Abstract: In an internal combustion engine valve drive device having at least one switch gate for valve lift switching by converting a rotation of at least a first and a second cam element into an axial movement by first and second actuators provided for axially displacing the first cam element and the second cam element in a first switching direction via an operative connection of the first actuator with the switch gate and the second actuator provided for axially displacing the second cam element in the same switching direction via an operative connection with the switch gate, the device including a control unit controlling the axial displacement of the first and second cam elements in the same switching direction under the control unit by actuating the first and second actuators at the same time.

Abstract: The invention relates to a link lever of a valve train, which is rotatably mounted on a swing arm of the valve train by means of a stationary link point having an intermediate cam follower that follows a camshaft, wherein the swing arm supports a cam track that drives a valve.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling a variable valve timing mechanism of an internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinders, wherein, at a first operating point of the internal combustion engine, the fuel quantity which is fed in in each case is reduced successively for each cylinder until a predetermined unsmooth-running limiting value is reached. The variable valve timing mechanism is controlled with consideration of the cylinder-individual values for the fuel-quantity reduction at the first operating point.

Abstract: Systems and methods for actuating engine valves are disclosed. The systems may include a rocker arm having an adjustable length push tube mounted to a first end and multiple contact surfaces for an engine valve bridge at a second end. An actuator piston assembly may be provided in the rocker arm between the first and second rocker arm ends. The actuator piston assembly is adapted to extend from the rocker arm under the influence of hydraulic pressure and actuate an inboard engine valve through the engine valve bridge when an actuator piston is locked into an extended position.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a variable valve timing mechanism includes an electronic controller which includes a microcomputer converges a valve timing of a variable valve timing mechanism to a target changing amount based on a deviation between the target changing amount and an output of a sensor for detecting a changing amount of the valve timing.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling an engine via an outlet control device of an intake manifold, such as via variable valve lift operation. The engine may further include an inlet control device, such as an electronic throttle, as well as coordination between the inlet and outlet control devices for controlling airflow in the engine.

Abstract: A sleeve valve assembly. The assembly includes a valve seat, a sleeve valve and an oil path-defining piece. The sleeve valve includes a distal end with a cavity. The distal end contacts the valve seat when the sleeve valve is located in a closed position. The oil path-defining piece includes an inlet port, an outlet port and a plurality of cooling passages. The flange of the sleeve valve is slidably in contact with the oil path-defining piece such that cooling fluid travelling into the inlet port and through the cooling passages enters into the cavity before exiting out the exit port.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to valves comprising a member such as a plate or poppet, that is moveable relative to a stationary seat. The state of the member may be maintained against opposing forces with relatively little expenditure of energy. According to one embodiment, a poppet displaced from seating in the valve seat, may be held in position against opposing forces tending to close the valve, until a desired flow of gas through the valve has taken place. The poppet may then be released as desired, such that those opposing forces serve to passively close the valve. The valve may be secured in position utilizing mechanical, magnetic, electromagnetic, pneumatic, electrostatic, or hydraulic approaches. Valve embodiments may be particularly suited to controlling gas flows for compression and/or expansion in an energy storage system.

Abstract: A device for securing an actuating lever of a valvetrain of an internal combustion engine to a support element. The actuating lever having a recess and protrusion, to accept a spherical end of the support element, the securing device seated on an upper portion of the protrusion and having side walls seated in an undercut of the support element, for securing the support element with the actuating lever. The securing device having a top bifurcated element, bottom perforated element and a connecting element connecting the top and bottom elements together.

Abstract: A method for determining a phase position of an adjustable camshaft of an internal combustion engine having a sensor wheel and a camshaft adjuster. The phase position of the camshaft is determined on the basis of phase flank interrupts triggered by the sensor wheel and a model which depends on at least one performance characteristic of the camshaft adjuster.

Abstract: A valve system for providing closing force to one or more valves of an engine is provided. In one example, the system comprises a first tappet bore in fluid communication with a second tappet bore via a bidirectional oil passage. The system may provide valve closing forces to assist in the closing of valves coupled to the tappet bores, lowering required valve spring forces.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a valve and an actuator. The valve has a portion movably disposed within a valve pocket defined by a cylinder head of an engine. The valve is configured to move relative to the cylinder head a distance between a closed position and an opened position. The portion of the valve defines a flow opening that is in fluid communication with a cylinder of an engine when the valve is in the opened position. The actuator is configured to selectively vary the distance between the closed position and the opened position.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for controlling a hydraulically actuated engine valve. In one example, a system includes a hydraulically actuated engine valve and an engine having a first hydraulic system. The system further includes a second hydraulic system, which is separate from the first hydraulic system, and where the second hydraulic system provides fluid pressure to actuate the valve.

Abstract: A cylinder head cover is provided for an internal combustion engine having a cover sealing surface for a seal. The seal seals a level cylinder head sealing surface of a cylinder head housing and a curved bearing cap sealing surface of a common frontal bearing cap in relation to frontally arranged camshaft bearings. The curved bearing cap sealing surface of the frontal bearing cap has an outer contour having a middle part above the cylinder head sealing surface and having two transition areas, which slope down diagonally from the cylinder head sealing surface and are skewed in relation to the middle part.

Abstract: An exemplary two-stroke internal combustion engine can comprise one or more cylinders comprising exhaust ports, one or more pistons configured to cyclically cover and uncover the exhaust ports during reciprocation of the pistons within the cylinders, and one or more rotary exhaust valves associated with each exhaust port. The exhaust valves can be configured to rotate around a valve axis that is substantially parallel to an axis of rotation of a crank shaft of the engine. Each exhaust valve at least partially obstructs the associated exhaust port during a portion of the exhaust valve's rotation about the valve axis while the associated exhaust port is at least partially uncovered by the associated piston, thereby trapping fresh charge within the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A switching rocker arm having an outer arm having a first end, a second end, a first and second outer side arm having slider pads that ride on a second cam is disclosed. The switching rocker arm also has an inner arm disposed between the first and second outer side arms. The inner arm has a first end, a second end and a bearing disposed between the first and second end adapted to ride along a first cam. The inner arm is pivotably secured adjacent its first end to the outer arm adjacent its first end. At least one arm has an over-travel limiter structure limits pivoting motion of the first arm relative to the second arm. The switching rocker arm also exhibits decreased lash as the bearing wears, and increased lash as the latch and slider pads wear.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine including: an even number of inline cylinders, each accommodating a piston; a crankshaft rotatably mounted about an axis; first and second balance shafts rotatably mounted about balancing axes parallel to and separate from the engine axis; and first and second mechanisms for rotating the first and second balance shafts at rotating speeds that are dependent on a rotating speed of the crankshaft. The balancing axes of the first and second balance shafts coincide, and the second rotating mechanism adjusts a phase difference between angular positions of the first and second balance shafts around the balancing axis.

Abstract: An engine assembly includes an engine structure, an air bleed valve and a hydraulically actuated engine component. The engine structure defines a first oil supply passage. The air bleed valve is in communication with the first oil supply passage and purges air from pressurized oil within the first oil supply passage. The hydraulically actuated engine component is in communication with the oil supply passage.

Abstract: A system for detecting malfunction of a variable valve lift apparatus may include an engine provided with the variable valve lift apparatus controlling lift of a valve, a vibration sensor which detects vibrations generated in closing of the valve and outputs corresponding vibration signals, and a control portion which receives the vibration signals and determines the malfunction of the variable valve lift apparatus according to the vibration signals to be detected within a predetermined crank angle.

Abstract: A method for improving the operation of an internal combustion engine implementing cylinder deactivation is described. Generally, the pattern of combustion events that are fired and skipped together with the geometry of the exhaust and/or intake system can create unpleasant acoustic issues. By slightly altering the timing of the cylinder intake and exhaust valves, these acoustic issues can be mitigated. The valve timing can be altered on a combustion event by combustion event basis. Alternatively, valve timing for different groups of cylinders can be modified together.

Abstract: A valve housing for a control valve of a camshaft adjuster, including a housing flange for fastening to a control unit as well as an essentially cylindrical housing component for accommodating a control piston. It is provided that the housing component is rotatably fixedly attached to the housing flange by a form-locked connection. A valve housing of this type is cost effective to manufacture and has a low weight, while ensuring operational reliability. The invention furthermore relates to a method for manufacturing an aforementioned valve housing.

Abstract: A method for controlling a valve-control system for variable-lift actuation of the valves of an internal-combustion engine, wherein the valve-control system comprises, for each cylinder of the engine, a solenoid valve for controlling the flow of a hydraulic fluid in the system, and means configured for determining a real temperature value of said hydraulic fluid. The method includes: determining a deviation of performance of the solenoid valves due to a degradation of the characteristics of said hydraulic fluid with respect to nominal values thereof; and substituting for said real temperature value an equivalent temperature value consisting of a temperature value at which the hydraulic fluid having nominal characteristics would produce performance of the solenoid valves corresponding to the performance resulting from the aforesaid deviation so that each solenoid valve is governed as a function of said equivalent temperature value.

Abstract: A method of supplying air to an air spring biasing one of an intake valve and an exhaust valve of an internal combustion engine to a closed position is disclosed. The method includes: driving an air compressor with a motor prior to starting of the internal combustion engine, the air compressor fluidly communicating with the air spring to supply air to the air spring; determining that a predetermined condition has been reached; starting the engine once the predetermined condition has been reached; and driving the air compressor with a rotating shaft of the engine once the engine has started.

Abstract: In an internal-combustion engine provided with a system for variable actuation of the intake valves of the cylinders, some of said cylinders are deactivated in given conditions of operation of the engine by interrupting the supply of fuel. During de-activation, the cycle of opening and closing of the intake valves and exhaust valves of the deactivated cylinders is maintained. The intake valves of each deactivated cylinder are opened when the exhaust valves of the same cylinders are also open. The inactive cylinders are used as reciprocating volumetric pumps for recirculation of exhaust gases from the exhaust manifold of the engine up to the intake manifold. The recirculated gases are cooled in the intake manifold by the air introduced into the latter and can consequently be fed in a larger mass to the active cylinders, which enables a better global efficiency of the engine to be obtained.

Abstract: A method of operating an internal combustion engine includes moving an exhaust valve to a first open position to enable an exhaust product to flow through an exhaust port of the internal combustion engine. The method also includes maintaining the exhaust valve at the first open position for a predetermined time period. The method also includes moving an intake valve to a second open position during the predetermined time period to enable an intake product to flow through an intake port of the internal combustion engine. Additionally, the method includes preventing at least a portion of the intake product from flowing through the exhaust port during the predetermined time period with a first blocking member and a second blocking member.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a method to operate a conventional 4 cylinder engine as an expander for any pressurized fluid (e.g., liquid, vapor, or gas). A poppet valve system is disclosed enabling upward lift of the inlet valve, with assist from cylinder compression pressure, together with downward lift from an exhaust valve, resulting in especially efficient expansion of fluid or gas in a thermodynamic power cycle. Further, it is described that a desmodromic valve operation system may be employed and provides essential guidance and opening closing actions for proper operation of the expander system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a compressed air supply system (11, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 30, 41) for operating a pneumatic system (90, 901, 902), in particular a pneumatic suspension of a vehicle, comprising: a compressed air supply (1); a first pneumatic connection between the compressed air supply (1) and the pneumatic system (90, 901, 902), comprising an air desiccator (61), throttle means (62) and at least one controllable separation valve (63, 63?, 63?, 63??, 63IV, 163); a second pneumatic connection which is pneumatically connected to the first pneumatic connection and to a ventilation connection (3) for connecting to the surroundings and which has at least one controllable ventilation valve (73, 73?, 73?, 73??, 73IV, 173).

Abstract: An engine includes an intake variable valve mechanism and an exhaust variable valve mechanism. An ECU causes all intake valves in all cylinders to stop in a closed state by means of intake variable valve mechanism when performing a fuel-cut operation, including when the engine is stopped. The ECU causes at least one exhaust valve in all cylinders to stop in an open state by means of exhaust variable valve mechanism. When executing a fuel-cut operation, needless compression can be avoided by stopping the exhaust valves in an open state, while protecting a catalyst from deterioration caused by contact with intake air by stopping the intake valves in a closed state. The amount of oil consumption of the engine, and electric power consumption, vibrations and a tendency for spontaneous ignition to occur at cranking time can be improved.

Abstract: A system for diagnosing malfunctions in a variable valve actuation device is disclosed. The system has a rocker arm assembly that includes: a first arm, a second arm with the first and second arms attached at a first end, a hydraulically operated latch assembly that functions to secure the first arm to the second arm when latched. It also includes a source of pressurized fluid connected to a hydraulic valve that provided fluid high or low pressure fluid to the hydraulically-operated latch. The latch may be operated by a remote device. A control gallery connects the hydraulic valve to the latch. A pressure transducer is positioned within the gallery and is adapted to create a signal indicating the pressure in the gallery.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine and a method of operation are described involving: supplying intake gas from an intake manifold (18) to an air intake port of a combustion chamber in a cylinder (11); selectively operating an air intake valve using a first operating profile (30) and, on demand, switching selective operation of the air intake valve to a second operating profile (31) in which the closing of the air intake valve is delayed compared to the closing of the air intake valve using the first operating profile; wherein at the point (43) of or prior to switching from the first operating profile to the second operating profile the pressure of the intake gas in the intake manifold is increased.

Abstract: A control unit for a variable valve timing mechanism for changing a cam phase by an actuator corrects the operation amount of the actuator immediately after an engine is started based on at least an engine rotation angle and a cam phase angle in an engine stop state.

Abstract: A shunt pulsation trap for a positive displacement (PD) internal combustion engine (ICE) reduces pulsation, noise, vibration and harshness (NVH), and overall size of the exhaust system and improves cycle (fuel) efficiency. Generally, a shunt pulsation trap for a PD-ICE is configured to trap and attenuate gas pulsations before discharge to engine outlet and comprises a chamber (trap volume) adjacent to the PD-ICE cavity, therein housed various pulsation dampening means or pulsation containment means, at least one relief port (trap inlet) branching off from the PD-ICE cavity into the pulsation trap chamber and a feedback region (trap outlet) communicating with the PD-ICE outlet. The associated principles, methods and embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A control unit for a variable valve timing mechanism for changing a cam phase by an electric actuator determines an influence on the operation of the variable valve timing mechanism based on the engine operating conditions. Then, based on the determination result, the control unit reduces the operation amount of the electric actuator in a predetermined range of the rotation angle of a camshaft.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine including at least one cylinder, at least one in-block camshaft, at least one overhead intake valve and at least one overhead exhaust valve, as well as at least one rocker arm bracket per cylinder, the rocker arm bracket having an in particular tubular shaft on which are mounted at least one exhaust rocker arm and at least one intake rocker arm.

Abstract: Provided is a control apparatus for an internal combustion engine which can successfully determine whether or not a failure concerning a stopping operation of an exhaust valve has occurred, without the need of providing a dedicated sensor for the failure determination. An intake variable valve operating apparatus (62) and an exhaust variable valve operating apparatus (64) are included that have valve stop mechanisms capable of switching each operational state of an intake valve (58) and an exhaust valve (60) between a valve operating state and a valve closed/stopped state.

Abstract: A system for diagnosing malfunctions in a variable valve actuation device is disclosed. The system has a rocker arm assembly that includes: a first arm, a second arm with the first and second arms attached at a first end, a hydraulically operated latch assembly that functions to secure the first arm to the second arm when latched. The rocker arm assembly pivots upon a hydraulic lash adjuster. It also includes a source of pressurized fluid connected to a hydraulic valve that provided fluid high or low pressure fluid to the hydraulically-operated latch. The latch may be operated by a remote device. A pressure transducer is positioned within the hydraulic lash adjuster (HLA) and is adapted to create a signal indicating the fluid pressure in the HLA.

Abstract: A system for an engine comprising: a crankshaft with four crank throws, wherein, the first and the second crank throw are arranged offset by 180° CA from the third and the fourth crank throws; four cylinders corresponding to the four crank throws, the four cylinders arranged in two cylinder groups, the first cylinder group comprising the first and second cylinder, and the second cylinder group comprising the third and fourth cylinder; an exhaust manifold, wherein, exhaust lines within each of the two cylinder groups merge forming two component exhaust lines, and the two component exhaust lines merge into an overall exhaust line; and an ignition sequence such that each ignition is offset by 180° CA, and ignition of cylinders within the two cylinder groups is offset by 360° CA. In this way exhaust lines within the exhaust manifold can remain short and backpressure from sequential, adjacent cylinder ignition is minimized.

Abstract: A directional valve (30) for controlling a hydraulic oil flow from a pressure port (34) via working chambers of a camshaft adjuster (4) to a tank port (58). The directional valve (30) includes an accumulator port (36) for conducting at least a part of the hydraulic oil flowing out of a working chamber into a volume accumulator (54) before said hydraulic oil flows out into the tank port (58), and the accumulator port (36) is connected via a passage (60) to the pressure port (34).

Abstract: A variable valve timing apparatus for an internal combustion engine, includes an actuator (15) that operates a first variable valve timing mechanism; a detecting portion (35) that detects a driving position of the actuator (15); and a control portion (21) that executes an initialization process only when a preset execution condition is satisfied. In the initialization process, the control portion drives the actuator (15) to one end of a driving range and sets the driving position detected in this state as an initial value, and then drives the actuator (15) to an opposite end of the driving range and reflects an offset amount of the driving position detected in that state with respect to an optimum value in the driving position to compensate for the offset amount. The execution condition includes a condition that an increase amount in acceleration required of the internal combustion engine (1) be equal to or greater than a preset first determining value.

Abstract: A starting system for an internal combustion engine comprising a pressure medium source, means for connecting the pressure medium source to at least two of the cylinders of the engine, a starting valve in connection with each cylinder that is connected to the pressure medium source for controlling the admission of the pressure medium into the cylinder, a control unit for controlling the operation of the starting valves, and an absolute rotary encoder for determining the crank angle of the engine. The system further comprises coupling means arranged between the engine and the absolute rotary encoder for releasably coupling the encoder to the engine. The invention also concerns a method for starting an internal combustion engine and an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A liquid-cooling engine system is described with a coolant control device having an adjustable control element capable of independently controlling the flow of coolant through a cylinder head and cylinder block. The device contains a rotatable drum that can be rotated along its longitudinal axis to expose holes and thereby allows coolant circulation based on a temperature within the engine system. The coolant control device has three positions but may also be fine-tuned within each position to control the flow of coolant through the cylinder head and cylinder block in order to adjust the amount of heat extracted according to demand, which serves to control the liquid-type cooling circuit in a demand-dependent manner that accounts for the operating modes of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: Valve assembly and method in which a valve member is connected to an elongated lever arm for controlling communication between two chambers in an engine. The valve assembly is disposed at least partially within one of the chambers, and the valve member is moved between open and closed by an actuator connected to the lever arm. In some disclosed embodiments, a pilot valve is opened to equalize pressure on both sides of the valve member prior to moving the valve member toward the open position. In others, where a piston in an expansion cylinder is driven by hot, expanding gases from a separate combustion chamber or heat exchanger, the exhaust valve is closed before the piston has completed its exhaust stroke, and pressure is allowed to build up in the expansion cylinder to a level corresponding to the pressure in the combustion chamber before the valve member is moved toward the open position.

Abstract: A control device for an internal combustion engine includes: a variable valve timing mechanism that changes a valve timing; and a control unit that controls a change of the valve timing. The control unit sets an engine stop request-time target valve timing that is a target valve timing at the time when a request for an engine stop is issued, starts control for changing the valve timing coincides with the engine stop request-time target valve timing and causes the internal combustion engine to operate at an idle at the time when the request for the engine stop is issued, starts a process of stopping operation of internal combustion engine at the time when the valve timing has reached a predetermined valve timing.

Abstract: Valve actuation systems are disclosed herein that allow valve opening timing to be varied using a cam phaser and that allow valve closing timing to be varied using a lost-motion system. In one embodiment, an actuation system is provided that has a locked configuration in which a bearing element is held in place between a cam and a rocker to transmit cam motion to an engine valve. The actuation system also has an unlocked configuration in which the bearing element is permitted to be at least partially ejected from between the cam and rocker, such that cam motion is not transmitted to the engine valve. The actuation system is switched to the unlocked configuration by draining fluid therefrom through a main valve which is piloted by a trigger valve. The actuation system also includes integrated autolash and seating control functionality.

Abstract: A clip includes a one-piece metal body having a holder and an attached hanger. The clip is configured to couple with a valve lifter to form a lifter assembly for varying the position of a valve in an internal combustion engine. The holder may be C-shaped, and the hanger may be U-shaped. The one-piece metal body further includes an anti-scuffing outer profile, and a first and a second fillet transitioning from the holder to the hanger, for diffusing stresses induced in the clip at an angular displacement-limiting stop position defined by contact between the hanger and a wall portion of a cylinder block. Related methodology is disclosed.

Abstract: A variable valve timing apparatus for an internal combustion engine, including: an actuator (15) that activates a variable valve timing mechanism; a detection unit (35) that detects a driving position of the actuator; a control unit (21) that drive-controls the actuator, and when a predetermined execution condition is established, executes one of a first initialization process and a second initialization process that match the driving position of the actuator detected by the detection unit with an actual driving position of the actuator; and an abnormality determination unit (21) that determines whether or not an abnormality is present in the driving position detected by the detection unit and stores an abnormality history after determining that an abnormality is present. The control unit executes the first initialization process when the abnormality history is stored and the second initialization process when the abnormality history is not stored.

Abstract: A secondary air supplying system of an internal combustion engine includes secondary air valve chambers to control the supply of secondary air. The secondary air valve chambers are formed in a cylinder-head cover that covers a cylinder head from above. In such a secondary air supplying system, a cam shaft and a rocker-arm shaft are offset from a cylinder axis L and are disposed at respective sides of the cylinder axis L from each other. In addition, the secondary air valve chambers are formed at the rocker-arm-shaft side of the cylinder axis L. With this configuration, it is possible for the secondary air valve chambers formed in the cylinder-head cover to be disposed as close as possible to a cylinder head, and the internal combustion engine can be made more compact in size.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a power cylinder having a power chamber delimited by a power piston, the power chamber having an intake valve and an exhaust valve, a compression cylinder having a compression chamber delimited by a compression piston, the compression chamber having a fresh charge intake valve, and a flow-through chamber delimited by a flow-through piston and fluidly connected with the compression chamber via a flow-through passage. The flow-through chamber is directly or indirectly connected with the power chamber via a push-out passage. A flow-through valve is disposed in the flow-through passage. A cooler is arranged so as to cool compressed fresh charge flowing through the first flow-through passage. The pistons and the valves are movable such that the cooled, compressed fresh charge is pushed over by the compression piston from the compression chamber into the first flow-through chamber and is ultimately pushed out into the power chamber.

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.

Abstract: A method for operating an internal combustion engine in the event of a fault in a crankshaft sensor is provided, the internal combustion engine having at least two camshafts and a speed and/or a position of the internal combustion engine being derived from a signal taken from the camshaft. In order to improve the exhaust gas performance of the internal combustion engine even in a crankshaft emergency operating mode, only a first camshaft is used to determine the speed and/or the position of the internal combustion engine, while the second camshaft. is adjusted in its angle of rotation in order to set a variable valve operating mechanism on the intake and exhaust valves of the internal combustion engine that are driven by the second camshaft.