Rocker Patents (Class 123/90.39)
  • Patent number: 7921821
    Abstract: A switchable finger lever (1) of a valve train of an internal combustion engine, said finger lever (1) comprising an outer lever (2) between whose arms (3) an inner lever (4) extends, a support (9) for at least one gas exchange valve being arranged on one end (7), said inner and outer levers (4, 2) extending on a common axle (10) in the region of said one end (7), said finger lever (1) further comprising a lost motion spring means (11) acting between said inner and outer levers (4, 2), said outer lever (2) possessing on the undersurface (8) on another end (12), a contact surface (13) for a support element, a coupling element (14) is arranged above or laterally of said contact surface (13), which coupling element (14), for realizing coupling, can be brought partially into engagement with an entraining surface (15) of an adjoining crossbar (16) of the inner lever (4), wherein the inner lever (4), starting from its crossbar (16) on the another end (12), merges into a box-like open center portion (17) having two
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Bodo Rörig, Joachim Seitz
  • Patent number: 7921819
    Abstract: An actuating system for a gas exchange valve of an internal combustion engine is described which comprises two cams (12,14) associated with the valve (10), a summation linkage (22,24,30,32) for lifting the valve in dependence upon the sum of the instantaneous lifts of the two cams (12,14). A de-activating mechanism 34 is provided for selectively decoupling the summation linkage from one (12) of the two cams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Mechadyne PLC
    Inventors: Ian Methley, Timothy Mark Lancefield
  • Patent number: 7918201
    Abstract: A variable valve mechanism for an engine includes: a rocker shaft; a first rocker arm rotatably supported by the rocker shaft, for transmitting displacement of a first cam to a valve; a second rocker arm rotatably supported by the rocker shaft, for transmitting a displacement of a second cam to the valve; and a switching mechanism for switching a transmitting state and a non-transmitting state. The first rocker arm has a pair of first arm portions and a recess portion in which an upper end of the valve is inserted at an end portion of each of the first arm portions. The second rocker arm has a second arm portion disposed between the first arm portions. The first rocker arm is restricted from movement in an axis direction of the rocker shaft when an inner sidewall of the recess portion is in contact with the upper end of the valve. The second rocker arm is restricted from movement in the axis direction when the second arm portion is in contact with the first rocker arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akira Yoshihara, Yuichi Takahashi, Kenta Kotsuji, Yasunori Kutsuna, Akira Ohta, Satoru Ishii
  • Patent number: 7918199
    Abstract: In a V-type engine, intake and exhaust rocker arms in each bank are arranged in a substantially inverted-V-shape in a plan view, so that side end portions of corresponding intake and exhaust push rods are positioned adjacent to each other. Slipper portions of first and second intake cam followers have end portions at one end along the axial direction of a camshaft protrude respectively in opposite directions to each other so that they face each other across an intake cam therebetween. Slipper portions of first and second exhaust cam followers have end portions at one end along the axial direction of the camshaft protrude respectively in opposite directions to each other so that they face each other across an exhaust cam therebetween. This reduces the distance between the push rods in each bank to provide a compact valve-operating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Manabu Hashimoto, Keita Ito
  • Patent number: 7918200
    Abstract: A rocker arm (1) made of thin-walled sheet steel which rocker arm is intended for a suspended arrangement together with other like rocker arms under a girder-like carrier (2) of a valve train of an internal combustion engine, the rocker arm having an inverted U-shaped profile, a support (7) for a gas exchange valve is formed on one end (6) of an underside (5) of a crossbar (4) of the rocker arm, an upper side (9) of the crossbar (4) is stamped in the region of the support (7) by a stamping and extrusion molding method toward the underside (5), so that an M-like cross-section with a longitudinal channel (10) formed on the upper side (9) is obtained and at its other end (11), the rocker arm (1) has a fork-shaped, open configuration and merges into a region (12) which is angularly bent towards the underside (5) and on which a roller (13) forming a cam contacting surface is arranged, said rocker arm (1) of this type possesses, among other things, an excellent stiffness, is simple to manufacture and has a small de
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventor: Van Hau Nguyen
  • Patent number: 7913656
    Abstract: Systems and methods for selectively activating and deactivating gas exchange valves in a variable displacement internal combustion engine include a rocker arm having a positioning device that opposes movement of a lash adjustment device while deactivated to position a coupling hole of the rocker arm within a desired coupling range to facilitate coupling of the rocker arm during subsequent activation of an associated engine cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Bruno Magnan, Brian Jon Fregonese, Jonathan Patrick Jeffries, Todd Brewer
  • Patent number: 7913658
    Abstract: A valve actuating mechanism for an internal combustion engine includes a first rocker arm moving mechanism, a second rocker arm moving mechanism, and a trigger arm. The first rocker arm moving mechanism moves left and right rocker arms from a first operation position side to a second operation position side. The second rocker arm moving mechanism moves the left and right rocker arms from the second operation position side to the first operation position side, and the trigger arm selectively restricts the movement of the left and right rocker arms. During engine operation, left and right rocker-side key portions of the left and right rocker arms, respectively, and left and right trigger-side key portions of the trigger arm selectively maintain or remove a restriction on the movement of the left and right rocker arms, in response to a rocking state of the left and right rocker arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshio Yamamoto, Masahiro Shimizu
  • Publication number: 20110067660
    Abstract: A rocker arm may include a valve engagement region, a lift mechanism engagement region, a pivot region, and a body portion. The valve engagement region may be located at a first longitudinal end of the rocker arm and on a first side of the rocker arm. The lift mechanism engagement region may be located at a second longitudinal end of the rocker arm. The pivot region may be located between the valve engagement region and the lift mechanism engagement region and may define a rotational axis for the rocker arm. The body portion may extend longitudinally between and couple the valve engagement region, the pivot region and the lift mechanism engagement region to one another. The body portion may define first and second ribs on a second side of the rocker arm that extend longitudinally between the valve engagement region and the lift mechanism engagement region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: HATEM ZAKARIA ORBAN, ROBERT S. MCALPINE, AKRAM R. ZAHDEH
  • Patent number: 7909007
    Abstract: The finger follower has an inner and outer body and a torsional lost motion spring positioned at its lash adjuster end of the outer body. The torsional lost motion spring has two helical parts each with a short leg that abuts the outer body and a long leg that contacts the inner body. The torsional spring is located above the pivot point of the finger follower so as to provide a low mass moment of inertia and to reduce the weight over the valve stem end of the follower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Debora Manther, Yunshan Liu, Anna Strehlau, Richard Best, Xiaopo Ma
  • Patent number: 7905207
    Abstract: A variable valve lift apparatus may include a camshaft having an input cam, a rocker arm shaft disposed in parallel with the camshaft with a distance therebetween, a shaft carrier with a camshaft and a rocker arm shaft, a rocker arm that is mounted on the rocker arm shaft with a first roller contacting the input cam, a first link connected to the rocker arm, an amplification lever with a middle portion thereof connected to the first link and the shaft carrier, a second link connected to the amplification lever, an output cam mounted on the camshaft, one side of the output cam connected to the second link, and a profile portion formed at an exterior circumference thereof, a variable driveshaft rotating the shaft carrier by a predetermined angle, and a valve moved by the profile portion with rotation of the output cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Eun Ho Lee, Young Hong Kwak, Kiyoung Kwon, Jin Kook Kong, Soo Hyung Woo, Kyoung Joon Chang
  • Patent number: 7905208
    Abstract: A system and method of actuating one or more engine valves is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system comprises: a valve train element; a rocker arm pivotally mounted on a shaft and adapted to rotate between a first position and a second position, the rocker arm selectively receiving motion from the valve train element; a valve bridge disposed above the one or more engine valves; and a lost motion system disposed in the valve bridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Jacobs Vehicle Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Ruggiero, Neil Fuchs, Zhou Yang, Robb Janak
  • Publication number: 20110052934
    Abstract: There is provided a slide part used in an environment where there is a lubricant containing a molybdenum compound including a hard protective layer formed on an outermost surface of a substrate of the slide part; in which: the hard protective layer includes mainly carbon, nitrogen, and a metal element; the hard protective layer is composed of a complex of an amorphous carbon body containing nitrogen and a compound crystal of the metal element; the compound crystal is composed of at least one of a metal carbide, a metal nitride, and a metal carbonitride; and a surface hardness of the hard protective layer is 1800 or larger in Vickers hardness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventors: Itto SUGIMOTO, Kazutaka OKAMOTO, Fumiaki HONDA, Kenichi INOUE
  • Patent number: 7895981
    Abstract: In order to produce a variable valve lift device for the lift adjustment of the gas-exchange valves of an internal combustion engine, by means of which with adjustment forces and holding forces, independently from whether said holding forces and adjustment forces are applied mechanically, hydraulically or electrically, with an adjustment of the valve lift being as cost-effective as possible, and with maximum accuracy of the adjustment or control of the valve lift to be taken between the individual cylinders of a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine, and, moreover, the adjustment possibility of the valve lift of the valves of an internal combustion engine with several cylinders is obtained within smallest tolerances, it is suggested that a valve lift device (1) has a rotatable eccentric shaft (3), which consists of several eccentrics (4, 5) and whereby all possible contours of the eccentrics (4, 5) are positioned within a circle, which is formed by means of the external diameters of a bearing (6, 7) of th
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignees: enTec Consulting GmbH, Hydraulik-Ring GmbH
    Inventors: Gerlinde Bösl-Flierl, Rudolf Flierl, Wilhelm Hannibal, Michael Jubelt, Andreas Knecht, Andreas Wild
  • Publication number: 20110041791
    Abstract: A rocker arm unit constituting a valve gear of an internal combustion engine includes a support member assembled into the cylinder head, a rocker arm supported on a top of the support member so as to be swung with a supported position serving as an approximate fulcrum, and a wire member bridging the support member side and the rocker arm side with each other thereby to connect the support member and the rocker arm together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: OTICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomoki Miyoshi, Masahide Sakurai, Naoki Hiramatsu, Toshimasa Sasaki
  • Patent number: 7891328
    Abstract: A lubricating system for a valve operating system includes a valve operating system configured to reciprocate a valve for substantially opening and closing a port connected to a combustion chamber of an engine, and an ejecting device provided with an outlet from which a lubricating liquid is ejected. The valve operating system includes a drive cam, a driven member configured to contact the drive cam, a pivot member which is attached to the driven member and is configured to transmit movement of the driven member to the valve, and a relative position changing device configured to change relative positions of the driven member and the pivot member. The outlet of the ejecting device is oriented to face sliding surfaces of the driven member and the drive cam at least in a period which is a part of one rotation of the drive cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toru Nishida, Kazuki Nagasawa, Yoshio Watanabe, Yoji Fukami, Toshiyuki Yanamoto
  • Patent number: 7891327
    Abstract: A valve-stroke control apparatus continuously varies the stroke of a valve in an engine, and selectively maintains it in a closed position, while the engine is in operation. The control apparatus includes a force-transmitting rod which is pivoted by a cam and a cam-contact roller. An additional roller on one end of said force-transmitting rod engages a transverse contact surface of a stroke-length setting lever. The contact surface has a contour such that pivoting of the force-transmitting rod causes movement between the contact surface and the additional roller, which in turn displaces the force-transmitting rod longitudinally in a direction associated with valve opening. Such displacement is introduced by way of a rotary articulation into a rocking lever that activates the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: ThyssenKrupp Presta TecCenter AG
    Inventor: Herbert Naumann
  • Patent number: 7882812
    Abstract: A valvetrain mechanism of an engine, including a drive shaft configured to rotate in synchronization with the engine, a link arm having a large end and a small end, the drive shaft being inserted into and passed through the large end, a valve lift control shaft disposed parallel to the drive shaft and having an eccentric portion, an oscillating arm disposed rotatably at the eccentric portion of the valve lift control shaft and interconnected with the small end of the link arm via a first rotation support point, a link rod interconnected with the oscillating arm via a second rotation support point positioned at a same side as the first rotation support point with respect to the valve lift control shaft, and an oscillating cam interconnected with the link rod via a third rotation support point and operated correspondingly with an operation of the drive shaft to thereby open a valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Arinaga, Shinichi Takemura, Toru Fukami
  • Patent number: 7882814
    Abstract: A roller finger follower assembly for variably activating a valve in an internal combustion engine includes at least one vertical recessed channel formed inside an outer arm and a shaft. The channel includes a machined upper surface closing the channel. The shaft engages with the recessed channel, the shaft reciprocates within the recessed channel, and the upper surface stops an upward movement of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark J. Spath, Nick J. Hendriksma, Michael E. McCarroll
  • Publication number: 20110023806
    Abstract: A switchable finger lever (1) for a valve train of an internal combustion engine is provided. The finger lever includes an inner lever (2) with a U-shaped cross-section having, on one end (3), outer arms (4) which are made separately from each other and are pivotable relative to the inner lever (2). The outer arms extend, while flanking outer walls (6) of the inner lever (2), in a direction of the other end (5), and have on upper sides (7), running surfaces (7a) for high-lift cams. A support (10) having integrally connected lateral guide tabs (11) for at least one gas exchange valve extend on an underside (8) of a crossbar (9) of the inner lever (2) in a vicinity of the one end (3). An insert (12) having a contact surface (13) for a head of a support element is installed on the another end (5) between side walls (14) of the inner lever (2), and has a coupling slide (15) for an optional connection of the outer arms (4) to the inner lever (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Robert Heinemann
  • Patent number: 7878166
    Abstract: A device for retaining a valve bridge is disclosed. The valve bridge is engaged with a plurality of valves. The device has a first base member. The first base member is configured to engage at least one of the plurality of valves. The device also has a first latching member. The first latching member extends from the first base member. The first latching member is configured to engage and retain the valve bridge in engagement with the plurality of valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Perkins Engines Company Limited
    Inventors: James Dougall Wotherspoon, Patrick Kirk Harris, Michael Robert Stott
  • Patent number: 7878163
    Abstract: A variable valve lift apparatus includes an end lever; a variable lift body connected to the end lever, and rotatable around the end lever, a valve mounted on the variable lift body; and a low lift cam operable to open and close the valve. The variable lift body includes a high lift body, and a low lift body rotatable around the high lift body. A low lift connecting portion selectively connects the low lift body and the high lift body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Hyung Ick Kim, Wootae Kim, Ingee Suh, Dong Hee Han, Back Sik Kim, Dae Sung Kim
  • Patent number: 7878167
    Abstract: An engine with intake and exhaust valves that may be controlled with a circular cam lobe is provided. The rotating axis of the circular cam lobe is offset from the physical center of the cam lobe. This permits the cam lobe to impart a reciprocal opening and closing of the valve. To maintain the valve in the closed position, the interconnection between the cam lobe and the valve 12 may have a spring which is compressed to allow the valve to remain closed for a set duration of time while the cam lobe continues to rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Inventor: Julian A. Decuir, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7878165
    Abstract: In an engine valve operating system, a camshaft (36) is supported via a bearing (41) on a cylinder head (5) having an intake valve (29i) and an exhaust valve (29e)provided therein, and an intake rocker arm (38i)and an exhaust rocker arm (38e)are mounted on a rocker arm shaft (42) supported on the cylinder head (5) so as to be parallel to the camshaft (36), the intake rocker arm (38i)and the exhaust rocker arm (38e)respectively providing a connection between the camshaft (36) and the intake valve (29i)and between the camshaft (36) and the exhaust valve (29e). A fixing bolt (44) that abuts against an end part of the rocker arm shaft (42) so as to restrict movement thereof in the thrust direction is screwed into the cylinder head (5), and a flange seat (44a)that abuts against one side face of the bearing (41) so as to restrict movement thereof in the thrust direction is formed integrally with the fixing bolt (44).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shohei Kono
  • Patent number: 7878168
    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: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Alan W. Hayman, Robert S McAlpine, Eric C. Douse
  • Patent number: 7870841
    Abstract: A valve system is disclosed for an internal combustion engine which allows a secondary valve event, serving for example to provide internal EGR, to be selectively disabled. The system comprises two valve 10 and 22, a first cam 20 acting on the first valve 10 by way of a rocker 12 pivotable about a fixed pivot axis and a second cam 36 having at least two lobes and acting on the second valve 22 by way of a second rocker 24 pivotable about an eccentric 26. The second of the two lobes of the second cam 36 is arranged to open the second valve 22 at a time that the first valve 10 is opened by the first cam 20. A selectively operable latching mechanism 50 latches the eccentric 26 in a fixed position in which each of the cam lobes of the second cam causes the second valve to open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Mechadyne PLC
    Inventor: Ian Methley
  • Patent number: 7870842
    Abstract: An engine comprising a valve, cam lobe, rocker, follower member and an optional spring is disclosed herein. The valve may comprise a valve stem. The cam lobe may have a base circle and a nose. The cam lobe may be attached to a rotating shaft. The rocker may have a valve end portion contacting the valve, a lifter end portion defining a pivot axis of the rocker and a cam surface disposed between the valve end portion and the lifter end portion. The nose of the cam lobe may contact the cam surface for opening the valve. The follower member may be disposed adjacent the cam lobe opposite the rocker. The follower member may be attached to the rocker and have a curved inner surface upon which the nose of the cam lobe contacts for lifting the rocker. The spring may be disposed about the valve stem of the valve for closing the valve stem of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Inventor: Julian A. Decuir
  • Publication number: 20110005483
    Abstract: The invention proposes a switchable finger lever (1) for a valve train of an internal combustion engine, said finger lever (1) comprising an inner lever (2) comprising on an underside (3) on one end (4), a support (5) for a gas exchange valve and on another end (6), a contact surface (7) for a head of a support element, said inner lever (2) being flanked by outer arms (8) which are articulated for pivoting relative to the inner lever (2) on a side of the one end (4), at least each of said outer arms (8) comprising on an upper side (9), a cam contacting surface (10), said inner lever (2) comprising directly next to the contact surface (7) a coupling device (11) for an optional connection of the outer arms (8) to the inner lever (2), said coupling device (11) comprising a cross-bore (12) in which two coupling slides (13) are arranged diametrically opposite each other, which coupling slides (13) for effecting coupling engage partially in or under an entraining surface (14) arranged on the respective outer arm (8
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Inventors: Debora Manther, Jeff Villemure
  • Patent number: 7866292
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for shifting the phase between a driver gear and a driven gear in communication by a timing belt are provided as well as methods for configuring the apparatus. The apparatus may continuously vary the phase relationship between the driver gear and the driven gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Inventors: Rikki Scott LaBere, Robert Allen Weaver
  • Patent number: 7861680
    Abstract: A multiple-cylinder internal combustion engine having a camshaft-driven valvetrain with a camshaft disposed within an engine block includes at least two intake and/or exhaust valves with multiple valves operated by a common lifter and pushrod that engages a follower having multiple independent lash adjusters coupled to associated rocker arms. The lifter contacts the common camshaft lobe and a corresponding pushrod that engages a reciprocating bucket follower with a compliant coupling to corresponding rocker arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Matthew Byrne Diggs
  • Patent number: 7854215
    Abstract: A valve train for use in an engine is provided. The valve train includes a rocker arm assembly having a valve side arm and a cam side arm. A valve is coupled to the engine and is in contact with the valve side arm. A pushrod is reciprocatable by a camshaft and is in contact with the cam side arm. An overload feature is located on at least one of the rocker arm assembly or the pushrod. The overload feature has a reduced cross-sectional area calibrated to activate at a predefined load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick J. Rozario, James B. Hicks, William C. Albertson, Gary J. Patterson
  • Patent number: 7849828
    Abstract: A rocker arm assembly includes a lever body having a first end defining a pivot point, a second end for engagement with a valve train and a central opening extending therethrough. An eccentric bearing is received in the central opening, the eccentric bearing having an eccentric opening therein. The eccentric opening having at least one thrust absorbing key extending radially inward from a surface of the eccentric opening. An eccentric pivot shaft is supported by the eccentric bearing, the eccentric pivot shaft including at least one radially inwardly extending slot located and sized to receive the at least one thrust absorbing key in an assembled position. A first cam follower is disposed on the eccentric bearing and second and third cam followers are each disposed on opposite ends of the eccentric pivot shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney K. Elnick, Ronald Jay Pierik
  • Publication number: 20100307434
    Abstract: A valve control synchronizing apparatus for an internal combustion engine for controlling opening and closing operations of an engine valve includes a synchronizing pin assembly selectively transferring pivoting movement from one or both of first and second adjacent rocker arms to a central rocker arm. The synchronizing pin assembly is received in a bore defined through the central rocker arm and at least partially into each of the first and second rocker arms. The synchronizing pin assembly bridges between the first rocker arm and the central rocker arm to transfer pivoting movement of the first rocker arm to the central rocker arm and bridges between the second rocker arm and the central rocker arm to transfer pivoting movement from the second rocker arm to the central rocker arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Marcus Odell, Masataka Ikawa, Yuji Matsumochi, Akira Terao, Yasutaka Hayashi
  • Publication number: 20100307437
    Abstract: A rocker arm (1a to 1f) for a valve train of an internal combustion engine is provided having an elongate lever body (2a to 2f) formed out of sheet metal and including a first end section (3), a second end section (5) and a center section (4) formed by two spaced apart, parallel side walls (6a to 6f), having aligned axle-receiving bores (7). The first end section includes a crossbar (11a to 11f) connecting the side walls to each other and two contact surfaces (12) for a simultaneous actuation of two gas exchange valves of the internal combustion engine, and the first end section is configured substantially wider than the center section. The contact surfaces extend on the crossbar while being spaced in transverse direction from the side walls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Robert Kamm, Rainer Schwinn
  • Patent number: 7845324
    Abstract: A locking mechanism for a plural rocker arm valve train assembly is provided. The locking mechanism is adapted for use with a camshaft having a plurality of different cam lobes having a plurality of different profiles, which result in variable valve displacement and duration. A plurality of rocker arms are located on a pivot shaft which runs parallel to the camshaft, each rocker arm having structures configured to be acted upon by respective lobes of the camshaft. An active rocker arm has structure configured to act upon an engine valve or valves. A movable locking element is fully enclosed by the rocker arms and is capable of selectively moving along the pivot shaft to allow the active rocker arm to selectively engage one or more of the other rocker arms for common pivoting, resulting in varied displacement of the engine valve or valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Burak A. Gecim, John I. Manole
  • Patent number: 7845325
    Abstract: A valve actuating mechanism for an engine having a rocker arm movement restraining device which controls opening and closing an engine valve. The rocker arm movement restraining device includes a timing arm which engages left and right rocker arms for constraining the axial movement thereof, and a timing cam disposed on an intake-side camshaft. The rocker arm movement restraining device releases the engagement of the timing arm with the left and right rocker arms by activating the timing arm when the intake-side camshaft is rotated, and when the timing arm releases the engagement with the left and right rocker arms, the left and right rocker arms move to a predetermined operating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshio Yamamoto, Masahiro Kuroki
  • Patent number: 7845323
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine has cylinder head assembly. First and second cams are disposed on a camshaft for rotation therewith. A first cam follower has a first end journaled on a cam follower shaft and a second end abutting an end of a first valve. A second cam follower has a first end journaled on the cam follower shaft and a second end abutting an end of a second valve. A spacer is disposed at least partially around the cam follower shaft. The spacer is disposed between the cam followers such that the first cam follower is disposed between the spacer and a camshaft support and the second cam follower is disposed between the spacer and another camshaft support. A cylinder head assembly, a method of accessing the valves, and embodiments providing for the supply of lubricant to the cam followers are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: BRP-Powertrain GmbH & Co KG
    Inventor: Johann Neuboeck
  • Publication number: 20100300389
    Abstract: The invention proposes a switchable finger lever (1) comprising an inner lever (2) comprising on one end (4), a support (5) for a gas exchange valve and on another end (6), a contact surface (7) for a head of a support element, said inner lever (2) comprising on the one end (4), pivotable outer arms (8) made separately from each other, which outer arms (8) comprise on their upper sides (10), contacting surfaces (11) for high lift cams, a coupling device (12) comprising a coupling slide (13) for simultaneously connecting the outer arms (8) to the inner lever (2) being seated in a section of the another end (6) in the inner lever (2), which coupling slide (13) is seated in an oblong hole (14) extending transversely through the inner lever (2) as also in longitudinal direction of the finger lever (2), the coupling slide (13) comprises two end portions (15) which protrude beyond the outer walls (9), and for effecting coupling, the coupling slide (13) can be displaced with the two end portions (15) partially under
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2010
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Inventors: Debora Manther, Jeffrey Shewell, Jeff Villemure
  • Patent number: 7836860
    Abstract: A rocker arm includes a first end including a substantially horizontal wall having a receptacle formed therein. A second end of the rocker arm is spaced from the first end and includes a substantially horizontal wall for engaging a valve stem. A pair of spaced substantially parallel vertical sidewalls extend between the first end and the second end. In one embodiment, the sidewalls define a width between the first end and the second end that is less than each of the widths of the first and second ends. In another embodiment, a transverse wall extending between the sidewalls is formed in the second end. In yet another embodiment, rocker arm alignment walls are formed in the second end independently of the sidewalls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Charter Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventor: James R. Edgar
  • Patent number: 7836858
    Abstract: A V-type vehicle engine includes a main engine body with a front bank with 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: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hayato Maehara, Shinji Saito, Takaaki Tsukui
  • Patent number: 7836861
    Abstract: A variable valve mechanism for an internal combustion engine includes a rocker arm, a swing cam, and a transmission member which is interposed between the swing cam and a cam and transmits the displacement of the cam to the swing cam. The rocker arm is provided with a rolling roller member which includes a inner ring, an outer ring, and a plurality of rolling elements accommodated between the inner ring and the outer ring. The outer ring contacts with the swing cam. At least one of a first transmission part, in which the displacement of the cam is transmitted from the cam to the transmission member, and a second transmission part, in which the displacement of the cam is transmitted from the transmission member to the swing cam, includes a sliding roller member, wherein a sliding bearing mechanism is constituted between the sliding roller member and the support part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mikio Tanabe, Hideo Nakai, Satoshi Yoshikawa
  • Patent number: 7827951
    Abstract: In a gas exchange valve operating apparatus with at least one overhead camshaft for actuating the gas exchange valves, with a hydraulic medium supply passage extending through the camshaft and with at least one hydraulic switchable support unit cooperating with a lever-like cam follower which is disposed on a switchable support unit and on a gas exchange valve and is furthermore in contact with the overhead camshaft, the support unit is disposed in communication with at least one pressure medium supplied via the hydraulic medium supply passage of the camshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Hans Kofler, Robert Niklas, Christoph Reckzügel
  • Publication number: 20100275864
    Abstract: A valve drive system (1) having a support element (2) and a switchable cam follower (3) that is linked on this support element in an articulated way is provided. The cam follower (3) is made from an outer lever (4) between whose arms (5) runs an inner lever (6), wherein at least the outer lever (4) is provided on its top side (7) with a contact surface (8) for a lifting cam, n the inner lever (6) has, on a bottom side (9) on a first end (10), a contact (11) for a gas-exchange valve and at least on the other end (12) two side walls (13) that are spaced apart and in which extend opposing boreholes (14). The side walls (13) are bridged by a tubular axle piece (15) that sits in the boreholes (14) and in whose opening (16) run two diametrically opposed coupling pistons (17).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Stefan Gemein, Lucia Hinkovska, Arne Manteufel
  • Patent number: 7823553
    Abstract: A system for actuating an engine valve is disclosed. The system may include a lost motion housing having two spaced collars surrounding a rocker shaft. The lost motion housing may include an internal hydraulic circuit connecting a master piston bore with a slave piston bore. The lost motion housing may include a means for securing the lost motion housing in a fixed position relative to the rocker shaft. A master piston may be disposed in the master piston bore and a slave piston may be disposed in the slave piston bore. A rocker arm may be disposed on the rocker shaft between the spaced collars and may have a first portion adapted to contact a cam and a second portion adapted to contact the master piston. In a preferred embodiment, the system may be used to provide compression release engine braking or bleeder engine braking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Jacobs Vehicle Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Zdenek S. Meistrick
  • Publication number: 20100269773
    Abstract: An engine assembly may include an engine structure, a camshaft rotationally supported within the engine structure and including a lobe, a first rocker arm, a valve lift mechanism, a valve, and a second rocker arm. The first rocker arm may include a first end rotationally coupled relative to the engine structure and a second end defining a cam engagement surface engaged with the lobe and a convex lift surface opposite the cam engagement surface. The valve lift mechanism may have a first end engaged with the lift surface of the first rocker arm. The second rocker arm may be supported relative to the engine structure and engaged with a second end of the valve lift mechanism and the valve to selectively open the valve based on displacement of the lift mechanism by the first rocker arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2009
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: ALAN W. HAYMAN, ERIC C. DOUSE, ROBERT S. MCALPINE
  • Patent number: 7819102
    Abstract: A lost motion spring is disposed to contact at one end an oscillating member interposed between a cam and a valve for synchronizing the oscillating of the valve with the rotation of the cam. The lost motion spring impels the oscillating member toward the cam. A spring support shaft is provided for supporting a second portion of the lost motion spring. A spring position adjustment mechanism is provided for adjusting the mounting position of the lost motion spring relative to the spring support shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Maehara, Shuichi Ezaki
  • Publication number: 20100263612
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling valve displacement of an internal combustion engine comprises a rocker arm having a first arm portion and a second arm portion, said rocker arm being pivotable about a pivot interposed between said first and second arm portions. The apparatus further comprises an actuation arrangement adapted to actuate said first arm portion of said rocker arm and a valve arrangement adapted to be actuated by said second arm portion of said rocker arm. A damper arrangement is pivotably connected to said first arm portion and adapted for damping movement of said rocker arm around said pivot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR MOTOREN GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Sascha Burkhard, Udo Schlemmer-Kelling, Jurgen Nagel
  • Patent number: 7814875
    Abstract: A device for adjusting the valve lift (1) of the valves of a combustion engine comprising a lever (3) being driven by a camshaft (4), pushed against the cam-shaft (4) by a spring, which cooperates with at least one valve engagement means and is positioned by a positioning means (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Entec Consulting GmbH
    Inventors: Rudolf Flierl, Mark Andy Mohr, Daniel Gollasch
  • Patent number: 7814873
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a variable valve operating device and a valve opening amount adjustment method, and can accurately control the amount of in-cylinder air and the strength of a swirl flow. The variable valve operating device according to the present invention includes a valve mechanism that can select a dual valve variable control mode in which the valve opening amounts of a first valve and a second valve, which are of the same type and provided for the same cylinder, can be varied continuously or in multiple steps. A valve opening amount difference is provided when the valve opening amounts are minimized in the dual valve variable control mode so that the valve opening amount of the first valve is larger than that of the second valve. In addition, adjustments are made so that the minimum valve opening amount of the first valve does not vary from one cylinder to another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Manabu Tateno, Shuichi Ezaki, Toshiyuki Maehara
  • Publication number: 20100242903
    Abstract: In the inlet passage structure of the V-type internal combustion engine, front and rear banks have inlet ports with a nearly identical inlet passage length, and an inlet chamber is connected to a top end openings of the inlet ports. A throttle body and the inlet chamber are offset on a side leading to a cylinder on a side away from the throttle body. The inside of the inlet chamber is formed with a nearly straight inlet passage from the throttle body to the top end opening of the inlet port leading to the cylinder bore on the side away from the throttle body, and a curved inlet passage to the top end opening of the inlet port leading to the cylinder on a close side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki SATO, Masaki Cho, Natsue Ogawa, Takahiro Imafuku, Kaoru Hanawa, Noriaki Okano
  • Patent number: 7802547
    Abstract: To effectively arrange actuators for control by individually controlling an intake valve and an exhaust valve in an internal combustion engine which includes a variable valve operating device for controlling valve operating characteristics. An internal combustion engine includes a variable valve operating device having a valve characteristic variable mechanism for controlling valve operating characteristics of engine valves consisting of an intake valve and an exhaust valve. The valve characteristic variable mechanism includes electrically operated motors for changing operational timings and lift quantities of the above-mentioned engine valves. The electrically operated motors are arranged outside a valve operating chamber. At the same time, the electrically operated motors are arranged close to the throttle body on a cylinder intake side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yutaka Inomoto, Masahiro Kuroki