Abstract: A variable valve actuation mechanism includes a control shaft and a rocker arm. A second end of the rocker arm is connected to the control shaft. The rocker arm carries a roller for engaging a cam lobe of an engine camshaft. A link arm is pivotally coupled at a first end thereof to the first end of the rocker arm. An output cam is pivotally coupled to the second end of the link arm, and engages a corresponding cam follower of the engine. A spring biases the roller into contact with the cam lobe and biases the output cam toward a starting angular orientation.

Abstract: A camshaft phaser wherein camshaft oscillatory torque resulting from opening and closing of an associated engine valve is employed to controllably adjust the degree of advance or retard of the rotor. All advance chambers communicate with a first annular passage, and all retard chambers communicate with a second annular passage. Valve means connecting the first and second annular passages are controllable by a solenoid-actuated piston to permit selective flow of oil between the advance and retard chambers to alter the angular position of the rotor with respect to the stator. The solenoid windings are selectively actuable in response to an engine control module. Preferably, the phaser is a sealed unit, filled with oil at manufacture and requires no oil connection with the oil recirculation system of an engine upon which the phaser is mounted. The phaser is independent of engine oil pressure for actuation.

Abstract: A variable valve actuation (VVA) mechanism includes a partial wrap output cam assembly and a partial wrap frame assembly. Each of the partial wrap cam assembly and the partial wrap frame assembly include a respective body and a respective shaft engaging means coupled to the body. The shaft-engaging means are configured for engaging an input shaft with a snap fit to thereby pivotally dispose the output cam assembly and the frame assembly upon the input shaft.

Abstract: A roller finger follower includes a body having a longitudinal axis, a first end and a second end. A first side member and a second side member are generally parallel with the longitudinal axis and interconnect the first and second ends. A roller seat is defined at least in part by the first and second side members.

Abstract: A variable valve actuating mechanism includes an output cam pivotally disposed upon an input shaft of an engine. First and second frame members are disposed upon the input shaft on respective sides of the input cam lobe. A first link arm is pivotally coupled at a first end thereof to the first and second frame members. A rocker arm assembly is pivotally coupled at a first end thereof to a second end of the link arm. The rocker arm assembly carries a cam follower that engages an input cam lobe of the input shaft. A biasing means is grounded to the first and second frame members, and biases the cam follower into engagement with the input cam lobe.

Abstract: A variable valve actuating (VVA) mechanism includes a frame member and a rocker. The rocker includes a first end and a second end, with the first end being pivotally coupled to the frame. A link includes a first end and a second end. A first pin pivotally couples the first end of the link to the second end of the rocker. A second pin pivotally couples an output cam to the second end of the link. At least one of the first and second pins is an eccentric pin.

Abstract: An output cam for a variable valve mechanism includes a body configured for being pivotally associated with and driven by an input shaft. A lift profile of the output cam includes a base circle portion, a cam portion and a fixed radius portion. The base circle portion is adjacent to and continuous with the cam portion, and the cam portion is adjacent to and continuous with the fixed radius portion. The base circle portion has a base radius, the cam portion has a cam radius and the fixed radius portion has a fixed radius. The base and fixed radii are substantially constant. The fixed radius is a predetermined amount greater than the base radius. The cam radius increases from a value approximately equal to the base radius adjacent the base circle portion to a value approximately equal to the fixed radius adjacent the fixed radius portion.

Abstract: A torque bias coil spring for a camshaft phaser disposed on the outside of a cover plate for the rotor chamber and connected between the stator and rotor for angularly biasing the rotor. A rotor extension, such as a sleeve for a locking pin mechanism or a target wheel unit, extends from the rotor chamber through an opening in the cover plate for engaging a first spring tang. The second tang of the spring is engaged by a phaser binder bolt. The spring thus is able to follow the rotary motion of the rotor within the rotor chamber and to bias the rotor toward a predetermined rotational extreme.

Abstract: A central bolt for attaching a camshaft phaser to a camshaft of an internal combustion engine. The bolt also functions as oil supply means and is provided with a first longitudinal passage, for supplying engine oil under pressure from a front camshaft bearing to an oil control valve disposed in an outer cover of the phaser, and with second and third longitudinal passages for supplying phaser control oil from the oil control valve to advance and retard chambers within the phaser.

Abstract: A locking pin mechanism disposed in a bore in a cam phaser rotor vane for controllably engaging the camshaft sprocket to rotationally lock together the rotor and stator of a vane-type camshaft phaser. A lock pin sleeve in the bore extends from the vane through a slot in the cover plate. Disposed within the sleeve is a slidable lock pin having a locking head for engaging the sprocket and a tail portion extending through the outer end of the sleeve. The tail portion of the lock pin may be manually retracted by an operator while the phaser is being installed or removed from the engine, thus preventing damage from high torque exerted via the phaser attachment bolt in bolting the phaser to the engine.

Abstract: A rotary hydraulic seal assembly for sealing a rotationally eccentric annular gap between a rotating cam phaser element and a stationary cover. The assembly includes a tubular sleeve disposed between the phaser and the cover at the junctures of control oil passages in the phaser element and the cover. Passages through the sleeve allow oil flow across the sleeve at the junctures. Static seals disposed in grooves on the surface of the sleeve prevent leakage between adjacent junctures. Because the sleeve is constrained from rotating with the phaser element, the static seals are not subjected to frictional wear. The radial thickness of the sleeve is selected such that the rotational surface floats on a thin film of oil and the static seals are sealingly compressed against the stationary element.

Abstract: A variable valve actuation mechanism includes a control shaft and a rocker arm. A second end of the rocker arm is connected to the control shaft. The rocker arm carries a roller for engaging a cam lobe of an engine camshaft. A link arm is pivotally coupled at a first end thereof to the first end of the rocker arm. An output cam is pivotally coupled to the second end of the link arm, and engages a corresponding cam follower of the engine. A spring biases the roller into contact with the cam lobe and biases the output cam toward a starting angular orientation.

Abstract: A variable valve actuation (VVA) mechanism includes an output cam having a first output cam lobe and a second output cam lobe. A body portion adjoins and axially separates the first and second output cam lobes. The body portion includes an outer surface. A portion of the outer surface is configured for being pivotally engaged by a cam support bearing.

Abstract: In a vane-type camshaft phaser, one vane extends over a much larger internal angle than the other two vanes. Because of its size and strength, the large vane is the vane designated for contact with the stator. The other vanes and lobes have extra clearance to prevent contact regardless of rotor position. In one embodiment, a first surface of the large vane engages a surface of a first adjacent lobe at one extreme rotor rotation, and a second surface of the large vane engages a surface of a second adjacent lobe at the opposite extreme of rotation. The contact surfaces of the lobes and the vane may be equipped with hardened wear pads. One or more wear pads may be machined to provide a desired rotor displacement angle.

Abstract: A torque bias coil spring for a camshaft phaser disposed on the outside of a cover plate for the rotor chamber and connected between the stator and rotor for angularly biasing the rotor. A rotor extension, such as a sleeve for a locking pin mechanism or a target wheel unit, extends from the rotor chamber through an opening in the cover plate for engaging a first spring tang. The second tang of the spring is engaged by a phaser binder bolt. The spring thus is able to follow the rotary motion of the rotor within the rotor chamber and to bias the rotor toward a predetermined rotational extreme.

Abstract: A central bolt for attaching a camshaft phaser to a camshaft of an internal combustion engine. The bolt also functions as oil supply means and is provided with a first longitudinal passage, for supplying engine oil under pressure from a front camshaft bearing to an oil control valve disposed in an outer cover of the phaser, and with second and third longitudinal passages for supplying phaser control oil from the oil control valve to advance and retard chambers within the phaser.

Abstract: A locking pin mechanism disposed in a bore in a cam phaser rotor vane for controllably engaging the camshaft sprocket to rotationally lock together the rotor and stator of a vane-type camshaft phaser. A lock pin sleeve in the bore extends from the vane through a slot in the cover plate. Disposed within the sleeve is a slidable lock pin having a locking head for engaging the sprocket and a tail portion extending through the outer end of the sleeve. The tail portion of the lock pin may be manually retracted by an operator while the phaser is being installed or removed from the engine, thus preventing damage from high torque exerted via the phaser attachment bolt in bolting the phaser to the engine.

Abstract: A variable valve actuating mechanism includes an output cam pivotally disposed upon an input shaft of an engine. First and second frame members are disposed upon the input shaft on respective sides of the input cam lobe. A first link arm is pivotally coupled at a first end thereof to the first and second frame members. A rocker arm assembly is pivotally coupled at a first end thereof to a second end of the link arm. The rocker arm assembly carries a cam follower that engages an input cam lobe of the input shaft. A biasing means is grounded to the first and second frame members, and biases the cam follower into engagement with the input cam lobe.

Abstract: A cylindrical element having a first axis and at least one internal longitudinal passage, and a circular circumferential groove formed in an outer surface of the element and having a second axis. The groove eccentric of the element such that the groove intersects the wall of the longitudinal passage, forming thereby a rectangular opening therebetween. When a second longitudinal passage is present, it is similarly intersected by a second eccentric groove spaced apart axially from the first groove. The axis of the second groove is rotationally displaced about the element axis from the first groove, preferably by a large angle, for example 180°, such that the first eccentric groove does not intersect the second passage, nor does the second eccentric groove intersect the first passage.

Abstract: A variable valve actuation (VVA) mechanism includes a partial wrap output cam assembly and a partial wrap frame assembly. Each of the partial wrap cam assembly and the partial wrap frame assembly include a respective body and a respective shaft engaging means coupled to the body. The shaft-engaging means are configured for engaging an input shaft with a snap fit to thereby pivotally dispose the output cam assembly and the frame assembly upon the input shaft.