Overhead Camshaft Patents (Class 123/90.27)
  • Publication number: 20090114176
    Abstract: The invention relates to a valve drive assembly for an internal combustion engine. The aim of the invention is to improve the assembly in such a manner that a stationary cam can be reliably connected to a cam that is rotatably mounted on the camshaft and to avoid malfunctions. For this purpose, a groove-type guide is arranged in the area of the base circle of the cam which is rotatably mounted on the camshaft. A pilot locking plunger is mounted in a blind bore of the base circle of the cam that is connected to the camshaft so as to rotate with it. The plunger can be displaced in a controlled manner and can be engaged with the guide disengaged therefrom. The groove-type guide in which the pilot locking plunger engages extends in the base circle of the rotatably mounted cam by approximately 180°.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Inventor: Jorg Wutzler
  • Publication number: 20090101096
    Abstract: A valve system of an overhead-camshaft-type internal combustion engine includes a cam holder fastened to a cylinder head having a combustion chamber formed therein. The cam holder supports a camshaft, and is disposed above the combustion chamber. The cam holder includes a bottom wall, a pair of oppositely-facing support walls having lower sides thereof joined with each other by the bottom wall, and a rib joining predetermined oppositely-facing portions of respective upper side portions of the support walls with each other. The support walls of the cam holder pivotally support the cam shaft. The rib may be integrated with the cam holder, or may be separately formed and fastened to the support walls of the cam holder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuichi Ochiai, Hiroshi Kuribara
  • Patent number: 7513226
    Abstract: An engine is provided having an engine block, a cylinder head mounted to the engine block, a valve train mounted to the cylinder head, and a cam cover extending over the valve train and mounted to the cylinder head. A hydraulic system for providing a hydraulic fluid to the valve train is included. The hydraulic system has a first passage extending from the engine block through the cylinder head to the cam cover and connected to a second passage. The second passage extends along a length of the cam cover and is connected to an oil control valve. At least one control passage extends from the oil control valve through the cam cover to the valve train. The oil control valve is mounted to a port in the cam cover and extends into the cam cover in a direction along a width of the cam cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeff L. Swain, Craig D. Marriott, Timothy L. Neal, Joseph J. Moon
  • Patent number: 7500456
    Abstract: The present invention is a novel non-splined shaft for connecting cam units (cam sections) in a series to construct a camshaft having zero degree backlash for use within an engine. Such engines typically use a camshaft comprised of a plurality of separate camshaft units (cam sections) which are connected in a series by one or more cam connecting shafts. The entire series of camshaft units and cam connecting shafts may be, for example, 40 feet in length. Examples of natural gas engines in which the cam connecting shafts described herein may be used include, but are not limited to, the INGERSOLL-RAND KVR and KVT series of engines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Inventor: Jeffrey B. Horton
  • Publication number: 20090056657
    Abstract: A V-type engine for a vehicle is provided with front and rear banks including intake and exhaust valves exposed to a combustion chamber, a valve operating device for operating the engine valves, a valve stop mechanism for stopping the operation of the engine valves according to an operational condition of the vehicle, and an actuator for driving a throttle valve. A valve stop mechanism is provided in either the front bank or the rear bank. An actuator provided in one of the front bank and the rear bank excluding the valve stop mechanism is lower in height than the actuator provided in the other of the front bank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: Hayato MAEHARA, Kazuhito Hotta, Toshiyuki Sato
  • Publication number: 20090038567
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a variable valve operating device and makes it possible to inhibit friction during driving force transmission and provide high durability through the use of a compact configuration. A first roller 170, which comes into contact with a drive cam surface 124 of a camshaft 120, has a larger diameter than a second roller 172, which comes into contact with a slide surface 156 of a swing member 150. A coupling shaft 174 couples the first roller 170 to the second roller 172 so that the rollers 170, 172 can rotate independently. The slide surface 156 is curved toward the drive cam surface 124.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2005
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Manabu Tateno, Shuichi Ezaki, Toshiaki Asada
  • Publication number: 20090031982
    Abstract: A cylinder head assembly for an internal combustion engine is provided having a cylinder head adapted to contain at least one switchable valvetrain element operable to selectively deactivate at least one intake valve and at least one other switchable valvetrain element operable to selectively deactivate at least one exhaust valve. The cylinder head defines at least one feed passage operable to selectively communicate fluid pressure to the at least one switchable valvetrain element to selectively deactivate the at least one intake valve. The cylinder head defines at least one other feed passage operable to selectively communicate fluid pressure to the at least one other switchable valvetrain element to selectively deactivate the at least one exhaust valve. An oil communication manifold is mounted to the head and defines at least one communication passage operable to enable communication of fluid pressure between the at least one feed passage and the at least one other feed passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2007
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Timothy L. Neal, Joseph J. Moon
  • Patent number: 7475663
    Abstract: The invention relates to an internal combustion engine (1) comprising a housing (2) having at least one opening (4) into its inside, which is preferably the engine-oil feed inlet, and with a camshaft (5), mounted inside the housing for rotation about its geometric shaft. The camshaft (5) and the housing (2) have means cooperating with each other and with a device for locking a turnable shaft (6) with respect to the housing, insertable through this opening. In a second embodiment of the present invention, the device consists of a rod (6), the cooperating means in the housing consist in a bore (7) for receiving an end of the rod (6), and the cooperating means on the cam shaft consist of a notch (9) made in the surface of the shaft, which cooperates with the rod. In this way, when there is a need to adjust, repair and/or replace engine (1) components, the rod (6) is inserted through the opening (4) and locked in this bore (7) of the housing (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: International Engine Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventors: Caetano M. A. Calviti, Fausto Luiz C. S. Neves, Joaquim Rodrigues Neto
  • Publication number: 20090000591
    Abstract: A cylinder head of an internal combustion engine is fitted with rocker arms. Camshafts are disposed so that the rocker arms and cams will be brought into contact with each other. The camshafts are rotatably supported by lower bearings, which supports the camshafts from below, and by upper bearings integrated with a head cover. The head cover is provided with visual observation windows that make it possible to see valve system parts through the head cover. A visual observation window covers for covering the visual observation windows are fixed to the head cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Atsunori Kumagai, Tetsushi Suzuki, Takanori Sasaki, Shoichi Tateyama
  • Publication number: 20080314346
    Abstract: In a variable valve opening property internal combustion engine, a roller link (22) is provided with a cam roller (31) at a free end thereof which engages a cam (3) of a camshaft (4) and a pressure surface (47) of a spring device (41). The roller link is pivotally supported by a bearing portion of a control link (21) which can be adjusted in position by using an actuator (14). The roller link is additionally provided with a roller shaft (31) that engages a slipper surface of a rocker arm (6). The pressure surface of the spring device may be contoured or otherwise inclined so that the direction of action of the spring device on the cam roller can be directed in an optimum direction irrespective of the adjusted position of the pivot point of the roller link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Fumihisa TAKEMOTO, Mitsuru Sugimoto, Kiminori Komura, Takeo Kobayashi, Hirokazu Tochiki
  • Publication number: 20080314342
    Abstract: The combination of the Fully Variable Valve Actuation or FVVA system with the Desmodromic control results in a fully functional FVVA rid of valve springs and any other kind of the restoring springs of the art.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventors: Manousos Pattakos, John Pattakos, Emmanouel Pattakos
  • Patent number: 7455039
    Abstract: A hybrid-type unit for a two-wheeled vehicle can include an engine, a motor for driving a wheel of a vehicle, a power distribution mechanism, and a generator. The generator and the motor can be disposed at different positions offset longitudinally from each other and offset from the power output shaft of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshiharu Nakayama
  • Patent number: 7438035
    Abstract: A cam drive apparatus comprising a magnetic gear adapted to communicate rotational movement between a crankshaft and a cam shaft, wherein said magnetic gear comprises an outer member comprising a plurality of circumferentially spaced magnet means, said outer member being mounted for rotation with one of said crankshaft and camshaft, an inner member comprising a plurality of circumferentially spaced magnet means, said inner member being concentrically arranged within said outer member to define an annular gap therebetween, and an intermediate member comprising a plurality of circumferentially spaced ferromagnetic pole pieces located within said annular gap between said inner and outer members and being mounted for rotation with the other of said crankshaft and camshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Philippe S. Farah
  • Patent number: 7434555
    Abstract: A number of embodiments of double overhead cam shaft V type engines wherein the drive arrangement for the camshafts permits not only a compact design but also one in which the timing loadings are decreased to improve engine life, performance and reduced servicing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Yamaha Motor Company Ltd
    Inventor: Yasuo Okamoto
  • Patent number: 7430997
    Abstract: A variable valve operating device is provided that can swiftly adjust a valve timing of an engine and is for adjusting a valve lift and the valve timing of the engine. The variable valve operating device includes a rocking cam, a rocking cam support member, a valve, a rocking position changing unit, and a lock unit that can fix the rocking cam support member so as not to move during a valve-opening period of the valve. The lock unit includes a support base that movably supports the rocking cam support member, and a push-link which is rocked by an actuator. When a tip end of the push-link abuts against the rocking cam support member, the push-link pushes the rocking cam support member toward the support base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: MIKUNI Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuo Muraji, Yukinori Nishimoto, Hiroto Uchi, Hideki Shono
  • Patent number: 7431002
    Abstract: A camshaft has contrarotating cams for automotive engines, in which an inside shaft and an outside shaft are arranged concentrically so they are contrarotating, at least one cam has at least one main cam element that can be placed radially on the outside shaft and is supported there so it can rotate. The main cam element is connected to the inside shaft in a manner that is rotationally locked via a fastener passing through a recess in the outside shaft. Further features include a fastener, a main cam element and a locking means. The fastening of the main cam element to the inside shaft is provided by widening the outside diameter of the fastener by the locking means with a resulting tightly seated connection between the fastener and the inside shaft, and the fastener and the locking means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: MAHLE International GmbH
    Inventors: Hermann Hoffmann, Martin Lechner, Falk Schneider
  • Publication number: 20080236522
    Abstract: A V-type vehicle engine includes a main engine body with a front bank and a rear bank defining a V-type structure. A plurality of valve actuation units are respectively located in valve chambers in the front bank and the rear bank, to minimize the size of a cylinder head and a cylinder head cover in at least one of the front bank and the rear bank. A first valve actuation unit, with a double overhead camshaft structure having intake-side and exhaust-side camshafts individually corresponding to the intake valve and the exhaust valve, is located in a valve chamber in one of the front bank and the rear bank. A second valve actuation unit, having a common single camshaft for the intake valve and the exhaust valve, is located in a valve chamber in the other one of the front bank and the rear bank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hayato Maehara, Shinji Saito, Takaaki Tsukui
  • Publication number: 20080196683
    Abstract: A high performance overhead valvetrain assembly includes a hydraulic lash adjuster which is received within and supports a trunnion. The trunnion, in turn, is received within a cylindrical passageway in one end of a rocker arm. The opposite end of the rocker arm engages a valve stem. Between the trunnion and the valve stem is a roller adapted the engage a cam of a camshaft. The trunnion stabilized rocker arm permits significantly increased valve lift and improved engine performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Inventors: Alan W. Hayman, Robert S. McAlpine, Eric C. Douse
  • Patent number: 7412952
    Abstract: A poppet valve operating system for an internal combustion engine includes poppet valves which are driven by rocker arms rotationally mounted to a rocker shaft. Each of the rocker arms is maintained in axial alignment upon the rocker shaft by a separate, resiliently biased telescoping pin housed in the rocker arm body. The rocker arm pins extend into indexing reliefs formed in the outer cylindrical surface of the rocker shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jon Jeffries, Todd Brewer
  • Publication number: 20080178829
    Abstract: In an internal combustion engine, a lubricated camshaft assembly is in a cam chamber formed between a cylinder head and a cylinder head cover. The cylinder head includes outer bolt-receiving holes in which selected head bolts are inserted, and which are outside of the cam chamber. An oil discharge passage in the cylinder head has an inlet opened into the cam chamber, and an outlet opened into an outer bolt-receiving hole. The inlet of the oil discharge passage is disposed on one lateral side of the cam chamber. An opening part of a timing chamber is on the other lateral side of the cam chamber. An endless loop timing chain or belt is disposed inside of the timing cover, for transmitting the power of a crankshaft to the camshaft. A vehicle, which may be a four-wheeled all-terrain vehicle, may incorporate the engine and cylinder head as described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2008
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuichi Ochiai, Hidemichi Mori
  • Patent number: 7370617
    Abstract: A variable valve operating mechanism of a four-stroke internal combustion engine includes a slide pin energized by a pin spring in a direction while oil pressure acting on the slide pin in the opposite direction through oil pressure supply passages. The slide pin moves by controlling the oil pressure causing a stem contact surface and a stem through hole to selectively face a valve stem. The mechanism also includes an oil discharge passage including a discharge port which is opened to allow oil acting the slide pin to be discharged when the valve lifter is pressed by a valve operating cam to move for opening the valve. The mechanism is capable of quickly moving the slide pin upon the release of oil pressure when the valve comes into a quiescent state. Therefore, the response of transitioning the variable valve from an operating state to the quiescent state is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hayato Maehara, Shinji Saito, Akifumi Nomura
  • Patent number: 7363899
    Abstract: A valve drive (1) for an internal combustion engine with a lever-type cam follower (7) is provided, which is used for the variable adjustable transmission of a raised section (2) of a cam (3) to a gas-exchange valve (5), in that the cam follower (7) is supported with an end section (13) away from the cam on a pivot bearing (14), which can be positioned variably on a circular arc-shaped displacement path (15), and an end section (6) close to the cam includes a transmission surface (10) in connection with the gas-exchange valve (5), and also with a support (8), wherein a contact surface (9) for the cam (3) is mounted rotatably on this support (8). Here, the center of the displacement path (15) should be essentially identical to the rotational center (17) of the support (8) when the contact surface (9) interacts with a raised section-free base circle (21) of the cam (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Richard Best, Debora Manther
  • Patent number: 7357108
    Abstract: A valve operating system for an engine that includes a piston that reciprocates along a piston axis. The valve operating system includes a valve member that is movable along a valve axis between a first position and a second position and a crankshaft that is rotatable about a crank axis. A cam member includes a substantially non-planar non-cylindrical surface and a cam profile superimposed thereon. A drive linkage interconnects the cam member and the crankshaft such that the cam member rotates in response to rotation of the crankshaft. A rocker arm is engaged with the valve member and the cam profile to move the valve member in response to rotation of the cam member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
    Inventor: Gary Gracyalny
  • Publication number: 20080083386
    Abstract: A variable valve lift follower for a vehicle includes an outer body receiving a rotational force from a high lift cam; an inner body with a first end portion hinge-connected with the outer body, receiving a rotational force from a low lift cam; a hydraulic lash adjuster (HLA) contact portion for supplying oil to the first end portion of the inner body; a valve contact portion on a second end of the inner body; and a knock pin on the top of the valve contact portion, connecting the outer body to the inner body during high lift.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Publication date: April 10, 2008
    Inventor: Chung Han Oh
  • Patent number: 7341031
    Abstract: A valve timing controller includes a housing which is biasedly assembled in such a manner that the housing is previously moved in a direction where a rotor knocks the housing. A camshaft rotatably extends through a through-hole provided in a sprocket and is engaged with a camshaft-inserting hole provided in the rotor. An inner diameter of the camshaft-inserting hole is lager than an inner diameter of the through-hole provided in the sprocket in order to prevent the camshaft-inserting hole from overlapping the through-hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Tadao Ikihara
  • Patent number: 7331319
    Abstract: A cam hub mounting assembly for a camshaft having a cam cover rotationally mounted within a cam cover retainer with a bearing retainer ring therebetween having a plurality of slots, each slot rotationally maintaining a ball bearing positioned in a smooth U-shaped groove on the outside of the cam cover and in a smooth U-shaped groove on the inside of the cam cover retainer. The method of assembly allows the inner and outer grooves to collectively act as inner and outer bearing races for the ball bearings. The axial position of the cam cover is maintained within the bearing retainer and does not require endplay spacing when the cam cover is attached to the camshaft. The cam cover can have one or more balancing bores therein for rotationally balancing. The cam hub mounting assembly permits a camshaft to be attached thereto and to rotate at speeds exceeding approximately sixteen thousand revolutions per minute (16,000 rpm) for use in racing engines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: CV Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin L. Rumley
  • Publication number: 20080035087
    Abstract: An oil control valve includes an operation unit at an upper part of a cam cap and an inner part of a head cover that changes a path of fluid into a continuously variable valve timing unit, and a connector that supplies power to the operation unit. The operation unit may include a sleeve, a valve movably located at the sleeve that directly changes the path of the fluid, and a driving portion that drives the valve. The connector may be located at the driving portion and exposed to outside the head cover. The driving portion may be higher than the sleeve, and may be inclined by approximately 30° with respect to a horizontal line. A hydraulic line may further be provided in the cam cap to guide the fluid into chambers of the continuously variable valve timing unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2006
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventors: Woong Kim, Jae-Ho Jung
  • Patent number: 7325522
    Abstract: A valve drive (1) for a cam-operated valve (2) of an internal combustion engine is provided, in which a closing force is applied to the valve (2) against the opening direction of the valve (2) by a valve spring (3). The valve drive includes a hydraulic force application device (4), with which a force can be applied directly or indirectly against the direction of the closing force onto the valve (2), and includes a piston (5) that is moveable in a displacement direction (R) relative to a cylinder (6) of the force application device (4) by the introduction of hydraulic fluid into the pressure chamber (7) formed between the piston (5) and the cylinder (6). The piston (5) can move relative to the cylinder (6) from a first end position (A) into a second end position (B).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventor: Volker Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7322330
    Abstract: A Method for the linking of cam rings to hollow shafts. In a first process step, the cam rings are manufactured, so as to generate their function-related contour, from two individual rings of different material connected to each other in a force-and form-closing manner, with the material of the outer ring being hard and elastic and having a permissible residual expansion of at least 0.5%, and that of the inner ring being soft and plastically deformable. The cam rings together with the hollow shaft to be deformed are placed into an internal high pressure forming tool in a manner to suit the respective function. In a second process step through the application of an internal high pressure forming process and, due to the internal pressure exerted the cam rings are joined to the hollow shaft in a force-and form-closing manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Inventor: Bodo Furchheim
  • Patent number: 7322327
    Abstract: A lubrication structure for a camshaft with variable valve timing includes an advance hole, which includes an advance flow passage formed in a camshaft body. An end of the camshaft is attached to a continuously variable valve timing. A retard hole, which includes a retard flow passage, is formed in the camshaft body and spaced horizontally from the advance hole. A divergence flow passage has an end that surface-contacts the camshaft and is extended to communicate with the retard hole at an upper surface of a mounting part of a cylinder head. The other end of the divergence flow passage communicates with the slip surface on which the camshaft lays via a counter bore, so as to prevent lubrication film from being broken by load of the sprocket at an engine idle state or at an initial stage of cold starting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Suc Tae Kim
  • Patent number: 7311072
    Abstract: A gas exchange valve of an internal combustion engine, has valve lifting movements with valve displacement curves and a control unit. To this end, a control unit is provided for operation of at least one valve, in particular a gas exchange valve of an internal combustion engine, in which the valvelifting movement of the at least one valve (6) is generated by superimposing two synchronously rotating cam profiles acting mechanically on a lift operating element (4). The two cam profiles (1, 2) have specially shaped areas by means of which, when superimposed to form one of the two cam profiles (1, 2), at least one additional valve displacement (ZV) can be generated on the whole in addition to a main valve displacement movement (HV) over a full revolution of each of these cam profiles (1, 2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignees: Mahle Ventiltrieb GmbH, Mechadyne PLC
    Inventors: Hermann Hoffmann, Timothy Mark Lancefield, Martin Lechner, Ian Methley
  • Patent number: 7305953
    Abstract: A built multiple cam is disclosed which can be produced at low cost and which can be used in a flexible manner and which requires a small amount of construction space in an axial direction. The built multiple cam comprises the following components: a first partial cam provided with a bore, a cam contour A and a joint contour which is arranged in axial proximity thereto and provided with an outer surface; a second partial cam provided with a bore, a cam contour A and a joint contour which is arranged in axial proximity thereto and provided with an outer surface; a ring which is provided with a cam contour B which is different from cam contour A and an inner contour having an inner surface, wherein the inner surface of the ring can be displaced towards the outer surfaces of the partial cams; and connections which act between the ring and the partial cam ensure a fixed connection between such components. Also disclosed is a method used to produce a built camshaft comprising at least one built multiple cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Thyssenkrupp Automotive AG
    Inventor: Thomas Walz
  • Publication number: 20070277761
    Abstract: A vertical internal combustion engine E is incorporated into an outboard motor or the like. The vertical internal combustion engine E includes a crankshaft 18 enclosed in a crank chamber 20, and a belt-drive transmission mechanism 50 including a rubber belt 53 for transmitting power of the crankshaft 18 to a camshaft 24, and held in a belt chamber 63. The belt chamber 63 is isolated from the crank chamber 20 by a lower case 61 of a transmission case 60 holding the belt-drive transmission mechanism 50 therein such that the flow of an oil-containing gas from the crank chamber 20 deviates from a direction toward the belt 53. The belt 53 is lubricated with oil injected concentratedly into the belt chamber 63 through jet nozzles 80 disposed in the belt chamber 63. Thus the excessive exposure of the belt 53 to the oil-containing gas from the crank chamber can be avoided, the life of the belt can be extended and the belt is lubricated properly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2007
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideaki Takada, Yutaka Kubota, Tatsuya Kuroda, Kazutake Koyama
  • Patent number: 7293538
    Abstract: A variable timing camshaft drive assembly for an internal combustion engine utilizes a single cam phaser, driven by an engine crankshaft, capable of operating multiple camshafts carried on multiple banks of an engine. The cam phaser is carried on a hub extending from a mounting member attached to an engine block. The cam phaser includes an input sprocket and an output sprocket separated by a phasing device capable of altering the phase angle of the sprockets relative to one another. A first timing chain connects a drive sprocket of the crankshaft with the input sprocket of the cam phaser and a second timing chain connects the output sprocket of the cam phaser with the driven sprockets of the camshafts. As the phasing device alters the phase angle between the input and output sprockets, the phase angle between the camshafts and the crankshafts is altered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Alan W. Hayman, James J. Mazzola, III
  • Patent number: 7290515
    Abstract: In a camshaft for an internal combustion engine having a cam disk support shaft, to which a plurality of cam disks and a drive wheel are attached, the outer radius of the cam disk support shaft varies continuously in those sections in which the cam disks are attached. The cam disks have bores whose inner radius varies continuously and the cam disk support shaft is alternately provided with elevations and depressions in those sections in which the cam disks are attached, the elevations and depressions forming a wedge-shaped curve profile about the circumference of the section of the cam disk support shaft The elevations continuously enlarge the outer radius of the cam disk support shaft, the bores of the cam disks being matched to the enlarged portion of the outer radius of the cam disk support shaft, so that by relative rotation of the cam support shaft and the cam disks and also the drive wheel the components are firmly joined and the camshaft is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventor: Alois Schmid
  • Publication number: 20070251480
    Abstract: To provide an inner shim that is unlikely to fall off from a spring retainer even when an anomalous operation of a valve occurs. A spring retainer fixed to the upper end portion of a valve shaft has a shim-attachment hole. An inner shim is fitted into the shim-attachment hole. The bottom face of the inner shim is in contact with the upper end portion of the valve shaft, and the top face of the inner shim is positioned below the upper edge of the shim-attachment hole. A tappet is disposed above the spring retainer, and is allowed to move freely in the axial direction of the valve shaft. A shim-holding projection sticks out from the under face of the tappet, and extends downward. The projection enters, from above, the inside of the shim-attachment hole, and is in contact with the top face of the inner shim.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Publication date: November 1, 2007
    Inventors: Masataka Eguchi, Yosuke Hoi, Kazuhiko Tomoda, Michio Izumi, Kazuhiro Shimazaki
  • Patent number: 7287499
    Abstract: A camshaft assembly comprises an inner shaft 12 and an outer tube 14 surrounding and rotatable relative to the inner shaft. Two groups of cam lobes are mounted on the outer tube 14 , the first group of cam lobes 16 being fast in rotation with the outer tube 14 and the second group of lobes 26 being rotatably mounted on the outer surface of the tube 14 and connected for rotation with the inner shaft by means of pins 22 that pass with clearance through slots in the outer tube 14 . A sleeve 20 rotatably mounted on the outer tube 14 is connected to impart drive to the inner shaft 12 by means of a pin 24 passing with clearance through a circumferentially extending slot in the outer tube 14.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Mechadyne PLC
    Inventors: Nicholas James Lawrence, Richard Alwyn Owen, Ian Methley
  • Publication number: 20070240671
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine has a camshaft holder 20 attached to a cylinder head 1, and two camshafts 11 and 12 are rotatably supported by the camshaft holder 20. A high-pressure pump 60 has a driving shaft 63 rotatively driven by the camshaft. An accessory holder 30 provided with a mounting seat 40 to which the high-pressure fuel pump 60 is attached is formed integrally with a lower camshaft holder 21 included in the camshaft holder 20. The mounting seat 40 is formed integrally with the accessory holder 30 and is provided with a through hole 41 in which the driving shaft 63 is received. Thus the cylinder head 1 is formed in a small size and a light weight. The accessory holder 30 can be formed with a high rigidity in a small size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Publication date: October 18, 2007
    Inventors: Aritoshi Imazato, Kazuaki Shimoyama
  • Publication number: 20070227509
    Abstract: An engine-mounted mechanical fuel pump for an internal combustion engine contributes to a stable operation of the engine, a reduction in the weight of the engine, and a reduction in the pump drive loss. The engine includes a cylinder head provided with intake ports and exhaust ports therein, and fuel injection valves for injecting fuel into the inside of a tubular intake air routing assembly connected to the intake ports. A fuel pump is provided on the rear side of a cylinder block and on the upper side of a crankcase, in an arrangement where the intake ports are formed to extend rearwardly and the exhaust ports are formed to extend forwardly from the cylinder head. In one embodiment, the fuel pump is provided on the front side of the cylinder block, where the intake ports are formed to extend forwardly and the exhaust ports are formed to extend rearwardly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroya Ueda, Katsunori Takahashi, Katsuhiro Kunikiyo
  • Publication number: 20070215082
    Abstract: A variable valve device includes a camshaft which is rotatably provided in an internal combustion engine while having a cam, a rocker shaft which is arranged next to the camshaft, a valve which is driven by the cam, a cam follower rocker which is rotatably provided in the rocker shaft, and is rocked by following the cam, a valve drive rocker which is rotatably provided in the rocker shaft next to the cam follower rocker, and drives the valve, and a switching portion which be able to switch the valve drive rocker between a drive state and a non-drive state. Either a body of the cam follower rocker or a body of the valve drive rocker is made of an iron-based metal material, and the other body is made of a material different from the iron-based metal material, heat treatment being not required in the different material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Publication date: September 20, 2007
    Inventors: Yusuke Kido, Shinichi Murata, Masaru Mori, Kenta Kotsuji
  • Publication number: 20070215076
    Abstract: A V-engine (10) having two banks of cylinders (30) each comprising at least one cylinder (20) and a cylinder head (40) is envisaged, wherein the banks of cylinders (30) each comprise at least one inlet valve (12) and also at least one outlet valve (14) for each cylinder (20), while the at least one inlet valve (12) and the at least one outlet valve (14) are arranged in pairs opposite one another on opposite sides of the cylinder head (10), and each cylinder head (10) and its connections to the other engine components are constructed such that it can be mounted in a first position relative to the respective bank of cylinders (30) and in a position rotated through 180° relative to the first position on the same bank of cylinders (30).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Publication date: September 20, 2007
    Inventor: Christian Weber
  • Patent number: 7270097
    Abstract: An engine assembly is provided including an engine crankshaft and a balance shaft connected with the crankshaft and rotatably driven thereby. A vehicle component such as a hydraulic pump or an overhead camshaft is operatively connected with the balance shaft such that it is rotatably driven by the crankshaft through the balance shaft. A camshaft drive system includes the engine crankshaft, the balance shaft and the overhead camshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregg T. Purcilly, Franz Decarli, Chris Cowland
  • Publication number: 20070193541
    Abstract: A valve system of a V-type engine in which a camshaft provided in each bank is formed with valve cams that open and close engine valves and a pump cam for driving a fuel pump, the phase of the pump cam relative to the valve cams is set such that the crank angle at which driving torque of the pump cam is maximized does not coincide with the crank angle at which driving torque of each of the valve cams is maximized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Publication date: August 23, 2007
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Toshio Imamura
  • Patent number: 7252061
    Abstract: An internal-combustion engine is equipped with a system of variable actuation of the intake valves that is controlled electronically for the purpose, of imparting on the valves different opening and closing times and different lifts according to the operating conditions of the engine. During one and the same cycle of operation of the engine, the system is able to impart on each intake valve a series of successive cycles of movements of opening and closing within the conventional cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: C.R.F. Societa Consortile per Azioni
    Inventor: Marco Lucatello
  • Publication number: 20070175424
    Abstract: A valve operating apparatus for an internal combustion engine including a drive cam, first and second swing cams, first and second motion transmission mechanisms and first and second valve actuating members. The first and second swing cams are provided with identical swing motion characteristic with respect to a rotation angle of the drive cam through the first and second motion transmission mechanisms. The first swing cam and the first valve actuating member cooperate with each other to provide a valve lift amount of the engine valve for the first group of cylinders with respect to a swing angle of the first swing cam which is identical to a valve lift amount of the engine valve for the second group of cylinders with respect to a swing angle of the second swing cam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2007
    Publication date: August 2, 2007
    Applicant: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Makoto Nakamura, Mikihiro Kajiura, Yoshihiko Yamada, Seinosuke Hara
  • Publication number: 20070175428
    Abstract: A rocker arm 6 that is rockably attached to a cylinder head 1 actuates a valve 4 by means of a guide groove 73b that is formed at an end thereof engaging with an upper end of a valve stem 41, and a roller 8 that is mounted in a roller housing portion 72 of the arm main unit 7 contacting against a cam 31 and rocking. The guide groove 73b is formed by press working ends of the arm main unit 7 in the thickness direction of the plate material to form a pair of walls 73d, and thereafter applying sandwiching pressure in the lateral direction to the walls 73d to increase the height thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Publication date: August 2, 2007
    Inventors: Naoki Hiramatsu, Akira Takeuchi, Kimihiko Todo, Tomiyasu Hirano, Yoshio Kawatake
  • Patent number: 7249581
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system, comprising a camshaft with at least two bearing points, a two-part camshaft receptacle which has, in a lower part, at least two bearing saddles and, in an upper part, at least two bearing covers corresponding to the bearing saddles, the camshaft being mounted with its bearing points in the bearing saddles and bearing covers. Further, bearing half shells are provided, of which in each case two are arranged in pairs between a bearing point and the bearing saddle and bearing cover receiving this bearing point, so that, the bearing half shells are supported on the bearing saddle or bearing cover and in each case two bearing half shells, together with a bearing point form a radial plain bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Guenter Bartsch
  • Patent number: 7246588
    Abstract: An assembled camshaft (10) for engine includes: a cam lobe piece (12); and a hollow shaft member (11) having at least two shaft fixing surfaces (11A) formed by plasticity process on a portion of the hollow shaft member (11) corresponding to a position between cylinders of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Takano, Tomoyuki Hirota, Yujiro Ohara
  • Patent number: 7246583
    Abstract: A method for diagnosing malfunctions of switching valve lifters includes sensing variations in pressure of trapped oil in a drive chamber of a hydraulic camshaft drive, such as a cam phaser, comparing peak oil pressure readings in the drive chamber resulting from the increased torque of opening the valves of various cylinders of an engine and identifying cylinders having lower than normal valve opening pressure readings, indicating failure of an associated valve lifter to properly actuate a valve of the cylinder. Apparatus for indicating such malfunctions could include a cam phaser with pressure chamber, a pressure sensor connected to indicate pressure variations in the chamber; and a pressure indicator connected to the sensor and adapted to indicate actual pressure variations for comparison with normal variations to identify low pressure peaks indicating malfunction of a switching lifter. A computer could be used to receive and act upon the malfunction indications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Cinpinski, Vimesh M. Patel
  • Publication number: 20070157896
    Abstract: An engine includes two or more banks, VVTL mechanisms provided for the respective banks for changing the operating characteristics of intake valves, and a control device that controls the VVTL mechanisms. The control device controls the VVTL mechanisms by integrating a plurality of pieces of control information corresponding to the respective VVTL mechanisms. When one of the pieces of control information becomes unknown, the control device performs a process of learning the control information with respect to the VVTL mechanism for the bank involving the unknown control information, and continues to control the VVTL mechanism for the other bank or banks, using the corresponding control information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2006
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Naohide Fuwa