Patents by Inventor Matthew Byrne Diggs
Matthew Byrne Diggs 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).
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Patent number: 9790821Abstract: A helical torsion valve spring assembly includes one or more helical torsion springs mounted within a frame and are held in a statically loaded state so that installation of a valve spring retainer can be easily performed. The entire helical torsion valve spring assembly is installed as a single part onto a cylinder head of an engine valvetrain. The helical torsion springs are mounted around a shaft to accurately locate the helical torsion springs so that the forces acting on the retainer and valve are precisely controlled. The assembly minimizes the size of the retainer, and applies only one bending mode to the helical torsion springs, which provides maximum utilization of the spring material and minimizes coil vibration. The assembly allows spring coils to be strategically packaged in the engine valvetrain to create space in critical areas.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2013Date of Patent: October 17, 2017Inventor: Matthew Byrne Diggs
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Patent number: 9051833Abstract: An X-Engine assembly includes four cylinder banks which are located on two intersecting planes with the crankshaft axis being on the line of the intersection of the two planes, and having a Double-Acting Scotch Yoke (DASY) power conversion system that couples the reciprocating motion of the pistons with the rotating crankshaft to provide pure sinusoidal piston motion. A series of DASY X-Engine configurations that satisfy even-firing for both 2-stroke and 4-stroke, and other engine cycles, achieve perfect balance with regard to vibrating forces and moments that are all zero, and all configurations have zero torsional vibration of the crankshaft resulting from the reciprocating masses.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2011Date of Patent: June 9, 2015Inventor: Matthew Byrne Diggs
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Patent number: 8746206Abstract: A Double-Acting Scotch Yoke (DASY) assembly includes a first yoke; a second yoke attached to the first yoke at a first flat-to-flat interface; a first piston attached to the first yoke at a second flat-to-flat interface; and a second, opposing piston attached to the second yoke at a third flat-to-flat interface. The planes of all of the flat-to-flat interfaces are perpendicular to a common, center axis of the first and second pistons. An X-engine crank train includes a plurality of DASY assemblies.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2011Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Inventor: Matthew Byrne Diggs
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Patent number: 8601998Abstract: A cylinder block assembly for an X-engine includes a first block half having two cylinder banks and valley openings between the two cylinder banks; and a second block half fastened to the first block half, the second block half having two cylinder banks and valley openings between the two cylinder banks. The valley openings in the first and second block halves allow an X-engine crank train assembly to be assembled within the cylinder block assembly.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2011Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Inventor: Matthew Byrne Diggs
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Publication number: 20130098335Abstract: An X-Engine assembly includes four cylinder banks which are located on two intersecting planes with the crankshaft axis being on the line of the intersection of the two planes, and having a Double-Acting Scotch Yoke (DASY) power conversion system that couples the reciprocating motion of the pistons with the rotating crankshaft to provide pure sinusoidal piston motion. A series of DASY X-Engine configurations that satisfy even-firing for both 2-stroke and 4-stroke, and other engine cycles, achieve perfect balance with regard to vibrating forces and moments that are all zero, and all configurations have zero torsional vibration of the crankshaft resulting from the reciprocating masses.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2011Publication date: April 25, 2013Inventor: Matthew Byrne Diggs
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Publication number: 20120272758Abstract: A Double-Acting Scotch Yoke (DASY) assembly includes a first yoke; a second yoke attached to the first yoke at a first flat-to-flat interface; a first piston attached to the first yoke at a second flat-to-flat interface; and a second, opposing piston attached to the second yoke at a third flat-to-flat interface. The planes of all of the flat-to-flat interfaces are perpendicular to a common, center axis of the first and second pistons. An X-engine crank train includes a plurality of DASY assemblies.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2011Publication date: November 1, 2012Inventor: Matthew Byrne Diggs
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Publication number: 20120255516Abstract: A cylinder block assembly (300) for an X-engine includes a first block half (302) having two cylinder banks (453, 454) and valley openings (361, 362) between the two cylinder banks (453, 454); and a second block half (304) fastened to the first block half (302), the second block half (304) having two cylinder banks (451, 452) and valley openings (361, 362) between the two cylinder banks (451, 452). The valley openings (361, 362) in the first and second block halves (302, 304) allow an X-engine crank train assembly (10, 100) to be assembled within the cylinder block assembly (300).Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2011Publication date: October 11, 2012Inventor: Matthew Byrne Diggs
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Patent number: 7895992Abstract: A multiple cylinder internal combustion engine having an engine block with first and second cylinder banks arranged at an angle and longitudinally offset relative to one another and a camshaft disposed within the engine block for actuating valves associated with each cylinder includes first and second cylinder heads associated with the first and second cylinder banks and having an intake runner for each cylinder with an entrance disposed on an outward side, and an exhaust runner for each cylinder exiting the cylinder head on an inward side of the cylinder head generally rearward of an associated cylinder to facilitate positioning of one or more turbochargers and a fuel pump in the valley generally between the cylinder heads with the fuel pump disposed forward of the exhaust runner exits and associated exhaust manifolds while accommodating four valves per cylinder actuated by four pushrods extending through the cylinder heads forward of corresponding exhaust runner exits.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2007Date of Patent: March 1, 2011Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Matthew Byrne Diggs, Michael Joseph Schrader, Jeff Allen Mullins, Jeff D Fluharty
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Patent number: 7861680Abstract: A multiple-cylinder internal combustion engine having a camshaft-driven valvetrain with a camshaft disposed within an engine block includes at least two intake and/or exhaust valves with multiple valves operated by a common lifter and pushrod that engages a follower having multiple independent lash adjusters coupled to associated rocker arms. The lifter contacts the common camshaft lobe and a corresponding pushrod that engages a reciprocating bucket follower with a compliant coupling to corresponding rocker arms.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2008Date of Patent: January 4, 2011Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Matthew Byrne Diggs
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Publication number: 20090078240Abstract: A multiple cylinder internal combustion engine having an engine block with first and second cylinder banks arranged at an angle and longitudinally offset relative to one another and a camshaft disposed within the engine block for actuating valves associated with each cylinder includes first and second cylinder heads associated with the first and second cylinder banks and having an intake runner for each cylinder with an entrance disposed on an outward side, and an exhaust runner for each cylinder exiting the cylinder head on an inward side of the cylinder head generally rearward of an associated cylinder to facilitate positioning of one or more turbochargers and a fuel pump in the valley generally between the cylinder heads with the fuel pump disposed forward of the exhaust runner exits and associated exhaust manifolds while accommodating four valves per cylinder actuated by four pushrods extending through the cylinder heads forward of corresponding exhaust runner exits.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2007Publication date: March 26, 2009Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Matthew Byrne Diggs, Michael Joseph Schrader, Jeff Allen Mullins, Jeff D. Fluharty
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Publication number: 20080283011Abstract: A multiple-cylinder internal combustion engine having a camshaft-driven valvetrain with a camshaft disposed within an engine block includes at least two intake and/or exhaust valves with multiple valves operated by a common lifter and pushrod that engages a follower having multiple independent lash adjusters coupled to associated rocker arms. The lifter contacts the common camshaft lobe and a corresponding pushrod that engages a reciprocating bucket follower with a compliant coupling to corresponding rocker arms.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2008Publication date: November 20, 2008Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventor: Matthew Byrne Diggs
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Patent number: 7418936Abstract: An internal combustion engine having a plurality of intake and/or exhaust valves associated with each cylinder includes a valvetrain having a fulcrum with a plurality of pivot ball sockets each associated with a rocker arm and pivot ball disposed between the fulcrum and the rocker arm with the fulcrum extending through apertures of the rocker arms and having a plurality of slots, each slot having generally parallel opposing lateral surfaces for receiving and guiding both sides of an associated rocker arm so the rocker arm pivots about the pivot ball in a plane of the rocker arm. The fulcrum can accommodate at least two rocker arms that may operate in non-parallel planes relative to one another and can include bearing and locating surfaces integrally formed to finish dimensions to eliminate machining.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2006Date of Patent: September 2, 2008Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Matthew Byrne Diggs, Jeff D Fluharty
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Patent number: 6631700Abstract: An arrangement 7 of a dual oil feed variable timed camshaft is provided. The arrangement includes a camshaft 10 which has a radial side 22 and an end face 26. The camshaft 10 has first and second passages 30, 42 fluidly connecting end face 26 with the radial side 22. A hub 60 is connected with camshaft end face 26. The hub 60 has a central opening 68 intersecting with the first and second passages 30, 42. The hub 60 has at least first and second axial spaced radial passages 80, 82 intersecting with the hub central opening 68. A timing pulley 90 has relative rotational movement with respect to the hub 60. The timing pulley 90 and the hub 60 define pressure chambers 104 which are divided by vanes 88 into retard angle spaces 108 intersecting with the hub first radial passages 80 and advance angle spaces 112 intersecting with the hub second radial passage 82.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2000Date of Patent: October 14, 2003Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Matthew Byrne Diggs, Michael George Aimone, Hoa T. Dinh, Eduard Golovatai-Schmidt
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Publication number: 20030062010Abstract: An arrangement 7 of a dual oil feed variable timed camshaft is provided. The arrangement includes a camshaft 10 which has a radial side 22 and an end face 26. The camshaft 10 has first and second passages 30, 42 fluidly connecting end face 26 with the radial side 22. A hub 60 is connected with camshaft end face 26. The hub 60 has a central opening 68 intersecting with the first and second passages 30, 42. The hub 60 has at least first and second axial spaced radial passages 80, 82 intersecting with the hub central opening 68. A timing pulley 90 has relative rotational movement with respect to the hub 60. The timing pulley 90 and the hub 60 define pressure chambers 104 which are divided by vanes 88 into retard angle spaces 108 intersecting with the hub first radial passages 80 and advance angle spaces 112 intersecting with the hub second radial passage 82.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2000Publication date: April 3, 2003Inventors: Matthew Byrne Diggs, Michael George Aimone, Hoa T. Dinh, Eduard Golovatai-Schmidt
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Patent number: 6532920Abstract: A multiple lift position rocker arm 307 is provided which includes a body 10 and a pivotally mounted lost motion arm 44. A latch 120 is connected on one end of the body to prevent pivotal movement of the arm 344 with respect to the body 10 in a first given angular direction. The latch 120 has a second position to allow the arm 344 to pivot relative to the body to activate a valve stem 18 in a second state of activation. Preferably a roller 356 is connected with the arm 344 and rollers 162 are connected with the body 10. Roller 356 makes contact with a cam lobe in the first state of activation of the rocker arm assembly 307. The rollers 162 make contact with a cam lobe when the rocker arm assembly is in a second state of activation.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2002Date of Patent: March 18, 2003Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Gordon William St John Sweetnam, Matthew Byrne Diggs
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Patent number: 6293244Abstract: A system for controlling a flow of pressurized oil in an internal combustion engine includes a cylinder head having a generally-flat external surface featuring a pressurized oil outlet and a pressurized oil inlet; and an oil flow control module including a generally-flat mating surface secured against the first surface of the cylinder head such that a first passage in the module places the outlet of the cylinder head in fluid communication with the inlet of the cylinder head. While the module's first passage minimally includes an oil restrictor, preferably, in a downstream portion thereof, the module preferably further includes a screen filter, and a spool valve operative to direct unrestricted oil flowing through the first passage into one of a plurality of fluid lines operatively connected to the cam phaser unit, whereupon the spool valve is used to variably advance or retard engine cam timing.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2000Date of Patent: September 25, 2001Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey Allen Mullins, Matthew Byrne Diggs, Michael Joseph Schrader
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Patent number: 5960755Abstract: A reciprocating four-stroke internal combustion engine includes a variable exhaust valve operating system for changing the duration of an exhaust valve opening event and also a camshaft drive for rotating a valve operating camshaft and adjusting the rotational timing of the camshaft with respect to the crankshaft.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 1998Date of Patent: October 5, 1999Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Matthew Byrne Diggs, Aladar Otto Simko, Robert Albert Stein
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Patent number: 5657728Abstract: A balance system for a planar crankshaft on a V configuration internal combustion engine including a first balance shaft located above the planar crankshaft inside a vee of the engine and a second balance shaft located below the planar crankshaft, and a mechanism interconnecting the first balance shaft, the planar crankshaft and the second balance shaft to rotate the first balance shaft and the second balance shaft in opposite directions to balance the engine.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 1995Date of Patent: August 19, 1997Assignee: Ford Motor CompanyInventor: Matthew Byrne Diggs