Abstract: A vane phaser with an unlocking and relocking mechanism attached to the lock pin, which through the use of a solenoid, distinct from the solenoid used for the oil control valve, which can lock and unlock the vane phaser. When the solenoid is energized and during rotation of the camshaft, the solenoid makes contact with a lever or gear wheel attached to the lock pin, causing the lock pin to rotate. A helical feature on the lock pin itself or on the lever causes the lock pin to move axially, unlocking the vane phaser.

Abstract: A pressure regulator is in fluid communication with a supply inlet of a hydraulic tensioner to actively control fluid to the inlet of the hydraulic tensioner. By actively controlling the pressure regulator based on engine conditions and thus the oil pressure being fed to the hydraulic tensioner, the oil pressure to the hydraulic tensioner may be reduced at low engine speeds, increasing the efficiency of the timing system, or allowing full oil pressure at high engine speeds and low engine temperature.

Abstract: Using existing phaser control valve and a solenoid to create a pumping chamber which provides enough oil pressure to disengage a locking pin at all conditions.

Abstract: A valve operating system that includes a plurality of cam assemblies that are coupled for rotation about a rotary axis. Each of the cam assemblies has a control link and a first cam member. Each of the control links has a link body, which forms a majority of the control link, and that extends parallel to the rotary axis. Each of the first cam members is coupled to one of the control links for axial movement therewith along the rotary axis between first and second positions to alternate between first and second cam profiles, respectively.

Abstract: A mechanism provides high pressure fluid to a cam phaser on demand. The mechanism includes a positive displacement pump within the camshaft which is driven by a pin to compress and trigger fluid to be dispensed to the phaser.

Abstract: A split ring planetary drive for an engine or use with an electric phaser. The split ring planetary drive includes a sun gear, a plurality of planet gears, a spring ring gear, a camshaft ring gear, and at least one spring. The sun gear has teeth and is driven to rotate around a sun axis. The plurality of planet gears are arranged around the sun gear with each planet gear comprised of planet teeth maintaining the planet gear in meshing engagement with the sun gear teeth. The sprocket ring gear has teeth and is driven by a crankshaft. The camshaft ring gear has teeth is rotatable with a camshaft. The teeth of the sprocket and camshaft ring gears maintain the ring gears in meshing engagement with each of the planet gears. The spring biases the planet gear teeth into meshing engagement with the sprocket and camshaft ring gear teeth.

Abstract: Using existing phaser control valve and a solenoid to create a pumping chamber which provides enough oil pressure to disengage a locking pin at all conditions.

Abstract: A split ring planetary drive for an engine or use with an electric phaser. The split ring planetary drive includes a sun gear, a plurality of planet gears, a spring ring gear, a camshaft ring gear, and at least one spring. The sun gear has teeth and is driven to rotate around a sun axis. The plurality of planet gears are arranged around the sun gear with each planet gear comprised of planet teeth maintaining the planet gear in meshing engagement with the sun gear teeth. The sprocket ring gear has teeth and is driven by a crankshaft. The camshaft ring gear has teeth is rotatable with a camshaft. The teeth of the sprocket and camshaft ring gears maintain the ring gears in meshing engagement with each of the planet gears. The spring biases the planet gear teeth into meshing engagement with the sprocket and camshaft ring gear teeth.

Abstract: A number of variations may include a product comprising a flexible member for an electric phaser actuator comprising: a plate, wherein the plate comprises a body; wherein the body has a thickness which is less than a width and a height of the body and wherein the body is constructed and arranged to attach to an output gear of an electric phaser actuator and wherein the body is constructed and arranged to mate with an input gear on a camshaft phaser.

Abstract: In an engine comprising a cylinder having first and second engine valves of a same function type, a system for actuating the first and second engine valves comprises a first and second master pistons that receive first and second valve actuation motions from respective ones of a first and second valve actuation motion source, a first slave piston operatively connected to the first engine valve and configured to hydraulically receive the first valve actuation motions from at least the first master piston and a second slave piston operatively connected to the second engine valve and configured to hydraulically receive the second valve actuation motions from the second master piston. The system further comprises an accumulator and a mode selector valve in hydraulic communication with the first master piston, the first slave piston and the accumulator. The mode selector valve may selectively hydraulically connect the first master piston to the accumulator.

Abstract: A mechanism provides high pressure fluid to a cam phaser on demand. The mechanism includes a positive displacement pump within the camshaft which is driven by a pin to compress and trigger fluid to be dispensed to the phaser.

Abstract: A valve operating system that includes a plurality of cam assemblies that are coupled for rotation about a rotary axis. Each of the cam assemblies has a control link and a first cam member. Each of the control links has a link body, which forms a majority of the control link, and that extends parallel to the rotary axis. Each of the first cam members is coupled to one of the control links for axial movement therewith along the rotary axis between first and second positions to alternate between first and second cam profiles, respectively.

Abstract: An electric phaser for dynamically adjusting the phase of a camshaft relative to a crankshaft with a split ring planetary drive. The split ring planetary drive including: a sun gear driven by a motor, a plurality of planetary gears with stop teeth, a first ring gear driven by the crankshaft, and a second ring gear rotatable with the camshaft. Either the first or second ring gears each include a first and a second stop. When the stop teeth of the planetary gears interacts with the first stop or the second stop on either the first or second ring gears, rotation of the phaser further in the first direction or the second direction towards the first or second stops is halted.

Abstract: A pressure regulator is in fluid communication with a supply inlet of a hydraulic tensioner to actively control fluid to the inlet of the hydraulic tensioner. By actively controlling the pressure regulator based on engine conditions and thus the oil pressure being fed to the hydraulic tensioner, the oil pressure to the hydraulic tensioner may be reduced at low engine speeds, increasing the efficiency of the timing system, or allowing full oil pressure at high engine speeds and low engine temperature.

Abstract: A tensioner (10) for an endless loop power transmission member can induce a piston (12) operably engageable with an endless loop power transmission member, and a cylinder (14) guiding include a piston (12) for sliding coaxial movement in a direction of the endless loop power transmission member. The piston (12) and cylinder (14) defining an oil reservoir or pressure chamber (26) for receiving hydraulic fluid. A bearing (28) has bearing balls (30) located in a counter bore (32) coaxial with cylinder bore (34). The counter bore (32) has a steep taper (36) on which the bearing balls (30) ride. As the cylinder (14) moves in an extending direction, the bearing balls (30) move out of the counter bore (32) allowing free extending movement of the cylinder (14). As the cylinder (14) moves in a retracting direction, the bearing balls (30) are driven down into the steep taper (36) preventing the cylinder (14) from retracting.

Abstract: A hydraulic valve actuation system (30) and a method of assembly can include a plurality of hydraulically actuatable valves (34a, 34b, 34c, 34d, 134a, 134b, 134c, 134d) operably associated with an internal combustion engine (86) having a crankshaft (50) rotatable about a longitudinal axis. The actuation system (30) can include at least one cam lobe (52) mounted on or integrally formed with the crankshaft for rotation with the crankshaft (50). At least one fluid piston pump (36, 36a, 36b) connected to the at least one cam lobe (52) for generating a reciprocating fluid flow in response to rotation of the at least one cam lobe (52). At least one hydraulically actuated valve (34a, 34b, 34c, 34d, 134a, 134b, 134c, 134d) in fluid communication with the reciprocal fluid flow generated by the at least one fluid piston pump (36, 36a, 36b) to drive the valve (34a, 34b, 34c, 34d, 134a, 134b, 134c, 134d) to be controlled toward an open position.

Abstract: In an engine comprising a cylinder having first and second engine valves of a same function type, a system for actuating the first and second engine valves comprises a first and second master pistons that receive first and second valve actuation motions from respective ones of a first and second valve actuation motion source, a first slave piston operatively connected to the first engine valve and configured to hydraulically receive the first valve actuation motions from at least the first master piston and a second slave piston operatively connected to the second engine valve and configured to hydraulically receive the second valve actuation motions from the second master piston. The system further comprises an accumulator and a mode selector valve in hydraulic communication with the first master piston, the first slave piston and the accumulator. The mode selector valve may selectively hydraulically connect the first master piston to the accumulator.

Abstract: A number of variations may include a product comprising a flexible member for an electric phaser actuator comprising: a plate, wherein the plate comprises a body; wherein the body has a thickness which is less than a width and a height of the body and wherein the body is constructed and arranged to attach to an output gear of an electric phaser actuator and wherein the body is constructed and arranged to mate with an input gear on a camshaft phaser.

Abstract: A split ring planetary drive for an engine or use with an electric phaser. The split ring planetary drive includes a sun gear, a plurality of planet gears, a spring ring gear, a camshaft ring gear, and at least one spring. The sun gear has teeth and is driven to rotate around a sun axis. The plurality of planet gears are arranged around the sun gear with each planet gear comprised of planet teeth maintaining the planet gear in meshing engagement with the sun gear teeth. The sprocket ring gear has teeth and is driven by a crankshaft. The camshaft ring gear has teeth is rotatable with a camshaft. The teeth of the sprocket and camshaft ring gears maintain the ring gears in meshing engagement with each of the planet gears. The spring biases the planet gear teeth into meshing engagement with the sprocket and camshaft ring gear teeth.

Abstract: A tensioner (10) for an endless loop power transmission member can induce a piston (12) operably engageable with an endless loop power transmission member, and a cylinder (14) guiding include a piston (12) for sliding coaxial movement in a direction of the endless loop power transmission member. The piston (12) and cylinder (14) defining an oil reservoir or pressure chamber (26) for receiving hydraulic fluid. A bearing (28) has bearing balls (30) located in a counter bore (32) coaxil with cylinder bore (34). The counter bore (32) has a steep taper (36) on which the bearing balls (30) ride. As the cylinder (14) moves in an extending direction, the bearing balls (30) move out of the counter bore (32) allowing free extending movement of the cylinder (14). As the cylinder (14) moves in a retracting direction, the bearing balls (30) are driven down into the steep taper (36) preventing the cylinder (14) from retracting.