Rocker Patents (Class 123/90.39)
  • Patent number: 8225758
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a continuously variable valve lift system for engines, which can prevent deterioration of fuel efficiency due to a friction loss by a return spring even in a low lift operation state by making a high lift swing angle be larger than a low lift swing angle, easily implement the CVVL by reducing a lost motion angle to an optimum condition, and securely generate an advancing effect in spite of reduction of the lost motion angle. Further, the continuously variable valve lift system is easy and convenient to adjust a clearance of an oscillating cam link, prevent the clearance of the oscillating cam link from being accumulated, and has a convenience of workability in adjusting the clearance in a narrow engine room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Eunho Lee, Younghong Kwak, Kiyoung Kwon, Jinkook Kong, Soohyung Woo, Kyoungjoon Chang
  • Patent number: 8225756
    Abstract: Disclosed is an adjusting mechanism for rotating the adjusting shaft of a variable valve control device for combustion engines, in which the crank of a crank-rocker mechanism or slider-crank mechanism is mounted on the camshaft and in which the rocker of the crank-rocker mechanism or the slider of the slider-crank mechanism can entrain the adjusting shaft in the desired direction of rotation by means of switchable freewheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: ThyssenKrupp Presta TecCenter AG
    Inventors: Helmut Schoen, Peter Kuhn, Gordon Koehne, Patric Hoecker
  • Patent number: 8225761
    Abstract: A valve gear for an internal combustion engine having a sub-rocker arm return spring that is shortened in a longitudinal length of a cylinder. The valve gear for the internal combustion engine is provided with a camshaft, an intake cam turning integrally with the camshaft, a valve cam for opening and closing an engine valve, a link mechanism for transmitting a valve driving force to the valve cam, a holder for supporting a sub-rocker arm support and a driving mechanism for varying a fulcrum position of the link mechanism. A valve operating characteristic can be varied with an oscillating position of the sub-rocker arm support. A sub-rocker arm is provided with a roller, an eccentrically disposed step and a link section. The step is provided with a spring socket, and a return spring is arranged intervening between the spring socket and the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaki Cho, Toshiyuki Sato, Takahiro Imafuku
  • Patent number: 8225760
    Abstract: A valve motion for an internal combustion engine which suppresses the height of the internal combustion engine low. In a valve motion for an internal combustion engine, a driving mechanism includes a ball screw disposed over an intake side camshaft and an exhaust side camshaft and having threaded portions provided thereon which are threaded in different directions from each other on the intake side and the exhaust side. Sliders are individually provided on the intake side and exhaust side and movable on the ball screw with connecting link members provided between the sliders and a holder member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Sato, Masaki Cho, Takahiro Imafuku
  • Patent number: 8220429
    Abstract: A single-cylinder, four-stroke cycle, internal combustion engine arranged in an overhead valve configuration includes a first valve train and a second valve train. The first valve train includes a first cam on a camshaft, a first pushrod driven by the first cam, a first rocker arm attached to the first pushrod, and an exhaust valve driven by the first rocker arm. The second valve train includes a second cam on the camshaft, a second pushrod driven by the second cam, a second rocker arm attached to the second pushrod, and an intake valve driven by the second rocker arm. The first rocker arm is longer than the second rocker arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
    Inventor: John R. Schneiker
  • Patent number: 8215275
    Abstract: A deactivating rocker arm for use with a cam having at least one no-lift safety lobe is provided. Safety lobe contacting surfaces on the rocker arm are configured for contact with safety lobes during abnormal operation of the rocker arm. When the rocker arm is deactivated, the safety lobe contacting surfaces may come into contact with safety lobes when excessive pump-up of a lash adjuster brings the rocker arm undesirably close to the rotating cam. This contact limits the range of motion of the rocker arm during certain instances of abnormal operation, promoting more effective transition between deactivated and activated states and preventing damaging contact between the rocker arm and the cam lobe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Kynan L. Church
  • Patent number: 8205588
    Abstract: In an internal combustion engine, a variable valve-actuating mechanism includes a trigger pin operable to permit axial movement of a rocker arm concurrently with a axial movement of a rocker arm shaft. A retention member has an insertion aperture formed therein, in which the trigger pin is inserted, and which slidably supports the trigger pin in the inserting direction. The trigger pin includes upper and lower expanded portions disposed on both sides thereof in the inserting direction. The upper and lower expanded portions of the trigger pin are operable to disable sliding motion of the trigger pin, relative to the retention member, beyond a predetermined range. The upper and lower expanded portions allow the trigger pin to be integrally assembled in the insertion aperture of the retention member, so as to be selectively retained therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Nakashima, Katsuhiro Kubo, Yoshihiro Takada, Takuya Warashina, Kazuyuki Kosei
  • Publication number: 20120152196
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to shims 10, 24 adapted for placement between a rocker shaft 42 and rocker shaft mounts 62, 64. The rocker shaft mounts 62, 64 project from the cylinder head 60 of an internal combustion engine. The shims 10, 24 are composed of a copper alloy, preferably bronze.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Edwin H. Langewisch, Lloyd E. Thompson
  • Patent number: 8201527
    Abstract: An auxiliary-device arrangement for a cylinder-deactivation multi-cylinder internal combustion engine includes an auxiliary-device driving member and an auxiliary device. The cylinder-deactivation multi-cylinder internal combustion engine is capable of deactivating at least one deactivated cylinder by keeping an intake valve and an exhaust valve closed while at least one operating cylinder is operating. The auxiliary-device driving member is provided adjacent to an operating cam of a valve operating cam shaft which is provided in the at least one operating cylinder. The auxiliary device has an operating member via which the auxiliary device contacts the auxiliary-device driving member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoki Yokoyama, Masahiro Nakajima
  • Patent number: 8191522
    Abstract: In an internal combustion engine using poppet type valves, a center pivot rocker arm is moved through a specific path wherein the roller in contact with a cam is moved to alter the phasing of the valves or injectors in the engine. Depending on the interface between the valve or injector and the rocker arm, the rocker ratio of the rocker arm may be altered, giving a change in lift as well. By positioning a control arm at desired points on either side of a centered position, and rotating the control arm about its own pivot point via an arm actuator, phase change is achieved. The arm actuator controls the location of the control arm and thus the timing of the valve or injector relative to the rotation of the cam. Advanced, centered, and retarded phase change is possible depending upon the movement of the control arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Inventor: Michael B. Riley
  • Patent number: 8191523
    Abstract: A rocker arm includes a pair of side wall portions formed so as to face each other, an engaging portion connecting the pair of side wall portions and adapted to engage with a rocking support member arranged in an engine, and a sliding portion connecting the pair of side wall portions and being adapted to be in slidable contact with a stem front end portion of an engine valve. The engaging portion includes a board surface portion connecting the pair of side wall portions and a protruding portion protruding from the board surface portion toward the rocking support member. In the protruding portion, a spherical concave portion adapted to engage with a spherical protruding portion of the rocking support member is formed as a depression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: OTICS Corporation
    Inventors: Masahide Sakurai, Naoki Hiramatsu, Eiichi Nozaki
  • Patent number: 8181613
    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: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Arinaga, Toru Fukami, Shinichi Takemura, Shunichi Aoyama
  • Publication number: 20120111293
    Abstract: A cam can rotate on a camshaft of an internal combustion engine. A rocker arm that actuates a valve of the internal combustion engine can include a rocker pivot connection point located on a distal side of a valve component from a proximate end of the rocker arm that is deflected by action of the cam. The rocker arm can include a contact point located between the rocker pivot point and the proximate end. The contact point can act on the valve component to actuate the valve. The rocker pivot connection point can be translated such that it is closer to or further from the cam. This translation can be used to vary valve lift and/or valve timing. The cam can have a three-dimensional profile to provide different actuation distance of the rocker arm. Systems, methods, and articles of manufacture consistent with one or more of these features are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventors: James M. Cleeves, Michael Hawkes
  • Patent number: 8161927
    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: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuichi Ochiai, Hiroshi Kuribara
  • Patent number: 8161925
    Abstract: Proposed is a valve drive for an internal combustion engine, having a gas exchange valve (11) and having a valve actuating element (4) which has a contact face (8) for an end face (9) on a valve shank (10) of the gas exchange valve (11) which is actuated in the opening and closing direction by the valve actuating element (4). Here, the contact face (8) and/or the end face (9) should be provided with a wear prevention layer (12) which is composed of at least one metal-free amorphous hydrocarbon layer with sp2 and sp3 hybridized carbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Oliver Schnell, Tim Matthias Hosenfeldt
  • Patent number: 8156909
    Abstract: An end pivot valve train is provided in a cylinder head to open and close a cylinder valve. The end pivot valve train includes a cam follower forcing the cylinder valve, and a cam holder assembled onto an upper portion of the cylinder head and includes a receiving groove to receive the cam follower therein, wherein the cam holder has a protrusion configured and dimensioned to interfere with an upper surface of the cam follower when the cam follower rotates such that a longitudinal edge thereof moves up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Jong Sul Seo
  • Patent number: 8151750
    Abstract: A valve operating device that opens and closes a valve of an internal combustion engine by driving a valve stem in an axial direction includes a rocker cam that rocks in accordance with a rotation of a drive shaft and has a driving cam portion and a lift restricting cam portion; a cam follower that lifts the valve by contacting the driving cam portion slidingly; and a restricting member that prevents the cam follower from separating from the driving cam portion in cooperation with the lift restricting cam portion. A gap is formed between the restricting member and the rocker cam in a state where the cam follower is in contact with the driving cam portion and disappears such that the restricting member and the rocker cam come into contact with each other only when the cam follower separates from the driving cam portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toru Fukami, Shinichi Takemura, Tsuyoshi Arinaga, Takanobu Sugiyama, Shunichi Aoyama
  • Patent number: 8151749
    Abstract: An engine with a valve opening arrangement includes an engine including at least one cylinder and at least one valve for opening and closing an opening in the cylinder. The valve is spring loaded to a closed position. The engine also includes a movable contact surface for urging the valve to an open position, and a control arrangement at least partially connected to the contact surface and operable in a modified mode to at least one of advance opening and delay closing of the valve relative to opening and closing in a normal mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Mack Trucks, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Smith, Chun Tai, Timothy Suder
  • Patent number: 8146552
    Abstract: A coupling device (1) of a switchable cam follower (2), in which a borehole (9) extends above a contact (8) for a support element in an outer lever (3) of the cam follower (2), and this borehole has a first section (10) of large diameter that starts from an outer side (11) of a crosspiece (6) on the other end (7) to which connects to a second section (12) of accordingly smaller diameter up to directly before an inner side (13) of the crosspiece (6). A smooth cylindrical coupling slide (14) is guided in a sealing manner through the second section (12), and this coupling slide projects with a sub-region (15) into the first section (10). This sub-region (15) is encompassed by a compression spring (16) that acts, on one end, against an annular end (17) formed between the sections (10, 12) and, on the other end, against a catch element (19) arranged on the lateral surface (18) of the sub-region (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Joachim Seitz, Joachim Krause, Jens Lang
  • Patent number: 8146548
    Abstract: A continuously variable valve lift device may include a vibration link having one end eccentrically and rotatably coupled to a rotation shaft, a rocker arm having a middle portion pivotally coupled to the other end of the vibration link, an advance lever having one end coupled to the one end of the rocker arm to select advance or delay, a swivel cam link having one end pivotally coupled to the other end of the rocker arm, and a swivel cam, one end of which is pivotally coupled to the other end of the swivel cam link and the other end of which is pivotally coupled to a stationary shaft to open and close a valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Jei Choon Yang, Eun Ho Lee, Young Hong Kwak, Ki Young Kwon, Jin Kook Kong, Soo Hyung Woo, Jin Soon Kim, Kyoung Joon Chang
  • Patent number: 8136492
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a variable valve control system which is operable to switch actions of an engine valve by slidably moving a rocker arm in the axial direction of a rocker-arm shaft, and which is capable of removing a restriction on the sliding movement of the rocker arm at accurate timings while employing a simplified configuration. When a trigger arm swings by a predetermined amount to the opposite side of a rocker arm, a left-hand engagement nail in engagement with an engagement groove disengages from the engagement groove, but a right-hand engagement nail still engages with an engagement groove. The left-hand engagement nail is placed on top of a left-hand deck-like portion. After that, when an action of the rocker arm makes the trigger arm further swing to the opposite side of the rocker arm, the right-hand engagement nail disengages from the engagement groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Takada, Katsuhiro Kubo, Yuki Uzawa, Kazuyuki Kosei
  • Publication number: 20120060781
    Abstract: The rocker arm assembly has an anti-inversion part that prevents a support pin from inverting, ensuring proper orientation of the support pin, on which a rocker arm is rotatably mounted, is maintained. The anti-inversion part can be a washer, a plate, a plug, or a sleeve. The washer, which has a flat face and a curved face, is intended for use with a cylindrical support pin which matches the curved face of the washer. The plate can include various combinations of tabs, flanges, and/or protrusions that extend in different directions. The plug can resemble any desirable shape, and is removed prior to final assembly. The sleeve can be hollow and is removable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Inventors: Mark SULLIVAN, Jesse MYERS, Richard BAKER, William CARTER
  • Patent number: 8132551
    Abstract: A switchable cam follower of a valve train assembly of an internal combustion engine is proposed, with an external lever that encloses an internal lever with its arms, of which components, that can deviate from each other flexibly, run on an axis that is attached to a valve side end, and the internal lever on an underside on the valve side end possesses a mechanism for a gas exchange valve as well as a complementary surface at the other end for storage on a head of a support element. A special characteristic is that guidance plates for the gas exchange valve come out from the underside of the external lever. That way, the switchable cam follower can be made narrower at least on the valve side. In addition, development of the mechanism for the gas exchange valve on the internal lever is simplified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventor: Debora Manther
  • Patent number: 8127727
    Abstract: A mechanism for actuating a poppet valve (28) of an internal combustion engine, comprises two coaxially mounted cams (12,14), cam followers (18,20) in contact with the respective cams (12,14) mounted on a common summation lever (16) which is movable in proportion to the instantaneous sum of the lifts of the two cams (12,14), and a rocker (24) pivotably connected to the summation lever (16) and serving to open the engine valve (28). The rocker is pivotable about a pivot (126) having a fixed preset position and a control spring (134) is provided between the summation lever (16) and a fixed point on the engine to urge the rocker (24) into contact with the tip of the valve (28) and the pivot (126) while the valve is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Mechadyne, PLC
    Inventors: Ian Methley, Nicholas Lawrence
  • Patent number: 8127730
    Abstract: Device for coupling two valve activating levers of an internal combustion engine with at least one carrier body (1) mounted on the internal combustion engine, wherein at least one hollow shaft (2) in which oil of the internal combustion engine is stored is attached to the carrier body, and a coupling pin (9) is supported parallel to the hollow shaft (2) in each of the valve activating levers (4a, 4b) and is spring loaded on one side and loaded by pressurized fluid on the other side in such a way that the coupling pin (9) connects or releases the valve activating levers (4a, 4b), wherein control of the pressurized fluid that is taken advantageously from the oil circuit of the internal combustion engine is realized by at least one electromagnetically activated valve (14) and wherein the supply of pressurized fluid is realized by channels (13) that are provided in the carrier body (1) or carrier bodies of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Florin Bugescu
  • Patent number: 8118003
    Abstract: A pivot cam mechanism included in a valve operating system is configured such that a coupling pin is supported at a pivot member in a position closer to a camshaft than a control shaft, and the pivot member and the driven member are integrally pivotable according to the rotation of the drive cam while changing relative attitudes of the driven member and the pivot member. Positions and shapes of the drive cam, the driven member, and the pivot member are designed so that a valve maximum acceleration point at which an acceleration of a valve body is at a maximum is located in a front part of a valve acceleration period in which the acceleration of the valve body has a positive value while the drive cam is rotating once.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toru Nishida, Kazuki Nagasawa, Yoshio Watanabe, Yoji Fukami, Toshiyuki Yanamoto
  • Patent number: 8118002
    Abstract: In a dual intake valve arrangement for an internal combustion engine, a continuously variable valve lift (CVVL) system controls two intake valves for one or more engine cylinders. In each cylinder, one of the intake valves includes an associated valve deactivation device, and the other intake valve does not. To improve in-cylinder air flow turbulence under low valve lift, one of the intake valves may be deactivated, resulting in mixture intake through only one valve, resulting in strong swirl by unbalanced flow. A CVVL-equipped engine including a valve deactivation device provides the same amount of air flow for the same engine load as a prior art CVVL engine. A method of introducing a swirl to the mixture is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jongmin Lee, Richard B. Roe
  • Patent number: 8118004
    Abstract: Provided are a rocker arm, a rocker shaft, a valve cap, an adjust screw, a pivot receiving member, and a valve of an arm type valve operating device that can suppress wear and pitching, and attain a long service life. A multiplicity of minute recesses are provided at random in contact portions with other members of those members. A surface provided with recesses has a surface roughness parameter Ryni that is in a range: 0.4 ?m?Ryni?1.0 ?m, and an Sk value of ?1.6 or less. Accordingly, contact surfaces exhibit a high oil-film-forming capacity, so a long service life is attained even under a condition of low viscosity, thin lubrication and extremely thin oil film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventor: Rino Fukami
  • Patent number: 8109245
    Abstract: A drive cam opens or closes an intake valve via a variable mechanism, a split-type rocking cam arm, and a valve actuating mechanism. The variable mechanism varies a position of an intermediate roller corresponding to a rotating angle of a control shaft, thereby variably setting a lift amount of the intake valve. The split-type rocking cam arm includes an input arm and an output arm, and a connection selection mechanism is disposed between the arms. When the arms are connected together, the intake valve performs an ordinary open/close operation. When the arms are disconnected, an input of the drive cam is absorbed by a relative rocking motion between the arms, so that the intake valve is retained in a pause state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Manabu Tateno
  • Patent number: 8104441
    Abstract: A cam follower for a valve drive of an internal combustion engine. The cam follower has a housing and a cam roller. The cam roller is arranged between the side walls of the housing and is mounted on a journal which bridges the side walls. The cam roller, which has an outer ring, a rolling body set and an inner ring, is a combined plain and rolling bearing. The outer ring and the inner ring are in sliding contact with one another, and the rolling body set is arranged between the inner ring and the journal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Stephan Moeck, Michael Kress
  • Publication number: 20120017862
    Abstract: An insert for use in a remanufactured cylinder head rocker arm stand, the insert comprising an inner facing surface having a radius within a range of 35 to 45 mm and a length within a range of 70 to 103 mm, and an outer facing surface adapted for disposal against a channel in the rocker arm stand, the rocker arm shaft being disposed adjacent the inner facing surface in use, but not adjacent the rocker arm stand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Christopher Bach, Curtis Graham, Trent Simpson, Michael Bridges
  • Publication number: 20120017861
    Abstract: A process for remanufacturing a cylinder head that includes a worn or damaged rocker arm stand adapted to receive a rocker shaft to which at least one rocker arm is mounted, the steps including machining a channel in a surface of the worn or damaged rocker arm stand, securing an insert into the channel, and machining the insert to form a remanufactured inner facing surface. The remanufactured cylinder head includes at least one rocker arm stand that has a machined channel with a remanufactured insert secured therein, the rocker shaft being disposed adjacent the inner facing surface, not the rocker arm stand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Christopher Bach, Curtis Graham, Trent Simpson, Michael Bridges
  • Patent number: 8096274
    Abstract: Rocker arm arrangement of an internal combustion engine has a bearing journal with a central axis and an outside circumferential surface running in the central bore of a rocker arm lined with a bearing shell. The bearing journal has a first transverse oil channel leading to at least one outlet at the running surface underneath the central axis. The bearing shell has an outer shell surface and an inner shell surface. The inner shell surface has a circumferentially extending internal groove, both ends of which terminate underneath the central axis, this groove extending to the outlet of the first oil channel when the rocker arm is in its base position. The outer shell surface has at least one circumferentially extending external groove, which extends as far as an inlet of a second oil channel passing through the rocker arm. At least one through-opening connects the internal groove and the external groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: MAN Nutzfahzeuge AG
    Inventor: Werner Vogel
  • Patent number: 8091522
    Abstract: To provide a variable valve driving device which can accurately control the lift amount of valves and can be manufactured at a low cost. The device has: valves (10) serving as intake valves or exhaust valves of an engine; springs (11) for biasing the valves (10) in the valve closing direction; a cam (12) for pressing the valves (10) in the valve opening direction against a biasing force of the springs; a piston (19) joined to the valves (10); a control chamber (21) configured by a piston insertion hole (20) into which the piston (19) is inserted; and a control mechanism (24) for changing the valve closing timing of the valves (10) by controlling the introduction and discharge of a working fluid into and from the control chamber (21).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Isuzu Motors Limited
    Inventors: Akihiko Minato, Terukazu Nishimura, Takeshi Tokumaru, Tsuneo Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8087392
    Abstract: A variable valve actuation system to actuate and control the seating velocity of an internal combustion engine valve is disclosed. The system may comprise a rocker arm that includes first, second and third contact surfaces. The first contact surface may contact the engine valve. A hydraulic lost motion system may contact the rocker arm at the second contact surface, and a mechanical valve train element may contact the rocker arm at the third contact surface. The lost motion system may include a slave piston with a valve seating device incorporated therein. The lost motion system and the mechanical valve train element may be provided side by side at the end of the rocker arm opposite that of the engine valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Jacobs Vehicle Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce A. Swanbon, Brian L. Ruggiero, Richard E Vanderpoel
  • Patent number: 8087391
    Abstract: One possible embodiment of the invention is essentially an apparatus and methodology for mounting a rocker arm assembly to a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine comprising of at least a unitary stanchion to which multiple rocker arms may be moveably connected. In least one embodiment, the unitary stanchion may comprise a base from which project multiple rows of pedestals. Two of more of these rows may be set in essentially parallel orientation, which further defines a primary space in which a portion of the rocker arm is located. The unitary stanchion may be secured to the cylinder head thorough multiple rows of fasteners. The footprint of the base of unitary stanchion could allow the unitary stanchion to possibly act as generally efficient external buttress for generally providing greater support across the top of the cylinder head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Inventors: Lawrence S. Tores, Bradley A. Rounds
  • Patent number: 8079332
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a continuously variable valve lift apparatus that includes an output cam driving unit for transmitting a rotation, an output cam that receives the rotation from the output cam driving unit and rotates about an axis at a predetermined angle, an output cam position controlling unit for controlling the axis of rotation of the output cam, and a valve opening unit that is operated by the output cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Back Sik Kim, Ingee Suh, Dong Hee Han, Wootae Kim, Hyung Ick Kim, Myungsik Choi, Dae Sung Kim, Kyoung Pyo Ha
  • Patent number: 8079337
    Abstract: A variable valve lift apparatus may include an inner body of which an end is pivotally connected to an anchor, an outer body of which an end is pivotally connected to the anchor, a roller finger follower of which an end is pivotally connected to a hydraulic lash adjuster, wherein a portion of the roller finger follower is pivotally connected to the outer body, a valve disposed to the other end of the roller finger follower, and a connecting unit selectively connecting the inner body and the outer body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Back Sik Kim, Ingee Suh, Dong Hee Han, Hyung Ick Kim, Myungsik Choi, Dae Sung Kim, Kyoung Pyo Ha
  • Patent number: 8079333
    Abstract: A slide type continuous variable valve lift (CVVL) device includes a swing arm rotating to press a valve; a cam lobe; a roller transmitting a driving force of the cam lobe to the swing arm; and a guide guiding the roller to move along a predetermined path. The CVVL device generally can minimize the number of places where sliding friction between respective parts may occur to minimize power loss and enable more precise operation control, reduce the number of parts to enhance the overall robustness of the device, and advance the time of maximum valve opening to improve the fuel efficiency of an engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Byoung Young Choi, Dong Heon Park, Sang Hyun Bang
  • Patent number: 8079334
    Abstract: A continuously variable valve actuation (CVVA) system may include a driving cam rotated by a driving force transmitted from a crankshaft, and a driven cam pressed by the driving cam to be rotated around a first end thereof serving as a rotational axle of the driven cam, wherein the driven cam has a cam face at a second end thereof so as to press and open a valve when rotated, and wherein a vertical distance between the rotational axis of the first end of the driven cam and a rotational axis of the driving cam is configured to be adjusted by moving a position of the rotational axis of the first end of the driven cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Byung Ok Park
  • Patent number: 8079336
    Abstract: A multi-cylinder barrel internal combustion engine includes a valve actuation mechanism having generally L-shaped rockers for actuating valves in the engine. The rockers are arranged in pairs each pivotally coupled to a common rocker support. The pair of rockers actuate respective valves of an adjacent pair of cylinders in the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Thomas Engine Company, LLC
    Inventor: Anton Polt
  • Patent number: 8074615
    Abstract: A variable valve control apparatus includes an oscillating arm and a pivot lever pivotably mounted to each other via a swivel joint. A first roller, which is rotatably mounted on an arm of the pivot lever engages with the camming surface of a cam, while a second roller which is rotatably mounted on another arm of the pivot lever makes contact with a contact surface of an arcuate sliding block disposed within a housing of the valve control apparatus. The contact surface of the sliding block includes a first region which has an arcuate contour, and a radius that is centered on a pivot axis of the swivel joint when the valve is in the closed position, as well as a second region which adjoins the first region and has a curved spur that extends inwardly toward the swivel joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Thyssenkrupp Presta TecCenter AG
    Inventor: Herbert Naumann
  • Patent number: 8069828
    Abstract: A mechanism (40) for enabling an engine cylinder valve (18) to close at various times during engine cycles has a hydraulic actuator (58) and a control valve (60) controlling the hydraulic actuator a) to constrain a pivot axis of a valve rocker (52) against relocation while the cylinder valve is being forced increasingly open, and b) to release the constraint after the cylinder valve has been forced open for enabling the pivot axis to relocate so that the intake valve can close early thereby providing early IVC. A hydraulic snubber (64) snubs closing motion of the cylinder valve through a scheduling geometry to a hydraulic accumulator (62). The control valve opens to the accumulator to allow the rocker pivot axis to relocate and provide early IVC and closes to return the pivot axis to a location that doesn't provide early IVC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: International Engine Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventors: William de Ojeda, Daniel Cornelius
  • Patent number: 8061314
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine valve mechanism including a rocker arm, which includes a bearing section and a rocker roller, and an HLA. The HLA has a pivot, which is to be inserted into the bearing section, and supports one end of the rocker arm. The pivot has a spherically curved surface, whereas the bearing section has a shell-shaped dent. A swing arm rotates in synchronism with camshaft rotation and gives roller pressure force to the rocker roller. The direction in which the swing arm presses the rocker roller shifts toward the HLA when the lift of a valve disc increases. An osculating circle is inclined by inclining the axis of the bearing section at an angle of ?° relative to the axis of the HLA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shuichi Ezaki
  • Patent number: 8061312
    Abstract: A lift of a valve of an engine may continuously be varied by an apparatus that includes: an input cam provided on an input shaft; a pivot shaft provided in parallel with the input shaft; a lever that rotates around the pivot shaft by a rotation of the input cam and operates the valve; and a lift varying device capable of varying a relative distance between the pivot shaft and the input shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Chung Han Oh
  • Patent number: 8061315
    Abstract: A variable valve actuating apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes: a control shaft rotatably supported through a bearing to a body of the engine, and arranged to rotate about a center axis to control an operating state of an engine valve, the control shaft including; a control cam having a center which is off the center axis of the control shaft in a first direction; and a journal portion rotatably supported by the bearing, the journal portion having a center axis which is off the center axis of the control shaft in a second direction different from the first direction of the control cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Nakamura, Seinosuke Hara, Seiji Tsuruta, Mikihiro Kajiura
  • Patent number: 8061316
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes: a variable valve train mechanism, configured to receive a cam displacement of an inlet cam so as to vary a driving output for driving an inlet valve continuously from a maximum valve lift to a minimum valve lift so as to match the driving output with a running condition of the internal combustion engine; and a control part, configured to control the variable valve train mechanism so as to set a valve lift of the inlet valve to a starter valve lift when starting the internal combustion engine in a cold state. The starter valve lift is formed so that a valve opening period of the inlet valve is set to encompass an overall area of an induction stroke period of the internal combustion engine from a top dead center to a bottom dead center of the induction stroke period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Daisuke Yoshika, Shinichi Murata, Hitoshi Toda, Masayuki Takagaki
  • Patent number: 8061313
    Abstract: A variable valve device is constructed to prevent inclination of a sliding surface of a high speed rocker arm. In an engagement surface where a connecting pin and the engagement portion of a high speed rocker arm are in contact, the center of the width of the surface in the direction of the cam shaft is provided closer to the high speed rocker arm than the center of the width in the direction of the camshaft of a cam contact surface where the high speed cam and the sliding surface of the high speed rocker arm are in contact. The low speed rocker arm includes a cam receiver and a connecting portion. The width of the connecting portion is larger than that of the cam receiver. The side surface of the connecting portion projects beyond the side surface of the cam receiver. The high speed rocker arm includes a cam receiver and a connecting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshihiko Takahashi, Kazuya Koike
  • Patent number: 8056523
    Abstract: The present invention provides to a rocker arm apparatus for cylinder deactivation with a new structure for increasing fuel efficiency in a gasoline engine. For this, the present invention provides a rocker arm apparatus for cylinder deactivation including: a rocker arm; a restoring spring supported at the bottom of a rear end portion of the rocker arm; a roller coupled to the rocker arm to be pressed by a cam; a pair of rocker shaft assemblies each including first and second rocker shafts, and a connecting rod integrally connecting the first and second rocker shafts; a pair of rocker shaft support members connected to the rocker arm by means of the first and second rocker shafts; and a transfer member for controlling the rocker shaft assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Kyoung Pyo Ha, Jin Kook Kong, Woo Tae Kim
  • Patent number: 8056518
    Abstract: A valve actuating system determines a shape of its jam nut surface as a function of a resultant force on a ball stud exerted by a rocker arm on the ball stud during operation of the valve train. The contact surface of the jam nut, which is pressed against an associated surface of the head of an engine, is a conical surface with an included angle that is generally twice the magnitude of an angle between a resultant force on the ball stud and a central axis of the ball stud and its associated jam nut. Certain accommodations can be made in order to reduce the cost of the system that would occur if perfect mathematical preciseness with a most preferred embodiment of the present invention is employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Aaron J. Novak, Christopher R. Jenks