Abstract: A system for actuating one or more engine valves for positive power operation and engine braking operation is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, an exhaust valve bridge and intake valve bridge each receive valve actuations from two sets of rocker arms. Each valve bridge includes a sliding pin for actuating a single engine valve and an outer plunger disposed in the center of the valve bridge to actuate two engine valves through the bridge. The outer plunger of each valve bridge may be selectively locked to its valve bridge to provide positive power valve actuation. During engine braking, application of hydraulic pressure to the outer plungers may cause the respective valve bridges and outer plungers to unlock so that all engine braking valve actuations are provided from a rocker arm acting on one engine valve through the sliding pin.

Abstract: A system for actuating one or more engine valves for positive power operation and engine braking operation is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, an exhaust valve bridge and intake valve bridge each receive valve actuations from two sets of rocker arms. Each valve bridge includes a sliding pin for actuating a single engine valve and an outer plunger disposed in the center of the valve bridge to actuate two engine valves through the bridge. The outer plunger of each valve bridge may be selectively locked to its valve bridge to provide positive power valve actuation. During engine braking, application of hydraulic pressure to the outer plungers may cause the respective valve bridges and outer plungers to unlock so that all engine braking valve actuations are provided from a rocker arm acting on one engine valve through the sliding pin.

Abstract: A system for actuating one or more engine valves for positive power operation and engine braking operation is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, an exhaust valve bridge and intake valve bridge each receive valve actuations from two sets of rocker arms. Each valve bridge includes a sliding pin for actuating a single engine valve and an outer plunger disposed in the center of the valve bridge to actuate two engine valves through the bridge. The outer plunger of each valve bridge may be selectively locked to its valve bridge to provide positive power valve actuation. During engine braking, application of hydraulic pressure to the outer plungers may cause the respective valve bridges and outer plungers to unlock so that all engine braking valve actuations are provided from a rocker arm acting on one engine valve through the sliding pin.

Abstract: A system for actuating an engine valve to decompress an engine cylinder for engine start up and/or engine braking is disclosed. The system may include a first member, such as an outer piston, disposed above an engine valve, which receives an inner piston extending into a bore provided in the first member. One or more springs may bias the inner piston into a predefined position in the first member. The inner piston may include a lower surface that directly, or through an intervening sliding pin, actuates an engine valve in response to the application of fluid pressure on the inner piston. The inner piston may be used to decompress an engine cylinder for engine start up and/or to provide engine braking.

Abstract: In controlling valve motions of an internal combustion engine, after determining that engine braking operation has been initiated, a deactivation mechanism disposed within a main valve train is activated thereby disabling conveyance of main valve events from a main valve motion source to a valve via the main valve train. Engine braking valve events are enabled for the valve, which may include two-stroke engine braking. Coupling mechanisms, including one-way coupling mechanisms, between adjacent rocker arms may be used in this manner.

Abstract: A system for actuating one or more engine valves for positive power operation and engine braking operation is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, an exhaust valve bridge and intake valve bridge each receive valve actuations from two sets of rocker arms. Each valve bridge includes a sliding pin for actuating a single engine valve and an outer plunger disposed in the center of the valve bridge to actuate two engine valves through the bridge. The outer plunger of each valve bridge may be selectively locked to its valve bridge to provide positive power valve actuation. During engine braking, application of hydraulic pressure to the outer plungers may cause the respective valve bridges and outer plungers to unlock so that all engine braking valve actuations are provided from a rocker arm acting on one engine valve through the sliding pin.

Abstract: A system for actuating an engine valve is disclosed. The system may include a rocker shaft having a hydraulic fluid supply circuit extending through the rocker shaft to a port on the outer surface of the rocker shaft and a solenoid valve adapted to selectively supply hydraulic fluid to the rocker shaft hydraulic fluid supply circuit. The rocker shaft may be supported by one or more rocker shaft pedestals. A lost motion housing may be incorporated into a rocker shaft pedestal and disposed about the rocker shaft. The lost motion housing may have an actuator piston assembly and a control valve assembly connected by an internal hydraulic circuit. The lost motion housing may be secured in a fixed position relative to the rocker shaft. External hydraulic fluid tubing may be provided between the solenoid valve and the control valve in the form of jumper tubes extending between adjacent rocker shafts or in the form of external hydraulic fluid tubes extending from control valve to control valve.

Abstract: A system for actuating an engine valve is disclosed. The system may include a lost motion housing having two spaced collars surrounding a rocker shaft. The lost motion housing may include an internal hydraulic circuit connecting a hydraulic fluid supply passage with an actuator piston. The system may include a means for securing the lost motion housing in a fixed position relative to the rocker shaft.

Abstract: A system for actuating an engine valve to decompress an engine cylinder for engine start up and/or engine braking is disclosed. The system may include a first member, such as an outer piston, disposed above an engine valve, which receives an inner piston extending into a bore provided in the first member. One or more springs may bias the inner piston into a predefined position in the first member. The inner piston may include a lower surface that directly, or through an intervening sliding pin, actuates an engine valve in response to the application of fluid pressure on the inner piston. The inner piston may be used to decompress an engine cylinder for engine start up and/or to provide engine braking.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a methods and apparatus for controlling the actuation of the waste gate of a turbocharger. The waste gate may be opened in response to a pneumatically operated waste gate actuator connected to the intake manifold by a waste gate actuator passage. A waste gate cut-off valve may be disposed in the waste gate actuator passage and may block the waste gate actuator passage in response to an engine braking operation of the engine. Alternatively, a snubber may be disposed in the waste gate actuator passage.

Abstract: A system for actuating one or more engine valves for positive power operation and engine braking operation is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, an exhaust valve bridge and intake valve bridge each receive valve actuations from two sets of rocker arms. Each valve bridge includes a sliding pin for actuating a single engine valve and an outer plunger disposed in the center of the valve bridge to actuate two engine valves through the bridge. The outer plunger of each valve bridge may be selectively locked to its valve bridge to provide positive power valve actuation. During engine braking, application of hydraulic pressure to the outer plungers may cause the respective valve bridges and outer plungers to unlock so that all engine braking valve actuations are provided from a rocker arm acting on one engine valve through the sliding pin.

Abstract: A variable valve actuation system to actuate and control the seating velocity of an internal combustion engine valve is disclosed. The system comprises: a housing having a bore formed therein; an outer piston slidably disposed in the bore, said outer piston having an internal hydraulic passage, an internal chamber defined by an outer piston side wall, and an internal orifice connecting the internal hydraulic passage and the internal chamber; a catch piston slidably disposed in the outer piston; and a cone-shaped extension extending from the inner piston, wherein the cone-shaped extension is adapted to provide a variable flow area through the outer piston orifice to provide improved engine valve seating.

Abstract: A system for actuating an engine valve is disclosed. The system may include a rocker shaft having a hydraulic fluid supply circuit extending through the rocker shaft to a port on the outer surface of the rocker shaft and a solenoid valve adapted to selectively supply hydraulic fluid to the rocker shaft hydraulic fluid supply circuit. The rocker shaft may be supported by one or more rocker shaft pedestals. A lost motion housing may be incorporated into a rocker shaft pedestal and disposed about the rocker shaft. The lost motion housing may have an actuator piston assembly and a control valve assembly connected by an internal hydraulic circuit. The lost motion housing may be secured in a fixed position relative to the rocker shaft. External hydraulic fluid tubing may be provided between the solenoid valve and the control valve in the form of jumper tubes extending between adjacent rocker shafts or in the form of external hydraulic fluid tubes extending from control valve to control valve.

Abstract: A system for actuating an engine valve is disclosed. The system may include a lost motion housing having two spaced collars surrounding a rocker shaft. The lost motion housing may include an internal hydraulic circuit connecting a hydraulic fluid supply passage with an actuator piston. The system may include a means for securing the lost motion housing in a fixed position relative to the rocker shaft.

Abstract: An exhaust brake and method of operating an exhaust brake are disclosed. The exhaust brake may have a housing having a central opening and a boss with a central bore, wherein the central bore intersects the central opening. A butterfly gate may be pivotally mounted in the central opening. The butterfly gate may have a bypass opening provided in an outer edge of the butterfly gate, and an upstream side. A dual-diameter piston may be slide-ably disposed in the central bore. The piston may have a lower end received in the bypass opening and an upper end distal from the bypass opening. One or more passages may extend between the central opening and the central bore at the upstream side of the butterfly gate, and a spring may bias the piston lower end into the bypass opening. The piston lower end may selectively unblock the bypass opening responsive to the application of static exhaust gas pressure to the piston upper end.

Abstract: A variable valve actuation system to actuate and control the seating velocity of an internal combustion engine valve is disclosed. The system comprises: a housing having a bore formed therein; an outer piston slidably disposed in the bore, said outer piston having an internal hydraulic passage, an internal chamber defined by an outer piston side wall, and an internal orifice connecting the internal hydraulic passage and the internal chamber; a catch piston slidably disposed in the outer piston; and a cone-shaped extension extending from the inner piston, wherein the cone-shaped extension is adapted to provide a variable flow area through the outer piston orifice to provide improved engine valve seating.

Abstract: Lost motion systems and methods for providing engine valves with variable valve actuation for engine valve events are disclosed. The system may include a master piston hydraulically linked to a slave piston, and a dedicated cam operatively connected to the master piston. The slave piston may be disposed substantially perpendicular to the master piston in a common housing. The slave piston is adapted to actuate one or more engine valves. The slave piston may incorporate an optional valve seating assembly into its upper end. A trigger valve may be operatively connected to the master-slave hydraulic circuit to selectively release and add hydraulic fluid to the circuit.

Abstract: The relatively complex and expensive "control valves", which are conventionally used in certain compression release engine brakes for such purposes as filling, isolating, and venting the high pressure portions of the hydraulic circuits in the engine brake, are eliminated and more direct means are provided for performing these functions. In brakes having a mechanism for resetting each slave piston, the high pressure portion of the circuit is filled through a selectively openable aperture in the slave piston. In brakes having a mechanism for automatically adjusting slave piston lash or for limiting ("clipping") the forward stroke of the slave piston, high pressure circuit fill is provided through a simple check valve. In systems in which hydraulic fluid is temporarily displaced from the high pressure circuit, a simple accumulator is provided to store hydraulic fluid for quick refill. A single such accumulator may replace multiple control valves.