Abstract: A camshaft assembly includes an actuator and an axially moveable structure mounted to a base shaft wherein the axially moveable structure includes a plurality of lobe packs and a cam barrel. The axially movable structure moves along the base shaft in the axial direction along a longitudinal axis of the base shaft, but is rotationally fixed to the base shaft. The barrel cam includes an inner wall and an outer wall which defines a control groove therebetween. The control groove further defines first and second regions wherein the first region includes a fixed narrow control groove width and the second region includes a progressively decreasing control groove width. The actuator shifts the axially moveable structure relative to the base shaft between a first position and a second position. A recess is defined in the outer wall such that the recess is disposed adjacent to the first region.

Abstract: A camshaft assembly includes a base shaft, an axially movable structure having a barrel cam and a plurality of lobe packs, and an actuator. The barrel cam defines a single control groove having an enlarged region and a converged region. The actuator includes an actuator body with first and second pins. Each of the first and second pins moves relative to the actuator body between a retracted position and an extended position. The axially movable structure may move from a first position to a second position when the second pin rides along at least a portion of a second side of the enlarged region and then enters the converged region. The axially movable structure may also move from a second position to a first position when the first pin rides along at least a portion of a first side of the enlarged region before entering the converged region.

Abstract: A valve for an engine cylinder includes a head. The valve is selectively moveable between a closed position in which the head blocks a port and an open position in which the head unblocks the port. A lower stem is formed as one-piece with the head, and a thermal cavity formed within the lower stem. The thermal cavity is at least partially filled with a heat transfer medium. An upper stem is attached to the lower stem opposite the head. A thermal barrier is located adjacent a junction of the lower stem and the upper stem.

Abstract: An engine assembly includes an engine structure, a camshaft supported on the engine structure, a first cam phaser coupled to a first axial end of the camshaft, and a locating pin. The camshaft includes a first shaft, a second shaft, a first cam lobe and a second cam lobe. The first shaft defines a first opening. The second shaft is supported within the first shaft and defines a second opening. The first cam lobe is located on and fixed for rotation with the first shaft. The second cam lobe may be located on the first shaft and fixed for rotation with the second shaft. During assembly, the first cam phaser is located on the camshaft and the locating pin may be inserted through the first and second openings to rotationally fix the first and second shafts. The first cam phaser is then secured to the camshaft.

Abstract: A valve for an engine cylinder includes a head. The valve is selectively moveable between a closed position in which the head blocks a port and an open position in which the head unblocks the port. A lower stem is formed as one-piece with the head, and a thermal cavity formed within the lower stem. The thermal cavity is at least partially filled with a heat transfer medium. An upper stem is attached to the lower stem opposite the head. A thermal barrier is located adjacent a junction of the lower stem and the upper stem.

Abstract: An exhaust valve stem seal assembly includes a casing and an elastomeric seal coupled to the casing. The elastomeric seal includes a stem seal portion for sealing against a stem of an exhaust valve. The stem seal portion includes a gas lip that extends radially inward. The casing includes a frustoconical shoulder extending radially inward toward a valve axis to a distal edge. The frustoconical shoulder defines an angle relative to a plane perpendicular to the valve axis between the range of 5° and 45°. The distal edge of the frustoconical shoulder is disposed behind and is substantially aligned with the gas lip along the valve axis.

Abstract: An engine assembly includes an engine structure, a camshaft supported on the engine structure, a first cam phaser coupled to a first axial end of the camshaft, and a locating pin. The camshaft includes a first shaft, a second shaft, a first cam lobe and a second cam lobe. The first shaft defines a first opening. The second shaft is supported within the first shaft and defines a second opening. The first cam lobe is located on and fixed for rotation with the first shaft. The second cam lobe may be located on the first shaft and fixed for rotation with the second shaft. During assembly, the first cam phaser is located on the camshaft and the locating pin may be inserted through the first and second openings to rotationally fix the first and second shafts. The first cam phaser is then secured to the camshaft.

Abstract: An engine assembly may include an engine structure supporting a camshaft and a valve lift mechanism. The camshaft may include a cam lobe and may define a longitudinally extending rotational axis. The valve lift mechanism may define a longitudinally extending cam engagement surface and a first side wall. The cam engagement surface may be engaged with the cam lobe at a first location. The first side wall may be fixed to the cam engagement surface and may include first and second portions. The first portion may extend from the cam engagement surface. The second portion may extend continuously inward from an end of the first portion. The inward extent of the second portion may be greater than or equal to a first height at the first location defined from the cam engagement surface to the end of the first portion.

Abstract: A camshaft assembly may include a first shaft adapted to be rotationally driven, a first lobe member fixed for rotation with the first shaft, and a torsional damper fixed to the first shaft. The torsional damper may include a mass structure fixed to the first shaft and an elastic member disposed between and coupling the mass structure and the first shaft. The elastic member may have a spring constant providing a first sideband natural frequency and a second sideband natural frequency for the camshaft assembly.

Abstract: An engine assembly may include an engine structure supporting a camshaft and a valve lift mechanism. The camshaft may include a cam lobe and may define a longitudinally extending rotational axis. The valve lift mechanism may define a longitudinally extending cam engagement surface and a first side wall. The cam engagement surface may be engaged with the cam lobe at a first location. The first side wall may be fixed to the cam engagement surface and may include first and second portions. The first portion may extend from the cam engagement surface. The second portion may extend continuously inward from an end of the first portion. The inward extent of the second portion may be greater than or equal to a first height at the first location defined from the cam engagement surface to the end of the first portion.

Abstract: A camshaft assembly may include a first shaft adapted to be rotationally driven, a first lobe member fixed for rotation with the first shaft, and a torsional damper fixed to the first shaft. The torsional damper may include a mass structure fixed to the first shaft and an elastic member disposed between and coupling the mass structure and the first shaft. The elastic member may have a spring constant providing a first sideband natural frequency and a second sideband natural frequency for the camshaft assembly.

Abstract: A stake punch for securing a pin in a gearset is provided. The stake punch includes a body defining an axis and a punch extending from the body along the axis. The punch includes a pair of opposing top and bottom surfaces, an end face, and a pair of stake faces each connected to the end face. The stake faces each have a curved surface extending between the top surface and bottom surface. The curved surface has a constant radius of curvature along a length of the stake face. The pair of stake faces are at an angle with respect to the axis.

Abstract: A planet carrier assembly has staking pockets for retention of the pinion pins. The staking pockets are substantially rectangular when viewed from the top view but display a ramp angle when viewed from the side view. The shape of the pocket provides for improved pinion pin retention within the planet carrier side plate while reducing the required staking forces.

Abstract: A stake punch for securing a pin in a gearset is provided. The stake punch includes a body defining an axis and a punch extending from the body along the axis. The punch includes a pair of opposing top and bottom surfaces, an end face, and a pair of stake faces each connected to the end face. The stake faces each have a curved surface extending between the top surface and bottom surface. The curved surface has a constant radius of curvature along a length of the stake face. The pair of stake faces are at an angle with respect to the axis.