Abstract: An engine variable camshaft timing phaser (10) includes a sprocket (12) and a planetary gear set (14). The sprocket (12) receives rotational drive input from an engine crankshaft. The planetary gear set (14) includes two or more ring gears (34, 36), multiple planet gears (32), a sun gear (30), a first set of teeth (82), and a second set of teeth (40, 62). One of the ring gears (34, 36) can be connected to the sprocket (12) and one of the ring gears (34, 36) transmits rotational drive output to an engine camshaft. The sun gear (30) engages with the planet gears (32) and is driven by an electric motor (38). In order to bring the planetary gear set (14) to a locked condition, the first set of teeth (82) and the second set of teeth (40, 62) are mated with each other.

Abstract: An engine variable camshaft timing phaser (10) includes a sprocket (12) and a planetary gear set (14). The sprocket (12) receives rotational drive input from an engine crankshaft. The planetary gear set (14) includes two or more ring gears (34, 36), multiple planet gears (32), a sun gear (30), a first set of teeth (82), and a second set of teeth (40, 62). One of the ring gears (34, 36) can be connected to the sprocket (12) and one of the ring gears (34, 36) transmits rotational drive output to an engine camshaft. The sun gear (30) engages with the planet gears (32) and is driven by an electric motor (38). In order to bring the planetary gear set (14) to a locked condition, the first set of teeth (82) and the second set of teeth (40, 62) are mated with each other.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) and method for controlling an angular position of a camshaft (12) in an internal combustion engine having a camshaft phaser (14) for controllably varying the phase relationship between a crankshaft of the internal combustion engine and the camshaft (12). The camshaft phaser (14) can be actuated by an electric motor (16) having an actuator shaft (18) operating through a gear reduction drive train (20) having a stationary adjusting member (22) which rotates when a phase change adjustment is desired. A sensor (30) can generate a signal corresponding to an angular position of the stationary adjusting member (22) of the gear reduction drive train (20). An engine control unit (40) can adjust a position of the camshaft (12) through operation of the electric motor (16) for rotating the stationary adjusting member (22) based on the generated signal corresponding to the angular position of the stationary adjusting member (22).

Abstract: In a boat that was not designed for or required a live well, a built-in tank, for the holding of newly caught fish, a portable tank will serve as a live well that will hold fish that are caught and a bait well that would receive minnows or leaches. An electric pump powered by a battery of the boat or portable battery pumps water from the lake into the tank to fill, aerate and circulate the water in the tank. An electric pump powered by a battery of the boat or portable battery pumps water out of the tank and provides for overflow. A series of three valves control the water intake, water overflow and re-circulation of water in the tank. These operations are controlled by the open or closed combinations of the three valves. The majority of the live well is to receive newly caught fish with the smaller portion of the live well to serve as the holder for live bait. Aerated water filters throughout the entire live well.

Abstract: The chain tensioner includes a tensioner arm with a blade spring and a wedge-shaped piston. Complementary friction surfaces of a pair of pawls push against the wedge-shaped piston to dampen the motion of the blade tensioner and hence tension the chain. The pawls are urged together and against the piston by spring loading. The combination of a blade tensioner and a wedging feature provides better chain control than a blade tensioner alone. The system requires no hydraulic fluid pressure from the engine.

Abstract: A lock mechanism for a phaser of a variable cam timing system is actuated by an electromagnetic force. Since the lock mechanism is not dependent upon engine oil pressure, it is actuatable at any time from engine startup to engine shutdown. A lock solenoid is preferably used to actuate a lock pin, which is otherwise urged toward a lock hole and a locked position by a spring force, to an unlocked position. The lock solenoid preferably acts on a pin lock plate that is coupled to the lock pin. A preferred startup method and a preferred shutdown method are also described.

Abstract: A variable cam timing (VCT) phaser system including a phaser with an actuator in which the max duty cycle is altered to maintain a constant current in the system based on at least one engine parameter.

Abstract: A tensioner including a housing, a piston, a piston spring, a first pawl and a second pawl. The housing has a bore for slidably receiving a piston. The piston has a plurality of teeth formed along at least a portion of the outer circumference of the piston. The piston spring biases the piston in an outward direction from the bore. The first and second pawls are pivotally attached by a pin and received by grooves in the housing. The pawls are biased toward the teeth of the piston by first and second springs. The pawls are preferably adjacent to each other or 180 degrees apart. The first pawl is preferably half a pitch ahead of the second pawl, such that when the second pawl ratchets a tooth on the piston, the first pawl is sliding along the ramp toward the next tooth.

Abstract: A variable camshaft timing phaser for an internal combustion engine having at least one camshaft comprising a plurality of vanes in chambers defined by a housing and a spool valve. The vanes define an advance and a retard chamber. At least one of the vanes is cam torque actuated (CTA) and at least one of the other vanes is oil pressure actuated (OPA). The spool valve is coupled to the advance and retard chamber defined by the CTA vane and the advance chamber defined by the OPA vane. When the phaser is in the advance position, fluid is routed from the retard chamber defined by the OPA vane to the retard chamber defined the CTA vane. When the phaser is in the retard position, fluid is routed from the retard chamber defined by the CTA vane to the advance chamber defined by the CTA vane.

Abstract: An electromagnetic valve actuator system for controlling the operation of a valve in an internal combustion engine comprising a valve having a valve stem with a valve head at one end. The valve is reciprocable along the longitudinal central axis of the valve stem to alternatingly move the valve head between a first position and a second position. A first coil is positioned on a first laminated core having a gap and a thickness. A second coil is positioned on a second laminated core having a gap and a thickness. The gaps of the first and second cores are aligned. An armature on the valve stem passes through the gaps of the first and second laminated cores, such that when the armature is centered in either of the gaps at least a portion of the armature extends slightly passed the thickness of the other laminated core.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine that has a camshaft having a plurality of cam lobes, a plurality of valves where each of the valves are actuated by a lifter actuated by the camshaft with a cam lobe. The lifter comprises a lifter body having an upper surface and a lower surface. A cam contact plate pivots on an axis on the upper surface of the lifter body. Opposed hydraulic actuators are present on either side of the axis of the cam contact plate, where each hydraulic actuators comprise a fluid chamber in the lifter body, a piston in the chamber, and a spring biasing the piston into contact with the cam contact plate. The lifter further comprises a line supplying hydraulic fluid to the fluid chambers of the hydraulic actuators and a control valve for controlling fluid flow from one hydraulic actuator to the other hydraulic actuator.

Abstract: A variable camshaft timing system for an internal combustion engine comprising a housing having an outer circumference for accepting drive force, a rotor for connection to a camshaft coaxially located within the housing capable of rotation to shift the relative angular position of the housing and the rotor, a locking pin, and a centrifugal valve. The locking pin is slidably located and radially moveable in a radial bore from a locked position in which the inner end fits into the recess defined by the housing, locking the relative angular position of the rotor and housing, to an unlocked position in which the inner end does not engage the receiving hole defined by the housing. The centrifugal valve is in fluid communication with an inlet line coupled directly to an engine oil supply controlling flow of oil to the locking pin.

Abstract: A variable camshaft timing phaser for an internal combustion engine having at least one camshaft comprising a plurality of vanes in chambers defined by a housing and a spool valve. The vanes define an advance and retard chamber. At least one of the vanes is cam torque actuated (CTA) and at least one of the other vanes is oil pressure actuated (OPA). The spool valve is coupled to the advance and retard chamber defined by the CTA vane and the advance chamber defined by the OPA vane. When the phaser is in the advance position, fluid is routed from the retard chamber defined by the OPA vane to the retard chamber defined the CTA vane. When the phaser is in the retard position fluid is routed from the retard chamber defined by the CTA vane to the advance chamber defined by the CTA vane.

Abstract: A device for providing additional torsional energy for a cam shaft is provided. The device includes at least one main cam lobe formed on a rotating shaft; a valve operating mechanism disposed to be engaged by the main cam lobe; and an outer cylinder encompassing the valve operating mechanism, and capable of movement that is independent of the valve operating mechanism, the outer cylinder being disposed to provide torsional energy to the rotating shaft.

Abstract: A locking device is provided to lock the phaser vane and sprocket together at all times except when the phaser is moving from position to position. The locking device ensures that the phaser is locked for start conditions and ensures the prevention of noise from being generated. The locking device also ensures that the timing accuracy of the phaser is controlled at a number of positions for the steady state condition.

Abstract: An internal DPCS feeds (13) engine oil pressure (32) to one side (19) of the spool and a solenoid controlled pressure (14) to a piston (12) that has twice the area as that side (19) of the spool. The spool end (21) that is fed control pressure is preferably twice the area of the spool end (19) that is fed with engine oil pressure. A spring (18) mounted in the phaser pushes the spool (25) to the default position in case of solenoid failure. A PWM solenoid valve (15) or a proportional solenoid valve controls the oil flow to the large area end (21) of the spool (25). In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a position sensor (34) further controls the position of the spool valve (28).

Abstract: A chain drive having a phaser such as a hydraulic vane phaser interposed between a timing chain and a driving or driven shaft is provided. The phaser or the vane are controlled to oscillate more at certain engine speeds to thereby reduce the tensioning force on the chain at the certain engine speeds.

Abstract: A variable camshaft timing system having a camshaft with a vane-type rotor, where oscillation of the housing relative to the vane is actuated by pressurized engine oil, derived in part from a torque pulse in the camshaft. An annular locking plate is positioned coaxially with the camshaft and the housing. It is moveable relative to the housing along the longitudinal central axis of the camshaft between two positions, the teeth on the locking plate engaging the teeth on the housing and where the teeth on the locking plate are disengaged from the teeth on the housing, each position preventing circumferential movement of the housing relative to the rotor. The locking plate is biased by a plurality of metallic straps towards engagement of the teeth on locking plate with the teeth on the housing. The straps have one end secured to the locking plate and another end secured to the rotor.

Abstract: The cam phaser of the present invention includes an externally mounted DPCS (234) with spool position feedback to control the position of a center mounted spool valve (192) and control the phase angle of the cam mounted phaser. A position sensor (300) is mounted to the spool valve position such that a control loop (400) controls the position of the spool valve (192). A second, outer loop (430) controls the phaser angle. An offset is preferably added to the spool valve position to move the spool valve to its steady state or null position. This null position is required so that the spool (200) can move in to move the phaser in one direction and outward to move the phaser in the other direction. This type of system reduces any frictional or magnetic hysteresis in the system.

Abstract: A phaser for an internal combustion engine having at least one camshaft. The phaser has a housing and a rotor. The housing has an outer circumference for accepting a drive force and the rotor connects to a camshaft coaxially located within the housing. The housing and the rotor define at least one vane separating chambers, advance and retard. The vane shifts the relative angular position of the housing and the rotor. The phaser also includes a spool valve comprising a spool slidably mounted within in a bore in the rotor. The spool routes operating fluid from a supply of pressurized fluid to the chambers. At least one passage from the supply to the chambers provides makeup fluid. The passage includes a check valve and a restrictor.