Valve Driven Closed Patents (Class 123/90.24)
  • Patent number: 11066964
    Abstract: A linkage for coupling between an actuator and a valve in an engine valve actuation assembly. The linkage provides some compliance in the operation of the linkage to close the valve. The linkage comprises a rocker having a rigid body portion, the body portion including a pivot axis about which it is rotatable, and a link mount for coupling to a valve link arm. The link mount is moveable from a rest position relative to the body portion, and the link mount is urged back towards its rest position when displaced from its rest position relative to the body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Camcon Auto Limited
    Inventors: David Yates, Richard Tyrrell
  • Patent number: 10830231
    Abstract: Positive drive valve actuating mechanisms useable to operate a valve of a reciprocating compressor for oil and gas industry and related methods are provided. The valve actuating mechanism includes a driver configured to perform a rotating motion and a follower connected to a mobile part of the valve and to the driver. The follower is configured to transform the rotating motion of the driver into a reciprocating motion to open the valve and to close the valve, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Nuovo Pignone SrL
    Inventors: Riccardo Bagagli, Leonardo Tognarelli
  • Patent number: 10557387
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for cylinder valves of an internal combustion engine. In one example, a valve assembly may include a poppet valve and a valve spring. The valve spring includes a plurality of legs adapted to engage with an annular groove of the valve spring in order to couple the valve spring to the poppet valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Rainer Friedfeldt, Peter Borkenhagen, Ulrich Heiter
  • Patent number: 9732639
    Abstract: The variable lift valve train includes a spring-loaded valve that is in mechanical connection with a lever bar. The lever bar is attached to a stroke limiter. The lever bar extends across the spring-loaded valve and the stroke limiter. The lever bar is positioned under a first cam. The angle of the first cam adjusts the angular orientation of the lever bar with respect to the stroke limiter as well as the spring-loaded valve. The stroke limiter is biased via a stroke spring. Moreover, the stroke limiter extends downwardly, and optionally engages against a stroke limiter cam. The stroke limiter cam is optionally able to influence the stroke limiter, and is a secondary influence when compared to the angular orientation of the lever bar. In use, the variable lift valve train is able to adjust the timing and lift of the spring-loaded valve of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Inventor: Anthony Dike
  • Patent number: 8910606
    Abstract: Various types of valve systems are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a positive control reciprocating sleeve valve system for use with an internal combustion engine includes opening and closing rockers controlled by corresponding opening and closing cam lobes. In one aspect of this embodiment, interference can be designed into the valve control system to provide additional “hold-closed” force to hold the valve against its seat during a portion of the engine cycle. In another aspect of this embodiment, positive control valve systems can include compliant components and systems, hydraulic systems, pneumatic systems, and/or mechanical spring systems to control valve lash, facilitate sealing, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Pinnacle Engines, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Cleeves, Michael Hawkes, William H. Anderson
  • Publication number: 20140311433
    Abstract: A device and method for double actuating, by pressure differential, a valve of a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, wherein the double actuating device comprises an actuator piston displaceably arranged in an actuator cylinder between two chambers of inversely varying volume, mechanically attached to the stem of said valve. The valves are double actuated independently of engine operation, the method allowing for variation in timing, duration, and lift under an electronically controlled fluid circuit, using alterable constants to allow for modifiable operating modes, also allowing reprogramming of said electronics to provide for in-place upgrades.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventor: Edward Hall Batchelor, JR.
  • Patent number: 8776749
    Abstract: The mass production of the MultiAir/UniAir of Fiat/INA proves that the hydraulic control can reliably actuate the valves of the modern internal combustion engines, making them greener. Removing the valve springs from the valves and controlling by the cam not only the valve opening but also the valve restoring, the hydraulic system has easier work to do, the rev limit increases, the height and the cost of the engine decrease and the engine can operate according all the MultiAir strategies. Optionally, the control by high speed solenoid valves can be replaced by easier and cheaper control wherein the rotation of the oil piston is what varies the valve lift and the valve duration. If necessary, slow, cheap, low power servomotors can micro-align the angular displacement of different oil pistons to balance the load between the cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Inventors: Manousos Pattakos, John Pattakos, Emmanouel Pattakos
  • Patent number: 8640660
    Abstract: The apparatus includes a driving shaft with a first gear wheel, a frame able to rotate within limits about the driving shaft, a servo mechanism for controlling the angular position of the frame, a valve-lifting crankshaft with a second gear wheel supported by the frame, a rocker cam assembly, a connecting rod pivotally connected to the valve-lifting crankshaft and the rocker cam assembly, a cam follower operatively connected to a charge exchange valve, and a spring for urging the cam follower against a cam lobe. The engine rotates the driving shaft. The first gear wheel rotates the second gearwheel and the valve-lifting crankshaft. The connecting rod transmits motion from the valve-lifting crankshaft to the rocker cam assembly. Stroke, lifting duration, and phase can be controlled by the angular position of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Jesper Frickmann
    Inventor: Jesper Frickmann
  • Patent number: 8622039
    Abstract: A desmodromic valve system which provides direct bidirectional displacement of a valve stem of an internal combustion engine without the aid of a rocker arm, utilizing a semirigid basket operating in conjunction with a plurality of cams for each valve. The basket is disposed about the camshaft of the engine and secured to the valve stem by an integral retainer on a bottom portion of the basket, and is constrained to motion along the valve stem axis. The basket has a pair of downwardly oriented cam followers in the upper portion thereof, spaced apart from the valve stem axis. A central cam and a parallel pair of side cams are fixedly mounted on the camshaft so as to rotate therewith, the cams substantially surrounded by the basket and cooperating therewith to provide reciprocating valve action with positive bidirectional drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Inventor: James T. Dougherty
  • Patent number: 8490591
    Abstract: A valve arrangement for a four-cycle internal combustion engine is described. The arrangement includes a single poppet valve mechanically-timed by a unified single lobe cam in such a manner as to be totally dosed during the compression cycle and the power cycle and to be open during the exhaust cycle and the inlet cycle. During the period when the poppet valve remains open, the correct direction of the combustion gas exiting through the exhaust port and the air charge (direct fuel injected spark engines and compression ignition engines) or fuel/air mixture (indirect fuel injected and carburetted engines) entering through the inlet port is maintained by two passive unidirectional reed valves, preferably located close to the exit from the exhaust port and close to the entrance to the inlet port respectively. The invention requires substantially fewer mechanically-timed components, delivering key advantages in terms of cost, efficiency and adaptability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Inventor: Salvatore Anthony Perillo
  • Patent number: 8381693
    Abstract: According to the invention, recuperation may be optimized for a hydraulically-operated gas exchange valve by provision of two fluid-filled pressure chambers and a movable regulating piston with two active faces each defining one of the pressure chambers. The pressure chambers are each connected to two hydraulic valves of which the first hydraulic valves may be pressurized from a first pressure reservoir and the second hydraulic valves may be connected to a base pressure reservoir. The first hydraulic valves may furthermore be connected to a second pressure reservoir. A control or regulation device switches the valves, from a rest position in a first accelerating phase and a braking phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: EMPA Eidgenossische Materialprufungs-und Forschungsanstalt
    Inventors: Bernhard Rust, Patrik Soltic, Christian Bach
  • Patent number: 8210138
    Abstract: A split-cycle engine includes a rotatable crankshaft. A compression piston is slidably received within a compression cylinder and operatively connected to the crankshaft such that the compression piston reciprocates through an intake stroke and a compression stroke during a single rotation of the crankshaft. An expansion piston is slidably received within an expansion cylinder and operatively connected to the crankshaft such that the expansion piston reciprocates through an expansion stroke and an exhaust stroke during a single rotation of the crankshaft. A crossover passage interconnects the expansion and compression cylinders. The crossover passage includes a crossover compression valve and a crossover expansion valve defining a pressure chamber therebetween. A pilot crossover valve is disposed between the crossover passage and the expansion cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Scuderi Group, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen P. Scuderi, Riccardo Meldolesi
  • Patent number: 8201531
    Abstract: A mechanical desmodromic fully variable valve actuation system capable for racing revs. Valve lift and valve duration continuously variable from a maximum to zero. Independently variable valve duration and valve lift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Inventors: Manousos Pattakos, John Pattakos, Emmanouel Pattakos
  • Patent number: 8113161
    Abstract: A multi-cam electric valve mechanism for engine is disclosed, which comprises: a motor fixed on a cylinder; a motor shaft wherein one side of it connected to the motor and rotated accordingly and the other side of it symmetrically provided with a plurality of rotors whose shafts are perpendicular to the motor shaft; a ring-shaped cam with a plurality of wave-shaped grooves on the circumference thereof corresponding to the rotors and for setting same; a rotation-stopping lever connected to the cylinder and cam respectively to let the cam linearly move along with it; and a valve lever wherein one side of it connected to the cam and the other side of it connected to a valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Huan-Lung Gu, Wen-Shu Jiaung, Shao-Yu Li, Hui-Chun Ho
  • Patent number: 8056520
    Abstract: A valve drive of an internal combustion engine, which has a reciprocating poppet valve and a spring element which impinges the closed reciprocating poppet valve with force against the action of a valve seat. The force characteristics are substantially independent of the lift characteristics of the reciprocating poppet valve. The spring element is part of a snap-in locking device, which is stationarily mounted in the engine and surrounds the valve stem of the reciprocating poppet valve. The snap-in locking device has snap-in elements arranged in the power flux between the spring element and reciprocating poppet valve. The snap-in elements are supported in the direction of closure of the reciprocating poppet valve on a snap-in surface of the valve stem when the reciprocating poppet valve is closed and on a snap-in surface of the snap-in locking device when the reciprocating poppet valve is open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Harald Elendt, Andreas Nendel
  • Patent number: 8033261
    Abstract: A valve actuation system in an internal combustion engine provides for, among other things, valve control in a single and dual camshaft “push rod” type engine without the use of a return spring mechanism. In one embodiment of the present invention, a single rocker link or “push rod” is operably connected to a bifurcated rocker valve for opening and closing a single valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Inventor: Warren H. Robbins
  • Patent number: 7895992
    Abstract: A multiple cylinder internal combustion engine having an engine block with first and second cylinder banks arranged at an angle and longitudinally offset relative to one another and a camshaft disposed within the engine block for actuating valves associated with each cylinder includes first and second cylinder heads associated with the first and second cylinder banks and having an intake runner for each cylinder with an entrance disposed on an outward side, and an exhaust runner for each cylinder exiting the cylinder head on an inward side of the cylinder head generally rearward of an associated cylinder to facilitate positioning of one or more turbochargers and a fuel pump in the valley generally between the cylinder heads with the fuel pump disposed forward of the exhaust runner exits and associated exhaust manifolds while accommodating four valves per cylinder actuated by four pushrods extending through the cylinder heads forward of corresponding exhaust runner exits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Byrne Diggs, Michael Joseph Schrader, Jeff Allen Mullins, Jeff D Fluharty
  • Patent number: 7870842
    Abstract: An engine comprising a valve, cam lobe, rocker, follower member and an optional spring is disclosed herein. The valve may comprise a valve stem. The cam lobe may have a base circle and a nose. The cam lobe may be attached to a rotating shaft. The rocker may have a valve end portion contacting the valve, a lifter end portion defining a pivot axis of the rocker and a cam surface disposed between the valve end portion and the lifter end portion. The nose of the cam lobe may contact the cam surface for opening the valve. The follower member may be disposed adjacent the cam lobe opposite the rocker. The follower member may be attached to the rocker and have a curved inner surface upon which the nose of the cam lobe contacts for lifting the rocker. The spring may be disposed about the valve stem of the valve for closing the valve stem of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Inventor: Julian A. Decuir
  • Patent number: 7717075
    Abstract: No-load valve lift correction curves of opening and closing cams are set by offsetting no-load curve sections of basic valve lift curves of the cams in such directions as to increase a clearance between the curves, and they are connected with remaining sections of the curves to provide normal valve lift curves of the cams. Cam profiles of the cams are set on the basis of such normal valve lift curves. The cam profiles are set so that an ultimate speed difference between jumping and landing speeds of a follower on an ultimate valve speed curve determined from ultimate valve lift curves, having first and second shift sections where the follower shifts from the opening cam to the closing cam and from the closing cam to the opening cam, is smaller than a basic speed difference between jumping and landing speeds on a basic valve speed curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsuneo Endoh, Makoto Uda, Hiroshi Hanabusa
  • 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: 20090007866
    Abstract: In control apparatus and method for an internal combustion engine, a first cylinder group in which both of intake and exhaust valves of each of engine cylinders thereof are controllably stopped is provided, second cylinder group in which a lift of the intake valve of each of the engine cylinders thereof is variably controlled is provided, and the lift of the intake valve of each of the engine cylinders of the second cylinder group is controlled n order for an engine torque when the intake and exhaust valves of each of the cylinders of the first cylinder group are controlled to be stopped to be approximately equal to the engine torque by means of the first cylinder group and the second cylinder group before the intake and exhaust valves of each of the cylinders of the first cylinder group are controlled to be stopped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Inventor: Makoto Nakamura
  • Patent number: 7421988
    Abstract: A positive-guidance apparatus for conversion of a rotary movement of a driven cam element to a reciprocating movement of a part. The apparatus has a first cam area which pushes the part away in a first direction. A second cam area, which is formed on another cam pulls the part back with the aid of a flexible element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Inventor: Stefan Battlogg
  • 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: 20080121197
    Abstract: A variable mechanical valve control for an internal combustion engine is provided having an underhead camshaft for adjusting a valve stroke and an opening and closing time, making it possible to achieve a very compact transmission gear between the push rod drive and the intake and exhaust valves, to reduce the number of components required for the transmission gear, and to obtain a mechanical, completely variable valve train with an underhead camshaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Applicants: Hydraulik-Ring GmbH, Entec Consulting GmbH
    Inventor: Rudolf Flierl
  • 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: 7343888
    Abstract: A poppet valve actuation system utilizing separate opening and closing cams that press against opening and closing cam followers, respectively. The opening and closing cam followers are linked to each other directly by a tension member so they move in unison. The valve is firmly connected to the opening cam follower. The opening and closing cam followers and valve are all collinear when viewed from the end of the cam shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Pit Bull Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles N VanValkenburgh
  • Publication number: 20080053388
    Abstract: A poppet valve actuation system utilizing separate opening and closing cams that press against opening and closing cam followers, respectively. The opening and closing cam followers are linked to each other directly by a tension member so they move in unison. The valve is firmly connected to the opening cam follower. The opening and closing cam followers and valve are all collinear when viewed from the end of the cam shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2006
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Applicant: PIT BULL PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventor: Charles N. VanValkenburgh
  • Patent number: 7299776
    Abstract: A valve assembly for an internal combustion engine includes: at least two valves supported by a pair of valve stem holders; a bracket; a closing actuator for pivoting and closing the valves upon contact with a closing lobe of a camshaft; one or more opening actuators for opening at least one of said valves upon contact with an opening lobe of the camshaft; and one or more Belleville spring washers, allowing for an adjustment of a sealing load when the respective valves are closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Inventor: W. Howard Baker
  • Patent number: 7249579
    Abstract: A valve actuator for an internal combustion engine is described having a core having a wound coil located therein, said core further having at least one permanent magnet located at least partially inside or outside said coil and positioned at an angle relative to a direction of movement of an armature. Further, various recesses, indentations, chamfers, bevels, and/or depressions may be included to affect flux leakage, and/or force generation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Feng Liang, Michael Degner
  • Patent number: 7210435
    Abstract: A desmodromic valve and cam system is provided which is adapted to be installed into an internal combustion pushrod engine. The system includes a camshaft assembly having a plurality of removably attached cam lobes installed onto a main camshaft; a valve connector assembly installed onto a distal tip of each valve; a rocker having a valve movement end mechanically linked to a respective valve connector and a pushrod connecting end mechanically linked to an upper distal end of a pushrod; a hydraulic lifter follower assembly assigned to each valve which includes a pin disposed on a distal end thereof which is adapted to engage and track a follower groove formed on each respective cam lobe; and a pushrod assigned for each valve, each pushrod having lower distal end mechanically linked to a respective hydraulic follower lifter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Inventor: Julian A. Decuir, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7204210
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling electromechanical valves operating in an engine is presented. According to the method, armature levitation is strategically used during a cycle of a cylinder. The method can reduce fuel consumption and power supply requirements, at least under some conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: James D. Ervin, Thomas W. Megli
  • Patent number: 7182051
    Abstract: An electromechanical valve actuator for internal combustion engines, equipped with a polarized electromagnet and with a magnetic plate switches between a first position close to the electromagnet and a second position remote from the electromagnet, the switching times between these positions being determined depending on the operating state of the engine. The actuator supplies the electromagnet with a variable attracting current in the course of the approach of the plate to the electromagnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Peugeot Citroen Automobiles SA
    Inventors: Emmanuel Sedda, Christophe Fageon, Stephane Guerin, Jean-Paul Yonnet
  • Patent number: 7165518
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling electromechanical valves operating in an engine is presented. According to the method, armature levitation position may be changed to accommodate varying rates of valve stem growth. The method may reduce valve noise during a wide range of engine operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: James D. Ervin, Thomas W. Megli, Donald J. Lewis
  • Patent number: 7152558
    Abstract: A lever electromechanical valve actuator assembly and arrangement of electromechanical valve actuators that creates a compact actuator assembly to increase ease of serviceability, provide space for engine components and eliminate interference between the actuators and components in the vehicle engine compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ha T. Chung, Mark L. Hopper, John D. Norton, Shawn H. Swales
  • Patent number: 7146948
    Abstract: A valve actuating assembly for opening and closing a valve includes a cam mounted on a camshaft and enclosed by a pair of rotary cam guides each of which includes a roller channel having an outer race for receiving opposed ends of a roller that extends transversely from the lowermost end of a valve lifter disposed between the cam guides with the lifter being mounted to a connecting rod. The lifter has a radius at the lowermost end for engagement with the cam during certain engine phases, and the connecting rod is pivotally attached to a rocker arm, and the rocker arm attached to a valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Inventor: Clinton D Eells
  • Patent number: 7134410
    Abstract: Disclosed is a simple, easy-to-produce, and reliable connection between a shaft of a gas exchange valve and an actuator. This connection is detachable and, as a result, can be connected and disconnected multiple times. It is also possible to dispose the coupling piece on the shaft of the gas exchange valve and provide circumferential grooves on the control element of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Hermann Gaessler, Udo Diehl, Karsten Mischker, Rainer Walter, Andreas Baumann, Gerhard Filp, Bernd Rosenau, Juergen Ulm, Thomas Mocken, Sevan Tatiyosyan, Juergen Schiemann, Christian Grosse, Georg Mallebrein, Volker Beuche, Stefan Reimer, Simon Kieser
  • Patent number: 7124720
    Abstract: A valve actuator for an internal combustion engine is described having a core having a wound coil located therein, said core further having at least one permanent magnet located at least partially inside said coil and positioned at an angle relative to a direction of movement of an armature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Feng Liang, Michael Degner
  • Patent number: 7111594
    Abstract: A method of operating an internal combustion engine having an; electromagnetically driven intake valves for a vehicle. With the method, deviation of an opening operation of the electromagnetically driven intake valve in response to a command signal for opening the intake valve from a predetermined characteristic is detected, and at least one of parameters used for controlling operation of the internal combustion engine is corrected so as to reduce a change in an intake air charging state in which the internal combustion engine is charge with the intake air. A valve closing timing of the intake valve or a valve closing timing of the exhaust valve that cooperates with the intake valve may be used as parameters to be corrected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tametoshi Mizuta, Isao Matsumoto, Kazuhiko Shiratani, Shoji Katsumata, Keiji Yoeda, Makoto Ogiso, Hideyuki Nishida
  • Patent number: 7096838
    Abstract: A reversible four cycle internal combustion engine. A crankshaft is rotatably mounted in a block and a piston is operatively mounted to a crankshaft via a connecting rod. A follower wheel traverses a cam as the cam rotates with the crankshaft, and in doing so, causes a combustion chamber valve to open and close access of an intake port in the block and an exhaust port in the block to a combustion chamber in the block so as to allow the engine to achieve each of a power stroke thereof, a exhaust stroke thereof, a intake stroke thereof, and a compression stroke thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Inventor: Daniel W. Sexton
  • Patent number: 7089894
    Abstract: A lever electromechanical valve actuator assembly and arrangement of electromechanical valve actuators that creates a compact actuator assembly to increase ease of serviceability, provide space for engine components and eliminate interference between the actuators and components in the vehicle engine compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark L. Hopper, John D. Norton, Shawn H. Swales
  • Patent number: 7077088
    Abstract: A desmodromic “springless” valve and adjustable cam system is provided which is adapted to be installed onto a head configured for an overhead cam for an internal combustion engine having at least one intake and one exhaust valve per cylinder. The system includes a main camshaft, a cam lobe with a follower groove formed in each side of the cam, at least one intake and one exhaust valve assigned to each cylinder, a valve connector installed onto the distal tip of each valve, a hydraulic lifter assigned to each valve. The system further includes a rocker defined by a valve movement end and lifter end, wherein the valve movement end is adapted to be mechanically linked to a respective valve connector and the lifter end is adapted to be pressed against a respective piston tip by a rocker retainer. During operation (i.e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Inventor: Julian A. Decuir, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7051691
    Abstract: The invention relates to a valve drive, in particular for internal combustion engines of motor vehicles, comprising at least one cam element (2) that is located on a driven shaft (1) and at least one lifting valve (10), which has a valve stem (11) and can be displaced by the cam element (2). The cam element (2) is pivotally mounted inside a flexible encapsulation element (4), which is connected to one end of the valve stem (11). The end of the valve stem (11) is guided in the displacement direction of the valve (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Inventor: Stefan Battlogg
  • Patent number: 7000581
    Abstract: A 4-stroke engine incorporating a mono-shaft multi-valve operating system, the multi-valve operating system incorporating a first cam follower assembly that is associated with an intake valve, a second cam follower assembly that is associated with an exhaust valve, and a cam follower channel assembly that is integrated into a crank web of the engine, the cam follower channel assembly including a base circle channel, a cam channel, and a cross-over channel. The cam follower channel assembly is configured to commonly interact with the two cam follower assemblies to operate the intake valve at a first instance, and the exhaust valve at a second instance, with both instances occurring while the crank web completes two rotations. When either of the two cam follower assemblies engages with a cam channel of the cam follower channel assembly, the cam follower channel assembly is configured to provide a camming operation to operate the respective valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Inventors: Nagesh Siddabasappa Mavinahally, Jay S. Veerathappa
  • Patent number: 6994060
    Abstract: A control apparatus controls an electromagnetically driven valve, which includes at least one of an electromagnetically driven exhaust valve for opening or closing an exhaust valve and an electromagnetically driven intake valve for opening or closing an intake valve in an internal combustion engine. The control apparatus is provided with: a first judging device for judging whether or not the electromagnetically driven valve fails in seating for valve-opening; and a fail-safe device for controlling the electromagnetically driven valve to perform an operation of valve-opening again in a same stroke if it is judged by the first judging device that the electromagnetically driven valve fails in the seating for valve-opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Keiji Yoeda
  • Patent number: 6978745
    Abstract: A system for electronically actuating valves in an engine. The system includes first and second voltage sources, and a plurality of valve actuator subsystems coupled therebetween. Each valve actuator subsystem has a valve actuator and a switch configured to selectively control application of voltage to the valve actuator to thereby selectively control energization of the valve actuator. The system also includes a dissipation switch operatively coupled with the valve actuator subsystems, the dissipation switch being selectively operable to control dissipation of energy from any of the valve actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Gary Flohr
  • Patent number: 6978748
    Abstract: A hydraulically controlled actuator for actuation of an exhaust-side gas exchange valve of an internal combustion engine, containing a control piston that is displaceable within a cylinder and, with piston sides facing away from one another, delimits pressure chambers, of which the one pressure chamber impinges upon the gas exchange valve in the closing direction and the other pressure chamber impinges upon the gas exchange valve in the opening direction. In the actuator is provided at least one spring element, which can be brought into a preloaded state by the control piston moving in the closing direction of the gas exchange valve, and whose stored potential energy accelerates the gas exchange valve in the opening direction at least at the beginning of an opening phase, is provided. This results in a reduction in the energy expended in the context of valve actuation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Udo Diehl, Bernd Rosenau, Uwe Hammer, Volker Beuche, Peter Lang, Stefan Reimer
  • Patent number: 6971346
    Abstract: A system for electronically actuating valves in an engine. The system includes a first voltage source, a second voltage source, and plural valve actuator subsystems coupled between the first voltage source and the second voltage source. Each valve actuator subsystem has a valve actuator and a switch. One of the actuator subsystems is configured so that current flows from the first voltage source through the valve actuator of the subsystem when the switch is in a first position, and when the switch is in a second position, current is permitted to flow from the valve actuator toward the second voltage source. Another of the valve actuator subsystems is configured so that current flows from the second voltage source through the valve actuator of the subsystem when the switch is in a first position, and when the switch is in a second position, current is permitted to flow from the valve actuator toward the first voltage source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Gary Flohr
  • Patent number: 6953014
    Abstract: A thermal compensating desmodromic valve actuation system for opening and closing at least one valve of an engine having a cam assemblage and a driving mechanism for reciprocal movement operably connected to said cam assemblage. The cam assemblage includes a cam mechanism for rotational movement and the driving mechanism also being operably connected to the at least one valve of the engine to move the at least one valve between a valve closed position and a valve open position and between the open position and the closed position in a manner directly related to the rotational movement of the cam mechanism. In addition, mechanisms are provided for adjustably controlling the movement of the at least one valve in order to provide a variable amount of opening of the at least one valve in the open position, and for compensating for the thermal conditions of the engine causes valve stem elongation and contraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Inventor: Frank A. Folino
  • Patent number: 6953012
    Abstract: A forced opening and closing valve operating system for changing the operating characteristics of an engine valve according to low speed running conditions and high speed running conditions of the engine, includes a low-speed free rocker arm that swings by following a low speed valve-opening cam and a low speed valve-closing cam, a high-speed free rocker arm that swings by following a high speed valve-opening cam and a high speed valve-closing cam, and a valve operating rocker arm that is sandwiched between the low-speed and high-speed free rocker arms and is connected to an engine valve for driving the engine valve in both valve-opening and valve-closing directions. The rocker arms are swingably supported on a rocker shaft. Connection switching means switches alternatively connecting the valve operating rocker arm to the low-speed and high-speed free rocker arms. Thus, the valve operating system is compact, and noise generation is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Makoto Hirano
  • Patent number: RE40439
    Abstract: A system for controlling electromechanical of an internal combustion has a valve-closing electromagnet for attracting the armature coupled to the valve to close the valve, a valve-opening electromagnet for attracting the armature to open the valve, a valve-opening spring for biasing the valve open, and a valve-closing spring for biasing the valve closed. The method includes de-energizing the valve-closing electromagnet for a predetermined time, enabling the valve to oscillate by the valve springs, and then energizing the valve-closing electromagnet to close the valve. Consequently, only the valve-closing electromagnet is energized to open and close the valve. The valve biasing springs force the valve to a location at which the valve-closing electromagnet can close the valve. This provides an electrical energy over prior methods in which both the valve-opening and valve-closing electromagnets are energized to actuate the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Diana D. Brehob, Eric Warren Curtis, William Francis Stockhausen