Lash Adjustment At Fulcrum Patents (Class 123/90.43)
  • Patent number: 11976577
    Abstract: A valve train assembly for an internal combustion engine includes: a dual body rocker arm for controlling a valve of a cylinder, the rocker arm including a first body, a second body mounted for pivotal motion with respect to the first body, a first biasing means, and a latch pin moveable between a first position in which the latch pin latches the first body and the second body together and a second position in which the first body and the second body are un-latched to allow pivotal motion of the second body relative to the first body; and an actuator arrangement external to the dual body rocker arm and drivable by an actuation source, the actuator arrangement moving the latch pin from one of the first position and the second position to the other of the first position to the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Nicola Andrisani, Fabiano Contarin, Emanuele Raimondi, Majo Cecur, Alessio Lorenzon
  • Patent number: 11933203
    Abstract: A lost motion mechanism can comprise a castellation device, comprising a casing, an upper castellation, and a lower castellation. The casing can comprise a first linear slot and a second linear slot perpendicular to the first linear slot. Upper castellation can comprise an upper body, spaced upper teeth extending from the upper body, the spaced upper teeth forming spaced upper gaps therebetween, and an actuation peg extending from the upper body into the first linear slot. Lower castellation can comprise a lower body, spaced lower teeth extending from the lower body, the spaced lower teeth forming spaced lower gaps therebetween, and an anti-rotation peg extending from the lower body into the second linear slot. An actuator can be configured with the lost motion mechanism so that a movable arm comprises a forked end configured to move on the actuation peg as the movable arm swivels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Nikhil Saggam, Siddesh Kapdi, Suhrud Purohit, Matthew A. Vance
  • Patent number: 10711878
    Abstract: A drive unit for a straddled vehicle includes an engine main body unit, a transmission unit, and a shared lubrication oil supply mechanism. The shared lubrication oil supply mechanism includes a first booster pump which pressurizes the shared lubrication oil lubricating both the engine main body unit and the transmission unit and a second booster pump which pressurizes at least part of the shared lubrication oil which has been pressurized by the first booster pump and which is in a positive pressure condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Makoto Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 10208633
    Abstract: A hydraulic support element including a housing with a central bore and a bottom face that is provided on one axial end of the housing, a piston that is arranged in the bore of the housing, the piston is connected to a bottom closure so as to define a first pressure chamber and a second pressure chamber is defined between the bottom face and the bottom closure. A valve is provided between the first pressure chamber and the second pressure chamber to regulate a fluid connection between the pressure chambers, and a seal formed between the piston and the bottom closure with the bottom closure being affixed to the piston in a detachable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Faheem Ahmed, Colin Foster, David Chandler
  • Patent number: 9567877
    Abstract: A sealed type lash adjuster (100A) includes a plunger (2A), a body (1) in which the plunger (2A) is inserted in a fitting manner, a first sealing means (5) provided between the plunger (2A) and the body (1), and a second sealing member (20A) that can prevent or suppress intrusion of an engine oil from an outside. The second sealing means (20A) seals a portion of the plunger (2A) exposed from the body and is arranged so as to cover a clearance (K) formed between an open end portion of the body and the plunger (2A). More specifically, the second sealing member (20A) has a one-end portion (20aA) and an other-end portion (20bA) as sealing parts having a function of preventing or suppressing intrusion of the engine oil from the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, NITTAN VALVE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shouji Katsumata, Akihiko Hosaka
  • Patent number: 9057290
    Abstract: A switching roller finger follower, including: first and second rotatable outer arms; and a locking mechanism including a locking pin with a first outside diameter and first and second ends. The locking mechanism includes first and second locking sleeves: separate from the locking pin; fixedly secured to the first and second ends, respectively; and having second and third outside diameters, respectively, larger than the first outside diameter. The locking pin is displaceable such that: in a locked mode, the first and second locking sleeves contact the first and second outer arms, respectively, to block rotation of the first and second outer arms in a first rotational direction; and in an unlocked mode, the first and second locking sleeves are free of contact with the first and second outer arms, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Debora Manther, Kevin Poole
  • Patent number: 8973546
    Abstract: A lash adjuster includes a body, a plunger inserted, into the body and having a bottom wall formed with a valve hole and a peripheral wall standing from the bottom wall and having an oil passage hole, the plunger defining a high-pressure chamber between the bottom wall and the body, a partitioning member inserted into the plunger and having an oil passage end located above the oil passage hole, the partitioning member defining an oil passage between itself and the plunger peripheral wall, the partitioning member having a low-pressure chamber reserving a hydraulic fluid flowing through the oil passage hole, the oil passage and the oil passage end, the low-pressure chamber causing the reserved hydraulic fluid to flow through the valve hole into the high-pressure chamber, and a spacer interposed between the plunger peripheral wall and the partitioning member so that the partitioning member is held in the plunger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Otics Corporation
    Inventors: Hideki Oka, Kimihiko Todo
  • Patent number: 8936006
    Abstract: A system for actuating one or more engine valves for positive power operation and engine braking operation is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, an exhaust valve bridge and intake valve bridge each receive valve actuations from two sets of rocker arms. Each valve bridge includes a sliding pin for actuating a single engine valve and an outer plunger disposed in the center of the valve bridge to actuate two engine valves through the bridge. The outer plunger of each valve bridge may be selectively locked to its valve bridge to provide positive power valve actuation. During engine braking, application of hydraulic pressure to the outer plungers may cause the respective valve bridges and outer plungers to unlock so that all engine braking valve actuations are provided from a rocker arm acting on one engine valve through the sliding pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Jacobs Vehicle Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin P. Groth, Brian L. Ruggiero, Shengqiang Huang, Neil E. Fuchs, John J. Lester, Steven N. Ernest, Joseph Paturzo, III
  • Patent number: 8887680
    Abstract: An engine assembly includes an engine block having a first bank defining a first cylinder bore and a second bank defining a second cylinder bore. A first cylinder head is coupled to the first bank and defines first and second ports in communication with the first cylinder bore. A second cylinder head is coupled to the second bank and defines a third port in communication with the second cylinder bore. A first valve is located in the first port and engaged with a first valve lift mechanism, a second valve is located in the second port and engaged with a second valve lift mechanism, and a third valve is located in the third port and engaged with a third valve lift mechanism. A first camshaft is engaged with the first and third valve lift mechanisms and a second camshaft is engaged with the second valve lift mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Alan W. Hayman, Rodney E. Baker
  • Patent number: 8844488
    Abstract: A lubrication structure for a rocker arm includes a lash adjuster mounted in an accommodating portion located in an end of the rocker arm and a pushrod abutting against a lower end of the lash adjuster. The rocker arm is formed with an arm-inside oil supply passage for supplying lubrication oil to the lash adjuster. The lubrication oil guided into the accommodating portion is further guided through a through guide hole of the accommodating portion to an outer peripheral surface of the accommodating portion. The lubrication oil is further guided from an outer oil supply passage formed downwardly in the outer surface of the accommodating portion to the abutment between the lash adjuster and the pushrod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Otics Corporation
    Inventor: Kazunori Kawahara
  • Publication number: 20140283775
    Abstract: A retention device for a valve actuating mechanism to secure a finger follower and lash adjuster together includes a ring member disposed in a groove of a movable piston of the lash adjuster. The retention device also includes a connecting member having a plurality of legs adapted to engage the finger follower and an intermediate base interconnecting the legs and adapted to be disposed below the ring member and about a portion of the lash adjuster to effect a free movement of the connecting member in all pivoted positions of the finger follower.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventors: John E. Brune, Ira R. Stoody
  • Patent number: 8789506
    Abstract: A rocker arm assembly may include a body, a cam follower and a lash adjustment member. The body may define a pivot region and a valve engagement region. The cam follower may be coupled to the body. The lash adjustment member may be coupled to the cam follower and may include a locking portion and an adjustment arm extending radially outward from the cam follower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Fredrick R. Poskie
  • Patent number: 8689754
    Abstract: An assembly for a valve drive of an internal combustion engine, which has a hydraulic support element and a cam follower connected by way of a clamp. The follower rests on one end via a cap on a spherical head of a pressure piston of the support element. The piston extends in a bore of a housing of the support element. The clamp flanks the cap with holding strips along the sides. The inner sides run in a guide zone on the outer shell of the piston. The housing has an opening for hydraulic fluid that can be conducted between the housing and the piston through at least one passage in the piston to a storage chamber. The guide zone on the piston is also designed as an anti-rotation mechanism therefore. The piston is installed in a defined manner and is torsionally oriented in relation to the cam follower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Christgen, Peter Sailer, Frank Himsel
  • Patent number: 8646426
    Abstract: A valve lash setting method for setting a predetermined lash in a valve assembly for internal combustion engines. The method includes generating a torque curve and using a linear regression calculation to define a zero crossing point from which a predetermined final lash position of an adjusting screw can be set and secured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Atlas Copco Tools & Assemble Systems LLC
    Inventor: Mark Allen Finkenbiner
  • Patent number: 8567368
    Abstract: To achieve further reduction in size and weight of a cylinder head in a four-cycle engine having a connection surface formed on the cylinder head to connect a head cover set so as to follow along a plane that is inclined so as to be spaced further away from a cylinder block toward a first side wall. A camshaft holder is integrally formed on a cylinder head so as to protrude from a connection surface as viewed from an axial direction of a camshaft. An intake port is disposed in the first side wall such that an upstream end thereof is disposed at the same position as part of the bearing portion in a direction along an axis of a cylinder bore. An exhaust valve has a stem end disposed at a position protruding from the connection surface as viewed in a direction along the axial direction of a camshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukihiro Tsubakino, Shinsuke Yasui, Isao Azumagakito
  • Patent number: 8561586
    Abstract: A rocker arm unit which constitutes a valve gear of an internal combustion engine, includes a lash adjuster including a cylindrical body and a plunger formed into a cylindrical shape and accommodated in the body, a rocker arm extending in a direction perpendicular to a vertical direction, and a clip configured to be fixed to an upper end of the body and formed with a retainer having a retaining portion which is configured to be swaged onto an inner circumferential surface of the upper end of the body. The clip has an extension extending integrally from the retainer. The extension has an upper end engaged with the rocker arm to prevent the rocker arm from falling off the lash adjuster. The retaining portion is configured to abut against the stepped portion of the plunger from above to prevent the plunger from coming off upwardly out of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: OTICS Corporation
    Inventors: Masateru Kishi, Kimihiko Todo
  • Patent number: 8555840
    Abstract: A variable valve device includes an outer body that a valve contacts at a side thereof, wherein an end of the other side is supported by a hydraulic lash adjuster, a bearing contacting a cam is formed in the center, and a stepped latching device insertion hole is formed in the center of the other side, an inner body that is located in the outer body, including a side portion that can rotate together with an end portion of the outer body around a valve stem shaft in the same axis, and the other portion is connected to a bearing shaft, a latching device that is inserted in the latching device insertion hole, and that selectively causes movement of the outer body depending on the movement of the inner body, and a lost motion spring that is formed outside of the outer body, and that provides an elastic force to enable the inner body to perform a lost motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Myungsik Choi
  • Patent number: 8544435
    Abstract: A hydraulic valve lifter apparatus including a seal at the interface of a pushrod seat and a pushrod is provided herein. In one form, the hydraulic valve lifter apparatus includes a body, a piston slidably disposed within the body including a pushrod seat for contacting a pushrod, and a seal located between the pushrod seat and the pushrod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventor: Gregory P. Prior
  • Patent number: 8539920
    Abstract: The present invention provides a valve actuation system comprising a valve train for actuating a valve, the valve train including actuating elements and a valve lash, and a valve lash adjustment system for adjusting the valve lash, wherein the valve train and the valve lash adjustment system do not share any common actuating elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Scuderi Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Riccardo Meldolesi, Clive Lacy, Anthony Perkins, Ian Gilbert
  • Patent number: 8522738
    Abstract: A vehicle engine includes: a cylinder head; a cam housing fixed to a top of the cylinder head; a cam cap fixed to a top of the cam housing; a camshaft that is rotatably supported between the cam housing and the cam cap; a cam provided around the camshaft; a rocker arm that is pushed by the cam; a supporting member that supports one end of the rocker arm from below; a cylindrical bore portion for mounting the supporting member; and a base portion for supporting a bottom surface of the supporting member. The bore portion is provided integrally with the cam housing. The base portion is provided integrally with the cylinder head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Otics Corporation
    Inventors: Manabu Shibata, Hitoshi Tsuge
  • Patent number: 8474426
    Abstract: A roller lifter assembly has a lifter body with a leg extending outwardly therefrom, a bar having a elongated slot formed therein, a first rivet having a head and a shank, a button affixed to the shank of the rivet so as to sandwich the bar between the button and the leg of the lifter body. The head of the rivet has a surface adjacent to the shank that bears against a curved inner surface of the leg of the lifter body so as to prevent the rivet from rotating. The shank extends through the hole in the leg and through the elongated slot of the bar. The rivet is positioned so as to as to be non-rotatable during the movement of the lifter bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Inventors: William Gaterman, Brad A. Miller
  • Patent number: 8360023
    Abstract: A valve lift mechanism may include a housing member and a plunger. The housing member may define a first annular wall including a first oil passage. An inner circumference of the first annular wall may define a first continuous region along an axial extent corresponding to the first oil passage from a first location on the inner circumference and circumferentially offset from the first oil passage to a second location on the inner circumference. The plunger may be located within the housing member within the first annular wall. The plunger may define a second annular wall including a series of apertures axially aligned with the first oil passage and separated from one another by an outer circumferential region of the second annular wall. The outer circumferential region may abut the first continuous region of the first annular wall to inhibit oil flow past the outer circumferential region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Inventor: Nick John Hendriksma
  • Patent number: 8261710
    Abstract: A sealed lash adjuster (100A) has a plunger (2), and a body (1A) accommodating the plunger. In addition, the sealed lash adjuster (100A) has a first seal member (5) on a sliding portion of the plunger (2), and has a second seal member (30) on a sliding portion of the body (1A) that faces the sliding portion. Specifically, the lash adjuster (100A) has the first seal member (5) on the sliding portion of the plunger (2) and the second seal member (30) on the opposing sliding portion of the body (1A), such that a space K formed between the first seal member (5) and the second seal member (30) expands when the plunger (2) is pressed inward, and the space K contacts when the plunger (2) protrudes outward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Nittan Valve Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shouji Katsumata, Akihiko Hosaka
  • Patent number: 8240283
    Abstract: Described is a method of making and using an adherent guide strip on a damper wheel of a piston engine to adjust engine valves. The method includes cutting the strip to a length sufficient to exactly encircle the damper wheel; placing midpoint marks onto a visible outside surface of the strip; engaging the strip with a peripheral edge of the crankshaft pulley while aligning the strip for corresponding rotational positions of the damper wheel; and guiding rotation and positioning of the crankshaft and camshaft by the midpoint marks on the guide strip in order to more easily and accurately adjust the engine's valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Inventor: Richard Lee Lewis
  • Patent number: 8201533
    Abstract: A lash adjuster includes a plunger inserted into a body and defining a pressure chamber in the body, and a spacer. The plunger is moved axially when a working fluid flows into or out of the pressure chamber so that a volume of the pressure chamber is increased or reduced. The plunger has a bottom wall defining the pressure chamber, a peripheral wall rising from an outer periphery of the bottom wall and an outer peripheral surface having an annular groove located at a height position confined in a thickness range of the bottom wall. When fitted in the groove, the spacer has a plate width equal to a separating distance between a groove bottom and an inner peripheral face of the body to fill a gap between the body and the plunger. The spacer has a flow path through which the working fluid introduced into the pressure chamber leaks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: OTICS Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroki Fujii, Kikuya Ichiishi
  • 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: 8161936
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes an exhaust valve for removing exhaust gas from a combustion chamber and an engine braking device with a hydraulic valve control unit by which the exhaust valve can be held in an intermediate open position when the engine braking device is actuated. A hydraulic valve lash compensation mechanism for the exhaust valve and a control channel formed between the hydraulic valve control unit and the valve lash compensation mechanism for feeding oil to the hydraulic valve control unit that can be closed by a closure element to compensate for the valve lash of the exhaust valve. A counter-holder is constructed as a piston-cylinder unit. The counter-holder forms a variable stop for a valve bridge cooperating with the valve lash compensation mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: MAN Truck & Bus AG
    Inventors: Florian Kraft, Thomas Leitel, Norbert Schatz
  • Patent number: 8037856
    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: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: OTICS Corporation
    Inventors: Masahide Sakurai, Naoki Hiramatsu, Eiichi Nozaki
  • Patent number: 8001939
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically adjusting the valve lash of an internal combustion engine is provided. In another aspect of the present invention, a probe is employed for verifying and/or setting valve lash settings in an automated manner. A further aspect of the present invention does not require determination of a zero lash position or reference datum prior to adjusting the valve lash adjusting screw for desired lash.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Cinetic Automation Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas J. Hathaway
  • Patent number: 7891329
    Abstract: The apparatus of the present invention provides a lash adjuster feed channel for an engine assembly. The engine assembly includes first and second sets of hydraulic lash adjusters responsive to a variation in hydraulic fluid pressure to cause a variation in lift of first and second sets of engine valves respectively operatively connected thereto. The cylinder head defines a first feed passage in fluid communication with the first set of hydraulic lash adjusters, and a second feed passage in fluid communication with the second set of hydraulic lash adjusters. The valve lift of the first set of engine valves is independently variable by controlling the transfer of hydraulic pressure in the first feed passage, and the valve lift of the second set of engine valves is independently variable by controlling the transfer of hydraulic pressure in the second feed passage. A corresponding method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Timothy L. Neal, Vimesh M. Patel, Craig D. Marriott
  • Patent number: 7882810
    Abstract: A lost motion engine valve actuation system and method of actuating an engine valve are disclosed. The system may comprise a valve train element, a pivoting lever, a control piston, and a hydraulic circuit. The pivoting lever may include a first end for contacting the control piston, a second end for transmitting motion to a valve stem and a means for contacting a valve train element. The amount of lost motion provided by the system may be selected by varying the position of the control piston relative to the pivoting lever. Variation of the control piston position may be carried out by placing the control piston in hydraulic communication with a control trigger valve and one or more accumulators. Actuation of the trigger valve releases hydraulic fluid allowing for adjustment of the control piston position. Means for limiting valve seating velocity, filling the hydraulic circuit upon engine start up, and mechanically locking the control piston/lever for a fixed level of valve actuation are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Jacobs Vehicle Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard E. Vanderpoel, Guy L. Patterson, Zhou Yang, David A. Waldburger, Brian Ruggiero
  • Patent number: 7677214
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device (1) for shutting down at least one cylinder of an internal combustion engine. The device (1) is connected to a rocker lever (2) which actuates an intake/exhaust valve (6) of the respective cylinder. In active cylinder operation, the rocker lever (2) executes an oscillating tilting movement about a pivot axle (10) which is situated in the area of the connection to the cylinder head (9), whereas when the respective cylinder is deactivated, the rocker lever (2) is lifted by the cylinder head (9) and therefore its pivot axle (10) is shifted in the direction of the connection of the rocker lever (2) to the valve of the respective cylinder. It is essential to the invention here that the device (1) is arranged essentially between the rocker lever (2) and the cylinder head (9) and the device has a guide element (11), a pivot axle element (12) displaceably mounted on the guide element (11) and a spring (15) stretched between two abutments (13, 14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: MAHLE International GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Hale, Jonathan Hall, Hermann Hoffmann, Mark Potts
  • Patent number: 7640906
    Abstract: A hydraulic valve lash adjuster with idle stroke function for a valve train of an internal combustion engine, said hydraulic valve lash adjuster comprising a piston (2, 2?, 2?) that is guided for displacement in a piston housing (4) and elastically supported against said housing (4), said piston (2, 2?, 2?) comprising a low pressure chamber (3) that communicates via an axial opening (7) in a piston bottom (8) with a high pressure chamber (5) defined by the piston housing (4) and the piston (2, 2?, 2?), and further comprising a control valve (9, 9?, 9?, 9??) acting between said pressure chambers (3, 5), said control valve (9, 9?, 9?, 9??) comprising a valve closing body (10, 10?, 10?) that can be brought to bear sealingly against a valve seat (15, 15?) that surrounds the axial opening (7) on a piston body undersurface (18) and is received in an element (12, 12?) that limits a closing body stroke (17), and said control valve (9, 9?, 9?, 9??) further comprising a control valve spring (11) that loads the valve cl
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Peter Sailer, Oliver Schnell, Christian Schäfer, Andreas Hempfling
  • Patent number: 7523729
    Abstract: A rocker assembly for a valve train having a first valve, a second valve, and a pushrod is provided. The rocker assembly includes a rocker having a first arm in contact with the first valve, a second arm in contact with the second valve, and a third arm in contact with the pushrod, the first arm having a bore formed therethrough. An adjustable swivel foot includes a first portion having threads and a second portion, the adjustable swivel foot coupled to the first arm such that the first portion extends through the bore of the first arm and the second portion is engageable with the first valve, and a threaded member is included that is engaged with the threads of the first portion of the adjustable swivel foot, the threaded member operable to position the second portion relative to the rocker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick J. Rozario, Rodney E. Baker
  • Patent number: 7509933
    Abstract: In a Type 2 engine, a valve deactivation hydraulic lash adjuster (DHLA) in accordance with the invention replaces a conventional hydraulic lash adjuster in the train of a gas-exchange valve in a compression-ignited engine. In a Type 3 engine, a similar DHLA is disposed within an articulated rocker arm which is made selectively competent (valve activating) or incompetent (valve deactivating) thereby. A solenoid valve within the assembly diverts hydraulic fluid between support and non-support of a piston slidably disposed in a housing and terminating in a ball head. The valve is force-balanced. The preferred hydraulic fluid is diesel fuel, allowing for smaller diameter passages and cleaner operation than in prior art systems, eliminating the need for an accumulator chamber and accumulator piston as in the prior art. An alternate version of a type 3 engine having a DHLA, in accordance with the invention, is also shown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Philip J. G. Dingle
  • Patent number: 7493879
    Abstract: An engine valve operating system is provided in which a rocker arm that swings by following a valve operating cam abuts against an engine valve via a hydraulic tappet, a receiving member (41) receiving the hydraulic tappet (12) being slidably fitted into the rocker arm (13), the hydraulic tappet (12) being fitted into the rocker arm (13), a restricting part (29) being provided so as to face the receiving member (41) from the side opposite to the hydraulic tappet (12), and an adjustment screw (44) for adjusting a clearance between the restricting part (29) and the receiving member (41) when the engine valve is in a valve-closed state being screwed into an engine main body (5) so that its position can be adjusted back-and-forth so as to abut against the receiving member (41) when the engine valve is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Noriaki Fujii, Keiko Yoshida, Tomoya Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 7484484
    Abstract: A variable displacement internal combustion engine having a cylinder block and a cylinder head attached thereto. The variable displacement internal combustion engine includes at least one switching hydraulic lash adjuster. A lash adjuster oil feed passage is at least partially defined by one of the cylinder block and the cylinder head. The lash adjuster oil feed passage is operable to communicate pressurized oil to the at least one switching hydraulic lash adjuster. A distributed accumulator is disposed within the lash adjuster oil feed passage and operates to attenuate oil pressure spikes within the lash adjuster oil feed passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Donn A. Frincke, Mark Stabinsky, William C. Albertson
  • Patent number: 7464677
    Abstract: The apparatus of the present invention provides a lash adjuster feed channel for an engine assembly. The engine assembly includes first and second sets of hydraulic lash adjusters responsive to a variation in hydraulic fluid pressure to cause a variation in lift of first and second sets of engine valves respectively operatively connected thereto. The cylinder head defines a first feed passage in fluid communication with the first set of hydraulic lash adjusters, and a second feed passage in fluid communication with the second set of hydraulic lash adjusters. The valve lift of the first set of engine valves is independently variable by controlling the transfer of hydraulic pressure in the first feed passage, and the valve lift of the second set of engine valves is independently variable by controlling the transfer of hydraulic pressure in the second feed passage. A corresponding method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy L. Neal, Vimesh M. Patel, Craig D. Marriott
  • Patent number: 7458350
    Abstract: A multiple cylinder internal combustion engine having a valvetrain with a camshaft disposed within an engine block and at least two valves operated by a common camshaft lobe includes a stationary shaft disposed generally parallel to the camshaft and a cam follower having a first end with an opening pivotally mounted on the stationary shaft, a second end adapted for coupling to at least two pushrods each associated with one of the at least two valves, and a roller mounted on a roller axle disposed generally between the first and second ends, the roller contacting the common camshaft lobe. The cam follower may include independently operable lash adjusters for pushrods driven by a common camshaft lobe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Matthew Diggs
  • Patent number: 7305951
    Abstract: A two-step roller finger follower having a high-lift follower portion that rotates relative to a low-lift follower portion about a pivot shaft, including a lost-motion compression spring disposed in a linear bore formed in the high-lift portion to exert force against an curved pad on the back side of the valve pallet of the low-lift portion. The spring is retained and guided in its bore by a spring retainer having a planar bottom for engaging the curved pad. Preferably the retainer is a cup positioned in the spring bore such that the stroke of the cup is limited, to prevent leak-down of the associated hydraulic lash adjuster. Driving the spring by a linear-acting retainer in a linear bore causes the spring to be compressed linearly, resulting in a highly stable and predictable spring rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Hermes A. Fernandez, Andrew J. Lipinski, Nick J. Hendriksma, Thomas H. Fischer, Timothy W. Kunz
  • Patent number: 7296546
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the variable actuation of gas exchange valves for internal combustion engines, wherein at least one cam (2) pertaining to a camshaft (1) mounted in a housing rotates according to the engine speed. The cam (2) first drives an intermediate member (4) which performs a clear oscillating, rotary movement and has a rotational axis (7) that can be displaced in the housing parallel to itself along a curve of displacement (8), said intermediate member comprising a control cam (5) having a lifting region (5b) and actuating an output member (11) that, in turn, actuates at least one valve (13). The aim of the invention is to enable one such device to be reliably controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Thyssenkrupp Automotive AG
    Inventors: Helmut Schön, Kai-Uwe Keller, Peter Kuhn, Gordon Köhne, Frank Obrist, Christian Busch
  • Publication number: 20070227479
    Abstract: A variable valve timing and lift mechanism includes an actuator that adjusts the period in which an intake valve is held open by moving a drive element. When a control unit switches the duration, the control unit controls the actuator so that the duration is changed at a first speed when the duration is equal to a first value, and at a second speed when the duration is equal to a second value that is smaller than the first value. The absolute value of the second speed is smaller than the absolute value of the first speed. In effect, the actuator is controlled so that when the duration is in a short-duration range, the duration changes more slowly than when the duration is in a long-duration range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Applicants: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, FUJITSU TEN LIMITED
    Inventors: Naohide Fuwa, Masashi Kishimoto
  • Patent number: 7246585
    Abstract: A deactivating hydraulic valve mechanism includes a hydraulic element assembly disposed within a pin housing slidably disposed within a bore in a body. A transverse bore in the pin housing contains selectively-retractable locking pins that engage a groove in the body to selectively lock together the body and the pin housing. A lost motion spring is disposed in an annular chamber between the body and the pin housing. An oil passage from an engine gallery to the hydraulic element assembly includes an axial component and bypasses the lost motion chamber. A ring holds the lifter assembly together and also sets mechanical lash. The ring may be provided as a standard-thickness ring and a shim selected to provided a predetermined amount of mechanical lash in the assembled mechanism to ensure facile engagement and disengagement of the locking pins in the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark J. Spath, Michael E. McCarroll
  • Patent number: 7240652
    Abstract: A switchable drag lever (1) of a valve timing mechanism of an internal combustion engine is proposed, having an outer lever (3) and an inner lever (4) which is arranged between the said outer lever (3). The drag lever (1) has a rest (7) for a gas exchange valve on an underside (5) at one end (6), and a pivoting bearing (9) for a supporting element on an underside (5) at the other end (8). The levers (3, 4) extend at one end (6) on a common pin (10). Receptacles (10a, 10b) for coupling means are provided which extend longitudinally at the end (8) facing away from the pin (10) and are aligned with respect to one another in the cam base circle. The side walls (2) of the outer lever (3) have contact faces (12) for lifting cams on their upper sides (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Bodo Roerig, Stefan Gemein, Nicola Morelli
  • Patent number: 7204216
    Abstract: The present invention includes a rocker arm 16, which has an arm roller 18 at the center, a lash adjuster 30 for supporting a fulcrum P of the rocker arm 16, an oscillation arm 20, which has an oscillation cam surface (a non-pushing section 24 and a pushing section 26) that is in contact with the arm roller 18, and an adjustment mechanism for changing the reference arm rotation angle of the oscillation arm 20 in relation to the rocker arm 16 with a view toward changing the operating angle and lift amount of a valve disc 12 within a predetermined adjustment range. The adjustment mechanism includes a control shaft 22, a roller contact surface 32, a control arm 34, and an oscillation roller arm 38. The lash adjuster 30 is positioned so that its expansion/contraction direction is substantially parallel to a virtual straight line joining the rotation center Q of the oscillation arm 20 to the rotation center S of the arm roller 18.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shuichi Ezaki
  • Patent number: 7156062
    Abstract: A variable valve actuation system to actuate and control the seating velocity of an internal combustion engine valve is disclosed. The system comprises: a housing; a lost motion system disposed in the housing; a rocker arm having a first contact surface, a second contact surface, and a third contact surface, the first contact surface operatively contacting the engine valve, and the second contact surface operatively contacting the lost motion system; and a valve seating device disposed in the housing, operatively contacting the third contact surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Jacobs Vehicle Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Vanderpoel
  • Patent number: 7146950
    Abstract: The invention proposes a connecting element (9) for retaining a lever-type cam follower (1), that serves to activate a gas exchange valve (5) of an internal combustion engine, inseparably on a support element (2) comprising a spherical end (7) on which the cam follower (1) is pivotally mounted through a concave depression (6). The connecting element (9) engages into an annular groove (8) under the spherical end (7). In a connecting element (9) of this type, a central portion (10) of the connecting element (9) bears against an underside (11) of the cam follower (1) oriented toward the support element (2) and forms, through two legs (12, 13) and a crossbar (14) connecting these legs (12, 13) to each other, a U-shaped recess (15) in longitudinal direction of the cam follower (1). This recess (15) engages around the groove (8) after the manner of a fork and orthogonally to a pivoting direction of the cam follower (1), substantially without lash.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: INA-Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Stephan Moeck, Helmut Engelhardt
  • Patent number: 7107949
    Abstract: A device for variable activation of valves for internal combustion engines, which is arranged in a cylinder head having a camshaft mounted in a fixed location with valves that close by means of spring force through a stroke transfer arrangement. This device includes a movable element mounted with a fixed pivot, and has a support cam and a control cam. An intermediate member is displaceably mounted and supported on the element, and is in engagement with a cam lever of the camshaft, as well as the stroke transfer arrangement. The intermediate member supports itself on the support cam and control cam with a non-positive lock, sliding during the stroke movement. Whereby the control cam determines the stroke movement to be transferred to the stroke transfer arrangement by the intermediate member, as a function of the pivot position of the element that can change its position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: IAV GmbH Ingenieurgesellschaft Auto und Verkeh
    Inventors: Andreas Werler, Michael Seidel, Heiko Neukirchner, Lutz Stiegler
  • Patent number: 7096836
    Abstract: A tubular mount system for a rocker arm which includes a rigid clamp at the base of the engine head is disclosed. Included is a pedestal mount/adjuster with external threads engageable with internal threads of a trunnion assembly cooperatively associated with a rocker arm whereby the rocker arm can be raised or lowered by turning the pedestal mount/adjuster, rotatably received by a rocker stud. This eliminates the need for an adjuster stud and nut on the rocker arm and a pillow block to hold the device together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Inventor: William P. Curtis
  • Patent number: 7066123
    Abstract: An intake or exhaust valve for an internal combustion engine has a rocker arm with a pivot between its ends, one end of which is engaged by the pushrod, and the other end engages the valve stem. An adjustable stop has two positions for the rocker arm pivot; a rest position where there is no movement of the pivot, and an upper lock position where the pivot moves in response to the pushrod, and there is a reduction in the opening of the valve. A progressive rate spring compresses as the pivot moves towards the upper lock position, thereby modulating valve opening for relatively slow start (or stop) of valve stroke with accelerating (or decelerating stroke), as the progressive rate spring compresses (or expands). Relatively thinner and thicker Belleville springs are used in series to produce a progressive rate spring. The lock position of the pivot elevated above the rest position is determined by a hydraulic block trapping oil in a closed chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Inventor: Donald G. Richardson