Patents by Inventor Helmut Engelhardt

Helmut Engelhardt 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: 9856762
    Abstract: The invention relates to a DOHC sliding cam valve train of an internal combustion engine with a four-cylinder in-line arrangement and cylinder shutoff. One of the two camshafts has two shared cam pieces for the respective adjacent engine cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Helmut Engelhardt
  • Publication number: 20160290183
    Abstract: The invention relates to a DOHC sliding cam valve train of an internal combustion engine with a four-cylinder in-line arrangement and cylinder shutoff. One of the two camshafts has two shared cam pieces for the respective adjacent engine cylinders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Helmut Engelhardt
  • Patent number: 8328959
    Abstract: The invention proposes a lever-type cam follower (1) made without chip removal out of a sheet steel for use in a valve train of an internal combustion engine for actuating at least one gas exchange valve. This lever-type cam follower (1) is characterized by being made of a cold-forming, core-hardening heat-treatable steel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Helmut Engelhardt, Ernst Ammon
  • Patent number: 8025038
    Abstract: A cam follower for actuating a gas exchange valve of an internal combustion engine, which has a lifting body cold formed from sheet metal and that forms, on a valve-sided lifting section which has two lateral walls and a first base section connecting the walls, a cross-sectional profile which is open towards the gas exchange valve in a U-shaped manner, and on a joint-sided lifting section that has lateral walls and a second base section connecting the walls, a modifiable cross-sectional profile which is initially open towards the gas exchange valve in a U-shaped manner the U-shape adopting a trough shape that has a protruding annular cavity. The trough shape adjacent to an annular cavity on the side of the valve-sided lifting section is M-shaped and has two free recesses open towards the gas exchange valve and extend respectively between one of the lateral walls and the second base section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Helmut Engelhardt, Christian Minner
  • Patent number: 7721695
    Abstract: Connecting element (10) retains cam follower (2), which actuates gas-exchange valve (4) of an internal combustion engine, on support element (6). Support element (6) has spherical end (7) on cylindrical section (22) and on which cam follower (2) is mounted, so as to be pivotably movable in the direction of gas-exchange valve (4) about center of rotation (9). Connecting element (10) has elastically deformable projections (21), which proceed from central webs (19), parallel to the pivot axis of cam follower (2) such that connecting element (10) is connected to cylindrical section (22) in a frictionally-engaging manner. Projections (21) are embodied as lugs (20) which angle away from central webs (19) and extend in a direction pointing away from cam follower (2), so that projections (21) are elastic in shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Stephan Moeck, Helmut Engelhardt
  • Publication number: 20100064999
    Abstract: A cam follower for actuating a gas exchange valve of an internal combustion engine, which has a lifting body cold formed from sheet metal and that forms, on a valve-sided lifting section which has two lateral walls and a first base section connecting the walls, a cross-sectional profile which is open towards the gas exchange valve in a U-shaped manner, and on a joint-sided lifting section that has lateral walls and a second base section connecting the walls, a modifiable cross-sectional profile which is initially open towards the gas exchange valve in a U-shaped manner, the U-shape adopting a trough shape that has a protruding annular cavity. The trough shape adjacent to an annular cavity on the side of the valve-sided lifting section is M-shaped and has two free recesses open towards the gas exchange valve and extend between one of the lateral walls and the second base section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER KG
    Inventors: Helmut Engelhardt, Christian Minner
  • Publication number: 20090250034
    Abstract: A structural member comprised of at least one component for an internal combustion piston engine operated with alcoholic fuel, at least one of the components being made of a martensitic steel with a C content of up to 0.7% and a Cr content of 12 to 18% wherein in an installed state of the structural member in the internal combustion engine, the at least one component is directly exposed to the lubricating oil serving to lubricate a crank mechanism of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Inventors: Helmut Engelhardt, Oliver Schnell
  • Publication number: 20080196682
    Abstract: Connecting element (10) retains cam follower (2), which actuates gas-exchange valve (4) of an internal combustion engine, on support element (6). Support element (6) has spherical end (7) on cylindrical section (22) and on which cam follower (2) is mounted, so as to be pivotably movable in the direction of gas-exchange valve (4) about center of rotation (9). Connecting element (10) has elastically deformable projections (21), which proceed from central webs (19), parallel to the pivot axis of cam follower (2) such that connecting element (10) is connected to cylindrical section (22) in a frictionally-engaging manner. Projections (21) are embodied as lugs (20) which angle away from central webs (19) and extend in a direction pointing away from cam follower (2), so that projections (21) are elastic in shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER KG
    Inventors: Stephan Moeck, Helmut Engelhardt
  • Patent number: 7350490
    Abstract: A connection element (9, 10) is provided for the captive mounting of a lever-type cam follower (1), which is used to actuate a gas-exchange valve (5) of an internal combustion engine, on a support element (2). Said support element (2) has a spherical end (7) on which the cam follower (1) is pivotably mounted by a concave molding (6). The connection element (9, 10) is made from a flat material and is arranged, with a central section (11), on a bottom side (12) of a base (13) facing the support element (2). The base surrounds the concave molding (6) and connects to the side walls (27) of the cam follower (1). The central section forms, with two limbs (14) that are spaced apart from each other and a web (15) connected with the limbs, a U-shaped recess (16), which extends in a longitudinal direction of the cam follower (1) and which surrounds, in an essentially play-free manner, an annular groove (8) below the spherical end (7) in a fork-like manner and orthogonal to a pivoting direction of the cam follower (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Stephan Mock, Helmut Engelhardt
  • Patent number: 7350489
    Abstract: A finger lever of a valve train of an internal combustion engine, said finger lever comprising two side walls that are connected to each other by a crossbeam that acts through an underside at one end on at least one gas exchange valve and is mounted at a further end through a concave cavity on a head of a support element, a clip through which the finger lever is fixed in position on said head for displacement in a direction of pivot being applied to said further end, wherein a central section of the clip made of flat material is supported at the further end on the underside of the crossbeam and comprises an opening under the cavity, the head of the support element being retained behind an edge of said opening, each side wall being surrounded on an outer surface by a tab-like extension that starts laterally from the central section and is snapped at an end onto one of an upper side or a support surface substantially parallel to the upper side, so that the end of the extension engages over more than at least on
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: INA-Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Helmut Engelhardt, Johann Kecker, Jorg Michel
  • Publication number: 20080041326
    Abstract: A finger lever of a valve train of an internal combustion engine, said finger lever comprising two side walls that are connected to each other by a crossbeam that acts through an underside at one end on at least one gas exchange valve and is mounted at a further end through a concave cavity on a head of a support element, a clip through which the finger lever is fixed in position on said head for displacement in a direction of pivot being applied to said further end, wherein a central section of the clip made of flat material is supported at the further end on the underside of the crossbeam and comprises an opening under the cavity, the head of the support element being retained behind an edge of said opening, each side wall being surrounded on an outer surface by a tab-like extension that starts laterally from the central section and is snapped at an end onto one of an upper side or a support surface substantially parallel to the upper side, so that the end of the extension engages over more than at least on
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2005
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Inventors: Helmut Engelhardt, Johann Kecker, Jorg Michel
  • Publication number: 20070215086
    Abstract: A connection element (9, 10) is provided for the captive mounting of a lever-type cam follower (1), which is used to actuate a gas-exchange valve (5) of an internal combustion engine, on a support element (2). The support element (2) has a spherical end (7) on which the cam follower (1) is pivotably mounted by a concave molding (6). The connection element (9, 10) is made from a flat material and is arranged, with a central section (11), on a bottom side (12) of a base (13) facing the support element (2). The base surrounds the concave molding (6) and connects to the side walls (27) of the cam follower (1). The central section forms, with two limbs (14) that are spaced apart from each other and a web (15) connected with the limbs, a U-shaped recess (16), which extends in a longitudinal direction of the cam follower (1) and which surrounds, in an essentially play-free manner, an annular groove (8) below the spherical end (7) in a fork-like manner and orthogonal to a pivoting direction of the cam follower (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2005
    Publication date: September 20, 2007
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER KG
    Inventors: Stephan Mock, Helmut Engelhardt
  • Patent number: 7219639
    Abstract: Disclosed is a drag lever (1) comprising two side walls (2, 3) which are connected together by a transversal bar (4) which is arranged on an end (6) of the lower side (5) thereof on an end (6) thereof on a head of a support element (9) by means of a dome-shaped cavity (7) on a head (8) of a support element (9). A clamp (10) is applied to the end (6) thereof. The clamp fixes the drag lever (1) to the head such that it can be displaced in a pivoting direction thereof. The clamp (10) is made of thin-walled wire material and extends essentially in a transversal manner in relation to the longitudinal axis of the drag lever (1) and is arranged on the lower side (5) of the transversal bar (4) by means of a central section (11) which is formed by webs (12, 13) which extended in a semi-circular manner in a part of the support element (9) which has a reduced diameter (14) and is located below said head (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: INA-Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Helmut Engelhardt, Johann Kecker, Jörg Michel
  • Patent number: 7146950
    Abstract: The invention proposes a connecting element (9) for retaining a lever-type cam follower (1), that serves to activate a gas exchange valve (5) of an internal combustion engine, inseparably on a support element (2) comprising a spherical end (7) on which the cam follower (1) is pivotally mounted through a concave depression (6). The connecting element (9) engages into an annular groove (8) under the spherical end (7). In a connecting element (9) of this type, a central portion (10) of the connecting element (9) bears against an underside (11) of the cam follower (1) oriented toward the support element (2) and forms, through two legs (12, 13) and a crossbar (14) connecting these legs (12, 13) to each other, a U-shaped recess (15) in longitudinal direction of the cam follower (1). This recess (15) engages around the groove (8) after the manner of a fork and orthogonally to a pivoting direction of the cam follower (1), substantially without lash.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: INA-Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Stephan Moeck, Helmut Engelhardt
  • Publication number: 20060225680
    Abstract: Disclosed is a drag lever (1) comprising two side walls (2, 3) which are connected together by a transversal bar (4) which is arranged on an end (6) of the lower side (5) thereof on an end (6) thereof on a head of a support element (9) by means of a dome-shaped cavity (7) on a head (8) of a support element (9). A clamp (10) is applied to the end (6) thereof. The clamp fixes the drag lever (1) to the head such that it can be displaced in a pivoting direction thereof. The clamp (10) is made of thin-walled wire material and extends essentially in a transversal manner in relation to the longitudinal axis of the drag lever (1) and is arranged on the lower side (5) of the transversal bar (4) by means of a central section (11) which is formed by webs (12, 13) which extend in a semi-circular manner in a part of the support element (9) which has a reduced diameter (14) and is located below said head (8).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Publication date: October 12, 2006
    Inventors: Helmut Engelhardt, Johann Kecker, Jorg Michel
  • Publication number: 20060011162
    Abstract: The invention proposes a connecting element (9) for retaining a lever-type cam follower (1), that serves to activate a gas exchange valve (5) of an internal combustion engine, inseparably on a support element (2) comprising a spherical end (7) on which the cam follower (1) is pivotally mounted through a concave depression (6). The connecting element (9) engages into an annular groove (8) under the spherical end (7). In a connecting element (9) of this type, a central portion (10) of the connecting element (9) bears against an underside (11) of the cam follower (1) oriented toward the support element (2) and forms, through two legs (12, 13) and a crossbar (14) connecting these legs (12, 13) to each other, a U-shaped recess (15) in longitudinal direction of the cam follower (1). This recess (15) engages around the groove (8) after the manner of a fork and orthogonally to a pivoting direction of the cam follower (1), substantially without lash.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Publication date: January 19, 2006
    Inventors: Stephan Moeck, Helmut Engelhardt
  • Publication number: 20050274437
    Abstract: The invention proposes a lever-type cam follower (1) made without chip removal out of a sheet steel for use in a valve train of an internal combustion engine for actuating at least one gas exchange valve. This lever-type cam follower (1) is characterized by being made of a cold-forming, core-hardening heat-treatable steel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2005
    Publication date: December 15, 2005
    Inventors: Helmut Engelhardt, Ernst Anmon
  • Patent number: 6273044
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to a valve actuating lever having a non-cut formed oblong base body which is configured essentially symmetrical to a longitudinal symmetry plane extending essentially longitudinally therefrom, a valve contact area arranged on a first end of said base body, two tabs arranged on both sides of said longitudinal symmetry plane in said valve contact area, each respectively having a lateral surface aligned facing said longitudinal symmetry plane, whereby said tabs are formed on said base body and bent over toward said valve contact area. Said tabs are arranged spaced at a clearance distance at an end edge of said oblong base body, said clearance distance being less than the clearance of said lateral surfaces in the valve contact area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignees: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, INA Walzlager Schaeffler oHG
    Inventors: Helmut Engelhardt, Wolfgang Mayer, Johannes Meyer
  • Patent number: 6253721
    Abstract: A cam follower (1) is proposed, which is made from a sheet metal material, and has a profile that is U-shaped in cross-section. In the area of its one end (6), its side walls (2) taper conically. At the same time, straps (7) for guiding a shaft end of a gas exchange valve are provided on an underside (5) of the cam follower (1) as an extension of the side walls (2) and are bent by 180° to fit on the underside (5) in the area of the end (6). A cam follower (1) of this type is made in a simple way, has an excellent guide possibility for the shaft end of the gas exchange valve, and has a smaller mass with a smaller mass moment of inertia than cam followers that have been used until now.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: INA Walzlager Schaeffler oHG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Mayer, Helmut Engelhardt, Walter Speil
  • Patent number: 6062184
    Abstract: A rocker arm or finger lever (1) formed without machining (by a non-cutting shaping process) which has a U-shaped profile in cross section over almost its entire length which is open toward the top or the bottom, whereby the rocker arm or finger lever (1), in its end region in which it contacts a valve shaft end, is constructed double-walled. This rocker arm or finger lever (1) is distinguished in that the double-walled section or at least a strap (13) projecting over the longitudinal extension of the rocker arm or finger lever (1) is formed on an upper wall (10) which is bent under and lies between its two side walls (11, 12). A lever configured in this manner can be manufactured economically and has a good rigidity despite the reduced material used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: INA Walzlager Schaeffler oHG
    Inventors: Helmut Engelhardt, Wolfgang Mayer