Patents by Inventor Zdenek S. Meistrick

Zdenek S. Meistrick 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: 8851048
    Abstract: A system for actuating an engine valve is disclosed. The system may include a rocker arm shaft (110) having a control fluid supply passage (112) and an exhaust rocker arm (500) pivotally mounted on the rocker arm shaft (110). A cam (210) for imparting main exhaust valve actuation to the exhaust rocker arm (500) may contact a cam roller associated with the exhaust rocker arm. A valve bridge (300) may be disposed between the exhaust rocker arm (500) and first and second engine valves (400, 450). A sliding pin (310) may be provided in the valve bridge (300), said sliding pin contacting the first engine valve (400). An engine braking rocker arm (100) may be pivotally mounted on the rocker arm shaft (110) adjacent to the exhaust rocker arm (500). The engine braking rocker arm may have a central opening, a hydraulic passage (102) connecting the central opening with a control valve (130), and a fluid passage (105) connecting the control valve with an actuator piston assembly (140).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Jacobs Vehicle Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Zdenek S. Meistrick
  • Patent number: 8726863
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Jacobs Vehicle Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Zdenek S. Meistrick, Robert S. Perkins, Neil E. Fuchs, Yan Dong, Steve Kacmarcik
  • Publication number: 20140109848
    Abstract: Systems and methods for actuating engine valves are disclosed. The systems may include primary and auxiliary rocker arms disposed adjacent to each other on a rocker arm shaft. The primary rocker arm may actuate engine valves for primary valve actuation motions, such as main exhaust events, in response to an input from a first valve train element, such as a cam. The auxiliary rocker arm may receive one or more auxiliary valve actuation motions, such as for engine braking, exhaust gas recirculation, and/or brake gas recirculation events, from a second valve train element to actuate one of the engine valves. Master and slave pistons may be provided in the primary rocker arm. The master piston may be actuated by the auxiliary rocker arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Inventors: Robb Janak, Brian Ruggiero, Zdenek S. Meistrick
  • Patent number: 8627791
    Abstract: Systems and methods for actuating engine valves are disclosed. The systems may include primary and auxiliary rocker arms disposed adjacent to each other on a rocker arm shaft. The primary rocker arm may actuate engine valves for primary valve actuation motions, such as main exhaust events, in response to an input from a first valve train element, such as a cam. The auxiliary rocker arm may receive one or more auxiliary valve actuation motions, such as for engine braking, exhaust gas recirculation, and/or brake gas recirculation events, from a second valve train element to actuate one of the engine valves. Master and slave pistons may be provided in the primary rocker arm. The master piston may be actuated by the auxiliary rocker arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Jacobs Vehicle Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robb Janak, Brian Ruggiero, Zdenek S. Meistrick
  • Patent number: 8528508
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Jacobs Vehicle Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Zdenek S. Meistrick, Robert S. Perkins, Neil E. Fuchs
  • Publication number: 20120298057
    Abstract: Systems and methods for actuating engine valves are disclosed. The systems may include primary and auxiliary rocker arms disposed adjacent to each other on a rocker arm shaft. The primary rocker arm may actuate engine valves for primary valve actuation motions, such as main exhaust events, in response to an input from a first valve train element, such as a cam. The auxiliary rocker arm may receive one or more auxiliary valve actuation motions, such as for engine braking, exhaust gas recirculation, and/or brake gas recirculation events, from a second valve train element to actuate one of the engine valves. Master and slave pistons may be provided in the primary rocker arm. The master piston may be actuated by the auxiliary rocker arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: Jacobs Vehicle Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robb Janak, Brian Ruggiero, Zdenek S. Meistrick
  • Publication number: 20120272644
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: Jacobs Vehicle Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Zdenek S. Meistrick, Neil E. Fuchs, Yan Dong
  • Patent number: 8151763
    Abstract: A lost motion valve actuation system includes an engine brake housing and one or more hydraulic fluid supply passages extending through the housing. Master and slave pistons are slidably disposed corresponding bores in the housing. The master and slave pistons are used to provide selective actuation to one or more engine valves. An engine brake rocker arm disposed adjacent to the housing includes a master piston contact surface and a bias mechanism contact surface. A bias mechanism is disposed in the housing and includes a bias piston which extends from the housing. The bias piston biases the rocker arm out of contact with an engine cam during select engine operation modes, such as during a positive power mode of operation. The bias piston may be mechanically or hydraulically repositioned to permit the rocker arm to contact the engine cam during a second mode of engine operation, such as an engine braking mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Jacobs Vehicle Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Zdenek S. Meistrick, Joseph A. Bonfatto
  • Publication number: 20120048232
    Abstract: A system for actuating an engine valve is disclosed. The system may include a rocker arm shaft (110) having a control fluid supply passage (112) and an exhaust rocker arm (500) pivotally mounted on the rocker arm shaft (110). A cam (210) for imparting main exhaust valve actuation to the exhaust rocker arm (500) may contact a cam roller associated with the exhaust rocker arm. A valve bridge (300) may be disposed between the exhaust rocker arm (500) and first and second engine valves (400, 450). A sliding pin (310) may be provided in the valve bridge (300), said sliding pin contacting the first engine valve (400). An engine braking rocker arm (100) may be pivotally mounted on the rocker arm shaft (110) adjacent to the exhaust rocker arm (500). The engine braking rocker arm may have a central opening, a hydraulic passage (102) connecting the central opening with a control valve (130), and a fluid passage (105) connecting the control valve with an actuator piston assembly (140).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: Jacobs Vehicle Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Zdenek S. Meistrick
  • Publication number: 20110297123
    Abstract: A lost motion valve actuation system includes an engine brake housing and one or more hydraulic fluid supply passages extending through the housing. Master and slave pistons are slidably disposed corresponding bores in the housing. The master and slave pistons are used to provide selective actuation to one or more engine valves. An engine brake rocker arm disposed adjacent to the housing includes a master piston contact surface and a bias mechanism contact surface. A bias mechanism is disposed in the housing and includes a bias piston which extends from the housing. The bias piston biases the rocker arm out of contact with an engine cam during select engine operation modes, such as during a positive power mode of operation. The bias piston may be mechanically or hydraulically repositioned to permit the rocker arm to contact the engine cam during a second mode of engine operation, such as an engine braking mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: Jacobs Vehicle Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Zdenek S. Meistrick, Joseph A. Bonfatto
  • Publication number: 20110290206
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: Jacobs Vehicle Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Zdenek S. Meistrick, Robert S. Perkins, Neil E. Fuchs, Yan Dong, Steve R. Kacmarcik
  • Patent number: 7971569
    Abstract: A lost motion valve actuation system includes an engine brake housing and one or more hydraulic fluid supply passages extending through the housing. Master and slave pistons are slidably disposed corresponding bores in the housing. The master and slave pistons are used to provide selective actuation to one or more engine valves. An engine brake rocker arm disposed adjacent to the housing includes a master piston contact surface and a bias mechanism contact surface. A bias mechanism is disposed in the housing and includes a bias piston which extends from the housing. The bias piston biases the rocker arm out of contact with an engine cam during select engine operation modes, such as during a positive power mode of operation. The bias piston may be mechanically or hydraulically repositioned to permit the rocker arm to contact the engine cam during a second mode of engine operation, such as an engine braking mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Jacobs Vehicle Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Zdenek S. Meistrick, Joseph A. Bonfatto
  • Patent number: 7823553
    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 master piston bore with a slave piston bore. The lost motion housing may include a means for securing the lost motion housing in a fixed position relative to the rocker shaft. A master piston may be disposed in the master piston bore and a slave piston may be disposed in the slave piston bore. A rocker arm may be disposed on the rocker shaft between the spaced collars and may have a first portion adapted to contact a cam and a second portion adapted to contact the master piston. In a preferred embodiment, the system may be used to provide compression release engine braking or bleeder engine braking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Jacobs Vehicle Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Zdenek S. Meistrick
  • Publication number: 20100251983
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2010
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: Jacobs Vehicle Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: ZDENEK S. MEISTRICK, Robert S. Perkins, Neil E. Fuchs
  • Patent number: 7735466
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Jacobs Vehicle Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jacob M. Moore, Zdenek S. Meistrick, Neil E. Fuchs, Steven Botellio, Zhi Qiang Chu
  • Publication number: 20100108026
    Abstract: A lost motion valve actuation system includes an engine brake housing and one or more hydraulic fluid supply passages extending through the housing. Master and slave pistons are slidably disposed corresponding bores in the housing. The master and slave pistons are used to provide selective actuation to one or more engine valves. An engine brake rocker arm disposed adjacent to the housing includes a master piston contact surface and a bias mechanism contact surface. A bias mechanism is disposed in the housing and includes a bias piston which extends from the housing. The bias piston biases the rocker arm out of contact with an engine cam during select engine operation modes, such as during a positive power mode of operation. The bias piston may be mechanically or hydraulically repositioned to permit the rocker arm to contact the engine cam during a second mode of engine operation, such as an engine braking mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventors: Zdenek S. Meistrick, Joseph A. Bonfatto
  • Publication number: 20100108007
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: JACOBS VEHICLE SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Zdenek S. Meistrick, ROBERT S. PERKINS
  • Publication number: 20080223325
    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 master piston bore with a slave piston bore. The lost motion housing may include a means for securing the lost motion housing in a fixed position relative to the rocker shaft. A master piston may be disposed in the master piston bore and a slave piston may be disposed in the slave piston bore. A rocker arm may be disposed on the rocker shaft between the spaced collars and may have a first portion adapted to contact a cam and a second portion adapted to contact the master piston. In a preferred embodiment, the system may be used to provide compression release engine braking or bleeder engine braking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Inventor: Zdenek S. Meistrick
  • Patent number: 7392772
    Abstract: Systems and methods for actuating engine valves are disclosed. The systems may include primary and auxiliary rocker arms disposed adjacent to each other on a rocker arm shaft. The primary rocker arm may actuate an engine valve for primary valve actuation motions, such as main exhaust events, in response to an input from a first valve train element, such as a cam. The auxiliary rocker arm may receive one or more auxiliary valve actuation motions, such as for engine braking, exhaust gas recirculation, and/or brake gas recirculation events, from a second valve train element. A hydraulic actuator piston may be disposed between the auxiliary rocker arm and the primary rocker arm. The actuator piston may be selectively locked into an extended position between the primary and auxiliary rocker arms so as to selectively transfer the one or more auxiliary valve actuation motions from the auxiliary rocker arm to the primary rocker arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Jacobs Vehicle Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robb Janak, Zdenek S. Meistrick
  • Patent number: 5146754
    Abstract: A diverter for a divided volute turbocharger has a rotatable diverter member in one volute passageway of the turbocharger. The diverter member is rotatable between a first position in which the flow of gas through the associated volute passageway is unimpeded by the diverter member, and a second position in which the diverter member blocks the associated volute passageway and causes the gas from that passageway to flow through an interconnection passageway into the other volute passageway. If desired, the diverter member may block the interconnection passageway while the diverter member is in the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1992
    Assignee: Jacobs Brake Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Adish Jain, Zdenek S. Meistrick, Vincent J. Pitzi