Hydraulic System Patents (Class 123/90.12)
  • Patent number: 7484483
    Abstract: A system and method for actuating one or more engine valves is provided. In particular, systems and methods for providing variable valve actuation to improve engine performance are provided. Embodiments of the present invention may be used in conjunction with positive power, engine braking, and/or exhaust gas recirculation operation of an internal combustion engine. In one embodiment, the system comprises: a valve train element; a housing disposed intermediate the valve train element and the engine valve; an outer piston slidably disposed in a bore formed in the housing, the outer piston having a cavity formed therein; an inner piston slidably disposed in the outer piston cavity; and a valve in communication with the outer piston cavity, the valve having more than one position, wherein the position of the valve determines the timing of the engine valve event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Jacobs Vehicle Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhou Yang, Bruce A. Swanbon, Richard E. Vanderpoel
  • Patent number: 7484497
    Abstract: Provided is a control device for an internal combustion engine, including a crank angle sensor, a cam angle sensor, a real phase angle detector for detecting a real phase angle of a cam shaft based on a detection signal of the sensors, a target phase angle setting unit including a temperature parameter and battery voltage, for setting a target phase angle of the cam shaft based on an operating state of the internal combustion engine, and a phase angle feedback control unit for conducting feedback control operation so that the real phase angle coincides with the target phase angle, and for calculating an operation quantity to a hydraulically controlled solenoid valve, in which the feedback control unit sets an integral term initial value when starting the feedback control operation according to the temperature parameter, corrects a control correction quantity by the battery voltage, and outputs the operation quantity to the solenoid valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Shinji Watanabe, Toru Tanaka, Tatsuhiko Takahashi
  • Patent number: 7481192
    Abstract: A valve gear includes a housing provided with a passage, a valve member arranged within the housing, which is movable between a first, closed position, in which the passage is closed, and a second, open position, a piston connected to the valve member, which can oscillate in an at least substantially closed piston chamber, and a locking device which are capable of holding the valve member periodically in the closed position. The piston chamber is provided with at least three closable openings, which may each be in communication with a gas pressure device. The first opening and the second opening are each in communication with another part of the piston chamber separated therefrom by the piston, and which are open when the valve member is held in the closed position, and wherein the third opening is open during movement of the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Inventor: Franklin Hubertus Truijens
  • Publication number: 20090014672
    Abstract: A method, device, and control unit for controlling an actuator in open loop, particularly for a valve, preferably for a gas-exchange valve of an internal combustion engine, having at least one control valve for opening the valve and one control valve for closing the valve, each of the control valves being capable of being driven by at least one drive pulse whose duration determines a position on the positioning travel of the valve. The valve is opened/closed in one lift and/or a plurality of partial lifts and at least one drive pulse is assigned to each lift and/or each partial lift, and the valve is assigned at least one transducer which generates a signal that discloses values of a discrete positioning travel of the valve and of an assigned time and/or of a discrete instant and of an assigned positioning travel. The method for controlling the actuator includes: a. Starting of a drive pulse having a setpoint duration of the drive pulse for opening and/or closing the valve, b.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Inventor: Juergen Schiemann
  • Patent number: 7475658
    Abstract: An electrohydraulic control module is provided for making available a compressed fluid, especially compressed oil for actuators, which are used for actuating control units, for example, for switching gas-exchange valves of an internal combustion engine on and off, with a control housing, which is attached to a connection part of the internal combustion engine and which has electrical switching valves that are connected to an oil supply line and to control oil lines leading to the actuators. The production and assembly expense of the electrohydraulic control modules is reduced in that an intermediate housing (6), which is injection molded from plastic and which has at least the oil supply line and the control oil lines (17), is clamped between the connection part (5) and the control housing (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Henning Karbstein, Thomas Kremer
  • 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: 7472669
    Abstract: A pressure pulse generator includes a pressure pulse transmitting body displaceably arranged in a chamber divided by the body into a first and a second part, a first spring and a second spring, arranged to displace the body in a first direction and a second direction respectively in the chamber, a first conduit leading between a high pressure source and a first part of the chamber, wherein the pressure fluid in the first part acts on the body for displacing the latter in the second direction, and elements for opening/interrupting a communication between the first part and the high pressure source through the first conduit. The opening/interrupting elements interrupt communication while the body is displaced in the first direction from a predetermined starting position through a triggering of the first spring, and maintain communication while the body is displaced in the second displacement direction back to the starting position, whereby a biasing of the first spring is accomplished.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Cargine Engineering AB
    Inventor: Mats Hedman
  • Publication number: 20090000580
    Abstract: A cylinder head of an internal combustion engine having an electrohydraulic valve controller which includes a master unit (12), a slave unit (24), a hydraulic valve (4), a pressure relief space (18) and a pressure space (17) which is arranged in the direction of transmission between the master unit (12) and the slave unit (24) and can be connected to the associated pressure relief space (18) via the hydraulic valve (4). The master unit (12), the slave unit (24), the pressure space (17), the hydraulic valve (4), the pressure relief space (18) and a non-return valve (31) are preassembled in a common hydraulic housing (8), to form a pre-assembled hydraulic unit (3) which is fastened to the cylinder head (1) and which is connected to the hydraulic medium supply of the internal combustion engine via the non-return valve (31).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2007
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER KG
    Inventor: Markus Proschko
  • Patent number: 7464675
    Abstract: An air-hybrid engine operates in two operational modes. It employs uniquely designed camshafts with cam lobe activators, and camshaft phase shifters to operate and control the engine valves. It uses a different cam lobe for operating an engine valve during each of the two operational modes, and it uses camshaft phase shifters to vary the valve event timing and duration. The system exploits non-linearity that exists in relationship between the piston motion and the camshaft rotation. Varying the phase relationship between the camshaft and the engine crankshaft in a pre-determined specific way varies the duration of the engine valve opening in the required way, thus varying the volumes of air received into and discharged from the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Inventor: Michael Moses Schechter
  • Publication number: 20080289593
    Abstract: A switchable valve train for gas-exchange valves of internal combustion engines with a rocker arm device (1), in which a rocking motion about a rocker arm axis (3) can be introduced by at least one cam (2a, 2b), one tappet, or the like, wherein this rocking motion can be transmitted to at least one valve (4). The rocker arm device (1) is formed from at least one cam lever part (5) in working connection with the cam (2) and a valve lever part (6) in working connection with the valve (4), which are supported so that they can rock about the rocker arm axis (3). A coupling device is constructed between the cam lever part (5) and the valve lever part (6), in order to selectively engage and disengage the transmission of the rocking motion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER KG
    Inventors: Debora Manther, Lucian Botez, Florin Bugescu, Richard Best
  • Patent number: 7455040
    Abstract: An oil distribution system for an internal combustion engine comprising a longitudinal bore in the engine head or block connected to an engine oil pump. A longitudinal insert is disposed in the engine bore, the insert being formed and disposed to define segmented galleries within the bore, a first oil gallery being in communication with the engine camshaft bearings and a second oil gallery being in communication with switchable cam followers in the engine. The two galleries are separated but connected by one or more oil control valves. Thus, the camshaft bearings are exposed to high engine oil pressure at all times independent of the switchable cam followers; likewise, the switchable cam followers may be latched and unlatched at any time or condition deemed beneficial for engine operation without jeopardizing lubrication sufficiency to the camshaft bearings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Nick J. Hendriksma, Mark J. Spath, Michael J. Dinkel
  • Publication number: 20080264363
    Abstract: A solar panel carrier T is provided at a sub-structure U such that it can be rotated and tilted by means of hydrostatic rotation and tilt motors M, M?. In an electrohydraulic adjusting device for the solar panel carrier T a motor pump aggregate 8 is connected to the hydrostatic motors. Within working lines A, B of the tilt hydrostatic motor M at least one tilt control system K is provided, which comprises valve components and a pilot pressure circuit. The tilt control system K comprises pressure actuated blocking valves or load holding valves LHVA, LHVB. For automatically adjusting a protected position S of the carrier T a suction line N is provided at the side of the hydrostatic tilt motor facing to the blocking valves or load holding valves. The suction line N is surveyed by a monitoring solenoid 18 and is opened depending on initial pressure conditions in case of switching off the electric power and/or in case of an electric breakdown.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventors: Martin Heusser, Hilarius Hundschell
  • Publication number: 20080264364
    Abstract: A variable camshaft timing (VCT) system 10 for an internal combustion engine includes a vane 13 mounted to the end of an engine camshaft, surrounded by a housing 14. The vane 13 separates a chamber in the housing 14 into a phaser advance chamber 15 and a phaser retard chamber 16. The VCT system 10 also includes a control valve 12 having a spool 19 slidably located within a bore 18 in a valve sleeve 17. The spool 19 comprises one land dividing the bore 18 into a valve advance chamber 21 and a valve retard chamber 22, with the valve retard chamber 22 and the valve advance chamber 21 both being connected to a hydraulic oil supply. The valve advance chamber 21 and the valve retard chamber 22 are in hydraulic communication with the phaser advance chamber 15 and the phaser retard chamber 16 respectively through an advance line 11 and a retard line 23, such that displacements of the spool cause rotation of the vane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventor: Quanbao Zhou
  • Patent number: 7438031
    Abstract: To provide a layout structure of a hydraulic control valve for a valve train in an internal combustion engine which can reduce the influence of heat from the cylinders and can avoid the impairment of the external appearance of the internal combustion engine. An internal combustion engine has a valve operation characteristics changing mechanism that changes the operation characteristics of at least one of an intake valve and an exhaust valve. A hydraulic control valve for a valve train controls the pressure of a hydraulic fluid supplied to the valve operation characteristics changing mechanism. The hydraulic control valve is located on the left side surface of right and left crankcases that support and cover a crankshaft at a position below cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoki Kono, Isamu Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20080251041
    Abstract: Actuators, and corresponding methods and systems for controlling such actuators, provide independent valve control with a large initial or opening force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2007
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Inventor: Zheng Lou
  • Patent number: 7434556
    Abstract: A valve actuation system is provided. The system has an engine valve moveable between a first position at which the engine valve prevents a flow of fluid relative to the engine valve and a second position at which fluid flows relative to the engine valve. The system also has a first cam adapted to move the engine valve from the first position to the second position during a first lift period in response to a rotation of the first cam. The system has a second cam adapted to move the engine valve from the first position to the second position during a second lift period in response to a rotation of the second cam. The system also has a cam following assembly disposed between the first and second cams and the engine valve. The cam following assembly is adapted to selectively connect one of the first and second cams with the engine valve to thereby move the engine valve through one of the first and second lift periods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Patrick Harmon
  • Publication number: 20080245323
    Abstract: A pump system for supplying pressurized hydraulic fluid to a hydraulic valve actuation system for operating engine valves of an internal combustion engine comprises a conventional pump, driven by the engine, which supplies the necessary volume of pressurized hydraulic fluid when the engine is running. The system further comprises a booster pump which is driven by the starter motor of the engine and which supplies the necessary volume of hydraulic fluid during starting/cranking of the engine. The conventional pump is preferably designed and constructed for operating efficiency during engine operating conditions while the booster pump is preferably designed and constructed for operating efficiency during cranking/starting of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: Magna Powertrain Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Williamson, Adrian C. Cioc
  • Publication number: 20080236520
    Abstract: A multicylinder engine for a motorcycle includes a valve actuation mechanism having a hydraulically-operated valve pausing mechanism for holding at least one of an intake valve and an exhaust valve of selected cylinders in a suspended state. The valve actuation mechanism operates the intake valve and the exhaust valve, and controls flow of oil through an oil passage which introduces working oil to the valve pausing mechanism from a hydraulic-pressure control device. Air-bleeding holes are formed in the cylinder head. The air-bleeding holes are fluidly connected with portions of the oil passages that are located at a highest level in the oil passages while the motorcycle is parked in an inclined state with its side stand down.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hayato Maehara, Shinji Saito, Takaaki Tsukui
  • Publication number: 20080236523
    Abstract: In a multi-cylinder engine provided with a cylinder pausing function, a hydraulically-operated valve-pausing mechanism is capable of selectively suspending operation of at least one intake or exhaust valve of one or more selected cylinders, depending on engine operating conditions, such that the suspended valve is temporarily held in a closed state. A hydraulic-pressure control device, for controlling hydraulic pressure supplied to the valve-pausing mechanism, is disposed on an engine body so as to minimize an amount of protrusion of the hydraulic-pressure control device from the engine body, while situating the hydraulic-pressure control device near the valve-pausing mechanism. A recess portion is formed on an external surface of a cylinder head or a head cover, and the hydraulic-pressure control device is disposed on the engine such that at least part of the hydraulic-pressure control device is accommodated in the recess portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hayato Maehara, Shinji Saito, Takaaki Tsukui
  • Publication number: 20080236524
    Abstract: In a V-type engine for a vehicle, in which a hydraulic valve rest mechanism which selectively holds at least one of an intake valve and an exhaust valve corresponding to a part of plural cylinders in a valve-closed rest state in correspondence with a vehicle running status is provided in a valve actuation unit, and a hydraulic controller which controls hydraulic pressure of the valve rest mechanism is provided in a main engine body, to reduce the distance of oil passage from the hydraulic controller to the hydraulic valve rest mechanism and simplify the structure of the oil passage. A hydraulic controller is provided on at least one side surface of a cylinder head, and may be generally oriented along a line which is substantially parallel to a central axis of a cylinder bore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hayato Maehara, Shinji Saito, Takaaki Tsukui
  • Publication number: 20080236525
    Abstract: Hydraulic valve actuation systems and methods to provide variable lift for one or more engine air valves by way of a variable position hard stop. Various embodiments are disclosed, including embodiments controlling lift by providing a choice of two different fixed stops, three different fixed stops, stops continuously variable throughout a range of lifts, and a fixed stop and stops continuously variable throughout a range of lifts. The valves controlled by a variable position hard stop may be a single engine intake or exhaust valve, or multiple valves of any number, and of either intake or exhaust valves or both, or of one intake or one exhaust valve for one or more cylinders in engines having more than one intake or exhaust valve per cylinder. Dashpot deceleration of engine valve velocity on opening to the hard stop and on engine valve closure is disclosed, as are other aspects and embodiments of the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: STURMAN INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Guy Robert Babbitt, Miguel Angelo Raimao, Charles Conrad Klose, Jeffrey Allen Rogers, Oded Eddie Sturman
  • Patent number: 7426912
    Abstract: An oil supply circuit for a cylinder deactivation system having a simple structure and capable of being installed at a cylinder head without needing additional extraneous elements by forming an oil line within a cam shaft. An embodiment may include a hydraulic pump, a plurality of tappets for controlling opening of intake and exhaust valves, a first oil circuit connected to the hydraulic pump through an oil supply line and supplying a high pressure oil to the tappets, and a second oil circuit connected to the hydraulic pump and supplying an oil to the tappets. The second oil circuit includes an oil line formed in a hollow space of the cam shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Bong Sang Lee
  • Publication number: 20080216783
    Abstract: A variable valve timing mechanism-equipped engine is provided which allows a mount installing section and a hydraulic control valve of a variable valve timing mechanism to be positioned in a chain case without limitation of positioning of accessories such as a water pump, air conditioning compressor, power steering oil pump and alternator, and which simplifies an operating oil passage for the hydraulic control valve. In the variable valve timing mechanism-equipped engine, a mount installing section is positioned below an actuator cover section and is offset toward one side with respect to a cylinder axis, and intake- and exhaust-side hydraulic control valves are disposed sideward of the mount installing section with axes inclined toward a direction perpendicular to the crankshaft axis, the intake- and the exhaust-side hydraulic control valves overlapping one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2008
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Applicant: SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Satoshi Ando
  • Publication number: 20080216778
    Abstract: A pump system for supplying pressurized hydraulic fluid to a hydraulic valve actuation system for operating engine valves of an internal combustion engine comprises a substantially conventional main pump, driven by the engine, which supplies the necessary volume of pressurized hydraulic fluid when the engine is running. The system comprises a booster pump that supplies in conjunction with the main pump the necessary volume of hydraulic fluid during starting/cranking of the engine. The main pump is preferably designed and constructed for operating efficiency during engine operating conditions while the booster pump is preferably designed and constructed for operating efficiency during cranking/starting of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Inventors: Matthew Williamson, Adrian C. Cioc, David R. Shulver
  • Patent number: 7421987
    Abstract: Actuators and corresponding methods and systems for controlling such actuators offer efficient, fast, flexible control with large forces. In an exemplary embodiment, an fluid actuator includes a housing having first and second fluid ports, an actuation cylinder in the housing defining a longitudinal axis and having first and second ends in first and second directions, an actuation piston in the cylinder with first and second surfaces moveable along the longitudinal axis, a spring subsystem biasing the actuation piston to a neutral position, a first fluid space defined by the first end of the actuation cylinder and the first surface of the actuation piston, a second fluid space defined by the second end of the actuation cylinder and the second surface of the actuation piston; and a flow bypass that short-circuits the first and second fluid spaces when the actuation piston is not proximate to the second end of the actuation cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: LGD Technology, LLC
    Inventor: Zheng Lou
  • Patent number: 7421993
    Abstract: A variable valve lift apparatus is provided comprising: an arm; a valve and valve springs connected to a first end of the arm for controlling an air intake and an air exhaust; a driving plunger disposed in a driving plunger groove formed on a second end of the arm which is opposite to the first end; a driving plunger portion elastic member disposed in the driving plunger groove for biasing the driving plunger; a support coupled to a cylinder head for supporting the driving plunger; a locking unit for selectively fixing the driving plunger; and a hydraulic pressure supply unit for selectively supplying hydraulic pressure to the locking unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Hyung Ick Kim
  • Publication number: 20080196680
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for hydraulic valve actuation of engine valves are disclosed. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a lost motion piston assembly that transfers motion between first and second rocker arms to selectively provide auxiliary engine valve actuation motions to the engine valves for engine operations such as engine braking and exhaust gas recirculation. The lost motion piston assembly may reduce or eliminate transient loads that may otherwise be transmitted to engine valve train elements during the times that lost motions systems are turned on and off for auxiliary valve actuations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Inventors: Robb Janak, Brian L. Ruggiero, Jonathan W. Prusak
  • Publication number: 20080190387
    Abstract: A valve rotating mechanism for exhaust valves, especially of marine diesel engines, which mechanism is braced in a valve housing for the valve stem (1) between an upper and a lower drive element, is linked to the lower drive element via a freewheel device, which transmits rotation of the valve stem (1) during closing movement thereof, and is also braced relative to the upper drive element via a rotary cylinder (15), which brings about rotation of the valve stem (1) through engagement with a fixed support cylinder (13). Therein the rotary cylinder (15) and support cylinder (13) are engaged with one another via a helical gearing, wherein the rotary cylinder (15) is linked to the valve stem (1) via the freewheel device and the support cylinder (13) is fastened on the housing side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2004
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Applicant: MARKISCHES WERK GMBH
    Inventor: Holger Fellmann
  • Patent number: 7409937
    Abstract: A hydraulic control system for an internal combustion engine, includes a driven mechanism driven by hydraulic pressure fed through a flowing passage change-over valve. The flowing passage change-over valve includes a valve body formed with a plurality of ports which are respectively communicated with the supply passage and the oil passage, and a spool valve body slidably disposed in the valve body to open and close the plurality of ports, the ports including a supplying port communicated with the supplying passage. The maximum cross-sectional area of the supplying port is larger than a minimum cross-sectional area of the supplying passage. The flowing passage change-over valve is supplied with electric current to heat hydraulic fluid kept in the flowing passage change-over valve so as to lower a viscosity of the hydraulic fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiji Hisahara, Toshiro Ichikawa, Seiji Suga, Osamu Fujita, Takanori Sawada
  • Publication number: 20080178828
    Abstract: A single hydraulic circuit module is provided for controlling valve lift at multiple cylinders in an engine. The single module includes a housing that at least partially forms a supply passage and a control passage. The supply passage is in fluid communication with the fluid supply and the control passage is in fluid communication with the feed passage. At least one solenoid valve is provided and supported by the housing positioned between the supply passage and the control passage. The solenoid valve is controllable to vary fluid flow from the supply passage to the control passage to permit adjustment of hydraulic lift assemblies to vary lift of engine valves in response to control of the solenoid valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Inventors: Vimesh M. Patel, Timothy L. Neal
  • Patent number: 7404382
    Abstract: A kind of variable engine valve control system with pressure difference comprises hydraulic supply equipment, hydraulic actuator apparatus, valve and spring controlling piston balance. The hydraulic actuator comprises hydraulic cylinder, piston and piston rod. The piston rod is coupled and moved with the valve. It is characterized by that the said piston divides the hydraulic cylinder into upper chamber and lower chamber. The said hydraulic supply equipment is connected with the upper chamber of the hydraulic cylinder through the fluid inlet pipe and the said lower chamber of the hydraulic cylinder is connected with the hydraulic supply equipment through the pressure difference proportional relief valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Ningbo Hoyea Machinery Manufacture Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junjie Ling, Zhentao Weng
  • Publication number: 20080173264
    Abstract: A drive piston assembly is provided that is operable to selectively open a poppet valve. The drive piston assembly includes a cartridge defining a generally stepped bore. A drive piston is movable within the generally stepped bore and a boost sleeve is coaxially disposed with respect to the drive piston. A main fluid chamber is at least partially defined by the generally stepped bore, drive piston, and boost sleeve. First and second feedback chambers are at least partially defined by the drive piston and each are disposed at opposite ends of the drive piston. At least one of the drive piston and the boost sleeve is sufficiently configured to move within the generally stepped bore in response to fluid pressure within the main fluid chamber to selectively open the poppet valve. A valve actuator assembly and engine are also provided incorporating the disclosed drive piston assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2006
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Zongxuan Sun
  • Patent number: 7395802
    Abstract: An oil supply system for an internal combustion engine camshaft includes an oil distribution block configured for attachment to an engine structure adjacent to and above a camshaft, with attachment of the oil distribution block occurring after the camshaft has been installed in the engine. Fixed and movable ring segments, which are mounted to the oil distribution block, cooperate to provide the camshaft with oil under pressure, which may be used for controlling auxiliary devices such as a camshaft phaser or camshaft profile switching mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: William Riley, Mark Zagata
  • 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: 7392777
    Abstract: The invention proposes a variable valve train (1) for a gas exchange valve (8) of an internal combustion engine, which gas exchange valve (8) is actuated by a cam (2), said valve train (1) comprising a force transmission device (4) that is arranged between the cam (2) and the gas exchange valve (8) and includes a hydraulic lifting device (9) comprising a pressure piston (10) that is arranged for longitudinal displacement in a cylinder (12), said pressure piston (10) defining a pressure chamber (13) that is connected to a pressure medium supply of the internal combustion engine and said pressure piston (10) permitting, under high-pressure loading, an actuation of the gas exchange valve (8) independently of the cam (2). The force transmission device (4) is configured as an oscillating lever or rocker arm (3) mounted for pivoting on a lever shaft (6) comprising a longitudinal channel (14) that transports pressure medium and acts as a link (15) between the pressure medium supply and the pressure chamber (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Christof Faria, Frank Himsel
  • Publication number: 20080149053
    Abstract: A valve actuation system for an engine is provided. The valve actuation system can include two or more engine cylinders, each cylinder having at least one intake valve configured to control air-flow into each of the two or more cylinders and at least one exhaust valve configured to control the flow of exhaust gases out of each of the two or more cylinders. The at least one first cylinder includes an exhaust cam lobe configured to control the valve timing of an exhaust valve of the at least one first cylinder and to cause an exhaust valve of a second cylinder to open during an expansion stroke of the second cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2006
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventor: Michael P. Harmon
  • Publication number: 20080149055
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine is equipped with a variable actuation system for the intake valves including a chamber of fluid under pressure interposed between the intake valve and the respective controlling cam, and a solenoid valve whose opening causes the pressure chamber to discharge such as to determine the rapid closure of the valve by effect of the respective biasing spring means, even when the respective cam would tend to keep the valve open. The variable valve operation system is used in combination with the use of cams controlling the intake valves shaped in such a manner as to give rise to an intake valve lift profile including a boot portion at substantially constant lift. Such boot portion is provided in the initial part of the intake valve opening cycle, in advance with regard to the TDC, in the case of a supercharged direct-injection petrol engine. In the case of a diesel engine, on the contrary, the boot portion is provided in the final part of the intake valve opening cycle, after the BDC.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: C.R.F. Societa Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Gianluca Canino, Luca Gentile, Laura Gianolio, Maria Grazia Lisbona, Francesco Vattaneo
  • Publication number: 20080149054
    Abstract: A hydraulic cam follower (1), such as a roller tappet, is provided. This is used for the actuation of two identically operating gas-exchange valves and should be installed inclined to the direction of the force of gravity. The cam follower (1) comprises a pot-shaped housing (2), whose bottom (3) is provided with a roller as a cam contacting element (4). In the housing (2), two guides (5) extending parallel to the direction of the internal combustion engine are provided, in each of which a pressure piston (6) is arranged so that it can move axially, whose end (7) away from the housing is constructed as a support for contact with a respective tappet pushrod. Each pressure piston (6) encloses a reservoir (11) for hydraulic medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER KG
    Inventors: Florin Bugescu, Jermel Jones, Richard Best
  • Patent number: 7387097
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (101) for varying the control times of gas exchange valves of an internal combustion engine, with a hydraulic actuation device (102) and with a control valve (103). The device (101) according to the invention is provided with mid-position locking of a hydraulic actuation device (102). Furthermore, the device (101) according to the invention ensures that, in the event of the failure of an actuation unit (112) which regulates the control valve (103), the hydraulic actuation device (102) is locked in the mid-position and the lock is maintained until the actuation unit (112) is repaired. Furthermore, the device (101) according to the invention makes it possible to start the internal combustion engine in a position locked in a mid-position, without a movable element (105) of the hydraulic actuation device (102) butting against a side wall of a pressure space (104) when the internal combustion engine is started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Ina-Schaeffler JG
    Inventors: Marco Schmitt, Jochen Auchter
  • Patent number: 7387095
    Abstract: Hydraulic valve actuation systems and methods to provide variable lift for one or more engine air valves by way of a variable position hard stop. Various embodiments are disclosed, including embodiments controlling lift by providing a choice of two different fixed stops, three different fixed stops, stops continuously variable throughout a range of lifts, and a fixed stop and stops continuously variable throughout a range of lifts. The valves controlled by a variable position hard stop may be a single engine intake or exhaust valve, or multiple valves of any number, and of either intake or exhaust valves or both, or of one intake or one exhaust valve for one or more cylinders in engines having more than one intake or exhaust valve per cylinder. Dashpot deceleration of engine valve velocity on opening to the hard stop and on engine valve closure is disclosed, as are other aspects and embodiments of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Sturman Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Guy Robert Babbitt, Miguel Angelo Raimao, Charles Conrad Klose, Jeffrey Allen Rogers, Oded Eddie Sturman
  • Publication number: 20080135003
    Abstract: An oil supply circuit for a cylinder deactivation system having a simple structure and capable of being installed at a cylinder head without needing additional extraneous elements by forming an oil line within a cam shaft. An embodiment may include a hydraulic pump, a plurality of tappets for controlling opening of intake and exhaust valves, a first oil circuit connected to the hydraulic pump through an oil supply line and supplying a high pressure oil to the tappets, and a second oil circuit connected to the hydraulic pump and supplying an oil to the tappets. The second oil circuit includes an oil line formed in a hollow space of the cam shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventor: Bong Sang Lee
  • Publication number: 20080135002
    Abstract: A controller is provided to an engine including a variable valve timing unit for manipulating a valve timing of an intake valve of the engine. The controller includes an idle-continuation determining unit for determining whether an idling operation of the engine is in a continued state. The controller further includes a torque reserve control unit for executing a torque reserve control to advance the valve timing and increase an intake air quantity of the engine within a combustion limit of the engine when the idle-continuation determining unit determines that the idling operation is in the continued state. The controller further includes a torque correction unit for executing a torque correction control to retard the valve timing in the torque reserve control in at least one of conditions where: an auxiliary device exerts a load; the load is increased; and a vehicle starts moving.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Naoki Yoshiume, Toshifumi Hayami
  • Publication number: 20080127920
    Abstract: A valve actuation system for a combustion engine is provided. The valve actuation system may have an engine valve movable between first and second spaced apart end positions. The valve actuation system may also have a first cam element mechanically coupled to move the engine valve, and a first hydraulic slave piston operatively connected to the engine valve to move the engine valve independent of movement of the first cam element. The valve actuation system may further have a high pressure rail fluidly connected to the first hydraulic piston, and a control valve disposed between the high pressure rail and the first hydraulic piston to regulate movement of the engine valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventors: Michael S. Bond, Steven J. Funke, Michael P. Harmon
  • Patent number: 7380528
    Abstract: In an hydraulic actuator, a movement of an actuating element of the actuator is effected in that a working chamber of the actuator, with the aid of a valve device, is able to be selectively connected to, and disconnected from, a fluid reservoir in which pressurized hydraulic fluid is stored. The lift of the actuating element of the actuator is a function of a fluid volume present in the working chamber. It is provided that, to ascertain an instantaneous operating performance of the actuator, the working chamber is briefly connected to the fluid reservoir, the corresponding pressure drop in the fluid reservoir is recorded, and the corresponding lift is determined from the pressure drop with the aid of known geometrical variables of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Hermann Gaessler, Ulf Pischke, Hubert Schweiggart, Christian Grosse
  • Publication number: 20080115749
    Abstract: A variable valve drive (1) of an internal combustion engine is provided which is used to actuate a gas exchange valve (5). Displacement thereof takes place via a cam (7) generated lift and via a lift generated by a piston (14, 32) of a hydraulic force applying device (4a, 4b), which is superimposed on the cam lift and which is independent thereof. The hydraulic force applying device is connected to a hydraulic fluid line (S-P) which provides an adjustable hydraulic pressure medium and includes a pressure chamber (24a, 24b) which is limited on one side by the piston (14, 32), in addition to a hydraulic valve lash compensation device (23a, 23b) which includes a working chamber (22a, 22b) which is radially defined by a housing (13a, 13b). The housing (13a, 13b) is also used to radially define the pressure chamber (24a, 24b).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2005
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER KG
    Inventor: Volker Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7370615
    Abstract: Improved actuators and valve control systems, and methods for controlling actuators and/or engine valves, are disclosed. In addition to the inherent capability of timing control, the ability to provide continuous valve lift or stroke control greatly improves engine achieve fuel economy, emission and performance. The power-off state of the actuator is at the minimum stroke, from which an easy start-up can be directly executed. The minimum stroke is also very beneficial to achieve efficient low load operation. Even with continuous lift variation, the present invention is able to keep the spring force neutral or zero point in the center of a stroke, thus maintaining an efficient scheme of energy conversion and recovery through the pendulum action. When in compression braking or other high engine cylinder air pressure working mode, the invention is able to supply necessary force to open the engine valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: LGD Technology, LLC
    Inventor: Zheng Lou
  • Publication number: 20080092862
    Abstract: An internal EGR control system for an internal combustion engine, which is capable of controlling the internal EGR amount with accuracy, when controlling the internal EGR by changing both the exhaust cam phase and the exhaust valve lift. An internal EGR control system for an internal combustion engine controls internal EGR in which combustion gases are caused to remain in a cylinder. An ECU sets a target cam phase serving as a target of the exhaust cam phase, and controls a variable exhaust cam phase mechanism such that the exhaust cam phase becomes equal to the target cam phase. ECU 2 sets a target lift of an exhaust valve according to a detected actual cam phase and calculated valve-closing timing, and controls a variable exhaust valve lift mechanism such that the lift of the exhaust valve becomes equal to the target lift.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toru Kitamura, Ken Ogawa, Toshinari Shinohara, Chiho Itoga
  • Patent number: 7360517
    Abstract: A valve actuator for operating a gas exchange valve of an internal combustion engine has a sleeve-shaped positioning piston which is connected to a valve stem, has at least two shell-shaped wedge pieces enclosing a stem end of the valve stem, whose radially outer peripheral surfaces have a conical segment which tapers off with increasing distance from the gas exchange valve and which is at least partially surrounded by a conical clamping sleeve having a mating conical inner surface and is connected to the positioning piston. The wedge pieces are axially form-fittingly and rotatably connected to a threaded bolt. A threaded segment is provided on the threaded bolt via which the wedge pieces and the conical clamping sleeve are axially attachable to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Uwe Hammer, Peter Lang, Stefan Reimer
  • Patent number: 7357105
    Abstract: A hydraulic valve driving device includes a valve actuator operable to drive an engine valve, a hydraulic pump that generates the oil pressure for the valve actuator, a hydraulic pump driving motor that drives the hydraulic pump, and a starter motor. At the time of engine starting, after the hydraulic pump is driven by the hydraulic pump driving motor while the crank is stopped in the first engine-starting mode, and then the crank and the hydraulic pump are driven by the starter motor in the second engine-starting mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuji Moriwaki, Naoki Tsuchida
  • Patent number: RE40381
    Abstract: In a Diesel engine with variably actuated valves, the cam controlling each inlet valve is shaped to provoke the opening of the respective inlet valve during the engine's normal exhaust phase and thus realize exhaust gas recirculation within the engine, due to the fact that during the normal exhaust phase, part of the exhaust gas passes from the cylinder into the inlet port, from where it returns to the cylinder during the next induction phase, while part of the exhaust gas that had previously passed into the exhaust port returns to the cylinder during the induction phase due to the additional opening of the exhaust valve, in consequence of which the exhaust gas charges that return to the cylinder are subjected to further combustion in the next engine cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: CRF Societa Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Laura Gianolio, Lorentino Macor, Andrea Pecori, Constantino Vafidis, Francesco Vattaneo