Abstract: A rocker arm includes an outer arm and an inner arm which selectively pivots relative to the outer arm. The rocker arm also includes a lock pin which is displaced along a lock pin axis between a coupled position and a decoupled position. The rocker arm also includes a linkage and a linkage guide which guides the linkage along a linkage axis. One surface of the linkage engages an actuator while another surface of the linkage engages the lock pin such that the linkage translates motion from the actuator to motion of the lock pin.

Abstract: A rocker arm includes an outer arm and an inner arm which selectively pivots relative to the outer arm. The rocker arm also includes a lock pin which is displaced along a lock pin axis between a coupled position and a decoupled position. The rocker arm also includes a linkage and a linkage guide which guides the linkage along a linkage axis. One surface of the linkage engages an actuator while another surface of the linkage engages the lock pin such that the linkage translates motion from the actuator to motion of the lock pin.

Abstract: A rocker arm includes an outer arm defining a lock pin bore which is centered about a lock pin bore axis and an inner arm which selectively pivots relative to the outer arm about a pivot axis which is parallel to the lock pin bore axis. The inner arm includes a protrusion which defines an inner arm stop surface which is planar. A lock pin is disposed within the lock pin bore, the lock pin having a lock pin slot extending thereinto and also having a lock pin stop surface which is planar. The lock pin is displaced within the lock pin bore between a coupled position in which the lock pin stop surface is aligned with the inner arm stop surface and a decoupled position in which the lock pin slot is aligned with the protrusion.

Abstract: A rocker arm includes an outer arm having a first wall and a second wall and an inner arm which selectively pivots relative to the outer arm about a pivot shaft axis based on positioning of a lock pin. A lost motion spring includes an outer arm tang grounded to the outer arm and an inner arm tang grounded to the inner arm. A roller shaft is supported by the inner arm and extends toward the first wall. The roller shaft carries a roller which follows a camshaft. A roller retainer is carried by the roller shaft and is located between the roller and the first wall and includes a surface with which the inner arm tang is engaged to ground the lost motion spring to the inner arm through the roller shaft.

Abstract: A rocker arm includes an outer arm having a first wall and a second wall and an inner arm which selectively pivots relative to the outer arm about a pivot shaft axis of a pivot shaft based on positioning of a lock pin. A lost motion spring includes an outer arm tang grounded to the outer arm and an inner arm tang grounded to the inner arm. A roller shaft is supported by the inner arm and extends toward the first wall. The roller shaft carries a roller which follows a camshaft. A roller retainer is carried by the roller shaft and is located between the roller and the first wall and includes a surface with which the inner arm tang is engaged to ground the lost motion spring to the inner arm, a roller shaft aperture containing the roller shaft, and a pivot shaft aperture containing the pivot shaft.

Abstract: A rocker arm includes an outer arm defining a lock pin bore which is centered about a lock pin bore axis and an inner arm which selectively pivots relative to the outer arm about a pivot axis which is parallel to the lock pin bore axis. The inner arm includes a protrusion which defines an inner arm stop surface which is planar. A lock pin is disposed within the lock pin bore, the lock pin having a lock pin slot extending thereinto and also having a lock pin stop surface which is planar. The lock pin is displaced within the lock pin bore between a coupled position in which the lock pin stop surface is aligned with the inner arm stop surface and a decoupled position in which the lock pin slot is aligned with the protrusion.

Abstract: A valve train system includes a camshaft with a camshaft lobe that is rotatable about a camshaft axis. A control shaft is rotatable about a control shaft axis and includes an eccentric control shaft slot. An input rocker engages the camshaft lobe and has a rocker slot. An output rocker engages a valve actuation member which is engaged with a combustion valve. A rocker pivot shaft has a rocker pivot shaft axis and is fixed to the output rocker and extends through both the control shaft slot and the rocker slot. Rotation of the camshaft causes the input rocker and the output rocker to pivot about the rocker pivot shaft axis and rotation of the control shaft changes the magnitude that the input rocker and the output rocker pivot about the rocker pivot shaft axis and also changes the magnitude of opening the combustion valve.

Abstract: A valve train system includes a camshaft with a camshaft lobe that is rotatable about a camshaft axis. A control shaft is rotatable about a control shaft axis and includes an eccentric control shaft slot. An input rocker engages the camshaft lobe and has a rocker slot. An output rocker engages a valve actuation member which is engaged with a combustion valve. A rocker pivot shaft has a rocker pivot shaft axis and is fixed to the output rocker and extends through both the control shaft slot and the rocker slot. Rotation of the camshaft causes the input rocker and the output rocker to pivot about the rocker pivot shaft axis and rotation of the control shaft changes the magnitude that the input rocker and the output rocker pivot about the rocker pivot shaft axis and also changes the magnitude of opening the combustion valve.

Abstract: A continuously variable valve lift system for actuating a combustion valve of an engine includes a camshaft having a camshaft lobe rotatable about an camshaft axis of rotation. A rocker assembly is pivotable for providing reciprocating motion to the combustion valve. A control shaft is rotatable about a control shaft axis of rotation such that rotation of the control shaft about the control shaft axis of rotation changes the position of the rocker assembly to vary the lift of the combustion valve. An actuator selectively rotates the control shaft between a minimum lift position and a maximum lift position. A bias spring surrounding the control shaft axis of rotation biases the control shaft only from the minimum lift position to a predetermined position which is intermediate the minimum lift position and the maximum lift position upon failure of the actuator.

Abstract: A continuously variable valve lift system for actuating a combustion valve of an engine includes a camshaft having a camshaft lobe rotatable about an camshaft axis of rotation. A rocker assembly is pivotable for providing reciprocating motion to the combustion valve. A control shaft is rotatable about a control shaft axis of rotation such that rotation of the control shaft about the control shaft axis of rotation changes the position of the rocker assembly to vary the lift of the combustion valve. An actuator selectively rotates the control shaft between a minimum lift position and a maximum lift position. A bias spring surrounding the control shaft axis of rotation biases the control shaft only from the minimum lift position to a predetermined position which is intermediate the minimum lift position and the maximum lift position upon failure of the actuator.

Abstract: A mechanism for compensating systematic uni-directional torque bias imposed on a bi-directional drive actuator shaft, comprising a pallet disposed on an arm for rotation with the actuator shaft. A bucket tappet is engaged by the pallet and contains a helical compression spring. As the actuator shaft rotates and compresses the spring, the load on the pallet increases linearly but the length of the lever arm changes non-linearly at a rate different from the force applied to the pallet. This results in a non-linear torque about the actuator shaft. The torque can be the same at the compression spring preload state as it is at the full load state or it can be biased to be unsymmetrical based on the layout and size of the components and the stroke of the actuator shaft.

Abstract: A mechanism for compensating systematic uni-directional torque bias imposed on a bi-directional drive actuator shaft, comprising a pallet disposed on an arm for rotation with the actuator shaft. A bucket tappet is engaged by the pallet and contains a helical compression spring. As the actuator shaft rotates and compresses the spring, the load on the pallet increases linearly but the length of the lever arm changes non-linearly at a rate different from the force applied to the pallet. This results in a non-linear torque about the actuator shaft. The torque can be the same at the compression spring preload state as it is at the full load state or it can be biased to be unsymmetrical based on the layout and size of the components and the stroke of the actuator shaft.

Abstract: A two-step roller finger follower assembly for use in conjunction with a camshaft of an internal combustion engine, wherein the camshaft has at least one first lobe and at least one second lobe. The roller finger follower assembly comprises a follower body for engaging the first cam lobe and having a central aperture, a follower pivotably disposed on the follower body in the central aperture for engaging the second cam lobe, and a limiting stop disposed on the follower body for engaging a feature on the follower to limit travel of the follower body with respect to the follower. The limiting stop prevents overtravel of the follower body during valve-deactivation mode of the assembly, thus preventing excessive leak down of an associated hydraulic lash adjuster.

Abstract: A lock pin bore in a two-step rocker arm assembly contains a hydraulically-actuable lock pin. A return spring urges the lock pin toward an unlatched mode. The bore has one or more annular grooves formed near the outer end of the bore. A plug, formed preferably of a soft metal, is pressed as a hydraulic seal into the bore. During assembly, the final position of the lock pin within the bore is set by positioning a stopping assembly fixture into the locking end of the bore. The plug is pressed into the bore until contact is made with the lock pin and the lock pin engages the fixture. The plug is radially deformed into the annular groove(s) to anchor the plug and fix the outer limit of travel of the locking pin and the compressive load on the return spring.

Abstract: A two-step roller finger follower having a high-lift follower portion that pivots on a pivot shaft disposed on a low-lift follower portion, and having a lost-motion spring disposed between the high-lift follower and the low-lift follower to bias the high-lift follower toward the high lift cam lobe. Various bearing cups and roller shaft sleeve embodiments are shown, all of which allow for improved shaft and needle bearing arrangements. A z-stop formed by the bearing cups and/or the shaft sleeve limits the range of travel of the high-lift follower with respect to the low-lift follower. Various z-stop embodiments are provided including a non-contacting roller shaft sleeve that grounds the high-lift follower to the low-lift follower independent of the roller shaft.

Abstract: A two-step roller finger follower assembly for use in conjunction with a camshaft of an internal combustion engine, wherein the camshaft has at least one first lobe and at least one second lobe. The roller finger follower assembly comprises a follower body for engaging the first cam lobe and having a central aperture, a follower pivotably disposed on the follower body in the central aperture for engaging the second cam lobe, and a limiting stop disposed on the follower body for engaging a feature on the follower to limit travel of the follower body with respect to the follower. The limiting stop prevents overtravel of the follower body during valve-deactivation mode of the assembly, thus preventing excessive leak down of an associated hydraulic lash adjuster.

Abstract: A system for continuously varying actuation of a valve in an internal combustion engine including a first cam for opening the valve, a second cam for closing the valve, and an oscillating rocker arm continuously engaging each of the first cam, the second cam, and the valvetrain, with the aid of a lost motion spring. The cams are disposed on first and second camshafts that are geared together. The first camshaft gear is driven by the engine crankshaft and thus is phase-invariant. The second camshaft gear is rotationally mounted on the second camshaft and supports the stator of a camshaft phaser. The phaser rotor is mounted to the second camshaft. Varying the rotor position varies the phase of the second cam and thus varies lift and closing timing of the valve. The system is useful in improving the performance of both spark-ignited and compression-ignited engines.

Abstract: A two-step roller finger follower having a high-lift follower portion that pivots on a pivot shaft disposed on a low-lift follower portion, and having a lost-motion spring disposed between the high-lift follower and the low-lift follower to bias the high-lift follower toward the high lift cam lobe. Various bearing cups and roller shaft sleeve embodiments are shown, all of which allow for improved shaft and needle bearing arrangements. A z-stop formed by the bearing cups and/or the shaft sleeve limits the range of travel of the high-lift follower with respect to the low-lift follower. Various z-stop embodiments are provided including a non-contacting roller shaft sleeve that grounds the high-lift follower to the low-lift follower independent of the roller shaft.

Abstract: A lock pin bore in a two-step rocker arm assembly contains a hydraulically-actuable lock pin. A return spring urges the lock pin toward an unlatched mode. The bore has one or more annular grooves formed near the outer end of the bore. A plug, formed preferably of a soft metal, is pressed as a hydraulic seal into the bore. During assembly, the final position of the lock pin within the bore is set by positioning a stopping assembly fixture into the locking end of the bore. The plug is pressed into the bore until contact is made with the lock pin and the lock pin engages the fixture. The plug is radially deformed into the annular groove(s) to anchor the plug and fix the outer limit of travel of the locking pin and the compressive load on the return spring.

Abstract: A two-step roller finger follower having a high-lift follower portion that rotates relative to a low-lift follower portion about a pivot shaft, including a lost-motion compression spring disposed in a linear bore formed in the high-lift portion to exert force against an curved pad on the back side of the valve pallet of the low-lift portion. The spring is retained and guided in its bore by a spring retainer having a planar bottom for engaging the curved pad. Preferably the retainer is a cup positioned in the spring bore such that the stroke of the cup is limited, to prevent leak-down of the associated hydraulic lash adjuster. Driving the spring by a linear-acting retainer in a linear bore causes the spring to be compressed linearly, resulting in a highly stable and predictable spring rate.