Poppet Valve Operating Mechanism Patents (Class 123/90.1)
  • Patent number: 11668231
    Abstract: A split-cycle engine includes: a compression chamber, housing a first piston, that induces and compresses working fluid; an expansion chamber, housing a second piston, that expands and exhausts the working fluid; and a transfer chamber, housing a third piston and a fourth piston, wherein the third piston and the fourth piston move relatively to vary a volume within the transfer chamber and to selectively fluidly couple the volume within the transfer chamber to the compression chamber and the expansion chamber. A method of operating an engine includes: inducing working fluid in a first chamber; compressing the working fluid in the first chamber; moving a first moveable boundary of a second chamber; moving a second moveable boundary of the second chamber; expanding the working fluid in the third chamber; and exhausting the working fluid from the third chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Tour Engine, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael H. Wahl, Amit Helfand, Gilad Tour, Yehoram Hofman, Hugo Benjamin Tour, Oded Tour
  • Patent number: 11174762
    Abstract: A variable camshaft timing (VCT) control valve assembly includes: a control valve having one or more lands and a valve cavity; one or more cavity vents in the control valve are configured to communicate fluid between an outer surface of the control valve and the valve cavity; a valve sleeve having a sleeve cavity that receives the control valve and a plurality of apertures, at least one of the apertures is configured to be in fluid communication with an advance fluid chamber of a VCT device and another of the apertures is configured to be in fluid communication with a retard fluid chamber; the control valve slides axially relative to the valve sleeve; and one or more reed valves, attached to an outer surface of the valve sleeve, configured to control the flow of fluid between one of the advance fluid chamber or the retard fluid chamber and the other of the advance fluid chamber or the retard fluid chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: BORGWARNER, INC.
    Inventors: Brian T. Kenyon, Matthew Minnig
  • Patent number: 10815922
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for diagnosing a cylinder valve deactivation mechanism in an engine system having cam-actuated valves. Movement of a latch pin of the deactivation mechanism is inferred from an induction current generated by a solenoid coupled to the latch pin, and the inferred movement is used to diagnose operation of cylinder valve deactivation mechanism. The inferred movement and a profile of the induction current is also used to estimate camshaft and crankshaft timing for improved cylinder fuel delivery in the absence of a camshaft sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Shelby, Joseph Ulrey
  • Patent number: 10605125
    Abstract: A rocker arm assembly includes an outer arm having first and second low lift lobe contacting surfaces, an inner arm, and a latch assembly. The inner arm includes first and second opposed sidewalls extending between a first end and a second end, and a high lift lobe contacting surface disposed between the first and second opposed sidewalls. The first end is pivotably secured to the outer arm and operably associated with an engine valve, and the second end is operably associated with a lash adjuster and defining a latch bore. The latch assembly is movable between a first configuration and a second configuration. In the first configuration, the latch assembly engages the outer arm such that the outer arm rotates with the inner arm, and in the second configuration, the latch assembly disengages the outer arm such that the outer arm rotates independently from the inner arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: James E. McCarthy, Matthew Vance
  • Patent number: 10487763
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for diagnosing a cylinder valve deactivation mechanism in an engine system having cam-actuated valves. Movement of a latch pin of the deactivation mechanism is inferred from an induction current generated by a solenoid coupled to the latch pin, and the inferred movement is used to diagnose operation of cylinder valve deactivation mechanism. The inferred movement and a profile of the induction current is also used to estimate camshaft and crankshaft timing for improved cylinder fuel delivery in the absence of a camshaft sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Shelby, Joseph Ulrey
  • Patent number: 10337361
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for an engine with a cam torque actuated variable cam timing phaser. Phaser positioning control is improved by reducing inaccuracies resulting from inadvertent spool valve and/or phaser movement when the spool valve is commanded between regions. In addition, improved spool valve mapping is used to render phaser commands more consistent and robust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Eric Rollinger, Paul A. Pietrzyk, Edward Badillo
  • Patent number: 10024206
    Abstract: A sliding camshaft is provided which may include a base shaft, an over-molded trigger wheel, and a distal axially movable structure. The distal axially movable structure may further include a distal journal in addition to at least one standard journal and lobe packs. A control groove is defined in the distal axially movable structure. The over-molded trigger wheel is mounted on the distal axially movable structure. The over-molded trigger wheel is operatively configured to move between at least a first position and a second position together with the distal axially movable structure via engagement between the control groove and an actuator. The over-molded trigger wheel may be press fitted on distal axially movable structure and is adapted to accurately communicate with a sensor regardless of the position of the distal axially movable structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Brad B Boyle, Glenn E Clever
  • Patent number: 9874175
    Abstract: An external-heat engine device working on a Rankine cycle, and preferably an organic Rankine cycle. The external-heat engine, which is designed to give operational advantages, includes a cylinder block, a top cover and a bottom tray with sealing surfaces arranged to be joined together and to rest against complementarily fitting covers, each sealing surface resting sealingly against only one opposite sealing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: Viking Heat Engines AS
    Inventors: Harald Nes Rislå, Christian Schlüter, Moritz Becker, Andreas Mück
  • Publication number: 20150144081
    Abstract: A system and method comprising four valves per cylinder of a multi-cylinder engine is provided to control cylinder intake and exhaust valves independently from other cylinders in response to engine operating conditions. The engine valve deactivation system for the engine may comprise two or more cylinders wherein each cylinder has two exhaust valves and two inlet valves. The system and method may allow for cylinder deactivation and/or high swirl to both be delivered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Neil Haynes, Phil John Whiston
  • Publication number: 20150144113
    Abstract: A method for operating an internal combustion engine is described, the internal combustion engine including a cylinder having an inlet valve for supplying fresh air from an intake manifold in a controlled manner, an air filling being set in a certain operating mode by predefining a closing point in time of the inlet valve in an intake stroke at a constant intake manifold pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Sven MERKLE, Michael DRUNG, Matthias PFAU, Rainer MAIER, Martin KROENER, Matthias SIMONS, Andreas BETHMANN
  • Publication number: 20150128887
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method can include receiving a contact point path between a rocker arm pad and a valve tip. The method can include adjusting the contact point path to obtain a modified contact point path that satisfies a design objective of decreased valve tip wear or decreased valve tick. The method can include determining and outputting a custom contour for the rocker arm pad and the camshaft lobe based on the modified contact point path. The custom contoured camshaft lobe can companion with the custom contoured rocker arm pad to produce the modified contact point path for the specified design objective.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Bruce Geist, Scott K. Fisher, William F. Resh, Mark S. Hannon, Christopher L. Allmond
  • Publication number: 20150122207
    Abstract: Methods are provided for improved control of valve activation/deactivation mechanisms. One example method comprises, adjusting an electromechanical actuator to actuate cylinder valve deactivation/activation mechanisms. The actuator is operated at multiple levels based on engine operating conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Jeffrey Allen Doering, John Eric Rollinger, Danny Zdravkovski, Karen Willard
  • Publication number: 20150122206
    Abstract: An intake control valve has a body, a valve, and a shaft. The valve has a connecting portion, a first boss located at an end of the connecting portion in the rotation axial direction; and a second boss located at an other end of the connecting portion in the rotation axial direction. The body has first and second bearing portions supporting the first and second protruding portions, respectively, first and second projection portions projecting inward from inner surfaces of the first and second bearings, respectively, to slidably support the first and second bosses, respectively, and first and second insertion openings defined between one circumferential end and an other circumferential end of the first and second projection portions, respectively. The first and second projection portions partially cover the first and second bosses, respectively, in a circumferential direction of the first boss and the second boss.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventor: Hiroaki HATTORI
  • Publication number: 20150114375
    Abstract: A method for controlling a variable valve lift apparatus includes: measuring an operation mode switching condition; determining whether the variable valve lift apparatus is in a normal operation condition; controlling the operation of the variable valve lift apparatus depending on a predetermined normal valve lift switching map; determining whether the variable valve lift apparatus is in a mode switching delay or switching disable condition from a high lift mode to a low lift mode or whether the variable valve lift apparatus is in the mode switching delay or switching disable condition from the low lift mode to the high lift mode; controlling the operation of the variable valve lift apparatus depending on a predetermined low oil temperature valve lift switching map; and controlling the operation of the variable valve lift apparatus depending on a predetermined high oil temperature valve lift switching map.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Jang Su LEE, Jun YU, Keun Sang KIM, Hyeungwoo LEE
  • Publication number: 20150096514
    Abstract: Various types of valve systems are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a positive control reciprocating sleeve valve system for use with an internal combustion engine includes opening and closing rockers controlled by corresponding opening and closing cam lobes. In one aspect of this embodiment, interference can be designed into the valve control system to provide additional “hold-closed” force to hold the valve against its seat during a portion of the engine cycle. In another aspect of this embodiment, positive control valve systems can include compliant components and systems, hydraulic systems, pneumatic systems, and/or mechanical spring systems to control valve lash, facilitate sealing, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventors: James M. Cleeves, Michael Hawkes, William H. Anderson
  • Publication number: 20150090207
    Abstract: A camshaft phaser for controllably varying the phase relationship between a crankshaft and a camshaft in an internal combustion engine includes stator having a plurality of lobes. A rotor is coaxially disposed within the stator and has a plurality of vanes interspersed with the lobes defining alternating advance chambers and retard chambers. A lock pin is disposed within the rotor for selective engagement with a lock pin seat for preventing a change in phase relationship between the rotor and the stator. A lock pin oil control valve is located within the camshaft phaser for 1) selectively receiving the pressurized oil from one of the advance chambers and directing the pressurized oil to the lock pin and 2) selectively receiving the pressurized oil from one of the retard chambers and directing the pressurized oil to the lock pin for disengaging the lock pin from the lock pin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventor: THOMAS H. LICHTI
  • Patent number: 8972156
    Abstract: An engine includes an intake variable valve mechanism and an exhaust variable valve mechanism. An ECU causes all intake valves in all cylinders to stop in a closed state by means of intake variable valve mechanism when performing a fuel-cut operation, including when the engine is stopped. The ECU causes at least one exhaust valve in all cylinders to stop in an open state by means of exhaust variable valve mechanism. When executing a fuel-cut operation, needless compression can be avoided by stopping the exhaust valves in an open state, while protecting a catalyst from deterioration caused by contact with intake air by stopping the intake valves in a closed state. The amount of oil consumption of the engine, and electric power consumption, vibrations and a tendency for spontaneous ignition to occur at cranking time can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Nishikiori, Norihisa Nakagawa
  • Publication number: 20150047586
    Abstract: A valve train assembly for an engine comprising cylinders, each comprising a gas inlet and a gas outlet valve. A camshaft comprises a peripheral contour. A valve stoke adjusting device comprises a control shaft comprising control contours. An intermediate lever arrangement comprises an intermediate lever comprising a working curve which cooperates with a swivel lever, and an engagement element connected to a control contour. Each intermediate lever is connected to the peripheral contour. A transmission arrangement provides that an intermediate lever arrangement and a swivel lever arrangement is associated with each gas inlet valve. A control contour for an idle range is similar to a control contour for a full-load range. A control contour for a part-load range of a gas inlet valve of a shut-off cylinder comprises a section different to a control contour for a part-load range of the gas inlet valve of a remaining cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventors: Martin Nowak, Karsten Grimm, Michael Breuer, Stefan Moormann, Stefan Rothgang
  • Publication number: 20150047584
    Abstract: A method for controlling valve actuation in an engine is provided. The method includes initiating combustion operation in a first cylinder, opening, via a first cam, a first exhaust valve coupled to the first cylinder for a first opening duration. The method further includes opening, via a second cam, a second exhaust valve coupled to the first cylinder for a second opening duration not equivalent to the first opening duration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventors: Helmut Hans Ruhland, Jens Dunstheimer, Albert Breuer, Shuya Shark Yamada
  • Patent number: 8925517
    Abstract: A gas-powered tool motor includes a combustion chamber with an intake valve at one end, an exhaust valve at another end, and a control plate or control valve between two portions of the combustion chamber. A piston or other positive displacement device is in communication with the combustion chamber. The intake and exhaust valves have closure members that are movable along a common axis in tandem between collective open positions for recharging the combustion chamber with the fuel and air mixture and collective closed positions for detonating the fuel and air mixture in the combustion chamber and displacing the positive displacement device. The control plate or control valve supports limited air flows from a first portion of the combustion chamber to a second portion of the combustion chamber even in the closed position of the control valve for supporting two-stage combustion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Inventor: Joseph S. Adams
  • Publication number: 20140366836
    Abstract: Systems and methods for actuating lobe switching in a camshaft system in an engine are disclosed. In one example approach, a method comprises deploying a first pin into a groove of a camshaft outer sleeve while a second pin remains in place due to an absence of a groove in which to deploy, and maintaining the second pin in place with a ball locking mechanism even after the second pin is exposed to a vacated groove in the camshaft outer sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Gregory Patrick McConville, Kim Hwe Ku
  • Patent number: 8910599
    Abstract: A multi-cylinder internal combustion engine is provided with a system for the variable actuation of the intake valves, and such system is used to vary the amount of air taken in by each cylinder so as to reduce to the minimum or entirely eliminate the differences in the torque produced by the various cylinders and hence limit the irregularities in the rotation speed of the engine shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: C.R.F. Societa Consortile per Azioni
    Inventor: Fabio Borean
  • Publication number: 20140360447
    Abstract: A gas exchange valve of an internal combustion engine may include a hollow valve stem and a valve disc. The valve disc may include a valve bottom and a hollow valve cone which is connected to an outer edge of said valve bottom. The hollow valve cone may taper with increasing distance from the valve bottom. The valve stem may pass through the hollow valve cone. The valve stem may be fixedly connected on the one hand to the valve bottom and on the other hand to the tapered end of the valve cone. The valve stem may include a first hollow space which is fluidically separated from a second hollow space arranged in the valve disc. The first hollow space and the second hollow space may have a different cooling agent filling level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Peter Kroos, Christoph Luven, Alexander Mueller, Alexander Puck
  • Publication number: 20140360448
    Abstract: A camshaft guide member is provided for guiding a camshaft through a plurality of axially aligned camshaft bearings in an engine along a camshaft rotation axis. The camshaft guide member includes a first end, a second end and a contact surface extending between the first end and the second end. The camshaft guide member further includes a connecting portion configured to attach the contact surface to the engine between at least a pair of camshaft bearings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventor: Jonathan R. Chittenden
  • Publication number: 20140311432
    Abstract: A valve opening-closing timing control device includes: a driving rotating body that rotates synchronously with a crankshaft; a following rotating body that rotates integrally with a cam shaft; a phase control mechanism that controls changing of relative rotational phases of the driving and following rotating bodies; a torsion coil spring engaged by a front member of the driving rotating body and by the following driving body, and biases the following rotating body in an advance/retarded direction with respect to the driving rotating body. The front member includes multiple bearing surfaces to be attached with countersunk head screws, and an engaging part engaging an end of the torsion coil spring with the torsion coil spring in a twisted state. The engaging part includes a mounting part for a tool with which the end of the torsion coil spring is moved in a direction increasing torsion strength of the torsion coil spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuji Noguchi, Akihiko Kusaka, Atsushi Homma, Takeo Asahi, Kazunari Adachi
  • Patent number: 8863704
    Abstract: A liquid-cooling engine system is described with a coolant control device having an adjustable control element capable of independently controlling the flow of coolant through a cylinder head and cylinder block. The device contains a rotatable drum that can be rotated along its longitudinal axis to expose holes and thereby allows coolant circulation based on a temperature within the engine system. The coolant control device has three positions but may also be fine-tuned within each position to control the flow of coolant through the cylinder head and cylinder block in order to adjust the amount of heat extracted according to demand, which serves to control the liquid-type cooling circuit in a demand-dependent manner that accounts for the operating modes of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jan Mehring, Hans Guenter Quix
  • Publication number: 20140299079
    Abstract: A device for delivering compressed air for pneumatically operated equipment in motor vehicles, in particular of brake systems in commercial vehicles, whereby compressed air can be tapped via a controllable valve from the combustion chamber of at least one cylinder of an internal combustion engine, includes a valve arranged outside the combustion chamber and connected to the combustion chamber, in particular via a connecting passage which opens into the combustion chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Inventors: Gottfried RAAB, Franz LEITENMAYR, Heidrun KLINGER
  • Publication number: 20140299080
    Abstract: A method for estimating the angular position of a crankshaft of a 4-stroke internal combustion engine prior to synchronization of the engine having a plurality of camshafts provided with a number n of targets (CAM_i) secured respectively to n camshafts, each target defining a plurality of events over one revolution of the camshaft to which it is secured, the crankshaft having a securely attached target (CRK) including a plurality of standard teeth and at least one reference tooth which define a plurality of events over one crankshaft revolution, the method including: estimating a range of plausible positions of the crankshaft prior to synchronization, at a given moment, from events detected on the n camshaft targets, correlated with events detected on the crankshaft target, as corresponding to the shortest angular window that is common to all the members of rank i using the following formula: Pos_Crk ? _est = ? i = 1 i = n ? ? _ ? ? CAM ? List_event ? _plaus ? _CAM ? _i + Dist_ang
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE FRANCE
    Inventors: Pierre ZOUBOFF, Julien LEFEVRE, Christophe MAZENC
  • Patent number: 8843294
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for and a method of controlling a variable valve timing mechanism. The valve timing mechanism changes over between a first cam for which the closing timing IVC of the intake valve is after intake bottom dead center, and a second cam for which the closing timing IVC is closer to intake bottom dead center than the closing timing IVC with the first cam. Here at the time of stopping the internal combustion engine, the valve timing mechanism changes over to the first cam, and the initial intake stroke performs operation at low effective compression ratio. In the second and subsequent intake strokes, the valve timing mechanism changes from the first cam to the second cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Murai, Tomoyuki Murakami, Yoshitatsu Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20140251246
    Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for varying valve timing in a V-engine. In one embodiment, a method for an engine comprises pivoting a first cam follower for a first cylinder of a first bank and a second cam follower for a second cylinder of a second bank about a rotatable pivot shaft, driving the first cam follower and the second cam follower with a camshaft to operate a respective first valve of the first cylinder and a second valve of the second cylinder, and rotating the pivot shaft to vary a valve timing of the first cylinder and the second cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Paul Lloyd Flynn, Ganesha Koggu Naik
  • Publication number: 20140251242
    Abstract: A vehicle system includes a position sensor, a current supply module, and a mode indicator module. The position sensor includes: an electromagnet (EM) that generates a magnetic field proximate to one of an intake valve and an exhaust valve of an engine; and a Hall-effect sensor that generates a position signal indicating a position of the one of the intake valve and the exhaust valve based on the magnetic field. The current supply module supplies current to the EM. The mode indicator module indicates whether the one of the intake valve and the exhaust valve is being actuated in a low lift mode or a high lift mode based on the position signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Douglas R. Verner, Sanjeev M. Naik, Donovan L. Dibble
  • Publication number: 20140238321
    Abstract: A camshaft for an internal combustion engine may include a shaft and at least one component that is joined to said shaft. The component may be connected via a joint surface of the component to a joint surface of the shaft. At least one of the joint surface of the component and the joint surface of the shaft may have a predefined roughness only partially on load-critical regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: Mahle International GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Lettmann, Ralf Rieger, Falk Schneider, Lutz Grunwald, Antonio Menonna, Stefan Steichele
  • Patent number: 8807106
    Abstract: A camshaft assembly configured to rotate about an axis of rotation within the engine of a motor vehicle to provide timing between cyclic operation of engine components is provided. The camshaft assembly includes a member for providing timing to a first engine component. The member includes a cam surface configured to drive the timing of the first engine component, and an opening. The camshaft assembly also includes a camshaft body cast to the member and configured to engage the opening of the member. The camshaft body includes a lobe configured to drive the timing of a second engine component, and a journal configured to allow efficient rotation of the camshaft body about the axis of rotation. The member is formed from a first material and the camshaft body is formed from a second material, thereby allowing the camshaft assembly to withstand two levels of stress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Philip D. Johnson, Richard M. Kritzman
  • Publication number: 20140224200
    Abstract: A control system for a gaseous-fueled engine is disclosed. The gaseous-fueled engine may have an intake valve mechanically driven by a camshaft. The control system may have a variable valve timing device configured to adjust a cyclical opening and closing timing of the intake valve. The control system may further have a sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a speed of the engine and a controller in communication with the variable valve timing device and the sensor. In addition, the controller may be configured to selectively initiate a first Miller Cycle timing and a second Miller Cycle timing based on the signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Aaron C. Luft, Darryl D. Baldwin, Rohit Menon, Jordan P. Gilsinger
  • Publication number: 20140224196
    Abstract: A crankshaft having a front end, a rear end, and a central axis extending from the front end to the rear end is provided. The crankshaft includes a front crankpin, a rear crankpin, and one or more central crankpins. The front crankpin is located in proximity to the front end and the rear crankpin is located in proximity to the rear end. Further, the one or more central crankpins are located substantially equidistant from the front crank pin and the rear crankpin. The crankshaft further includes pairs of counterweights disposed on each side of the front crankpin, the rear crankpin and the one or more central crankpin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: Electro-Motive Diesel, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael B. Goetzke, Vijaya Kumar, Jin Yu
  • Publication number: 20140202403
    Abstract: A engine block cover plate is described having a depression shaped to guide coolant flow around a bend in a coolant circuit, the plate further including a plurality of oil ports. One example method of operation may include guiding a coolant flow around a bend in a cooling circuit within an engine block via the cover plate, the cover plate having coolant and oil ports positioned therein, and adjusting a valve positioned on the cover plate to control a flow of oil through the oil port in response to an engine component temperature. In this way, flow losses may be decreased while enabling improved oil flow control with reduced system complexity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Cliff Maki, Thomas Polley, Jeffrey Allen Mullins, Sonny E. Stanley
  • Publication number: 20140190432
    Abstract: Systems and methods for actuating lobe switching in a camshaft system in an engine are disclosed. In one example approach, a method comprises deploying a first pin into a groove of a camshaft outer sleeve while a second pin remains in place due to an absence of a groove in which to deploy, and maintaining the second pin in place with a ball locking mechanism even after the second pin is exposed to a vacated groove in the camshaft outer sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Patrick McConville, Kim Hwe Ku
  • Publication number: 20140182527
    Abstract: A combustion engine can include an engine block having interior and exterior block surfaces and a combustion generating system connected thereto, with the inner block surface defining a cavity therein; an exhaust port between the inner and exterior block surfaces; a crankshaft rotatably fixed within the cavity and configured to rotate around an axis; and leading and trailing blades connected to the crankshaft. During a combustion event, the inner block surface is complementarily shaped to the leading and trailing blades, such that the inner block surface is outside the blades' ranges of travel. A combustion generating system can supply and ignite an air fuel composition to create a combustion force positioned closer to one of the blades, forcing the one of the blades to rotate away from the combustion force, which rotates the crankshaft around the axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Inventor: Christopher Bradley Orthmann
  • Publication number: 20140182546
    Abstract: A method of controlling a continuously variable valve lift apparatus, may include determining a desired valve lift of the continuously variable valve lift apparatus based on a driving status, determining a first correction factor based on the driving status, determining a second correction factor based on an amount of air flowing into an engine, determining a final correction factor from the first correction factor and the second correction factor, determining a critical value of operation inclination of the valve lift from the final correction factor and an operation status of a transmission, and controlling the operation of the continuously variable valve lift apparatus on the basis of the determined desired valve lift within the critical value of the operation inclination of the valve lift.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicants: Kia Motors Corporation, Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Joonsuck Lee
  • Publication number: 20140182523
    Abstract: The invention relates to a coolant circuit (1) for an internal combustion engine (2), wherein the coolant can circulate between the internal combustion engine (2) and a heat sink (3) depending upon a switchable valve (4), which is closed in the initial state during a cold start of the internal combustion engine (2), wherein the valve (4) can be switched to an at least partially opened sequential state depending on an exhaust gas mass flow emitted by the internal combustion engine (2), and wherein a control device (6) determines an integral of the exhaust gas mass flow with respect to the time and switches the valve (4) into the sequential state when an integral threshold value is exceeded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2012
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: Audi AG
    Inventor: Johann Graf
  • Publication number: 20140182535
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine valvetrain for an internal combustion engine. The internal combustion engine Includes one or more cylinders with one or more intake valves, one or more blowdown exhaust valves, and one or more scavenge exhaust valves. In one example, the internal combustion engine valvetrain includes a first valve actuation mechanism to open and close the blowdown exhaust valves, and Includes a second valve actuation mechanism to open and close the scavenge exhaust valves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: BORGWARNER INC.
    Inventors: David B. Roth, Christopher P. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20140182536
    Abstract: A reset rocker arm braking method and device are provided. A braking piston hole and an oil drain piston hole which are communicated with a braking oil supply passage are arranged inside a rocker arm, and an oil drain passage is arranged between the braking piston hole and the oil drain piston hole. When the rocker arm is driven by a braking cam lobe of a cam, an exhaust valve is opened to realize braking by a braking piston inside the braking piston hole. When the rocker arm is driven by an exhaust cam lobe of the cam, the rocker arm drives an oil drain piston in the oil drain piston hole to open the oil drain passage to discharge oil, and the lift profile of the exhaust valve is reset and reduced to a conventional exhaust valve lift profile without an engine braking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2011
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: Shanghai Universoon Autoparts Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Zhou Yang
  • Publication number: 20140158073
    Abstract: Methods are provided for improved control of valve activation/deactivation mechanisms. One example method comprises, adjusting an electromechanical actuator to actuate cylinder valve deactivation/activation mechanisms. The actuator is operated at multiple levels based on engine operating conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Allen Doering, John Eric Rollinger, Danny Zdravkovski, Karen Willard
  • Publication number: 20140150740
    Abstract: The air, entering the cylinder via intake valve (or coming both: through intake valve and through intake ports in the sleeve), flows out through the exhaust ports in the sleeve at the end of the intake stroke and/or at the beginning of the compression stroke. Thus increase (compared with the conventional internal combustion piston engine—the “ICE”) airflow through the cylinder at large engine loads. In idle running, at low loads and in starting the contraflow of exhaust gases into the cylinder is performed. Due to this, the starting is better.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Inventor: Alexandra Leonidovna Zhmudyak
  • Publication number: 20140137819
    Abstract: Systems and methods for an overhead cam shaft coupled to an inline engine with inner cylinders and outer cylinders are disclosed. In one example approach, an engine bank comprises inner cylinders each having only first and second lift profiles, both being non-zero lift profiles, and outer cylinders each having first, second, and third lift profiles, two being non-zero lift profiles and one being zero lift.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Patrick McConville, Kim Hwe Ku
  • Publication number: 20140130754
    Abstract: A phase control apparatus in a variable cam timing (VCT) system of an engine is described herein. The phase control apparatus includes a locking pin coupled to a vane, the locking pin extending into a locking pin recess in a cover plate in a locked configuration, the locking pin and locking pin recess having a backlash and a housing at least partially enclosing the vane and spaced away from the vane forming a gap in the locked configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Mohammad Ali Moetakef, Jamie Charles Hanshaw, Wesley Kridner, Georg Festag, Steve Poe
  • Publication number: 20140123921
    Abstract: A method for operation of an engine is provided. The method includes operating an engine with independent variable intake and exhaust valve timing with an intake valve timing actuator and an exhaust valve timing actuator, locking both the intake and exhaust valve timing actuators in a mid-lock position, and unlocking both the intake and exhaust valve timing actuators via a common locking-control valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Jamie Charles Hanshaw, Jonathan Denis Crowe, John Eric Rollinger
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20140109850
    Abstract: It is disclosed a method for operating an improved internal combustion engine. An intake valve and an exhaust valve control closing and opening of respective intake and exhaust apertures. The engine includes a separating aperture between the cylinder and a separation chamber, and a controlling separating valve. The separation chamber is connected to the intake and exhaust manifolds respectively by the intake and exhaust apertures. The method includes opening the separating valve. While it is open, the exhaust valve opens and then closes, and then the intake valve opens enabling gas flow from the intake manifold to the cylinder volume through the open intake aperture, the separation chamber and the open separating aperture. The method includes closing the intake valve and closing the separating valve. Thereby, gas flow from the intake manifold stops, isolating the separation chamber from the cylinder volume and providing double isolation during compression and combustion strokes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Inventors: Itzhak GONIGMAN, Moshe SINAI
  • Publication number: 20140109847
    Abstract: An engine assembly includes an engine block having a first bank of cylinders and a second bank of cylinders. A crankshaft is supported by the engine block and is configured to be driven by torque due to combustion energy in the first and second banks of cylinders. A first set of valves is operable to control air flow into and out of the first bank of cylinders. Camshafts driven by the crankshaft are operatively connected to the first set of valves to control opening and closing of the first set of valves. A second set of valves is operable to control air flow into and out of the second bank of cylinders. A controller is operatively connected to the second set of valves and is configured to vary at least one of lift, duration, and timing of the second set of valves based on commanded torque at the crankshaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Alan W. Hayman, Robert S. McAlpine