Patents by Inventor Tomoya Tsukada

Tomoya Tsukada 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: 9004029
    Abstract: A variable valve actuating apparatus includes: a first rotary member which includes a rotor fixed to one of the inner cam shaft and the outer cam shaft, and a receiving chamber formed within the first rotary member, and which is arranged to be rotated in an advance angle direction or in a retard angle direction relative to the drive rotary member by a hydraulic pressure selectively supplied to or drained from the advance angle operation chamber and the retard angle operation chamber; and a second rotary member fixed to the other of the inner cam shaft and the outer cam shaft, rotatably received within the receiving chamber of the first rotary member, and arranged to be rotated relative to the first rotary member and the drive rotary member within a predetermined angle range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Watanabe, Osamu Fujita, Tomoya Tsukada
  • Publication number: 20130284132
    Abstract: A variable valve actuating apparatus includes: a first rotary member which includes a rotor fixed to one of the inner cam shaft and the outer cam shaft, and a receiving chamber formed within the first rotary member, and which is arranged to be rotated in an advance angle direction or in a retard angle direction relative to the drive rotary member by a hydraulic pressure selectively supplied to or drained from the advance angle operation chamber and the retard angle operation chamber; and a second rotary member fixed to the other of the inner cam shaft and the outer cam shaft, rotatably received within the receiving chamber of the first rotary member, and arranged to be rotated relative to the first rotary member and the drive rotary member within a predetermined angle range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Atsushi WATANABE, Osamu Fujita, Tomoya Tsukada
  • Patent number: 7827949
    Abstract: A variable valve timing control apparatus employs a five-blade vane member fixedly connected to a camshaft end and rotatably disposed in a phase-converter housing formed integral with a sprocket driven by an engine crankshaft. Five phase-retard chambers and five phase-advance chambers are defined by five blades of the vane member and the housing, for creating a phase change of the vane member relative to the housing. A circumferential width of each of a first pair of blades, located on both sides of a first blade having a maximum circumferential width, is dimensioned to be less than a circumferential width of each of a second pair of blades, circumferentially spaced apart from the first blade rather than the first pair. The circumferential width of each of the second pair of blades is dimensioned to be less than the maximum circumferential width of the first blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiji Suga, Tomoya Tsukada
  • Patent number: 7793625
    Abstract: A variable valve actuating apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes an intake valve operating angle varying mechanism, and an intake valve timing varying mechanism. The intake valve timing varying mechanism includes a housing rotating in synchronization with a crankshaft, and a vane member coupled to a drive shaft for intake valve operation, and movably mounted in the housing. The vane member includes a vane defining first and second fluid pressure chambers on first and second opposite sides of the vane. A hydraulic circuit is arranged to rotate the vane member relative to the housing by supply and return of a brake fluid to and from the first and second fluid pressure chambers so as to change the intake valve maximum lift phase. Coil springs are arranged to bias the vane member relative to the housing in a direction to retard the intake valve maximum lift phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Nakamura, Yoshinori Ichinosawa, Tomoya Tsukada, Seinosuke Hara, Tomoyuki Murakami
  • Patent number: 7581519
    Abstract: A plurality of advanced angle chamber oil paths communicated to advanced angle hydraulic chambers and a plurality of retarded angle chamber oil paths communicated to retarded angle hydraulic chambers according to a change in rotating angle of a cam shaft are provided. The plurality of advanced angle chamber oil paths and the plurality of retarded angle chamber oil paths, respectively, are switched between communication and cut-off according to a rotating angle of the cam shaft. When torque in the direction of advanced angle acts in an advanced angle mode for phase shifting in the direction of advanced angle, the advanced angle hydraulic chambers are caused to communicate to a hydraulic power source and the retarded angle hydraulic chambers are caused to communicate to a drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Isao Hayase, Seiji Suga, Yoshinori Ichinosawa, Tomoya Tsukada
  • Publication number: 20090007862
    Abstract: A variable valve actuating apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes an intake valve operating angle varying mechanism, and an intake valve timing varying mechanism. The intake valve timing varying mechanism includes a housing rotating in synchronization with a crankshaft, and a vane member coupled to a drive shaft for intake valve operation, and movably mounted in the housing. The vane member includes a vane defining first and second fluid pressure chambers on first and second opposite sides of the vane. A hydraulic circuit is arranged to rotate the vane member relative to the housing by supply and return of a brake fluid to and from the first and second fluid pressure chambers so as to change the intake valve maximum lift phase. Coil springs are arranged to bias the vane member relative to the housing in a direction to retard the intake valve maximum lift phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Inventors: Makoto NAKAMURA, Yoshinori Ichinosawa, Tomoya Tsukada, Seinosuke Hara, Tomoyuki Murakami
  • Patent number: 7444971
    Abstract: A valve timing control apparatus is adapted to an exhaust valve side of an internal combustion engine. A vane member is arranged to rotate with a camshaft relative to a timing sprocket member. The vane member is rotated at low speed engine operation dominantly by a camshaft-torque actuation mechanism and at high speed engine operation dominantly by a hydraulic actuation mechanism. The camshaft-torque actuation mechanism is actuated by an alternating torque of the camshaft, whereas the hydraulic actuation mechanism is actuated by a fluid pump. The camshaft-torque actuation mechanism and hydraulic actuation mechanism are controlled independently of each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Inventors: Seiji Suga, Tomoya Tsukada
  • Publication number: 20080264367
    Abstract: A variable valve timing control apparatus employs a five-blade vane member fixedly connected to a camshaft end and rotatably disposed in a phase-converter housing formed integral with a sprocket driven by an engine crankshaft. Five phase-retard chambers and five phase-advance chambers are defined by five blades of the vane member and the housing, for creating a phase change of the vane member relative to the housing. A circumferential width of each of a first pair of blades, located on both sides of a first blade having a maximum circumferential width, is dimensioned to be less than a circumferential width of each of a second pair of blades, circumferentially spaced apart from the first blade rather than the first pair. The circumferential width of each of the second pair of blades is dimensioned to be less than the maximum circumferential width of the first blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventors: Seiji Suga, Tomoya Tsukada
  • Patent number: 7444254
    Abstract: A valve timing control apparatus is adapted to an exhaust valve side of an internal combustion engine. A vane member is arranged to rotate with a camshaft relative to a timing sprocket member. The vane member is rotated at low speed engine operation dominantly by a camshaft-torque actuation mechanism and at high speed engine operation dominantly by a hydraulic actuation mechanism. The camshaft-torque actuation mechanism is actuated by an alternating torque of the camshaft, whereas the hydraulic actuation mechanism is actuated by a fluid pump. The vane member includes a first vane arranged to operate in the camshaft-torque actuation mechanism and a second vane arranged to operate in the hydraulic actuation mechanism. The first vane has a shorter radial length and a smaller pressure-receiving area than the second vane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoya Tsukada, Seiji Suga, Hideaki Nakamura
  • Patent number: 7406935
    Abstract: A variable valve timing control apparatus employs a five-blade vane member fixedly connected to a camshaft end and rotatably disposed in a phase-converter housing formed integral with a sprocket driven by an engine crankshaft. Five phase-retard chambers and five phase-advance chambers are defined by five blades of the vane member and the housing, for creating a phase change of the vane member relative to the housing. A circumferential width of each of a first pair of blades, located on both sides of a first blade having a maximum circumferential width, is dimensioned to be less than a circumferential width of each of a second pair of blades, circumferentially spaced apart from the first blade rather than the first pair. The circumferential width of each of the second pair of blades is dimensioned to be less than the maximum circumferential width of the first blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiji Suga, Tomoya Tsukada
  • Publication number: 20080047516
    Abstract: A plurality of advanced angle chamber oil paths communicated to advanced angle hydraulic chambers and a plurality of retarded angle chamber oil paths communicated to retarded angle hydraulic chambers according to a change in rotating angle of a cam shaft are provided. The plurality of advanced angle chamber oil paths and the plurality of retarded angle chamber oil paths, respectively, are switched between communication and cut-off according to a rotating angle of the cam shaft. When torque in the direction of advanced angle acts in an advanced angle mode for phase shifting in the direction of advanced angle, the advanced angle hydraulic chambers are caused to communicate to a hydraulic power source and the retarded angle hydraulic chambers are caused to communicate to a drain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Isao HAYASE, Seiji Suga, Yoshinori Ichinosawa, Tomoya Tsukada
  • Publication number: 20080022952
    Abstract: In valve control apparatus for an internal combustion engine and its assembling method, a positioning section is interposed between a predetermined position of a housing member at which a shoe is positioned so as to be opposed against a side surface of a vane in which a lock piston is arranged and one of a front cover and a rear plate on which a lock hole is formed, to perform a housing circumferential directional positioning of the lock piston and the lock hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventors: Seiji Suga, Tomoya Tsukada
  • Publication number: 20070261649
    Abstract: A variable valve timing control apparatus employs a five-blade vane member fixedly connected to a camshaft end and rotatably disposed in a phase-converter housing formed integral with a sprocket driven by an engine crankshaft. Five phase-retard chambers and five phase-advance chambers are defined by five blades of the vane member and the housing, for creating a phase change of the vane member relative to the housing. A circumferential width of each of a first pair of blades, located on both sides of a first blade having a maximum circumferential width, is dimensioned to be less than a circumferential width of each of a second pair of blades, circumferentially spaced apart from the first blade rather than the first pair. The circumferential width of each of the second pair of blades is dimensioned to be less than the maximum circumferential width of the first blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2007
    Publication date: November 15, 2007
    Inventors: Seiji Suga, Tomoya Tsukada
  • Publication number: 20070251475
    Abstract: A valve timing control apparatus is adapted to an exhaust valve side of an internal combustion engine. A vane member is arranged to rotate with a camshaft relative to a timing sprocket member. The vane member is rotated at low speed engine operation dominantly by a camshaft-torque actuation mechanism and at high speed engine operation dominantly by a hydraulic actuation mechanism. The camshaft-torque actuation mechanism is actuated by an alternating torque of the camshaft, whereas the hydraulic actuation mechanism is actuated by a fluid pump. The camshaft-torque actuation mechanism and hydraulic actuation mechanism are controlled independently of each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2007
    Publication date: November 1, 2007
    Applicant: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Seiji Suga, Tomoya Tsukada
  • Patent number: 7287498
    Abstract: In valve control apparatus for an internal combustion engine and its assembling method, a positioning section is interposed between a predetermined position of a housing member at which a shoe is positioned so as to be opposed against a side surface of a vane in which a lock piston is arranged and one of a front cover and a rear plate on which a lock hole is formed, to perform a housing circumferential directional positioning of the lock piston and the lock hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiji Suga, Tomoya Tsukada
  • Patent number: 7246581
    Abstract: A variable valve timing control apparatus employs a five-blade vane member fixedly connected to a camshaft end and rotatably disposed in a phase-converter housing formed integral with a sprocket driven by an engine crankshaft. Five phase-retard chambers and five phase-advance chambers are defined by five blades of the vane member and the housing, for creating a phase change of the vane member relative to the housing. A circumferential width of each of a first pair of blades, located on both sides of a first blade having a maximum circumferential width, is dimensioned to be less than a circumferential width of each of a second pair of blades, circumferentially spaced apart from the first blade rather than the first pair. The circumferential width of each of the second pair of blades is dimensioned to be less than the maximum circumferential width of the first blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiji Suga, Tomoya Tsukada
  • Patent number: 7225774
    Abstract: A valve timing control apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes a housing having a housing body and shoes protruding from an inner circumferential surface of the housing body to define actuation spaces therebetween, a vane rotor disposed in the housing and having a rotor body and vanes protruding from an outer circumferential surface of the rotor body to divide the actuation spaces into circumferentially alternating first and second hydraulic chambers, a plurality of spring units arranged in at least either the first hydraulic chambers or the second hydraulic chambers to bias the vane rotor in a rotational direction with respect to the housing, and a rotation restriction mechanism capable of restricting a relative rotation of the housing and the vane rotor to prevent the shoes and the vanes from contact with each other within the hydraulic chambers in which the spring units are arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kotaro Watanabe, Hidekazu Yoshida, Tomoya Tsukada, Jiro Miyasaka, legal representative, Ayako Miyasaka, legal representative, Hideyuki Miyasaka, deceased
  • Publication number: 20070101962
    Abstract: A valve timing control apparatus is adapted to an exhaust valve side of an internal combustion engine. A vane member is arranged to rotate with a camshaft relative to a timing sprocket member. The vane member is rotated at low speed engine operation dominantly by a camshaft-torque actuation mechanism and at high speed engine operation dominantly by a hydraulic actuation mechanism. The camshaft-torque actuation mechanism is actuated by an alternating torque of the camshaft, whereas the hydraulic actuation mechanism is actuated by a fluid pump. The vane member includes a first vane arranged to operate in the camshaft-torque actuation mechanism and a second vane arranged to operate in the hydraulic actuation mechanism. The first vane has a shorter radial length and a smaller pressure-receiving area than the second vane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2006
    Publication date: May 10, 2007
    Inventors: Tomoya Tsukada, Seiji Suga, Hideaki Nakamura
  • Patent number: 7198012
    Abstract: A valve timing control apparatus includes first and second valve timing control operating sections. The first operating section is arranged to alter a rotational phase of a first output member with respect to a first input member driven by an internal combustion engine. The second operating section is arranged to alter a rotational phase of an intake or exhaust camshaft of the engine with respect to the first output member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiji Suga, Tomoya Tsukada, Hidekazu Yoshida
  • Patent number: 7159549
    Abstract: A camshaft is formed at a generally middle portion with an enlarged cylindrical portion. An annular vane member is mounted on the enlarged cylindrical portion and secured thereto by means of a nut. An annular housing or sprocket is arranged to receive therein the annular vane member in a manner to permit a rotation of the vane member relative to the annular housing. Each of a circular opening of the vane member and a circular opening of the annular housing is so sized as to permit cam lobes of the camshaft to pass therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoya Tsukada, Kotaro Watanabe