Camshaft Patents (Class 123/90.34)
  • Patent number: 8042509
    Abstract: A cam cap has a wall portion that extends between two cam cap portions integrally formed and having connection portions respectively, and therefore the rigidity of the cam cap is high and thus the relative positional accuracies of oil passage connection faces of the connection portions are high even after the cam cap is mounted on an internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Junpei Shoji
  • Publication number: 20110220049
    Abstract: An engine assembly may include a cylinder head defining a first bearing surface supporting a camshaft, a bearing cap fixed to the cylinder head and a lubrication rail. The first bearing surface may have a first oil inlet extending therethrough. The camshaft may define an axial bore, a first radial passage and a second radial passage. The first radial passage may extend from the axial bore through an outer circumference of the camshaft and may be in communication with the first oil inlet. The second radial passage may extend from the axial bore through an outer circumference of the camshaft. The bearing cap may be fixed to the cylinder head and include a first oil outlet in communication with the second radial passage. The lubrication rail may include a second oil inlet in communication with the first oil outlet and a first lubrication supply passage aligned with a camshaft lobe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: DAVID R. STALEY, JAMES J. MAZZOLA, III, ALAN W. HAYMAN, JOSEPH J. MOON
  • Patent number: 7997244
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a control shaft, an actuator, and an oil accumulation portion. The control shaft is configured to vary a lift amount of an engine valve in accordance with a rotational position of the control shaft. The actuator is configured to drive the control shaft to make the lift amount of the engine valve to be a start lift amount before the engine is started. The actuator includes a worm wheel and a worm. The worm wheel is provided at the control shaft and is disposed in an engine body. The worm is disposed below the control shaft and engages with the worm wheel. The oil accumulation portion is provided at at least one of the control shaft and the worm wheel and is configured to drop oil onto the worm in accordance with the rotation of the control shaft when the engine is started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Ito, Mitsuru Emori
  • Patent number: 7971563
    Abstract: In an engine valve operating system, a timing transmission chamber (48) is formed on one side of an engine main body; the timing transmission chamber (48) houses a timing transmission system (37) that provides a connection between a crankshaft (12) and a camshaft (36) disposed above intake and exhaust valves (29i, 29e); opposite end parts of the camshaft (36) are supported by one side wall (5a) of a cylinder head (5) and a dividing wall (5b) that is adjacent to the timing transmission chamber (48); and a valve operating chamber (49) housing the camshaft (36) is defined between said one side wall (5a) and the dividing wall (5b). An oil slinger (72) is disposed in a lower part of the timing transmission chamber (48). An oil passage hole (75) is provided in the dividing wall (5b), the oil passage hole (75) guiding scattered oil that has been shaken off in an upper part of the timing transmission system (37) to the valve operating chamber (49).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Sato, Noboru Kawaguchi
  • Patent number: 7942121
    Abstract: A camshaft system for internal combustion engine includes a camshaft having a thrust ring which is lubricated by oil from a control valve which operates a camshaft phaser with lubricating oil, and with the lubricating oil being furnished to the camshaft at crankcase pressure after the oil leaves the camshaft phaser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies
    Inventors: Robert Wayne Lunsford, Mike David Deegan, Daniel Lawrence Sylvester, Robert Stephen Furby
  • Publication number: 20110094463
    Abstract: A cam bearing cap may include a first bearing cap region, a pump mounting region, an oil inlet, and an oil outlet. The first bearing cap region may extend over and secure a first camshaft to an engine assembly. The pump mounting region may extend from the first bearing cap region and may have a secondary oil pump mounted thereto. The oil inlet may extend through the pump mounting region and may provide communication between the secondary oil pump and an oil supply. The oil outlet may extend through the pump mounting region and may provide communication between the secondary oil pump and a hydraulically actuated engine component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2009
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: ROBERT JACK GALLON, DAVID R. STALEY
  • Patent number: 7926458
    Abstract: A lubricating device comprises a cam shaft, plural cam portions for each valve provided at the cylinder head, a valve driving mechanism to change a rotational movement of the cam portion to an opening-and-closing movement of the valve via a slide member on which a peripheral surface of the cam portion slides, an oil passage of the cam shaft, a nozzle provided at either one of the cam portions to open at the peripheral surface of the cam portion and connect to the oil passage of the cam shaft, and a wall body having a recess portion. The recess portion collects lubricating oil ejected out of the nozzle and guides the lubricating oil collected to the peripheral surface of the other cam portion when the one cam portion is located in a position in which the nozzle is not directed to the slide member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiro Naito, Shigemi Okada, Jun Yamane
  • Publication number: 20110083627
    Abstract: A vehicle engine includes: a cylinder head; a cam housing fixed to a top of the cylinder head; a cam cap fixed to a top of the cam housing; a camshaft rotatably supported between the cam housing and the cam cap, the camshaft supporting a cam; a rocker arm configured to be pushed by the cam; and a valve configured to operate by being pushed by the rocker arm; and an oil pipe that is formed integrally with the cam cap. Lubricant oil is supplied through the oil pipe to a contact point between the cam and the rocker arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Inventors: Naoki HIRAMATSU, Masahide Sakurai
  • Publication number: 20110079192
    Abstract: A vehicle engine includes: a cylinder head; a cam housing fixed to a top of the cylinder head; a cam cap fixed to a top of the cam housing; a camshaft rotatably supported between the cam housing and the cam cap, the camshaft supporting a cam; a rocker arm configured to be pushed by the cam; and a valve configured to operate by being pushed by the rocker arm. The vehicle engine being characterized by an oil pipe that is formed integrally with the cam housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Inventors: Naoki HIRAMATSU, Masahide Sakurai
  • Patent number: 7806234
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to lubricant delivery systems and methods. In one embodiment, the system comprises a lubricant feeder; a pipe comprising at least one nozzle; and at least one lubricant flow outlet extending upwardly from the nozzle. The nozzle comprises at least one flow area reducing portion along the length of the pipe near the lubricant feeder and the at least one lubricant flow outlet is configured to provide lubricant to at least one portion of a machine. In one embodiment, a method for controlling flow is provided comprising; delivering lubricant to an initial section of a lubricant delivery system; increasing the speed of the lubricant as it approaches a first outlet; allowing a portion of the lubricant to exit through the outlet; decreasing the speed of the lubricant after it passes the outlet; and allowing at least a portion of the lubricant to exit through a second outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering and Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Shyang-Lin Kuo
  • Patent number: 7685983
    Abstract: Embodiments of a lubricant delivery system comprise a lubricant feeder comprising at least one outlet port with an outwardly tapering cross section, and a lubricant delivery pipe operable to receive lubricant from the at least one outlet port of the lubricant feeder. The lubricant delivery pipe also comprises at least one lubricant discharge nozzle disposed on the lubricant delivery pipe, wherein the at least one lubricant discharge nozzle is operable to deliver lubricant to portions of the lubricant delivery pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Shyang-Lin Kuo
  • Patent number: 7673604
    Abstract: A valve mechanism drives an exhaust valve with a valve lifter and an exhaust camshaft. Oil is supplied to a journal surface of the camshaft and a bearing supporting the camshaft journal surface through an axial oil passage formed in the camshaft. The bearing is defined by a cam cap and a bearing main body. An oil collecting recess is defined between cam cap and the bearing main body. An auxiliary delivery passage extends from the oil collecting recess to a sidewall of the bearing that is located adjacent to the valve lifter. A guide wall is formed in the sidewall to lead oil from an opening of the auxiliary delivery passage to a part of the valve lifter that generates a striking noise in the absence of buffering oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Takane, Minoru Akahori
  • Publication number: 20100043736
    Abstract: A camshaft system for internal combustion engine includes a camshaft having a thrust ring which is lubricated by oil from a control valve which operates a camshaft phaser with lubricating oil, and with the lubricating oil being furnished to the camshaft at crankcase pressure after the oil leaves the camshaft phaser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2008
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Wayne Lunsford, Mike David Deegan, Daniel Lawerence Sylvester, Robert Stephen Furby
  • Patent number: 7665437
    Abstract: In a cam journal (12A) in which a timing-advance oil passage (12a) and a timing-retard oil passage (12b) are provided as a first oil passage for VVT, an oil passage (102c) for HLA is provided as the second oil passage. The timing-advance oil passage (12a) and the timing-retard oil passage (12b), which are formed on the surface of the intake camshaft (12), are separated from the oil passage (102c) for HLA by a lower cam bearing (202). Thus, it is possible to provide the control oil passages for VVT and the oil supply passage for HLA in one cam journal (12A).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiromichi Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 7637236
    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: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuichi Ochiai, Hidemichi Mori
  • Publication number: 20090301418
    Abstract: A variable valve system for an internal combustion engine includes a drive shaft, a drive cam provided on the drive shaft, a link arm fitted on the outer periphery of the drive cam such as to rotate relative to the drive cam, a crank-shaped control shaft including a main shaft and an eccentric cam, an oscillating arm rotatably attached to the eccentric cam and oscillated by the link arm, and an oscillating cam connected to the oscillating arm via a link rod so as to actuate a valve. Lubricant is communicated from a main lubricant flow path in the drive shaft through three lubricant paths to sliding contact areas between the drive cam and the link arm, between the pin of the oscillating arm and the link arm, and between the eccentric cam and the oscillating arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi ARINAGA, Toru FUKAMI, Shinichi TAKEMURA, Shunichi AOYAMA
  • Patent number: 7614373
    Abstract: The inner surface of an oil passage in a member which is made as a die-cast formed product is made as a molded surface. By this structure, permeation of oil from the inner surface of the oil passage into the thickness portion of the member which is made as a die-cast formed product, and leakage thereof out to the exterior, is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Junpei Shouji, Hiromichi Hashimoto
  • Publication number: 20090250044
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cylinder head (1) of an internal combustion engine, comprising at least one hollow camshaft (2) which forms an exhaust for blow-by gases containing oil mist from the crank housing and is also embodied as an oil mist pre fractionator for the preliminary separation of the oil part from these gases. Furthermore, an oil mist post-fractionator (5) is axially arranged on the end of the camshaft (2), in order to carry out an especially effective separation of oil dissolved in the blow-by gases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Inventors: Mirko Braun, Michael Feil, Edwin Hartmann, Stefan Ruppel
  • Patent number: 7594488
    Abstract: A cylinder head cover covers a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine. The engine has a variable valve actuation mechanism and a control valve for controlling supply and drainage of hydraulic oil to and from the variable valve actuation mechanism. The cylinder head cover includes a cover main body fixed to the cylinder head and a valve case to which the control valve is attached. The valve case is caused to contact a side of the cover main body that corresponds to the cylinder head. Therefore, the cylinder head cover maintains a firm attachment of the valve case to the cylinder head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuya Yoshijima, Naohiro Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 7581525
    Abstract: A rocker box, pushrod assembly, oil delivery system, tappets and tappet guides are provided for an engine, particularly a shovelhead motorcycle engine. The rocker box includes a separable upper portion and lower portion with a seal for sealing the upper portion and lower portion when coupled together. The pushrod assembly includes an adjusting unit that collapses into a pushrod shaft. The oil delivery system includes an oil passageway(s) in a rocker shaft of a rocker arm assembly, and at least one of an oil passageway(s) in a rocker box and an oil passageway(s) in a pushrod assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: S & S Cycle, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Hanold, Floyd Baker, Bruce Tessmer, Scott Sjovall
  • Publication number: 20090194049
    Abstract: A cam cap has a wall portion that extends between two cam cap portions integrally formed and having connection portions respectively, and therefore the rigidity of the cam cap is high and thus the relative positional accuracies of oil passage connection faces of the connection portions are high even after the cam cap is mounted on an internal combustion engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHIA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Junpei Shoji
  • Patent number: 7503293
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an adjustable camshaft in which an inside shaft and an outside shaft, each being fixedly connected to cams, are mounted so they are rotatable in relation to one another. To produce the relative movement, a hydraulic adjusting mechanism is provided on one of the ends thereof; in the adjusting mechanism, first and second rotatable adjusting elements are each fixedly connected to one of the two shafts opposite one another. Adjacent to the adjusting mechanism, the outside shaft is fixedly connected to a first bearing ring supporting at least the outside shaft in a stationary first abutment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: MAHLE International GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Lettmann, Falk Schneider
  • Publication number: 20090056658
    Abstract: A lubricating device comprises a cam shaft, plural cam portions for each valve provided at the cylinder head, a valve driving mechanism to change a rotational movement of the cam portion to an opening-and-closing movement of the valve via a slide member on which a peripheral surface of the cam portion slides, an oil passage of the cam shaft, a nozzle provided at either one of the cam portions to open at the peripheral surface of the cam portion and connect to the oil passage of the cam shaft, and a wall body having a recess portion. The recess portion collects lubricating oil ejected out of the nozzle and guides the lubricating oil collected to the peripheral surface of the other cam portion when the one cam portion is located in a position in which the nozzle is not directed to the slide member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Applicant: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masahiro NAITO, Shigemi OKADA, Jun YAMANE
  • Publication number: 20090050090
    Abstract: Embodiments of a lubricant delivery system comprise a lubricant feeder comprising at least one outlet port with an outwardly tapering cross section, and a lubricant delivery pipe operable to receive lubricant from the at least one outlet port of the lubricant feeder. The lubricant delivery pipe also comprises at least one lubricant discharge nozzle disposed on the lubricant delivery pipe, wherein the at least one lubricant discharge nozzle is operable to deliver lubricant to portions of the lubricant delivery pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2007
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Inventor: Shyang-Lin Kuo
  • Patent number: 7455040
    Abstract: An oil distribution system for an internal combustion engine comprising a longitudinal bore in the engine head or block connected to an engine oil pump. A longitudinal insert is disposed in the engine bore, the insert being formed and disposed to define segmented galleries within the bore, a first oil gallery being in communication with the engine camshaft bearings and a second oil gallery being in communication with switchable cam followers in the engine. The two galleries are separated but connected by one or more oil control valves. Thus, the camshaft bearings are exposed to high engine oil pressure at all times independent of the switchable cam followers; likewise, the switchable cam followers may be latched and unlatched at any time or condition deemed beneficial for engine operation without jeopardizing lubrication sufficiency to the camshaft bearings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Nick J. Hendriksma, Mark J. Spath, Michael J. Dinkel
  • Publication number: 20080264366
    Abstract: In a cam journal (12A) in which a timing-advance oil passage (12a) and a timing-retard oil passage (12b) are provided as a first oil passage for VVT, an oil passage (102c) for LA is provided as the second oil passage. The timing-advance oil passage (12a) and the timing-retard oil passage (12b), which are formed on the surface of the intake camshaft (12), are separated from the oil passage (102c) for HLA by a lower cam bearing (202). Thus, it is possible to provide the control oil passages for VVT and the oil supply passage for HLA in one cam journal (12A).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiromichi Hashimoto
  • 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: 7395802
    Abstract: An oil supply system for an internal combustion engine camshaft includes an oil distribution block configured for attachment to an engine structure adjacent to and above a camshaft, with attachment of the oil distribution block occurring after the camshaft has been installed in the engine. Fixed and movable ring segments, which are mounted to the oil distribution block, cooperate to provide the camshaft with oil under pressure, which may be used for controlling auxiliary devices such as a camshaft phaser or camshaft profile switching mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: William Riley, Mark Zagata
  • Patent number: 7377246
    Abstract: An improved cam shaft configuration for internal combustion engines is provided wherein the oil is efficiently diverted from the camshaft cap to adjacent camshaft lobes. A reorientation of the camshaft oil diverter improves the distribution and increases the quantity of oil flow without building in additional oil passages to supply oil to cams, that would introduce additional expense without substantially alleviating existing prior art lubrication deficiency problems. The invention obviates the known prior art configurations that suffer from the drawback of insufficient distribution of lubricating oil to adjacent camshaft lobes that is effected by oil diverter configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: GenTek Technologies Marketing Inc.
    Inventor: Erik C. Maassen
  • Publication number: 20080083389
    Abstract: An oil distribution system for an internal combustion engine comprising a longitudinal bore in the engine head or block connected to an engine oil pump. A longitudinal insert is disposed in the engine bore, the insert being formed and disposed to define segmented galleries within the bore, a first oil gallery being in communication with the engine camshaft bearings and a second oil gallery being in communication with switchable cam followers in the engine. The two galleries are separated but connected by one or more oil control valves. Thus, the camshaft bearings are exposed to high engine oil pressure at all times independent of the switchable cam followers; likewise, the switchable cam followers may be latched and unlatched at any time or condition deemed beneficial for engine operation without jeopardizing lubrication sufficiency to the camshaft bearings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Publication date: April 10, 2008
    Inventors: Nick J. Hendriksma, Mark J. Spath, Michael J. Dinkel
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20070283913
    Abstract: A cylinder head for an internal combustion engine includes a casting having a number of camshaft support bulkheads. Each of the support bulkheads has a portion of a parent bore bearing for mounting a camshaft. A bulkhead thrust surface is formed in an outer surface of at least one of the support bulkheads. A camshaft is rotatably mounted upon the support bulkheads. The camshaft has at least one thrust bearing member abutting a bulkhead thrust surface which is provided with lubricating oil by means of a radially extending, surface-piercing lubricant distribution channel formed in the bulkhead thrust surface, such that oil flowing in the parent bearing will be caused to be deposited upon the bulkhead thrust surface as well as upon the camshaft thrust surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Publication date: December 13, 2007
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Reinhart, Raymond Puhl, John Pieprzak
  • Publication number: 20070283912
    Abstract: A shaft mounting device for an internal combustion engine includes a bearing body having a mounting base for engaging an engine structure, and a semi-circular bore which is serviced by a lubricant distribution channel. An integral flow regulator, which is formed in place as a partial hydraulic obstruction, is located within the lubricant distribution channel. Because the flow restriction is integral, a separately machined flow restrictor is eliminated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Publication date: December 13, 2007
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Reinhart, George L. Reno, Judy Jin
  • Patent number: 7290514
    Abstract: To prevent a drop in a lubricating oil supply pressure in a valve train from occurring by disposing a lubricating oil supply path for the exclusive use of the valve train without allowing the lubricating oil to flow through an oil gallery, thereby securing a sufficient amount of supply of the lubricating oil in the valve train to enhance lubrication efficiency. A feed pump rotating with a crankshaft is disposed at a leftward end of the crankshaft. Lubricating oil supplied from the feed pump flows through an oil cooler and an oil filter. Part of the lubricating oil is supplied through a lubricating oil supply path to an oil gallery and to journals, crankpins, and the like of the crankshaft. The other part of the lubricating oil is supplied through lubricating oil supply paths for the exclusive use of the valve train.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yosuke Hoi
  • Patent number: 7237518
    Abstract: An oil supply passage of a cylinder head increases design freedom of cylinder heads. The oil filter variously sets the oil supplying position through which oil enters into an oil filter. This improves fuel consumption by simplifying the oil supply passage of the cylinder head, reduces power loss of an oil pump, and decreases the size and weight of the cylinder head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Chung-Han Oh
  • Patent number: 7228832
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine having a camshaft which is translatable between first and second positions to control an engine operating characteristic. The camshaft is rotationally driven from the engine crankshaft, and includes an oil pump member in fluid communication with the oil sump of the engine. During rotation of the camshaft, the oil pump member pumps oil from the oil sump to various lubrication points in the engine, and also generates an oil pressure which acts upon at least a portion of the camshaft. At low engine speeds, the oil pressure is insufficient to translate the camshaft. However, at high engine speeds, the oil pressure is sufficient to translate the camshaft axially during running of the engine, and the camshaft returns to its initial position when the speed of the engine decreases. Translation of the camshaft may facilitate an automatic compression and/or vacuum release feature, a low and high speed cam switching feature, or a low oil shutdown feature, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Tecumseh Products Company
    Inventor: Keith A Novak
  • Patent number: 7165522
    Abstract: A cylinder head of an internal combustion engine is provided with a cylinder head housing and with a divided camshaft bearing rail having a lower part, which comprises lower bearing blocks, and having an upper part, which comprises upper bearing covers. In addition, the cylinder head has a cylinder head cover. The upper part of the camshaft bearing rail is designed so that it is closed like a hood, in particular, in the area between the bearing covers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Georg Malek, Doris Schiecke, Axel Temmesfeld, Brian O'Reilly
  • Patent number: 7146956
    Abstract: A valve train for an internal combustion engine is comprised of a lubricating oil, and a camshaft which is made of an iron-based material and comprises a cam lobe and a camshaft journal. The camshaft slidingly moves on a counterpart thereof through the lubricating oil. A hard carbon film is formed on at least one of a sliding portion of the camshaft and the counterpart made of an iron-based material. A hydrogen amount of the hard carbon film is 10 atomic percent or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shin Nomura, Takahiro Miura, Makoto Kano, Yutaka Mabuchi, Takahiro Hamada, Miki Murakami
  • Patent number: 7121243
    Abstract: A valve case includes an attaching portion and a sleeve. The valve case is attached to a cylinder head cover main body formed of resin. The attaching portion is formed of resin and is a portion of the valve case to which an oil control valve is to be attached. The sleeve is embedded in the attaching portion, and has an interior space that permits the oil control valve to be accommodated therein and oil holes. Each oil hole is selectively connected to one of ports of the oil control valve accommodated in the interior space of the sleeve. The sleeve is formed of material having higher rigidity than the resin forming the attaching portion. Therefore, the valve case prevents deformation of the attaching portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuya Yoshijima, Hidemi Kato, Akihiro Osaki, Naohiro Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 7121242
    Abstract: A lubricating structure for an OHC internal combustion engine including a cam holder, wherein an oil feed path for feeding a lubricant to an upper end of a valve stem is formed integrally with the cam holder so as to project therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroatsu Inui, Takanori Osuka
  • Patent number: 7107950
    Abstract: A lift and operating angle varying mechanism is arranged to vary an intake valve operation angle and an intake valve lift of the engine continuously by rotating a control shaft with an actuator disposed at an end of the control shaft which is rotatably supported by a plurality of bearings. A lubricating oil is supplied to the bearings so as to reduce nonuniformity in temperature distribution of the control shaft in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Arinaga, Takanobu Sugiyama, Mitsuo Gunji, Shin Ishizaki
  • Patent number: 7104694
    Abstract: A bearing cap is bolted to the cylinder head by a cap bolt to fix relative position of the camshaft to the cylinder head. An oil escape bore that connects a cap bolt insert bore formed in the bearing cap through a chain casing to an oil pan is formed in the bearing cap, wherein the oil escape bore is positioned with a distance from a cylinder-head meeting surface of the bearing cap. As a result the oil escape bore is formed without damaging mounting performance of the bearing cap to the cylinder head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jun Harui
  • Patent number: 7093571
    Abstract: In an internal combustion engine having an electromagnetically driven valve for driving one of an intake valve and an exhasut valve, at least a lubricating oil passage to a head section including a lubricating oil passage to the electromagnetically driven valve is provided independently from other lubricating oil passage such that the lubricating oil for the electromagnetically driven valve is not mixed with the other lubricating oil. A lubricating device is allowed to have a portion where the lubricating oil is commonly used so long as the lubricating oil for the electromagnetically driven valve and the lubricating oil for the other elements are not mixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shouji Katsumata
  • Patent number: 7055476
    Abstract: A VA apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes a pair of VO cams disposed on both sides of a crank cam and having inside end faces opposed to each other, wherein the inside end faces have therebetween an annular portion of the crank arm supported in a sandwiched way from the axial direction of a driving shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Nakamura, Mikihiro Kajiura
  • Patent number: 7032554
    Abstract: The present invention provides a thrust cam cap for an engine camshaft disclosed to effectively place a thrust cam cap to limit the longitudinal movement of an engine camshaft according to the location of a thrust bearing cap that limits the longitudinal movement of the crankshaft, thereby maintaining a smooth operation of a timing belt or a timing chain in spite of thermal expansion of the crankshaft and the camshaft while an engine is in operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Seung-Woo Lee
  • Patent number: 7007648
    Abstract: To provide an oil passage structure for an engine in which a tensioner arm is in sliding-contact with a cam chain for speed-reducing a rotational power of a crankshaft by half and transmitting the resultant power to camshafts for driving an intake valve and an exhaust valve, and a screw-type lifter having a lifter rod with its one end being in contact with the tensioner arm is provided in a cylinder head, wherein the oil passage structure is intended to certainly feed oil to the screw type lifter while preventing the reduction in pressure of oil fed to the cylinder head without increasing the discharge pressure of an oil pump. An oil passage to which oil is fed from an oil pump is formed so as to extend around a cylinder head, and the downstream end of the oil passage is in communication with a screw type lifter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Makoto Fujikubo
  • Patent number: 7004131
    Abstract: A rotary shaft pump for increasing supplied oil pressure to a pressure responsive device in an internal combustion engine. The pump includes a housing adapted to carry a plurality of axially spaced journals of a rotatable shaft. The shaft also includes at least one pumping element having a larger diameter than the other journals of the shaft. A cam phaser carried on one end of the shaft receives pressurized oil from the engine through oil passages extending through the housing and the shaft. As the oil is pumped through the oil passages of the shaft, the oil is centrifugally pumped through a radially extending pumping passage extending though the pumping element to boost oil pressure supplied to the cam phaser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Jeremy M. Plenzler, Liyun Zheng
  • Patent number: 6920856
    Abstract: The camshaft mounting structure for a cylinder head includes a journal part placed at the front of a cylinder head and supports a camshaft and accommodates a bolt coupling hole for securing the cylinder head and the cylinder block. The cylinder block includes oil holes communicating with oil passages for connecting with an actuator of a timing apparatus. A metal bearing is mounted on the journal part with a length identical to the maximum length of the journal part in relation to the axial direction of the camshaft, and formed with connecting holes communicating with the oil holes. Oil grooves are formed at the camshaft along the circumferential direction for communicating with the connecting holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Seung-Woo Lee
  • Patent number: 6912982
    Abstract: In a device for changing the angle of rotation of a camshaft arranged in a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine relative to a drive wheel of the internal combustion engine, wherein a hydraulic adjusting arrangement is arranged between the drive wheel and the camshaft and is connected to a fluid circuit of the internal combustion engine, and wherein the fluid supply to the adjusting arrangement is controlled by an on/off valve, the on/off valve is mounted near the camshaft and is supplied with fluid via the camshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler A.G.
    Inventors: Kai Lehmann, Timo Schmidt
  • Patent number: 6904882
    Abstract: A valve lift mechanism, in particular for internal combustion engines of motor vehicles, has a driven cam element, a valve control member which can be driven (translational movement or pivot rotation) by the cam element, and a flexible enveloping element, wherein the cam element is rotationally mounted. The enveloping element may be formed of an open loop with two ends connected by a holder of said valve actuator, and it is movably connected to the valve control member in the plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the cam element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Inventor: Stefan Battlogg