Abstract: An engine variable camshaft timing phaser (10) includes a sprocket (12), three ring gears (26, 28, 30), multiple planet gears (24), and a sun gear (22). The sprocket (12) receives rotational drive input from an engine crankshaft. One or more of the three ring gear(s) (26, 28, 30) receives rotational drive input from the sprocket (12) and rotates with the sprocket (12), and the remaining ring gear(s) (26, 28, 30) transmit rotational drive output to an engine camshaft (62). All three of the ring gears (26, 28, 30) engage with the planet gears (24). And the sun gear (22) also engages with the planet gears (24). In operation, relative rotational speeds between the sprocket (12) and the sun gear (22) causes the engine camshaft (62) to advance or retard engine valve opening and closing.

Abstract: An engine variable camshaft timing phaser (10) includes a sprocket (12), three ring gears (26, 28, 30), multiple planet gears (24), and a sun gear (22). The sprocket (12) receives rotational drive input from an engine crankshaft. One or more of the three ring gear(s) (26, 28, 30) receives rotational drive input from the sprocket (12) and rotates with the sprocket (12), and the remaining ring gear(s) (26, 28, 30) transmit rotational drive output to an engine camshaft (62). All three of the ring gears (26, 28, 30) engage with the planet gears (24). And the sun gear (22) also engages with the planet gears (24). In operation, relative rotational speeds between the sprocket (12) and the sun gear (22) causes the engine camshaft (62) to advance or retard engine valve opening and closing.

Abstract: An engine variable camshaft timing phaser (10) includes a sprocket (12), three ring gears (26, 28, 30), multiple planet gears (24), and a sun gear (22). The sprocket (12) receives rotational drive input from an engine crankshaft. One or more of the three ring gear(s) (26, 28, 30) receives rotational drive input from the sprocket (12) and rotates with the sprocket (12), and the remaining ring gear(s) (26, 28, 30) transmit rotational drive output to an engine camshaft (62). All three of the ring gears (26, 28, 30) engage with the planet gears (24). And the sun gear (22) also engages with the planet gears (24). In operation, relative rotational speeds between the sprocket (12) and the sun gear (22) causes the engine camshaft (62) to advance or retard engine valve opening and closing.

Abstract: An engine variable camshaft timing phaser (10) includes a sprocket (12), three ring gears (26, 28, 30), multiple planet gears (24), and a sun gear (22). The sprocket (12) receives rotational drive input from an engine crankshaft. One or more of the three ring gear(s) (26, 28, 30) receives rotational drive input from the sprocket (12) and rotates with the sprocket (12), and the remaining ring gear(s) (26, 28, 30) transmit rotational drive output to an engine camshaft (62). All three of the ring gears (26, 28, 30) engage with the planet gears (24). And the sun gear (22) also engages with the planet gears (24). In operation, relative rotational speeds between the sprocket (12) and the sun gear (22) causes the engine camshaft (62) to advance or retard engine valve opening and closing.

Abstract: A variable cam timing phaser (10) includes a fluid transfer assembly with at least one of a fluid transfer sleeve (72) having a plurality of pressurized fluid passages (74a, 74b, 74c, 74d), and a fluid transfer plate (60) having a plurality of pressurized fluid passages (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d). Each passage (74a, 74b, 74c, 74d) extends in fluid communication with a corresponding circumferentially spaced annular groove segment portion (74f, 74g, 74h, 74i) for selective communication with first and second vane-type hydraulic couplings (40, 50) depending on an angular orientation of the fluid transfer sleeve (72) during rotation. Each passage (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d) extending from a corresponding centrally located port (64a, 64b, 64c, 64d) in fluid communication with a radially extending passage portion (66a, 66b, 66c, 66d) and with an arcuately extending passage portion (68a, 68b, 68c, 68d).

Abstract: A flexible coupling linkage (14) anchors a housing (16) that at least partially encloses a rotor (18) of an actuator (22) against rotation, while allowing free movement of the housing (16) in two other planes relative to the rotor (18) to match an angular rotational plane orientation of the rotor (18) to prevent binding between the housing (16) and the rotor (18) due to misalignment. The flexible coupling linkage (14) can be selected from a group of pivot joints (24a, 24b) including at least one of a pivot pin joint (30, 34), a ball-and-socket joint (32), and any combination thereof.

Abstract: A variable cam timing phaser for an internal combustion engine having a concentric camshaft can include a stator (14) having an axis of rotation. An outer rotor (20) can rotate independently relative to the axis of rotation of the stator (14). A combination of an outer vane (22) and cavity (20a) can be associated with the outer rotor (20) to define first and second outer variable volume working chambers (20b, 20c). A radially inner located rotor (30) can rotate relative to the axis of rotation and independently of both the stator (14) and the outer rotor (20). A combination of an inner vane (32) and a cavity (30a) can be associated with the inner rotor (20) to define first and second inner variable volume working chambers (30b, 30c). When the first and second, outer and inner chambers (20b, 30b, 20c, 30c) selectively communicate with a source of pressurized fluid, phase orientation of the outer and inner rotors (20, 30) with respect to one another and with respect to the stator (14) is facilitated.

Abstract: A flexible coupling linkage (14) anchors a housing (16) that at least partially encloses a rotor (18) of an actuator (22) against rotation, while allowing free movement of the housing (16) in two other planes relative to the rotor (18) to match an angular rotational plane orientation of the rotor (18) to prevent binding between the housing (16) and the rotor (18) due to misalignment. The flexible coupling linkage (14) can be selected from a group of pivot joints (24a, 24b) including at least one of a pivot pin joint (30, 34), a ball-and-socket joint (32), and any combination thereof.

Abstract: A variable cam timing phaser (10) includes a fluid transfer assembly with at least one of a fluid transfer sleeve (72) having a plurality of pressurized fluid passages (74a, 74b, 74c, 74d), and a fluid transfer plate (60) having a plurality of pressurized fluid passages (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d). Each passage (74a, 74b, 74c, 74d) extends in fluid communication with a corresponding circumferentially spaced annular groove segment portion (74f, 74g, 74h, 74i) for selective communication with first and second vane type hydraulic couplings (40, 50) depending on an angular orientation of the fluid transfer sleeve (72) during rotation. Each passage (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d) extending from a corresponding centrally located port (64a, 64b, 64c, 64d) in fluid communication with a radially extending passage portion (66a, 66b, 66c, 66d) and with an arcuately extending passage portion (68a, 68b, 68c, 68d).

Abstract: A variable cam timing phaser for an internal combustion engine having a concentric camshaft can include a stator (14) having an axis of rotation. An outer rotor (20) can rotate independently relative to the axis of rotation of the stator (14). A combination of an outer vane (22) and cavity (20a) can be associated with the outer rotor (20) to define first and second outer variable volume working chambers (20b, 20c). A radially inner located rotor (30) can rotate relative to the axis of rotation and independently of both the stator (14) and the outer rotor (20). A combination of an inner vane (32) and a cavity (30a) can be associated with the inner rotor (20) to define first and second inner variable volume working chambers (30b, 30c). When the first and second, outer and inner chambers (20b, 30b, 20c, 30c) selectively communicate with a source of pressurized fluid, phase orientation of the outer and inner rotors (20, 30) with respect to one another and with respect to the stator (14) is facilitated.