Patents by Inventor Matthew A. Vance

Matthew A. Vance 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).

  • Publication number: 20240093622
    Abstract: A latch assembly and valvetrain therewith can comprise a stationary housing comprising a plunger cavity, a plunger in the plunger cavity, and a controllable upper latch member. The plunger can comprise a control end, a plunger body, a spigot body and a spigot end. The controllable upper latch member can be configured to selectively act on the control end and can be configured to switch between locking the plunger from moving along a first axis and unlocking the plunger to slide in the plunger cavity along the first axis. A slidable transverse latch member or rotatable upper castellation body can act as the controllable upper latch member. While a valve bridge and rocker arm can be movable, the housing for the latch assembly can be stationary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2022
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventors: Nikhil Saggam, Shahnawaz Khan, Saurabh Patil, Matthew A. Vance
  • Patent number: 11933203
    Abstract: A lost motion mechanism can comprise a castellation device, comprising a casing, an upper castellation, and a lower castellation. The casing can comprise a first linear slot and a second linear slot perpendicular to the first linear slot. Upper castellation can comprise an upper body, spaced upper teeth extending from the upper body, the spaced upper teeth forming spaced upper gaps therebetween, and an actuation peg extending from the upper body into the first linear slot. Lower castellation can comprise a lower body, spaced lower teeth extending from the lower body, the spaced lower teeth forming spaced lower gaps therebetween, and an anti-rotation peg extending from the lower body into the second linear slot. An actuator can be configured with the lost motion mechanism so that a movable arm comprises a forked end configured to move on the actuation peg as the movable arm swivels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Nikhil Saggam, Siddesh Kapdi, Suhrud Purohit, Matthew A. Vance
  • Patent number: 11905860
    Abstract: A latch assembly comprises a latch pin and a cage. The latch pin comprises a latch nose and a pin body. The pin body comprises an outer surface and an inner compartment. The inner compartment comprises a first inner wall segmented by a first slot and a second inner wall segmented by a second slot. The first slot and the second slot vent out of the inner compartment. The cage comprises a stepped base and a shaft extending from the stepped base into the inner compartment. The shaft comprises a first exterior flat adjoining the first inner wall and a second exterior flat adjoining the second inner wall. A spring can be biased against the latch pin and the cage. The latch assembly can be used in a latching device of a valvetrain such as a switching roller finger follower or other rocker arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Brown, Matthew A. Vance
  • Publication number: 20240011418
    Abstract: A rocker arm including a cam side arm and a valve side arm is disclosed. The cam side arm can include a bearing surface, a cam-side pivot extension, and a plunger set seat. The valve side arm can include a rocker shaft bore configured to receive a rocker shaft, a valve-side pivot extension pivotally connected to the cam-side pivot extension, a capsule comprising a plunger set, and a capsule mount configured to receive the capsule. The valve side arm can also include an arm extension extending from the rocker shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2023
    Publication date: January 11, 2024
    Inventors: Mark Van Wingerden, Andrei Radulescu, Matthew A. Vance
  • Patent number: 11867097
    Abstract: A hydraulic capsule can comprise a hollow capsule body for setting the location of a plunger, a latch set alignable with a latch groove, and a latch-setting insert. The plunger can be configured to push the latch set towards the latch-setting insert. A lost motion spring can be incorporated into the hydraulic capsule, or the lost motion spring can be installed in capsule bore where the hydraulic capsule is mounted. Either a hydraulic capsule or an electromagnetic capsule or a drop in assembly can be installed in a capsule mount in a rocker arm to form a type III cam-actuated rocker arm. The rocker arm can comprise a cam side arm and a valve side arm. The rocker arm can be configured to balance a moment of inertia of the deactivation components. Twisting forces on the cam can be counteracted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Mark Van Wingerden, Andrei Radulescu, Matthew A. Vance
  • Patent number: 11821344
    Abstract: An engine brake rocker arm assembly is operable in an engine drive mode and an engine braking mode and selectively opens first and second exhaust valves. The engine brake rocker arm assembly includes an exhaust rocker arm configured to rotate about a rocker shaft, an engine brake capsule assembly movable between (i) a locked position configured to perform an engine braking operation, and (ii) an unlocked position that does not perform the engine braking operation, and a hydraulically controlled actuator assembly configured to selectively move the engine brake capsule assembly between the first and second positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Santosh Patil, Nikhil Kishor Saggam, Matthew Vance
  • Publication number: 20230184144
    Abstract: A lost motion mechanism can comprise a castellation device, comprising a casing, an upper castellation, and a lower castellation. The casing can comprise a first linear slot and a second linear slot perpendicular to the first linear slot. Upper castellation can comprise an upper body, spaced upper teeth extending from the upper body, the spaced upper teeth forming spaced upper gaps therebetween, and an actuation peg extending from the upper body into the first linear slot. Lower castellation can comprise a lower body, spaced lower teeth extending from the lower body, the spaced lower teeth forming spaced lower gaps therebetween, and an anti-rotation peg extending from the lower body into the second linear slot. An actuator can be configured with the lost motion mechanism so that a movable arm comprises a forked end configured to move on the actuation peg as the movable arm swivels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventors: Nikhil SAGGAM, Siddesh KAPDI, Suhrud PUROHIT, Matthew A. VANCE
  • Publication number: 20230107310
    Abstract: An engine brake rocker arm assembly is operable in an engine drive mode and an engine braking mode and selectively opens first and second exhaust valves. The engine brake rocker arm assembly includes an exhaust rocker arm configured to rotate about a rocker shaft, an engine brake capsule assembly movable between (i) a locked position configured to perform an engine braking operation, and (ii) an unlocked position that does not perform the engine braking operation, and a hydraulically controlled actuator assembly configured to selectively move the engine brake capsule assembly between the first and second positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2022
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Applicant: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Santosh Patil, Nikhil Kishor Saggam, Matthew Vance
  • Patent number: 11555423
    Abstract: An overhead cam engine system comprises a rotating overhead exhaust cam rail comprising a plurality of exhaust lobes. A first switching roller finger follower actuates a first exhaust valve, and is configured to switch between a first lift profile and a second lift profile. A second switching roller finger follower is coupled to actuate a second exhaust valve, and is configured to switch between a third lift profile and a fourth lift profile. The third and fourth lift profile are different than the first and second lift profile. An actuation assembly is connected to switch the first switching roller finger follower and the second switching roller finger follower to select between at least three exhaust lift modes to open and close the first exhaust valve and the second exhaust valve using combinations of the first, second, third and fourth lift profiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Matthew A. Vance, Nicola Andrisani, Nilesh L. Bagal, Andrei D. Radulescu
  • Patent number: 11555424
    Abstract: An engine brake rocker arm assembly is operable in an engine drive mode and an engine braking mode and selectively opens first and second exhaust valves. The engine brake rocker arm assembly includes an exhaust rocker arm configured to rotate about a rocker shaft, an engine brake capsule assembly movable between (i) a locked position configured to perform an engine braking operation, and (ii) an unlocked position that does not perform the engine braking operation, and a hydraulically controlled actuator assembly configured to selectively move the engine brake capsule assembly between the first and second positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Santosh Patil, Nikhil Kishor Saggam, Matthew Vance
  • Patent number: 11555422
    Abstract: A switching rocker arm comprises an outer arm having a pair of integrally formed axles extending outwardly therefrom and an inner arm pivotally secured to the outer arm. A is latch slidably connected to the outer arm and is configured to selectively extend to engage the inner arm. An inner roller is configured on the inner arm, and a pair of outer rollers is mounted on the respective integrally formed axles on the outer arm. A rocker arm for variable valve lift comprises an outer arm comprising outer arm portions, rollers mounted in a cantilevered manner to the outer arm portions, and an inner arm seated between the outer arm portions, the inner arm comprising an inner roller. A pivot axle connects the outer arm and the inner arm. The inner arm and the outer arm are pivotable with respect to one another about the pivot axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Matthew Vance, Guruprasath Alagarsamy, James E. McCarthy, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11549403
    Abstract: A rocker arm can comprise a first outer arm and a second outer arm joined by a pivot body. An actuatable latch mechanism is within the pivot body. An inner arm assembly comprises a latch arm. A first spring prop is on the inner arm assembly distal from the latch arm. An axle joins the inner arm assembly to pivot between the first outer arm and the second outer arm. A spring is biased against the first outer arm and against the first spring prop. The first spring prop can comprise a hooked end. Or, the first spring prop can extend laterally out from the rocker arm and parallel to the axle. The spring can comprise a one-piece spring comprising first and second coil springs connected by a lateral connector. Or, two separate torsion springs can comprising tangential spring ends extending at approximately 90 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventor: Matthew A. Vance
  • Patent number: 11542876
    Abstract: A method for advancing valve actuation during low load or idle diesel engine conditions to promote aftertreatment heat up comprises switching a cam phaser from a nominal lift position to an advance lift position to open an affiliated valve before nominal. Valve lift is actuated via the cam phaser. The valve is lowered towards nominal closure, and valve closure is interrupted by actuating a latch phaser. Valve closure is extended beyond nominal valve closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: James E. McCarthy, Jr., Matthew A. Vance
  • Publication number: 20220412232
    Abstract: A latch assembly comprises a latch pin and a cage. The latch pin comprises a latch nose and a pin body. The pin body comprises an outer surface and an inner compartment. The inner compartment comprises a first inner wall segmented by a first slot and a second inner wall segmented by a second slot. The first slot and the second slot vent out of the inner compartment. The cage comprises a stepped base and a shaft extending from the stepped base into the inner compartment. The shaft comprises a first exterior flat adjoining the first inner wall and a second exterior flat adjoining the second inner wall. A spring can be biased against the latch pin and the cage. The latch assembly can be used in a latching device of a valvetrain such as a switching roller finger follower or other rocker arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Applicant: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Brown, Matthew A. Vance
  • Patent number: 11506092
    Abstract: A rocker arm assembly operable in a first mode and a second mode, the rocker arm assembly selectively opening first and second engine valves based on rotation of a cam shaft having a first cam lobe and a second cam lobe, includes: a rocker shaft; a first rocker arm assembly having a first rocker arm that receives the rocker shaft and rotates around the rocker shaft in the first mode based on engagement with the first cam lobe; a second rocker arm assembly having a second rocker arm that receives the rocker shaft and rotates around the rocker shaft and selectively act on one of the first and second engine valves in the second mode based on selective engagement with the second cam lobe; and a biasing assembly that cooperates with the second rocker arm to bias the second rocker arm to a neutral position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Mark Van Wingerden, Matthew Vance
  • Publication number: 20220228516
    Abstract: A switching roller finger follower (SRFF) for valve actuation includes an outer arm (16), a first inner arm (12), a bearing axle (50) and a latch pin (26). The outer arm (16) is formed of a metal stamping, and is pivotally coupled to a main axle (40). The first inner arm (12) is coupled to the main axle (40) and is pivotably secure to the outer arm. The bearing axle (50) extends through the outer arm and the first inner arm. The bearing axle supports a roller (20) thereon. The latch pin (26) is slidably disposed in the outer arm (16) and is movable between at least a first position where the outer arm (16) and the first inner arm (12) are coupled for concurrent rotation and a second position wherein one of the outer arm and the first inner arm are configured to rotate relative to the other arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Publication date: July 21, 2022
    Applicant: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Emanuele Raimondi, Massimo D'Amore, Jeffrey R. Brown, Ramy Rezkalla, Matthew A. Vance, Andrei D. Radulescu, Brandon J. Elliott
  • Patent number: 11391186
    Abstract: A valve train assembly includes at least a number of exhaust valves; at least one camshaft with at least a pair of a primary lift cam and an engine brake lift cam. A number of rocker arms each include a cam follower for following one of the primary lift cam and the engine brake lift cam. One rocker arm includes a cam follower following an engine brake lift cam. The rocker arm is provided with an engine brake capsule. Various biasing assemblies are disclosed that cooperate with one of the rocker arms of which the cam follower follows an engine brake lift cam to accommodate mechanical lash.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Fabiano Contarin, Nicola Andrisani, Eric Yankovic, Mark VanWingerden, Matthew Vance, James E. McCarthy, Jr., Michael Guzak
  • Publication number: 20220213820
    Abstract: A hydraulic capsule can comprise a hollow capsule body for setting the location of a plunger, a latch set alignable with a latch groove, and a latch-setting insert. The plunger can be configured to push the latch set towards the latch-setting insert. A lost motion spring can be incorporated into the hydraulic capsule, or the lost motion spring can be installed in capsule bore where the hydraulic capsule is mounted. Either a hydraulic capsule or an electromagnetic capsule or a drop in assembly can be installed in a capsule mount in a rocker arm to form a type III cam-actuated rocker arm. The rocker arm can comprise a cam side arm and a valve side arm. The rocker arm can be configured to balance a moment of inertia of the deactivation components. Twisting forces on the cam can be counteracted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Applicant: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Mark Van Wingerden, Andrei Radulescu, Matthew A. Vance
  • Patent number: 11208922
    Abstract: An actuation transmission apparatus for actuating a latching arrangement for latching and unlatching a first body and a second body of a switchable valve train component of an internal combustion engine, the latching arrangement being biased from an unlatched position where the first body and the second body are unlatched towards a latched position where the latching arrangement latches the first body and the second body together, the actuation transmission apparatus including: a shaft rotatable by an actuation source; a contacting element for contacting the latching arrangement; and a biasing device for biasing the contacting element rotationally with respect to the shaft. In use, the biasing device becomes biased by the shaft when the actuation source rotates the shaft when the actuation source attempts to actuate the latching arrangement to the unlatched position, via the contacting element, when the latching arrangement is in an un-actuatable state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventor: Matthew Vance
  • Patent number: 11187119
    Abstract: Shown is a latch pin for use in a valve lifter and a valve lifter including the same. The latch pin for selectively latching within a pin chamber provided in the valve lifter is configured as a whole as a cylindrical pin with one end in the shape of a spherical crown, wherein a stepped flat is formed on radially one side of said one end and is dimensioned to be received within the pin chamber to engage with an axial latching surface thereof. On the top side of said one end, a first relief is formed by beveling the spherical crown, and on the radially other side opposite to the stepped flat across said first relief, a second relief is formed by beveling the spherical crown, wherein the second relief radially adjoins the first relief and circumferentially adjoins a remaining pin face in the shape of the spherical crown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Jason M. Jensen, Matthew A. Vance, Douglas R. Cornett