Patents by Inventor Kim Ku

Kim Ku 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: 7815533
    Abstract: A camshaft drive system for an internal combustion engine includes a drive sprocket fixed upon a crankshaft of the engine and a driven sprocket fixed upon a camshaft of the engine. A flexible power transmission element extends between the drive sprocket and driven sprocket. A tensioning device for the flexible power transmission element includes a linear actuator and a number of movable contactors for engaging and tensioning both the slack side and the tight side of the power transmission element, such that proper phasing of the camshaft with respect to the crankshaft is maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies
    Inventors: Gary A. Vrsek, Michael Magnan, Kim Ku
  • Publication number: 20080070731
    Abstract: A camshaft drive system for an internal combustion engine includes a drive sprocket fixed upon a crankshaft of the engine and a driven sprocket fixed upon a camshaft of the engine. A flexible power transmission element extends between the drive sprocket and driven sprocket. A tensioning device for the flexible power transmission element includes a linear actuator and a number of movable contactors for engaging and tensioning both the slack side and the tight side of the power transmission element, such that proper phasing of the camshaft with respect to the crankshaft is maintained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2006
    Publication date: March 20, 2008
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Gary A. Vrsek, Michael Magnan, Kim Ku
  • Patent number: 7258104
    Abstract: An intake and exhaust system for a dual mode HCCI engine, which provides superior intake temperature control and homogeneity for engine operation in SI and HCCI modes, as well as during transition between SI and HCCI modes and vice-versa. The system includes adjusted intake cam movement event lengths for intake valve operation at specified modes of operation. The system further includes at least one cam profile switching device operatively connected to intake and exhaust valves in an engine for controlling event length, maximum lift, and valve opening/closing timings for the intake and exhaust valves. The system yet further includes a bifurcated intake system and camless valve actuators for controlling intake valves for facilitating operation in SI or HCCI modes, as well as transition between SI and HCCI modes and vice-versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jialin Young, Brad Boyer, Kim Ku, Fang Shui, William Stockhausen
  • Publication number: 20060150952
    Abstract: An intake and exhaust system for a dual mode HCCI engine, which provides superior intake temperature control and homogeneity for engine operation in SI and HCCI modes, as well as during transition between SI and HCCI modes and vice-versa. The system includes adjusted intake cam movement event lengths for intake valve operation at specified modes of operation. The system further includes at least one cam profile switching device operatively connected to intake and exhaust valves in an engine for controlling event length, maximum lift, and valve opening/closing timings for the intake and exhaust valves. The system yet further includes a bifurcated intake system and camless valve actuators for controlling intake valves for facilitating operation in SI or HCCI modes, as well as transition between SI and HCCI modes and vice-versa.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Publication date: July 13, 2006
    Inventors: Jialin Yang, Brad Boyer, Kim Ku, Fang Shui, William Stockhausen
  • Patent number: 6971349
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine cylinder head camshaft bearing ladder 210, is provided which includes a first body with an aperture to facilitate threaded connection 202 of the body to a cylinder head 2 with a cut out 212 for receiving a cam shaft 67, the first body also having a pocket 218, and a solenoid actuator 220 positioned within the pocket 218 for activating a switchable rocker arm assembly 9.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Craig E. Burch, Deborah M. Bjorge, Kim Ku, Mark Alan Zagata
  • Publication number: 20050183693
    Abstract: An intake and exhaust system for a dual mode HCCI engine, which provides superior intake temperature control and homogeneity for engine operation in SI and HCCI modes, as well as during transition between SI and HCCI modes and vice-versa. The system includes adjusted intake cam movement event lengths for intake valve operation at specified modes of operation. The system further includes at least one cam profile switching device operatively connected to intake and exhaust valves in an engine for controlling event length, maximum lift, and valve opening/closing timings for the intake and exhaust valves. The system yet further includes a bifurcated intake system and camless valve actuators for controlling intake valves for facilitating operation in SI or HCCI modes, as well as transition between SI and HCCI modes and vice-versa.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2004
    Publication date: August 25, 2005
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: JIALIN YANG, BRAD BOYER, KIM KU, FANG SHUI, WILLIAM STOCKHAUSEN
  • Patent number: 6932035
    Abstract: A poppet valve operating system for an internal combustion engine includes a finger follower which is driven by an intermediate rocker. The intermediate rocker selectively converts motion imparted by a drive cam into either a purely translational trajectory, or into a mixed translational and rotational trajectory, so as to open a poppet valve which is ultimately actuated by a finger follower interposed between the intermediate rocker and the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Fang Shui, Kim Ku
  • Patent number: 6805083
    Abstract: A cam cover gasket 207 is provided which includes a generally compliant first material 210 having an upper surface for contact with a cover 200 and a lower surface for contact with an engine head 2, a generally rigid bracket frame of a second material 222 connected with the first material 210, and a solenoid actuator 232 connected with the second material 222.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Kaczmarek, Deborah M. Bjorge, Keith David Gosdzinski, Kim Ku, Mark Alan Zagata
  • Publication number: 20040069258
    Abstract: A cam cover gasket 207 is provided which includes a generally compliant first material 210 having an upper surface for contact with a cover 200 and a lower surface for contact with an engine head 2, a generally rigid bracket frame of a second material 222 connected with the first material 210, and a solenoid actuator 232 connected with the second material 222.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2002
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Kaczmarek, Deborah M. Bjorge, Keith David Gosdzinski, Kim Ku, Mark Alan Zagata
  • Publication number: 20040035381
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine cylinder head camshaft bearing ladder 210, is provided which includes a first body with an aperture to facilitate threaded connection 202 of the body to a cylinder head 2 with a cut out 212 for receiving a cam shaft 67, the first body also having a pocket 218, and a solenoid actuator 220 positioned within the pocket 218 for activating a switchable rocker arm assembly 9
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2002
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig E. Burch, Deborah M. Bjorge, Kim Ku, Mark Alan Zagata