Patents by Inventor Nicola Morelli

Nicola Morelli 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).

  • Patent number: 11187117
    Abstract: A hydraulics unit for an internal combustion engine with a hydraulically variable gas exchange valve gear, is provided that includes a hydraulic housing having a pressure chamber, a pressure relief chamber and a venting duct. The venting duct is connected, on a hydraulic housing inner side, to the pressure relief chamber via a restriction and opens on a hydraulic housing outer side. The venting duct has a siphon with a downward first duct section and an upward second duct section, respectively in the direction of gravity and in the venting direction. When a gas exchange valve is closed, a lowermost section of the siphon is below a boundary of a pressure chamber defined by a slave piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Lothar von Schimonsky, Nicola Morelli, Steffen Pfeiffer
  • Publication number: 20210293162
    Abstract: A hydraulics unit for an internal combustion engine with a hydraulically variable gas exchange valve gear, is provided that includes a hydraulic housing having a pressure chamber, a pressure relief chamber and a venting duct. The venting duct is connected, on a hydraulic housing inner side, to the pressure relief chamber via a restriction and opens on a hydraulic housing outer side. The venting duct has a siphon with a downward first duct section and an upward second duct section, respectively in the direction of gravity and in the venting direction. When a gas exchange valve is closed, a lowermost section of the siphon is below a boundary of a pressure chamber defined by a slave piston.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Lothar von SCHIMONSKY, Nicola MORELLI, Steffen PFEIFFER
  • Publication number: 20110277712
    Abstract: An electrohydraulic valve controller (1) for the variable actuation of a gas exchange valve (2) of an internal combustion engine is provided that includes a hydraulic valve (13), and for the purpose of emergency running properties, an additional hydraulic valve (19).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Michael Haas, Nicola Morelli
  • Patent number: 7921818
    Abstract: Valve controller for reciprocating piston internal combustion engines with at least two intake and/or exhaust gas-exchange valves for each piston/cylinder unit, wherein the gas-exchange valves are guided by valve stems in a cylinder head (8) of the reciprocating piston internal combustion engine, loaded in a closing direction by valve springs, and can be controlled via a common bridge (10) by an activation device, wherein the bridge (10) is guided over a sliding surface parallel to the movement of the gas-exchange valves, the bridge (10) has at least one hydraulic valve clearance compensation element (14 or 15) that connects to a gas-exchange valve, and a device is provided that prevents rotation of the bridge (10) about the sliding surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Martin Rauch, Thomas Kremer, Nicola Morelli
  • Publication number: 20090064955
    Abstract: Valve controller for reciprocating piston internal combustion engines with at least two intake and/or exhaust gas-exchange valves for each piston/cylinder unit, wherein the gas-exchange valves are guided by valve stems in a cylinder head (8) of the reciprocating piston internal combustion engine, loaded in a closing direction by valve springs, and can be controlled via a common bridge (10) by an activation device, wherein the bridge (10) is guided over a sliding surface parallel to the movement of the gas-exchange valves, the bridge (10) has at least one hydraulic valve clearance compensation element (14 or 15) that connects to a gas-exchange valve, and a device is provided that prevents rotation of the bridge (10) about the sliding surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER KG
    Inventors: Martin Rauch, Thomas Kremer, Nicola Morelli
  • Patent number: 7302924
    Abstract: A switchable drag lever (1) of a valve timing mechanism of an internal combustion engine having an outer lever (2), and inner lever (5) extending in the cut-out (3) of the said outer lever (2) between its side walls (4), the drag lever (1) having a rest (9) for a gas exchange valve on an underside (7) at one end (8) and a pivoting bearing (11) for supporting element at the other end (10) with the levers (2,5) extending at the end (8) on a common pin (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Bodo Roerig, Stefan Gemein, Nicola Morelli
  • Patent number: 7240652
    Abstract: A switchable drag lever (1) of a valve timing mechanism of an internal combustion engine is proposed, having an outer lever (3) and an inner lever (4) which is arranged between the said outer lever (3). The drag lever (1) has a rest (7) for a gas exchange valve on an underside (5) at one end (6), and a pivoting bearing (9) for a supporting element on an underside (5) at the other end (8). The levers (3, 4) extend at one end (6) on a common pin (10). Receptacles (10a, 10b) for coupling means are provided which extend longitudinally at the end (8) facing away from the pin (10) and are aligned with respect to one another in the cam base circle. The side walls (2) of the outer lever (3) have contact faces (12) for lifting cams on their upper sides (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Bodo Roerig, Stefan Gemein, Nicola Morelli
  • Publication number: 20070028879
    Abstract: A switchable drag lever (1) of a valve timing mechanism of an internal combustion engine is proposed. The said switchable drag lever (1) has an outer lever (2), an inner lever (5) extending in the cut-out (3) of the said outer lever (2) between its side walls (4). The drag lever (1) has a rest (9) for a gas exchange valve on an underside (7) at one end (8) and a pivoting bearing (11) for a supporting element at the other end (10). The levers (2, 5) extend at the end (8) on a common pin (12). Receptacles (13, 14) for a coupling means are provided which extend longitudinally at the end (10) facing away from the pin (12) and are aligned with respect to one another in the cam base circle, which coupling means can be displaced for coupling in sections in or below the receptacle (14, 13) which lies opposite. The levers (2, 5) have cam contact faces (17, 18) on their upper sides (15, 16).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2006
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Inventors: Bodo Roerig, Stefan Gemein, Nicola Morelli
  • Publication number: 20070000460
    Abstract: A switchable drag lever (1) of a valve timing mechanism of an internal combustion engine is proposed, having an outer lever (3) and an inner lever (4) which is arranged between the said outer lever (3). The drag lever (1) has a rest (7) for a gas exchange valve on an underside (5) at one end (6), and a pivoting bearing (9) for a supporting element on an underside (5) at the other end (8). The levers (3, 4) extend at one end (6) on a common pin (10). Receptacles (10a, 10b) for coupling means are provided which extend longitudinally at the end (8) facing away from the pin (10) and are aligned with respect to one another in the cam base circle. The side walls (2) of the outer lever (3) have contact faces (12) for lifting cams on their upper sides (11).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2006
    Publication date: January 4, 2007
    Inventors: Bodo Roerig, Stefan Gemein, Nicola Morelli
  • Patent number: 6568360
    Abstract: Electrohydraulic device for operating an intake or exhaust valve of a combustion engine; the electrohydraulic device comprises a linear hydraulic actuator designed to move the valve axially from a closed position to a maximum opening position, and an electronic control hydraulic distributor designed to regulate the flow of pressurized liquid from and towards the linear hydraulic actuator in order to control movement of the above-mentioned valve between the closed and maximum opening positions; the electronic control hydraulic distributor comprises a slide valve which, by selection, can be set to three positions: a first operating position in which it establishes direct communication between the linear hydraulic actuator and an outlet of the pressurized liquid, a second operating position in which it isolates the linear hydraulic actuator in such a way as to prevent the flow of pressurized liquid from or towards the actuator, and a third operating position which establishes direct communication between the lin
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Magneti Marelli Powertrain S.p.A.
    Inventors: Marcello Cristiani, Nicola Morelli
  • Patent number: 6546904
    Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator for intake or exhaust valves of an internal combustion engine, in which an oscillating arm has an end in abutment on the upper end of the stem of the intake or exhaust valve; two electromagnets being provided to move the oscillating arm so as axially to displace this valve; a frame supporting the arm being connected to the head of the engine so as to be able to oscillate about an axis perpendicular to the axis of movement of the intake or exhaust valve and the electromagnetic actuator being provided with a device for adjusting the position of the frame with respect to the head to rotate the frame so as to maintain the mechanical play between the end of the oscillating arm and the stem of the valve at a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Magnetic Marelli S.p.A.
    Inventors: Massimo Marchioni, Nicola Morelli
  • Publication number: 20030056743
    Abstract: Electromagnetic system to control the valves of an engine and having a control unit and for each valve a respective electromagnetic actuator provided with a pair of electromagnets; each electromagnet has a winding which is provided with a power bobbin and an auxiliary measurement bobbin, and a flexible connection cable, which is directly integrated in the respective winding in order to connect the winding itself to the control unit electrically without further interpositions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2002
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Applicant: Magneti Marelli Powertrain S.p.A.
    Inventors: Marcello Cristiani, Nicola Morelli
  • Patent number: 6510825
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine comprising at least one intake valve and/or exhaust valve moving axially between a closed position and a position of maximum opening and means for moving the valves adapted to move, on command, this valve between the closed position and the position of maximum opening, the valve movement means comprising an elastic member adapted to maintain this valve in the closed position, a hydraulic actuator selectively adapted to move this valve from the closed position to the position of maximum opening by countering the action of the elastic member, and a hydraulic circuit adapted to supply pressurized fluid to the hydraulic actuator, the hydraulic circuit comprising a delivery duct connected to the hydraulic actuator and pumping means adapted to supply pressurized fluid into the delivery duct, the pumping means comprising the elastic member and the hydraulic actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Magneti Marelli Powertrain S.p.A.
    Inventors: Marcello Cristiani, Nicola Morelli
  • Patent number: 6467441
    Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator for the actuation of the intake or exhaust valves of an internal combustion engine in which an oscillating arm has a first end hinged on a support frame secured to the engine head and a second end in abutment on the upper end of the stem of the intake or exhaust valve; two electromagnets being provided in order to move, on command, the oscillating arm in order axially to displace the valve between a closed position and a position of maximum opening, the oscillating arm comprising a central plate positioned in the space between the polar heads of the two electromagnets, a cylindrical tubular member rigid with a lateral edge of the central plate and a projection extending in a projecting manner from the central plate on the side opposite the cylindrical tubular member, the central plate being formed by a pack of sheets of ferromagnetic material stacked on one another and seam welded on the outer lateral surface of the cylindrical tubular member and by a stiffening rib welded to the p
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Magnetti Marelli, S.p.A.
    Inventors: Marcello Cristiani, Massimo Marchioni, Nicola Morelli
  • Publication number: 20020124818
    Abstract: Electrohydraulic device for operating an intake or exhaust valve of a combustion engine; the electrohydraulic device comprises a linear hydraulic actuator designed to move the valve axially from a closed position to a maximum opening position, and an electronic control hydraulic distributor designed to regulate the flow of pressurised liquid from and towards the linear hydraulic actuator in order to control movement of the above-mentioned valve between the closed and maximum opening positions; the electronic control hydraulic distributor comprises a slide valve which, by selection, can be set to three positions: a first operating position in which it establishes direct communication between the linear hydraulic actuator and an outlet of the pressurised liquid, a second operating position in which it isolates the linear hydraulic actuator in such a way as to prevent the flow of pressurised liquid from or towards the actuator, and a third operating position which establishes direct communication between the lin
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Inventors: Marcello Cristiani, Nicola Morelli
  • Patent number: 6427650
    Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator for the control of the intake or exhaust valves of an internal combustion engine, in which an oscillating arm has a first end hinged on a fixed support and a second end in abutment, directly or via the interposition of a strut, on the upper end of the stem of the intake or exhaust valve, two electromagnets being provided in order to move, on command, the oscillating arm so as axially to displace the valve between a closed position and a position of maximum opening, a first and a second elastic member being provided to maintain the intake or exhaust valve respectively in the closed position and in the position of maximum opening, by exerting on the valve axial thrusts contrary to one another; in the balanced position, the two elastic members are adapted to maintain the valve in an intermediate position between the closed position and the position of maximum opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Magneti Marelli S.p.A.
    Inventors: Marcello Cristiani, Domenico Cannone, Nicola Morelli
  • Publication number: 20020035975
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine comprising at least one intake valve and/or exhaust valve moving axially between a closed position and a position of maximum opening and means for moving the valves adapted to move, on command, this valve between the closed position and the position of maximum opening, the valve movement means comprising an elastic member adapted to maintain this valve in the closed position, a hydraulic actuator selectively adapted to move this valve from the closed position to the position of maximum opening by countering the action of the elastic member, and a hydraulic circuit adapted to supply pressurized fluid to the hydraulic actuator, the hydraulic circuit comprising a delivery duct connected to the hydraulic actuator and pumping means adapted to supply pressurized fluid into the delivery duct, the pumping means comprising the elastic member and the hydraulic actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2001
    Publication date: March 28, 2002
    Inventors: Marcello Cristiani, Nicola Morelli
  • Publication number: 20010054401
    Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator for the actuation of the intake or exhaust valves of an internal combustion engine in which an oscillating arm has a first end hinged on a support frame secured to the engine head and a second end in abutment on the upper end of the stem of the intake or exhaust valve; two electromagnets being provided in order to move, on command, the oscillating arm in order axially to displace the valve between a closed position and a position of maximum opening, the oscillating arm comprising a central plate positioned in the space between the polar heads of the two electromagnets, a cylindrical tubular member rigid with a lateral edge of the central plate and a projection extending in a projecting manner from the central plate on the side opposite the cylindrical tubular member, the central plate being formed by a pack of sheets of ferromagnetic material stacked on one another and seam welded on the outer lateral surface of the cylindrical tubular member and by a stiffening rib welded to the p
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2001
    Publication date: December 27, 2001
    Inventors: Marcello Cristiani, Massimo Marchioni, Nicola Morelli
  • Publication number: 20010037778
    Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator for the actuation of the intake or exhaust valves of an internal combustion engine, in which an oscillating arm has a first end hinged on a support frame secured to the head of the engine and a second end in abutment on the upper end of the stem of the intake or exhaust valve; two electromagnets being provided in order to move, on command, the oscillating arm so as axially to displace this valve between a closed position and a position of maximum opening; the frame being connected to the head of the engine so as to be able to oscillate about an axis of rotation perpendicular to the axis of movement of the intake or exhaust valve and the electromagnetic actuator further being provided with a device for adjusting the position of the frame with respect to the head, which is adapted to rotate, on command, the frame about the axis of rotation so as to maintain the mechanical play between the second end of the oscillating arm and the upper end of the stem of the valve at a predetermined
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2001
    Publication date: November 8, 2001
    Inventors: Massimo Marchioni, Nicola Morelli