts a second camshaft in response to angular adjustment of the first camshaft. The dependent VCT device has a camshaft link coupled with the output of the independent VCT device; the camshaft link has a slot positioned radially outwardly from an axis of camshaft rotation.

Abstract: An electrically-actuated variable camshaft timing (VCT) phaser is employed for use with an internal combustion engine (ICE). The electrically-actuated VCT phaser includes a gear set assembly and a fixture. The gear set assembly has an input gear and an output gear, among other possible components. The input gear receives rotational drive input from an engine crankshaft, and the output gear transmits rotational drive output to an engine camshaft. The fixture is secured in the gear set assembly. Amid installation of the electrically-actuated VCT phaser on the ICE, the fixture constrains rotational movement of the gear set assembly. After installation, the fixture can be removed from the gear set assembly.

Abstract: A variable camshaft timing (VCT) assembly includes an independent VCT device that can couple with a first camshaft and change an angular position of the first camshaft relative to the angular position of a crankshaft. The independent VCT device has a stator and an output fixedly coupled with the first camshaft. The VCT assembly also includes a dependent VCT device that angularly adjusts a second camshaft in response to angular adjustment of the first camshaft. The dependent VCT device has a camshaft link coupled with the output of the independent VCT device; the camshaft link has a slot positioned radially outwardly from an axis of camshaft rotation.

Abstract: A variable camshaft timing system including a first camshaft phaser having an input that is configured to receive rotational force from a crankshaft and an output that is configured to link with a first camshaft of a concentric camshaft assembly to change the angular position of the first camshaft relative to a crankshaft; and a second camshaft phaser having an output that is configured to link with a second camshaft of the concentric camshaft assembly to change the angular position of the second camshaft relative to the crankshaft, wherein the first camshaft is concentrically positioned to the first camshaft and the first camshaft phaser is mechanically linked to the second camshaft phaser to communicate rotational force from the crankshaft to the second camshaft phaser through the first camshaft phaser and the mechanical link.

Abstract: A variable camshaft timing system including a first camshaft phaser having an input that is configured to receive rotational force from a crankshaft and an output that is configured to link with a first camshaft of a concentric camshaft assembly to change the angular position of the first camshaft relative to a crankshaft; and a second camshaft phaser having an output that is configured to link with a second camshaft of the concentric camshaft assembly to change the angular position of the second camshaft relative to the crankshaft, wherein the first camshaft is concentrically positioned to the first camshaft and the first camshaft phaser is mechanically linked to the second camshaft phaser to communicate rotational force from the crankshaft to the second camshaft phaser through the first camshaft phaser and the mechanical link.

Abstract: A continuously variable friction drive is used to phase a cam plate attached to the camshaft relative to a sprocket plate driven by the crankshaft. Discs are received within the cavity between the sprocket and cam plate. The discs are free to rotate about an axis of rotation, and is fixed relative to the cam and the sprocket, so that when the sprocket plate rotates, the cam plate is rotated by the discs in the opposite direction. The axis of rotation of the discs can be tilted by an actuator, so that the discs themselves contact the plates at different distances from their axes of rotation, which changes the speed of rotation of one plate relative to the other. When the speed of rotation of the crank and cam differ, the phase angle between the two shafts is changed.

Abstract: A variable camshaft timing (VCT) assembly for changing the angular position of concentric camshafts relative to a crankshaft includes a coupling plate having a first plurality of Oldham features configured to engage a first plurality of Oldham receiving features carried by a first VCT device and a second plurality of Oldham features configured to engage a second plurality of Oldham receiving features carried by a second VCT device; the coupling plate is positioned axially between the first VCT device and the second VCT device permitting the first VCT device and the second VCT device to move radially outwardly and inwardly relative to an axis of camshaft rotation.

Abstract: An electrically-actuated camshaft phaser including an electrically-actuated lock that includes a planetary gear assembly having a camshaft ring gear configured to be connected to a camshaft, a sprocket ring gear configured to receive rotational input from a crankshaft, and one or more planet gears engaging the camshaft ring gear and the sprocket ring gear, wherein the planetary gear assembly changes the angular position of the camshaft relative to the crankshaft; an electric motor, coupled to the planetary gear assembly, and a solenoid, wherein the electric motor controls the relative angular position of the crankshaft relative to the camshaft and the solenoid selectively moves a mechanical connection into locking engagement thereby preventing relative movement between the camshaft relative to the crankshaft.

Abstract: A variable camshaft timing (VCT) assembly for changing the angular position of concentric camshafts relative to a crankshaft includes a coupling plate having a first plurality of Oldham features configured to engage a first plurality of Oldham receiving features carried by a first VCT device and a second plurality of Oldham features configured to engage a second plurality of Oldham receiving features carried by a second VCT device; the coupling plate is positioned axially between the first VCT device and the second VCT device permitting the first VCT device and the second VCT device to move radially outwardly and inwardly relative to an axis of camshaft rotation.

Abstract: Using existing phaser control valve and a solenoid to create a pumping chamber which provides enough oil pressure to disengage a locking pin at all conditions.

Abstract: Roller forming portions of the VCT phaser to join the sprocket housing of the phaser to the end plates provides a reduction in oil leakage from the phaser as well as less distortion of the end plates of the phaser. Furthermore, by roller forming the sprocket housing of the VCT phaser to secure the end plates to the sprocket housing, the total number of parts needed is reduced, and the total number of holes needed to be drilled is reduced, reducing the overall cost of the phaser.

Abstract: A biasing assembly used with a VCT device includes a torsional biasing element that is elongated and configured to engage and receive rotational motion from one of a rotor or stator of the VCT device; a rigid element that is configured to engage the other of the rotor of the stator of the VCT device and be inserted within a cavity of a camshaft with the torsional biasing element; a receiving feature that couples the rigid element to the torsional biasing element and inhibits angular movement of the rotor and the stator away from a default angular position, wherein the torsional biasing element and the rigid element are angularly displaced from a resting position to a pre-loaded position when the torsional biasing element and the rigid element engage the rotor and the stator.