Camshaft Or Cam Characteristics Patents (Class 123/90.17)
  • Publication number: 20140331950
    Abstract: A switching roller finger follower, including: a housing with a first wall with a first opening, a second wall with a second opening, and an interior space at least partially formed by the walls; first and second outer arms; and a locking pin disposed in the openings and including a longitudinal axis, a body, and first and second protrusions extending radially outward from the body, formed of a same piece of material as the body, and at least one of which is located within the space. A respective portion of at least one of the first or second protrusions is aligned with the first or second wall in a direction parallel to the first longitudinal axis. The locking pin is displaceable such that: in a locked mode, the locking pin blocks pivoting of the arms; and in an unlocked mode, the locking pin is free of contact with the arms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Debora Manther, Rainer Pfeufer, Matthias Kapp
  • Patent number: 8881700
    Abstract: A camshaft adjustment device (1) for an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, with a drive part (3), such as an outer stator, and a driven part (4), such as an inner rotor. The driven part is supported so that it can rotate relative to the drive part between a first angular position and a second angular position. A separate insert part (2) originating from the drive part or the driven part is further arranged in a rotational angle limiting connecting link (5) that is formed in the drive part or the driven part, the insert part is arranged so that it can be brought into blocking contact with two blocking elements (8), such as pins or pegs, that can move in the axial direction. A control drive with such a camshaft adjustment device and an internal combustion engine with such a control drive are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Holger Brenner, Jurgen Weber
  • Patent number: 8881699
    Abstract: A method of controlling a spool valve through feedback and feedforward mechanisms is described. In one example, a method includes actuating a spool valve via a solenoid to advance and retard a hydraulic variable cam timing actuator coupled to a camshaft, and while commanded to a null position to maintain current cam timing, modulating the solenoid with a component at a frequency synchronous to engine firing frequency to counteract cam torque oscillations. In this way, a spool valve may be maintained in a null position despite high cam torque oscillation frequency, thereby retaining oil in a solenoid assembly and improving can timing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Jeremy Walter Church
  • Patent number: 8881701
    Abstract: An adjusting device for adjusting a camshaft relative to a drive sprocket, which drives the camshaft coaxially. The adjusting device includes an actuating gear which acts between the drive sprocket and the camshaft and is driven via an electric motor to adjust the camshaft. The actuating gear has internally- and externally-toothed gearwheels in engagement with each other, in which the internally toothed gearwheel is rotated about a central axis of the adjusting device. The externally toothed gearwheel is arranged eccentrically with respect to the central axis and is driven to perform a circular motion about the central axis. The externally toothed gearwheel is supported eccentrically on at least two eccentric shafts, each eccentric shaft being driven to perform a rotary motion about a respective eccentric axis. The eccentric axes are arranged eccentrically with respect to the central axis and can be rotated about the central axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: MAGNA Powertrain AG & Co KG
    Inventor: Michael Schober
  • Patent number: 8881698
    Abstract: A vane-type camshaft phaser for an internal combustion engine includes an intermediate locking pin and seat for locking the camshaft phaser at a position intermediate of its full advanced and retard positions. A feature is provided for radially orienting the locking pin with the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel R. Cuatt, Michael J. Fox, Thomas H. Fischer
  • Patent number: 8881702
    Abstract: A camshaft phaser is provided for varying the phase relationship between a crankshaft and a camshaft in an engine. The camshaft phaser includes a stator having lobes. A rotor disposed within the stator and rotatable between a full retard position to a full retard position includes vanes interspersed with the stator lobes to define alternating advance and retard chambers. A lock pin selectively engages a lock pin seat for preventing a change in phase relationship between the rotor and the stator at a predetermined aligned position between the full advance and full retard positions. A counterbalancing member is located within one of the advance chambers or the retard chambers, attached to a vane to thereby apply a torque between the rotor and the stator only when the rotor is between the predetermined aligned position and one of the full retard position and the full advance position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas H. Lichti, Cai P. Shum, Paul A. Armour
  • Patent number: 8881697
    Abstract: A valve timing control apparatus includes a drive-side rotation member synchronously rotating with a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine, a driven-side rotation member integrally rotating with a camshaft, a rotational phase adjusting device including a retarded angle chamber and an advanced angle chamber, the rotational phase adjusting device adjusting the relative rotational phase between the drive-side rotation member and the driven-side rotation member, and a boss member provided at a portion of the driven-side rotation member facing an outer wall surface of the internal combustion engine and including a thrust surface that extends to be perpendicular to a rotational axis of the camshaft and that is exposed to the outer wall surface of the internal combustion engine. The boss member causes the drive-side rotation member to be prevented from making contact with the outer wall surface by making contact with the outer wall surface of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuji Noguchi, Atsushi Homma, Takeo Asahi
  • Patent number: 8875675
    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: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Helmut Hans Ruhland, Jens Dunstheimer, Albert Breuer, Shuya Shark Yamada
  • Patent number: 8869761
    Abstract: A camshaft adjuster (2) having a vane-type design with a stator (4) and a rotor (6), which can be rotated relative to the stator (4), and at least two pressure chambers (8a, 8b) formed between the stator (4) and the rotor (6). The pressure chambers (8a, 8b) are separated from each other by a radially oriented vane (12) of the rotor (6), wherein the pressure chambers (8a, 8b) can be alternately supplied with a pressure medium. The vane (12) has a radial face (20) and two lateral faces (20) that are directed toward the pressure chambers (8a, 8b). The radial face (20) is sealed by a U-shaped sealing element (26) having a main limb (30) and two side limbs (32) seated against the lateral faces (22). The pressure chambers (8a, 8b) of the camshaft adjuster (2) are sealed particularly reliably by designing check valves (28) on the side limbs (32) of the sealing element (26) and by designing, on the lateral faces (22) of the vane (12), outlets for the pressure medium with which the check valves (28) are associated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Michael Busse, Stefan Schelter
  • Patent number: 8869762
    Abstract: A fluid-pressure-operated valve timing controller has a control valve that is disposed in a vane rotor and a camshaft. The control valve has a sleeve and a spool moving in an axial direction in the sleeve. The sleeve includes: a valve part held by the vane rotor; a screw part coaxially secured to the camshaft in a state where an axial tension is generated; and a connector part that connects the valve part and the screw part with each other in the axial direction. A strength or rigidity of the connector part relative to the axial tension is lower than that of the valve part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Futoshi Kawamura, Masashi Hayashi, Tadao Ikihara
  • Patent number: 8869759
    Abstract: In a variable valve actuation system capable of changing the angle of action of intake valves by using an actuator whose movement range is between a high end and a low end at which the movement of the actuator is mechanically stopped, it is determined that a fixation is present on condition that the actual amount of movement of the actuator in response to a command A for movement toward the low end that is issued when the present movement position of the actuator is unknown is not more than a prescribed movement criterion value a and that the actual amount of movement in response to a command B output subsequently to the command A in order to cause the actuator to operate in a direction opposite to the direction of the movement in response to the command B is not more than a prescribed movement criterion value b.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Nakagawa, Shunsuke Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8863712
    Abstract: A camshaft adjuster (4) for a camshaft (12) of an internal combustion engine (2). The camshaft adjuster (4) includes a stator (20), a rotor (22) housed concentrically in the stator (20) and mounted rotatably about a rotational axis (78) relative to the stator (20), and a volume accumulator (70) for receiving a hydraulic fluid from a pressure chamber (44) formed between the rotor (22) and the stator (20). The volume accumulator (70) has an outlet (76) in a direction of the rotational axis (78).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jens Schafer, Martin Steigerwald, Michael Busse, Jurgen Plate, Andreas Wedel, Olaf Boese, Steffen Racklebe
  • Patent number: 8863711
    Abstract: An adjustable camshaft sprocket assembly includes a hub and a sprocket body secured to the hub. A stud-receiving opening is defined in one of the hub flange and the sprocket body, and a tool-receiving opening is defined in the other of the hub flange and the sprocket body. The tool-receiving opening is aligned with the stud-receiving opening and is adapted to receive a body portion of an adjustment tool, and the stud-receiving opening is adapted to receive an eccentric stud of the adjustment tool. Either the stud-receiving opening or the tool-receiving opening is elongated. Rotation of the adjustment tool when its body is located in the tool-receiving opening and its eccentric stud is located in the stud-receiving opening causes relative angular movement between the hub and the sprocket body. One or more fasteners are used to immovably secure the sprocket body to the hub after adjustment. A tool includes cylindrical base, a driving head, and an eccentric stud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Cloyes Gear and Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy R. Allen
  • Patent number: 8863713
    Abstract: A camshaft adjustor (4), for an internal combustion engine (2), the camshaft adjustor having a stator (20), a rotor (22) which is rotatably accommodated in the stator (20), a pressure chamber (44) for adjusting the rotor (22) in relation to the stator (20) and a volume reservoir (70) for equalizing a negative pressure in the pressure chamber (44) via a channel (88) between the pressure chamber (44) and the volume reservoir (70). A non-return valve (72) having a closure part (102) for blocking a channel (88) which opens a volume reservoir (70) into a pressure chamber (44) in a camshaft adjustor (4), wherein the non-return valve (72) is formed of a metal sheet and the closure part (102) is realized so as to be movable in a recess (98) of the metal sheet (92) with two oppositely situated ends (94, 96) which are bent toward each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jens Schafer, Martin Steigerwald, Michael Busse, Jurgen Plate, Andreas Wedel, Olaf Boese, Steffen Racklebe
  • Patent number: 8863710
    Abstract: A control valve which has a substantially cylindrical valve box and a substantially cylindrical control piston. The control valve can be arranged in a cylindrical receptacle and the control piston is arranged so as to be axially displaceable inside the valve box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Ali Bayrakdar
  • Patent number: 8863709
    Abstract: A valve timing adjuster is mounted to a driving force transmission system, wherein the driving force transmission system transmits a driving force through a timing belt from a drive shaft to a driven shaft. The timing belt is rotatable synchronously with rotation of the drive shaft. The valve timing adjuster includes a pulley part, a housing, and a vane rotor. The pulley part is rotatable synchronously with the drive shaft through engagement with the timing belt. The housing is formed integrally with the pulley part. The vane rotor is received within the housing. The vane rotor is rotatable synchronously with the driven shaft. The vane rotor has a plurality of vane parts that is rotatable relative to the housing within a predetermined angular range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Kenji Tada
  • Patent number: 8863707
    Abstract: A camshaft adjuster (1) that has a spring (4) covered at least partially by a spring cover (5) is provided, with the spring cover (5) having spacer elements (6) that fix the spring ends (7) in the axial direction such that the spring windings of the spring (4) have, as much as possible, no axial contact with the peripheral components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Sven Weiβer
  • Patent number: 8863708
    Abstract: Even if an internal combustion engine is stopped having a lock pin of a vane rotor kept disengaged from a lock recess, subsequent engine starting can instantly move the vane rotor to a desired angular position where the lock member an be engaged with the lock recess. The vane rotor has therein two passage control mechanisms each having a hydraulically actuated valve body. When the valve body is moved to a given position, retarding and advancing hydraulic holes become communicated to each other through an annular groove of the valve body. Due to this ON communication, retarding and advancing operation chambers become communicated, so that reciprocative swing movement of the vane rotor induced by an alternating torque produced at the starting of the engine is effectively made and thus the vane rotor can be quickly turned to the desired angular position for ease of engine starting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Watanabe, Yasuhide Takada, Osamu Fujita, Tetsuya Shibukawa
  • Patent number: 8857393
    Abstract: A camshaft adjuster (1) is provided with a drive element (2) and an output element (3), including a locking mechanism (5) which is arranged in a locking bore (6) and has precisely two locking pistons (8, 9) and a locking spring (7), the locking bore (6) is formed in the drive element (2) or in the output element (3) and the respective other element (2, 3) which does not have the locking bore (6) includes the locking receivers (10, 11) associated with the locking pistons (8, 9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Holger Brenner, Stefan Schelter
  • Patent number: 8857392
    Abstract: In a motor vehicle camshaft adjusting device which comprises an open- and/or closed-loop control unit for adjusting the camshaft phase position in a normal operating mode to a temporarily intermittently constant phase position, the open- and/or closed loop control unit has an engine start operating mode in which the camshaft phase position is advanced during opening of the valve so as to provide a valve opening angle range which is smaller than a geometric normal opening angle range based on a crankshaft angle range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Alexander Von Gaisberg-Heifenberg, Thomas Stolk
  • Patent number: 8857391
    Abstract: A controller for a variable valve actuation device is provided. The controller prevents the startability of an internal combustion engine from being degraded. An electronic controller (91) performs a phase advancing control at engine starting to advance valve timing (VT) by oil pressure of an phase advancing chamber (37) and oil pressure of a phase retarding chamber (38) provided in a phase changing mechanism (30) if a residual oil amount (Q) is greater than or equal to a reference oil amount (QA) at engine starting. In addition, when the valve timing (VT) reaches an intermediate angular phase (VTmdl), the valve timing (VT) is held in the intermediate angular phase (VTmdl) by oil pressure of the phase changing mechanism (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toyokazu Nakashima
  • Patent number: 8857395
    Abstract: A valve timing control apparatus includes a driving-side rotation member, a driven-side rotation member, a fluid chamber, an advanced angle chamber and a retarded angle chamber, a fluid control valve portion controlling supply and discharge of fluid relative to each of the advanced angle chamber and the retarded angle chamber, an accumulator accumulating a portion of fluid supplied to the fluid control valve portion from a pump at a fluid storage portion during an operation of an internal combustion engine and supplying fluid accumulated at the fluid storage portion to the fluid control valve portion at a start of the internal combustion engine, and a supply flow passage connecting the pump, the fluid control valve portion, and the accumulator in series. The accumulator includes a relief control valve portion configured to maintain a pressure of fluid accumulated at the fluid storage portion equal to or smaller than a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroki Mukaide, Shigemitsu Suzuki, Naoto Toma
  • Patent number: 8857177
    Abstract: A piston engine, having at least one cylinder that includes at least a first and a second discharge valve and a double overhead camshaft for controlling the first and a second discharge valves. The double overhead camshaft includes both an inner shaft, which has at least one first cam for controlling the first discharge valve, and an outer shaft that is coaxial to the first inner shaft and has at least one second cam for controlling the second discharge valve. The inner shaft and the outer shaft are rotationally adjustable relative to one another changing the discharge time frame of the discharge valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Mahle International GmbH
    Inventors: Alfred Elsässer, Hermann Hoffmann, Sascha Senjic, Peter Wieske
  • Patent number: 8857390
    Abstract: A method of joining multiple powder metal components to form a powder metal component assembly using an adhesive is disclosed. By machining at least one of the powder metal components prior to the adhesive joining, otherwise difficult to machine features can be more easily machined for less cost and at higher production rates. Unlike high temperature joining techniques, the adhesive joins the powder metal components at room temperature. This room temperature adhesive joining eliminates the thermal distortions in pre-joined machined features common to high temperature joining techniques such as brazing or welding that bring these features out of specification during joining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: GKN Sinter Metals, LLC
    Inventors: Gerald Michael Malen, Timothy Costanzo, Ian W. Donaldson, Joel H. Mandel
  • Patent number: 8857394
    Abstract: A variable valve timing control apparatus includes a driving-side rotating member, an driven-side rotating member, a cam shaft, a control valve switching supply and discharge of a working fluid relative to an advanced angle chamber and a retarded angle chamber, an advanced angle-side oil passage, a retarded angle-side oil passage, a spider provided with a first oil passage and a second oil passage, a seal mechanism partitioning between at least one of the first oil passage and the second oil passage, and an outside space, and the seal mechanism allows air to come in the at least one of the first oil passage and the second oil passage in a case where pressure inside the at least the one of the first oil passage and the second oil passage is lower than air pressure of the outside space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naoto Toma, Shigemitsu Suzuki, Hiroki Mukaide
  • Patent number: 8857388
    Abstract: Provided is a valve open/close timing control system where a valve open/close timing control device includes a drive-side rotating member, a driven-side rotating member, a relative rotational phase control mechanism, and a first locking member, in which the internal combustion engine is configured to be started by a drive force generated by a traveling motor or by a drive force generated by a starter motor, and the valve open/close timing control system also includes a control unit which is configured, for starting the internal combustion engine while changing the relative rotational phase at the time of starting the internal combustion engine, to drive the starter motor or the traveling motor at the time of starting the internal combustion engine at the first locking phase, and to drive the traveling motor at the time of starting the internal combustion engine at the second locking phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaki Kobayashi, Kazunari Adachi, Kazuo Ueda
  • Patent number: 8851034
    Abstract: A hydraulic camshaft phaser includes an outer rotor and an inner rotor rotationally adjustable and arranged concentrically about a common axis of rotation. At least one hydraulic chamber is formed between the outer rotor and the inner rotor, into which hydraulic chamber at least one connected vane extends from each of the outer rotor and the inner rotor, thereby dividing the hydraulic chamber into at least one pressure chamber pair formed by two pressure chambers. The inner rotor has a circular opening extending concentrically along the axis of rotation, a sealing portion being formed on the inner surface of the circular opening between two axial faces of the inner rotor, and the opening having a larger inner diameter on both sides of the sealing portion than in the sealing portion. The inner rotor is a sintered part, and the sealing portion of the inner rotor is calibrated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Olaf Boese, Christoph Betz
  • Patent number: 8851032
    Abstract: A variable-camshaft-timing mechanism is provided with a conically spiral spring valve as a check valve. When the conically spiral spring valve is opened, a plurality of flow passage clearances are formed between adjacent windings of the check valve, whereby a pressure loss of the working fluid can be reduced when passing through the check valve. When a reverse flow is generated, the check valve receives the reverse flow in its axial direction. Thus, the reverse flow of the working fluid can be utilized as a thrust force in a close direction of the check valve. A valve closing responsiveness of the check valve can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Kenji Tada
  • Patent number: 8855893
    Abstract: A valve timing control apparatus includes a housing that is rotatable with a crankshaft; a vane rotor that is rotatable with a camshaft; and a phase controller to compulsorily change a rotation phase of the vane rotor alternately between an advance side and a retard side with respect to the housing if an engine shifts to a high rotation state after the engine continuously has a low rotation state for a predetermined period or more. The engine in the low rotation state has a rotation speed lower than a predetermined rotation speed. The engine in the high rotation state has a rotation speed equal to or higher than the predetermined rotation speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignees: Nippon Soken, Inc., Denso Corporation, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shuhei Oe, Hiroya Andou, Jun Yamada, Takehiro Tanaka, Yoshihito Moriya
  • Patent number: 8851033
    Abstract: A hydraulic camshaft adjuster (1) having a rotor (2) and a stator (3) as well as a cover (4) which is situated in a rotatably fixed manner on the stator (3) and is separate from the stator (3), having a spring (11) designed as a spiral spring (10), the spiral spring (10) having an inner, first end (9) which is fixed on the rotor (2) in a form-locked manner and an outer, free end (13) which is fixed on the cover (4) in a form-locked manner, the second end (13) of the spiral spring (10) being located in a groove (17) present in the cover (4), the groove (17) extending in such a way that the second end (13) of the spiral spring (10) extends from a side of the cover (4) facing away from the stator (3) to a side of the cover (4) facing the stator (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Josef Janitschek, Juergen Weber
  • Publication number: 20140290607
    Abstract: A camshaft adjusting means for an internal combustion engine includes an adjusting mechanism which is configured as a three-shaft gear mechanism having a drive side into which the drive moment for the camshaft is introduced, an output side which is connected fixedly to the camshaft so as to rotate with it, and an adjusting shaft which is coupled to a drive motor and via which a moment which brings about the relative rotation of the drive side with respect to the output side is introduced into the adjusting mechanism. The adjusting mechanism having one bearing point on each of its drive side and its output side and being mounted via the bearing points with respect to the component which supports the camshaft, in particular the cylinder head of the internal combustion engine. The adjusting shaft is guided into the adjusting mechanism through one of the bearing points.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2012
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventors: Felix Kuffner, Michael Schober, Thomas Wickgruber
  • Patent number: 8844486
    Abstract: In a valve timing control apparatus, a supply oil passage, which supplies hydraulic oil to advancing chambers, is formed separately from a discharge oil passage, which discharges the hydraulic oil from the advancing chambers. A spool is configured to reciprocate in a sleeve to enable and disable communication between each corresponding two of an intake oil passage, the supply oil passage, the discharge passage, and a supply and discharge passage. An isolating member is fixed to one end portion of the spool and isolates an air chamber, which is formed between the one end portion of the spool and a bottom portion of the sleeve, from each of the oil passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Masashi Hayashi, Tomonobu Ikuma
  • Patent number: 8844485
    Abstract: A valve timing controller includes a lock mechanism that locks a rotation phase at a main lock phase when an internal combustion engine is started with an ambient temperature more than or equal to a preset temperature. The main lock phase represents a rotation phase set for closing an intake valve at a later timing later than a timing when a piston reaches a bottom dead center of a cylinder in the internal combustion engine. The lock mechanism locks the rotation phase at a sub lock phase representing a rotation phase advanced rather than the main lock phase in the internal combustion engine when the internal combustion engine is started with an ambient temperature lower than the present temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignees: Denso Corporation, Nippon Soken, Inc.
    Inventors: Takehiro Tanaka, Takashi Yamaguchi, Makoto Otsubo, Shuhei Oe, Taketsugu Sasaki, Yuusuke Yasuki, Kuniaki Oka
  • Patent number: 8844482
    Abstract: A camshaft for actuating the gas exchange valves of an internal combustion engine. The camshaft includes a camshaft tube, a hydraulic camshaft adjuster, a valve for controlling the hydraulic fluid supplied to the camshaft adjuster and an actuation device, arranged in the interior of the camshaft tube, for actuating the valve. The actuation device is secured against displacement in the axial direction. The camshaft is light-weight and functional elements in addition to the actuation device and optionally the valve can be integrated into the interior of the camshaft. It should furthermore be possible to arrange an oil or vacuum pump at the end of the camshaft opposite the camshaft adjuster, the pump being drivable by the camshaft. The actuation device is designed as an electromagnetic, piezoelectric or electrical actuator and is connected to the camshaft tube such that they rotate together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: ThyssenKrupp Presta TecCenter AG
    Inventors: Jonathan Heywood, Sebastian Wappler, Mario Lindner
  • Patent number: 8844484
    Abstract: A camshaft adjuster with a drive element, a driven element, and a pressure chamber formed between the drive element and the driven element for generating a relative rotation between the driven element and the drive element, and a volume accumulator that is arranged in the camshaft adjuster and supplies hydraulic medium via a channel from the volume accumulator to the pressure chamber if there is an under-pressure in the pressure chamber. The camshaft adjuster has a non-return valve with a closing part for closing an opening of the channel, the non-return valve allows a flow of hydraulic medium through the channel from the volume accumulator to the pressure chamber, and there is an elastically expandable component that projects into the channel and can be guided by the channel and is connected to the closing part and is provided for applying tension for pulling the closing part into the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jens Schafer, Martin Steigerwald, Michael Busse, Jurgen Plate, Andreas Wedel, Olaf Boese, Steffen Racklebe
  • Patent number: 8844483
    Abstract: A clamping disk (1) for the non-positive connection of components in a cam adjusting system, a cam adjusting system (15) having a clamping disk (1) and a method for checking the mounting of the clamping disk (1) are provided. The clamping disk (1) has an essentially circular base body (2) which has at least one friction surface for a contact partner. The base body (2) is axially penetrated by a material recess (10). The mounting of the clamping disk (1) can be controlled in a simple manner by distance measuring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Rainer Ottersbach, Christoph Betz, Rudiger Herzog, Stefan Christel, Stefan Sebald, Uwe Stollberger
  • Patent number: 8844481
    Abstract: A variable valve apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes a control shaft, a camshaft having first and second camshaft members rotatable relative to each other, a rotary cam rotating together with the second camshaft member for opening and closing of an exhaust valve, an eccentric drive cam rotating together with the first camshaft member, a rocker arm caused to swing with rotation of the eccentric drive cam, a swing cam caused to swing by the rocker arm for opening and closing of an intake valve, a control cam formed on the control shaft to change an operating position of the rocker arm according to a rotational phase of the control shaft and vary the amount of swinging movement of the swing cam, a phase control mechanism adapted to control a relative rotational phase of the first and second camshaft members and an actuator for rotating the control shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Makoto Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20140283773
    Abstract: A camshaft drive includes a drive shaft having at least one cam for actuating a valve of an internal combustion engine. A shaft-in-shaft system is disposed parallel to the drive shaft and has an inner shaft and an outer shaft each having at least one cam for actuating a valve. The outer shaft is connected to an outer shaft transmission element in a manner fixed against relative rotation. A hydraulic transmission device includes a stator, a rotor, and an intermediate member. The inner shaft is coupled to the drive shaft via the hydraulic transmission device which is operatively connected to an adjusting device and to a control device for setting a desired phase angle between the inner shaft and the outer shaft. A drive element is coupled to the drive shaft. The drive element is directly coupled both to the outer shaft transmission element and to the stator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: VOLKSWAGEN AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Uwe Elfers
  • Patent number: 8839820
    Abstract: A control valve for controlling pressure medium flows, which has a cylindrical valve housing with a housing cavity The housing cavity is open at one side and has an axial outflow port, a radial first working port, a radial second working port, a radial third working port and two radial pressure ports which each open into the housing cavity. A first pressure port is arranged axially between the first working port and the second working port, and a second pressure port is arranged axially between the second working port and the third working port. Also, the control valve has a cylindrical control piston, which is axially movable within the housing cavity and has a piston cavity open at one side in the direction of the outflow port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jens Hoppe, Andreas Roehr, Michael Busse
  • Patent number: 8839751
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine (1) having a device (2) for changing the relative angular position of a camshaft (3) with respect to a crankshaft of the internal combustion engine, wherein the device (2) includes a drive element (4) driven by the crankshaft and a housing element (5). The drive element (4) together with the housing element (5) rotates about an axis (a) during operation of the internal combustion engine and the device (2) is at least partially surrounded by a casing (6) of the internal combustion engine (1). In order to improve the oil exchange in the housing bell of the internal combustion engine, and to prevent deposition of particles in the housing bell, the housing element (5) is provided with at least one fluid-conveying element (7), wherein the fluid-conveying element (7) is intended and suitable for conveying fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Joachim Dietz, Rudiger Herzog
  • Publication number: 20140261266
    Abstract: A variable cam timing phaser (10) can a drive stator (14) and at least one driven rotor (20, 20a, 20b) mounted for rotation about a common axis. At least one vane-type hydraulic coupling can define at least one expandable fluid chamber (40, 50, 40a, 50a, 40b, 50b) for coupling the at least one driven rotor (20, 20a, 20b) for rotation with the drive stator (14) to enable the phase of the at least one driven rotor (20, 20a, 20b) to be adjusted independently of one another and independently relative to the drive stator (14). A control valve (60) can have at least one inlet port (62), at least one outlet port (64, 64a), and at least one common shared fluid passage (16, 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2012
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: Mark M. Wigsten
  • Publication number: 20140261265
    Abstract: An exemplary engine assembly includes a crankshaft, and a camshaft having cam lobes mounted thereon. The cam lobes are configured to provide lift to respective devices as a function of a rotation of the camshaft. The cam lobes are circumferentially offset from one another such that a timing of operation of the lift is different for each of the at least two cam lobes. The assembly includes at least one roller bearing coupled to the camshaft, and an electric cam phaser configured to alter the timing of the camshaft with respect to the crankshaft as a function of engine operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: Daniel M. Lonowski
  • Patent number: 8833318
    Abstract: A device (11) for the variable adjusting of the control timing of gas exchange valves (9, 10) of an internal combustion engine (1) with a drive element (13), an output element (14), at least one pressure chamber (23) and a volume accumulator (31), wherein the output element (14) is arranged in a rotatable manner to the drive element (13), and the pressure chamber (23) is bordered at least partially by these components (13, 14), wherein a phase position between the output element (14) and the drive element (13) can be variably adjusted by the pressure medium supply to or pressure medium removal from the pressure chamber (23). Pressure medium lines (25a, b, p) are provided by which the pressure medium can be supplied to the pressure chamber (23) or removed therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Andreas Strauss, Kurt Kirsten
  • Publication number: 20140251248
    Abstract: A valve timing control apparatus includes a driving-side rotation member, a driven-side rotation member, and a lock mechanism including a recess portion, a lock member engageable and disengageable relative to the recess portion, and a biasing member. The recess portion includes a lock groove portion with which the lock member is configured to engage to lock a relative rotation phase at a lock phase, and a restriction groove portion. The lock groove portion includes a lock bottom surface and the restriction groove portion includes a restriction bottom surface. A second depth from an opening position of the recess portion to the restriction bottom surface is smaller than a first depth from the opening position to the lock bottom surface. The second depth from the opening position to the restriction bottom surface is smaller than a third depth from the restriction bottom surface to the lock bottom surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki KAWAI, Shohei Masuda, Masaki Kobayashi, Kazuo Ueda, Hideomi Iyanaga
  • Publication number: 20140251247
    Abstract: A variable engine valve timing control system has a cam phase actuator, with first and second actuator ports, to adjust a rotational phase of a camshaft relative to a crankshaft. A first control valve selectively couples the first actuator port to either an engine oil pump or a first valve port. A second control valve selectively couples the second actuator port to either the engine oil pump or a second valve port. Separate check valves prevent oil flow backwards through the first and second control valves from the cam phase actuator to the engine oil pump. In one implementation, the first valve port and second valve port are connected to a fluid reservoir. In another implementation, the first valve port is connected by another check valve to the second actuator port, and the second valve port is connected by a further check valve to the first actuator port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: HUSCO AUTOMOTIVE HOLDINGS LLC
    Inventors: Allen Tewes, Austin Schmitt
  • Publication number: 20140251249
    Abstract: A concentric cam shaft phaser, including: a first camshaft; a second camshaft located radially inside of the first camshaft; a control gear in contact with the first camshaft and fixedly connected to the first camshaft by a weld, a press fit, or a shrink fit; a rotor non-rotatably connected to the second camshaft; and a stator non-rotatably connected to the control gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Craig Dupuis
  • Patent number: 8826873
    Abstract: The invention relates to a rotor (1, 71) for a camshaft adjuster, comprising a substantially annular rotor basic body (3, 73) which has an end surface (11, 91) with a contour (15, 89) which extends in an axial direction, wherein the contour (15, 89) has an asymmetry such that precisely one position is predefined for the axial attachment of the rotor basic body (3, 73) to a camshaft (31, 112). A rotor (1, 71) with a contour (15, 89) of this type makes centering on a camshaft (31, 112) possible in a manner which is cost-neutral and can be easily implemented in terms of manufacturing technology. Furthermore, the invention relates to a camshaft adjusting system (111) with an above-mentioned rotor (1, 71).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignees: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG, Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
    Inventors: Ulrich Landersdorfer, Armin Braun
  • Patent number: 8826872
    Abstract: A valve opening/closing timing control device, including: a drive-side rotating body rotating synchronously with crankshaft; a driven-side rotating body arranged coaxially with the drive-side rotating body and rotating synchronously with a camshaft in an internal combustion engine; a partition section provided to at least one of the drive-side rotating body and the driven-side rotating body so as to partition a fluid pressure chamber into a retard chamber and an advance chamber; a seal member preventing leakage of a working fluid between the retard chamber and the advance chamber; and a biasing member engaging with the seal member by a biasing force caused by elastic deformation and biasing the seal member from the partition section side towards the drive-side rotating body side or the driven-side rotating body side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuji Noguchi, Tomohiro Nozawa
  • Publication number: 20140245980
    Abstract: The invention relates to a camshaft, in particular for motor vehicle engines, comprising an outer shaft (1), an inner shaft (2) arranged coaxially in the outer shaft (1), first functional elements (3) rigidly arranged on the outer shaft (1), second functional elements (4a, 4b), which are rotatably arranged on the outer shaft (1) and fastened to the inner shaft (2) in a rotationally fixed manner, and a phase adjuster (5) connected to the outer shaft (1) and the inner shaft (2) for rotating the inner shaft (2) relative to the outer shaft (1), wherein the phase adjuster (5) is fastened to the inner shaft (2) and thereby a torque is applied. According to the invention, one of the functional elements (4a, 4b) connected to the inner shaft (2) in a rotationally fixed manner has tool accommodation surfaces (11) on the cylindrical surface side outside of a functional surface (12a, 12b). The invention further relates to such a functional element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2012
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Inventors: Michael Kunz, Bernd Mann, Markus Melzer, Juergen Meusel
  • Patent number: 8820278
    Abstract: A valve timing control apparatus includes a driving-side rotary body, a driven-side rotary body, a fluid pressure chamber partitioned into a retard angle chamber and an advance angle chamber by a partitioning portion provided in at least one of the driving-side rotary body and the driven-side rotary body, a fluid control mechanism for controlling feeding of working fluid from a working fluid pump for feeding the working fluid to the fluid pressure chamber and controlling also discharging of the working fluid from the fluid pressure chamber, a first lock mechanism capable of restraining a relative rotational phase to a first predetermined phase between a most retarded angle phase and a most advanced angle phase, and a second lock mechanism capable of restraining the relative rotational phase to a second predetermined phase different from the first predetermined phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaki Kobayashi, Kazunari Adachi, Mitsuru Uozaki, Kenji Fujiwaki, Shohei Masuda