Abstract: A camshaft assembly for a vehicle engine includes a camshaft member, a cam phaser and a cam nose. The camshaft member includes a front end and a rear end. The camshaft member may be configured to actuate at least one intake valve of a combustion chamber. The cam phaser affixed to the front end of the camshaft member while the cam nose may be disposed at the front end of the camshaft. The cam nose further includes a cam nose face with a curvilinear groove surrounding a central axis region of the cam nose. The curvilinear groove may be configured to engage with the cam phaser to prevent oil leakage out from the central axis region and/or to rotationally lock the cam phaser to the camshaft member.

Abstract: A multi-axis tool for pre-tensioning a camshaft-drive element tensioner in an engine includes a housing having first and second faces and a length. The housing defines a first passage arranged along a first axis and a second passage arranged along a second axis. The second axis is parallel to the first axis and each passage extends through the length of the housing. The tool also includes a first lug arranged on and extending beyond the first face. The first passage extends through the first lug. The tool also includes a second lug extending beyond the second face and arranged along a third axis that is parallel to the first axis. An indicator rod is arranged partially within the second passage and configured to selectively extend beyond the first face. An elastic element is arranged inside the second passage and configured to extend the indicator rod beyond the first face.

Abstract: A multi-axis tool for pre-tensioning a camshaft-drive element tensioner in an engine includes a housing having first and second faces and a length. The housing defines a first passage arranged along a first axis and a second passage arranged along a second axis. The second axis is parallel to the first axis and each passage extends through the length of the housing. The tool also includes a first lug arranged on and extending beyond the first face. The first passage extends through the first lug. The tool also includes a second lug extending beyond the second face and arranged along a third axis that is parallel to the first axis. An indicator rod is arranged partially within the second passage and configured to selectively extend beyond the first face. An elastic element is arranged inside the second passage and configured to extend the indicator rod beyond the first face.

Abstract: An engine assembly may include an engine structure, a camshaft, a timing wheel and a camshaft position sensor. The camshaft may be rotationally supported within the engine structure and may have a non-magnetic journal rotationally fixed thereto. The timing wheel may be rotationally fixed to the camshaft proximate the non-magnetic journal. The camshaft position sensor may be coupled to the engine structure and configured to determine the rotational position of the camshaft based on a magnetic impulse from the timing wheel.

Abstract: A method of purging air from an oil passage in communication with a lifter assembly in an engine assembly may include isolating the oil passage from a pressurized oil source while the lifter assembly is engaged with a base region of a cam lobe to operate the first lifter assembly in the activated mode. The pressurized oil may be provided to the lifter assembly via the oil passage after the isolating when the lifter assembly is engaged with a lift region of the cam lobe. The lifter assembly may be maintained in the activated mode after the providing. Air may be purged from the oil passage based on the pressurized oil provided to the oil passage.

Abstract: An engine assembly may include an engine structure, a camshaft, a timing wheel and a camshaft position sensor. The camshaft may be rotationally supported within the engine structure and may have a non-magnetic journal rotationally fixed thereto. The timing wheel may be rotationally fixed to the camshaft proximate the non-magnetic journal. The camshaft position sensor may be coupled to the engine structure and configured to determine the rotational position of the camshaft based on a magnetic impulse from the timing wheel.

Abstract: A method of purging air from an oil passage in communication with a lifter assembly in an engine assembly may include isolating the oil passage from a pressurized oil source while the lifter assembly is engaged with a base region of a cam lobe to operate the first lifter assembly in the activated mode. The pressurized oil may be provided to the lifter assembly via the oil passage after the isolating when the lifter assembly is engaged with a lift region of the cam lobe. The lifter assembly may be maintained in the activated mode after the providing. Air may be purged from the oil passage based on the pressurized oil provided to the oil passage.

Abstract: A system includes a cylinder selection module and a valve deactivation module. The cylinder selection module selects cylinders of an engine for active fuel management. The valve deactivation module deactivates intake valves of selected cylinders of the engine before deactivating exhaust valves of the selected cylinders when an engine speed of the engine is less than or equal to a predetermined speed.

Abstract: A system includes a cylinder selection module and a valve deactivation module. The cylinder selection module selects cylinders of an engine for active fuel management. The valve deactivation module deactivates intake valves of selected cylinders of the engine before deactivating exhaust valves of the selected cylinders when an engine speed of the engine is less than or equal to a predetermined speed.

Abstract: An engine assembly may include an engine structure, a crankshaft, a camshaft, a balance shaft, and first and second gears. The crankshaft, camshaft, and balance shaft may each be rotatably supported by the engine structure. The camshaft may be rotationally driven by the crankshaft and the first gear may be coupled to the camshaft. The second gear may be fixed for rotation with the balance shaft and meshingly engaged with and driven by the first gear.

Abstract: A variable displacement internal combustion engine having a cylinder block and a cylinder head attached thereto. The variable displacement internal combustion engine includes at least one switching hydraulic lash adjuster. A lash adjuster oil feed passage is at least partially defined by one of the cylinder block and the cylinder head. The lash adjuster oil feed passage is operable to communicate pressurized oil to the at least one switching hydraulic lash adjuster. A distributed accumulator is disposed within the lash adjuster oil feed passage and operates to attenuate oil pressure spikes within the lash adjuster oil feed passage.

Abstract: A hydraulic lash adjuster includes a cylindrical body having a central cylindrical bore. A hollow plunger is reciprocable in the bore and includes a reservoir chamber therein. The plunger has a close clearance with the bore. A high pressure chamber is defined by the plunger and a closed end of the bore. An orificed wall of the plunger separates the reservoir chamber from the high pressure chamber. A check valve is disposed in the orifice for allowing one-way flow of oil from the reservoir chamber to the high pressure chamber. A plunger spring disposed in the high pressure chamber urges the plunger away from the closed end of the bore. A seat is disposed at an end of the plunger distal from the high pressure chamber. The plunger includes a circumferential groove proximate the seat for holding oil to maintain an oil seal in the clearance to limit leakage of air through the clearance.

Abstract: A hydraulic lash adjuster includes a cylindrical body having a central cylindrical bore. A hollow plunger is reciprocable in the bore and includes a reservoir chamber therein. The plunger has a close clearance with the bore. A high pressure chamber is defined by the plunger and a closed end of the bore. An orificed wall of the plunger separates the reservoir chamber from the high pressure chamber. A check valve is disposed in the orifice for allowing one-way flow of oil from the reservoir chamber to the high pressure chamber. A plunger spring disposed in the high pressure chamber urges the plunger away from the closed end of the bore. A seat is disposed at an end of the plunger distal from the high pressure chamber. The plunger includes a circumferential groove proximate the seat for holding oil to maintain an oil seal in the clearance to limit leakage of air through the clearance.

Abstract: A variable displacement internal combustion engine having a cylinder block and a cylinder head attached thereto. The variable displacement internal combustion engine includes at least one switching hydraulic lash adjuster. A lash adjuster oil feed passage is at least partially defined by one of the cylinder block and the cylinder head. The lash adjuster oil feed passage is operable to communicate pressurized oil to the at least one switching hydraulic lash adjuster. A distributed accumulator is disposed within the lash adjuster oil feed passage and operates to attenuate oil pressure spikes within the lash adjuster oil feed passage.

Abstract: A hybrid valve lifter guide formed of metal and nonmetallic material for maintaining the angular position of a reciprocable valve lifter having a circumferential surface with at least one alignment flat. The guide includes a metal guide body having a longitudinal guide wall with at least one guide opening through the wall. The guide opening is adapted to receive a valve lifter. A nonmetallic insert is retained by the body adjacent the guide opening to engage at least one alignment flat of the valve lifter received in the guide opening to substantially maintain the angular position of the valve lifter and dampen angular oscillation of the lifter during engine operation.

Abstract: A hybrid valve lifter guide formed of metal and nonmetallic material for maintaining the angular position of a reciprocable valve lifter having a circumferential surface with at least one alignment flat. The guide includes a metal guide body having a longitudinal guide wall with at least one guide opening through the wall. The guide opening is adapted to receive a valve lifter. A nonmetallic insert is retained by the body adjacent the guide opening to engage at least one alignment flat of the valve lifter received in the guide opening to substantially maintain the angular position of the valve lifter and dampen angular oscillation of the lifter during engine operation.