Abstract: A wiper seal for preventing leakage of oil between advance and retard chambers formed between rotor vanes and stator lobes in a vane-type camshaft phaser is a monolithic structure made from a single material that includes a wiper element and a compressible spring element extending from the wiper element. The spring element is designed as a cantilevered arm and provides a sealing pressure to the wiper element. The wiper seal may further include a rib element as part of the monolithic structure that vertically extends the wiper element towards the spring element. The rib element assists in preventing over-compression of the cantilevered arm and in preventing tangling of a plurality of wiper seals during handling and shipping. The wiper seal is provided at the tip of each rotor vane and/or stator lobe of a vane-type camshaft phaser for varying the timing of combustion valves in an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A target wheel for a camshaft phaser stamped and drawn from sheet metal stock. The hub region of the target wheel may be drawn such that it extends through the phaser cover plate and seals directly against the face of the rotor, allowing a shorter cam bolt and resulting in reduction in mass and cost of the phaser. Alternatively, a separate hub is formed and then attached to a simplified stamped and drawn target wheel, or a target wheel hub is formed integrally with the rotor and extends through the cover plate to mate with a simplified stamped and drawn target wheel. Preferably, the hub is formed having a neck extending through a central opening in the target wheel, which neck is peened over during assembly to secure the wheel to the hub.

Abstract: A closure assembly for a camshaft phaser. A plug or a cap is provided with either a radially-sealing gasket seal or a face-sealing gasket seal, the seal being formed by insertion of the plug into a bore, or by installation of a cap over a neck formed in a cover plate. The closure is provided with a plurality of spaced-apart locking elements, and the plate is provided with a plurality of spaced-apart, radially extending second locking elements in the form of fingers surrounding a central opening. During assembly, the closure is mated to the plate with the first locking elements interspersed with the second locking elements. The closure is rotated to bring the locking elements into locking engagement with each other, preventing counter-rotation of the closure. No threads or torque specifications are required.

Abstract: A target wheel/rotor pre-assembly for a camshaft phaser. A phaser rotor includes a central bore. A target wheel axial extension having a plurality of barbs is entered into the bore to fix the target wheel to the rotor, both axially and rotationally, prior to assembly of the rotor into a phaser stator during manufacture of the phaser. Simple gauge blocks or a fixture can be used to index the target wheel to the rotor such that all such rotor/wheel subassemblies are substantially identical, to a high degree of precision. Alternatively, the axial extension may be formed without barbs, the extension inserted into the rotor bore, and then the extension immobilized as by stamping of the barbs, tack welding, or the like. For another example, the axial extension may be formed as a separate intermediate barbed retainer that engages both the rotor bore and the target wheel.

Abstract: A deactivation hydraulic valve lifter includes an elongate lifter body having a substantially cylindrical inner wall. The inner wall defines at least one annular pin chamber therein. The lifter body has a first end configured for engaging a cam of an engine. An elongate pin housing includes a substantially cylindrical pin housing wall and pin housing bottom. The pin housing wall includes an inner surface and an outer surface. The pin housing bottom defines a radially directed pin bore therethrough. The pin housing is concentrically disposed within the inner wall of the lifter body such that the outer surface of the pin housing wall is adjacent to at least a portion of the inner wall of the lifter body. A plunger having a substantially cylindrical plunger wall with an inner surface and an outer surface is concentrically disposed within the pin housing such that the outer surface of the plunger wall is adjacent to at least a portion of the inner surface of the pin housing wall.

Abstract: A deactivation hydraulic valve lifter includes an elongate lifter body having a substantially cylindrical inner wall. The inner wall defines at least one annular pin chamber therein. The lifter body has a first end configured for engaging a cam of an engine. An elongate pin housing includes a substantially cylindrical pin housing wall and pin housing bottom. The pin housing wall includes an inner surface and an outer surface. The pin housing bottom defines a radially directed pin bore therethrough. The pin housing is concentrically disposed within the inner wall of the lifter body such that the outer surface of the pin housing wall is adjacent to at least a portion of the inner wall of the lifter body. A plunger having a substantially cylindrical plunger wall with an inner surface and an outer surface is concentrically disposed within the pin housing such that the outer surface of the plunger wall is adjacent to at least a portion of the inner surface of the pin housing wall.

Abstract: An automated token system (particularly for toll roads) utilizing a token which may be permanently magnetized and demagnetized. The token is made of permanent magnetic materials such as barium ferrite and a plastic material, is circular and has a uniform thickness.The system includes a mechanism for magnetically and visually writing on the token at an entrance to a controlled area or road and a reader for reading information at the exit. The mechanism for writing includes an electromagnetic conditioner which erases old information and an electromagnetic head or heads which place data bits of information on the token. An input from a computer and/or shift register and/or switches and appropriate amplifiers signal the electromagnetic heads. The reader for reading includes a scanning head which takes the information from the token and transmits it to a shift register or computer.