Cam Engaged Patents (Class 123/90.44)
  • Patent number: 6598571
    Abstract: The cam follower with roller according to the present invention includes a cam follower body having a roller supporting portion integrally formed therein, a supporting shaft of which both ends are fixed to the roller supporting portion, and a roller rotatably supported to the supporting shaft with a plurality of needle rollers interposed. At least one of the supporting shaft, needle roller and roller is formed of heat-resisting steel, and the both ends of the supporting shaft is caulked to be fixed to the supporting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Harimoto, Yoshiyasu Nakano, Masaru Kitagawa, Nobuhiro Kasahara
  • Patent number: 6591798
    Abstract: A variable valve actuation assembly for actuation of an engine intake valve between low-lift and high-lift modes. The VVA assembly includes a special rocker assembly having a pivotable central high-lift cam follower and two peripheral low-lift cam followers; a camshaft having low-lift and high-lift lobes engageable with the respective cam followers; a primary latching assembly including a slidable primary latching pin in the rocker assembly for engaging and disengaging the high-lift follower; a solenoid for causing the primary latching pin to be engaged and disengaged; and a secondary latching mechanism between the solenoid and the primary latching pin to automatically limit engagement and disengagement of the primary latching pin to times in the duty cycle of the camshaft (during lift events) when ejections of the primary latching pin are not possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Nick J. Hendriksma, James Neimeier, Timothy Wilton Kunz
  • Patent number: 6591802
    Abstract: A variable valve actuating mechanism includes an output cam configured for being pivotally disposed upon an input shaft. A first link arm is pivotally coupled at a first end thereof to the output cam. A rocker arm is pivotally coupled at a first end thereof to a second end of the link arm. A first frame member is configured for being pivotally disposed upon the input shaft. Lash adjusting means pivotally couple together a first end of the first frame member and a second end of the rocker arm. The lash adjusting means adjusts the position of the rocker arm relative to the input shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald J. Pierik
  • Patent number: 6591795
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an innovative, economical method or system disclosing a captive volume in a hydraulic circuit which can be selectively hydraulically or pneumatically locked, or vented in order to correspondingly maintain, or increase the total volume of the hydraulic circuit. The structural elements of an embodiment of the present invention may include an accumulator with or without a fixed solid stop, which limits its travel. The accumulator can either be a separate entity, or as an assembly within the master or slave pistons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Diesel Engine Retarders, Inc.
    Inventor: Robb Janak
  • Publication number: 20030127063
    Abstract: Continually variable valve timing, lift and duration in an engine are achieved by altering the location of the pivot of the rocker arm and by using a mechanical lash compensator. The pivot of the rocker arm alters when a variable valve lift disc rotates. The lash compensator comprises a cylindrical plunger inserted in a body. The plunger and the body are separated by a spring. The separation gap or lash varies depending on the amount of rocker arm pivot movement. The larger amount of lash results in lower valve lift and small amount of lash results in higher valve lift. The variable lift disc is used to alter the position of the rocker arm pivot and it has engaging teeth that mate with a helical gear. The rocker arm pivot shaft is mounted on the variable lift disc, when the disc rotates, it alters the rocker arm pivot position. The disc rotates under the longitudinal movement of the helical gear controlled by the hydraulic oil pressure from lubricant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2002
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Inventor: Yushu Wang
  • Publication number: 20030121484
    Abstract: Continuously variable valve timing, lift and duration in an engine are achieved by altering the location of the pivot of the rocker arm and by using a variable rocker arm assembly. The pivot of the rocker arm assembly alters when a variable valve lift disc rotates. The variable rocker arm assembly is composed of two sets of arms. One end of both arms rotates around the pivot and the other ends of both arms lay over on each other and are separated by a spring. The separation gap is used to compensate the amount of valve lift. When the separation gap between the two arms changes due to the pivot shaft position change, valve lift changes accordingly. The variable lift disc is used to alter the position of the rocker arm pivot and it has engaging teeth that mate with a helical gear. The rocker arm shaft is mounted on the variable lift disc, when the disc rotates, it alters the rocker arm pivot position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2002
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Inventor: Yushu Wang
  • Publication number: 20030106510
    Abstract: The variable valve mechanism of a preferred embodiment of the invention includes a valve slidably mounted to move between a closed position and an open position, a cam rotatably mounted to push the valve from the closed position toward the open position, and an electromagnet adapted to selectively hold the valve in the open position. The variable valve mechanism acquires most of the benefits of a bi-directional electromagnetic arrangement (such as increased fuel economy, decreased start-up emissions, etc.), while avoiding most of the disadvantages (costs, NVH, etc.).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Mianzo, Brett D. Collins, Zeljko Popovic, Ibrahim Haskara, Harold S. Hilbert
  • Publication number: 20030101955
    Abstract: The invention relates to a control device for an intake valve or exhaust valve of an internal combustion engine comprising an adjusting element and a control element. According to the invention, the adjusting element comprises a base body (2) and is displaceably arranged between the control element and the valve. The control element rotates during the operation of the control device. Rotating control element circumferential areas with contours that vary in the circumferential direction are provided as control cams throughout the rotating control element. Force introduction areas KEB (6, 7), which are positioned in a non-uniform manner, and a force transfer area KUB (3) are provided on the base body (2) of the adjusting element. Switching means for the alternately contacting assignment of the KEB areas (6, 7) are provided on the different control cam areas of the control element. The aim of the invention is to enable the largest possible number of different controls for an engine valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Inventors: Frank Dolderer, Volker Korte, Christoph Steinmetz, Martin Lechner
  • Publication number: 20030098002
    Abstract: The reciprocating engine comprises a rocker valve gear, pistons (1) which are fastened to a connecting rod (2) and connected by crankshaft journals (3) to a crankshaft (4), a balancer (5), and a camshaft (10) which is driven by the crankshaft (4) and in turn actuates rockers (11), the mentioned elements being arranged in a crankcase having a cylinder head (24) and cylinder head cover (14). For substantially easier assembly and maintenance, the cylinder head (24) is provided with integrally cast or screwed-on receivers (16) serving for the attachment of the hollow camshaft (10) without requiring separately fastened bearing blocks. Correspondingly, the cylinder head (24) comprises further integrally cast or screwed-on receivers (15, 15-A, 25) which serve for the attachment of the hollow rockers (11) without requiring separately fastened bearing blocks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2003
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Inventors: Urs Wenger, Hans-Rudolf Jenni
  • Publication number: 20030098001
    Abstract: The present invention provides a mechanism for controlling the intake valve of an internal combustion engine, which mechanism is capable of consuming less energy, i.e. less oil. Through uniquely designed cam and rocker as well as joining mechanism joining the rocker and the stopper, this mechanism does not incur the spring resistance as opening the intake valve, thus the engine per se does not additionally consume energy, so that the object of reducing oil cost and promoting power output may be achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Inventor: Foo Wah Lau
  • Publication number: 20030094153
    Abstract: A rocker arm 1 includes an arm body 4 prepared from a single plate material by means of a press work. The arm body 4 includes a pair of parallel side walls 5 and a connecting wall 6 bridging between the opposite side walls 5 and also having a pivot support hole 7 defined at a location generally intermediate of the length of the arm body 4. A roller support pin for rotatably supporting a roller 10 for driving engagement with a cam is mounted on one ends 1a of the opposite side walls 5, while the opposite end 1b of the connecting wall 6 defines an overlapped structure 13 formed by bending an end overlap piece 12, extending integrally from a side edge of the connecting wall 6, backwardly to overlap the connecting wall 6. This overlapped structure 13 in turn defines an adjustment element 16 having a mounting hole 15 defined therein for adjustably receiving a valve driving member 14. The rocker arm 1 may be designed to be an end pivot type, in which case the adjustment element 16 is provided with a pivot member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2002
    Publication date: May 22, 2003
    Applicant: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Katsufumi Abe
  • Patent number: 6550435
    Abstract: A valve timing system for an internal combustion engine having a roller finger follower assembly including a lash adjustment mechanism. The roller finger follower assembly includes a base arm and a roller carriage that may be assembled to each other in a range of positions. The roller carriage supports a camshaft contact roller that may be moved by an adjustment mechanism to cause the camshaft contact roller to be contacted by the lobe of a camshaft in a range of angular relationships. The roller finger follower assembly includes a lash pin having a central section that is contoured to provide a secondary lash adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Wayne Zubeck
  • Publication number: 20030066502
    Abstract: A sheet metal rocker arm manufactured by the steps of punching one metal plate to form a blank having a predetermined contour and through holes, and subjecting this blank to a bending work based on a press work to form a pair of side walls parallel to each other and a connecting portion for connecting the both ends of the side walls in the width direction thereof. This rocker arm is also provided with at least a pair of though holes formed at positions which are aligned with each other on the both side walls and at least one engagement portion provided in a part of the connecting portion. The thickness of at least one engagement portion, is formed to be greater than the thickness of the both side walls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2002
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Applicant: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Okubo, Shoichi Abe, Satoshi Kadokawa, Hiroshi Iwasa
  • Patent number: 6539904
    Abstract: In a valve-operating mechanism in a 4-cycle engine, a timing transmitting device is disposed on one side of an engine body. A cam device includes a cam coupled to a driven pulley of the timing transmitting device on one side of a cylinder head, intake and exhaust rocker shafts rotatably carried in the cylinder head, intake and exhaust cam followers secured to one ends of the rocker shafts with their tip ends in sliding contact with the cam, and intake and exhaust rocker arms secured to the other ends of the intake and exhaust rocker shafts with their tip ends abutting against the intake and exhaust valves. Thus, the cam of the cam device can be disposed on one side of the cylinder head to effectively reduce the entire height of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keita Ito, Takao Nishida, Takeshi Maeda, Yasuhiro Shimizu
  • Patent number: 6532924
    Abstract: A variable valve actuating mechanism includes an output cam pivotally disposed upon an input shaft. A first link arm is pivotally coupled at a first end thereof to the output cam. A rocker arm is pivotally coupled at a first end thereof to a second end of the link arm. A frame member is pivotally disposed upon the input shaft. Lash adjusting means include an eccentric pin and a force applying means. The eccentric pin pivotally couples together a first end of the frame member and a second end of the rocker arm. The force applying means applies a force upon the eccentric pin causing the eccentric pin to pivot which, in turn, adjusts the position of the rocker arm relative to the input shaft and thereby removes lash from the mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald J. Pierik
  • Publication number: 20030037739
    Abstract: The invention relates to a variable valve train for reciprocating engines, in particular internal combustion engines comprising at least one cam of a camshaft that is rotatably mounted in the cylinder head. Said cam actuates a lift valve using a pulley assembly which can be displaceably guided in a sliding-block part along an adjusting inclined plane, together with a valve actuating element which is connected in series. The valve stroke can be adjusted in a variable manner in relation to the cam by the displacement of the sliding-block part and the pulley assembly is elastically pre-tensioned in relation to the cam. To achieve a sturdy valve train which exhibits uniform valve accelerations, a free travel (s) that allows an excitation movement of the pulley assembly is provided between the cam heel and the valve actuating element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2002
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Inventors: Rainer Wurms, Stefan Dengler
  • Publication number: 20030029402
    Abstract: The invention describes a rocker arm displacement system for variable valve timing in internal combustion engines. More specifically, the system provides a rocker arm displacement system including a rocker arm having a pivot, a cam-contacting portion and a valve stem contacting portion and a linear displacement system for linear displacement of the cam-contacting portion with respect to a variable profile cam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2001
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventors: Daniel Guy Pomerleau, Gary Knutson, Dusty Keashly
  • Publication number: 20030010305
    Abstract: A rocker arm assembly for a valve train includes a hydraulic lash adjuster for accommodating slack in the valve train. There is also a lost-motion connection preferably between the axle of a roller which is operated upon by a cam and the rocker arm itself. Excessive expansion of the lash adjuster will not prevent closing of the valve because the closing movement is accommodated by the lost-motion connection. A spring is provided to maintain the lost-motion connection despite the tendency of the hydraulic lash adjuster to expand. Greater tolerance in the cam base circle radius is allowed, permitting the use of net-shaped cams.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Applicant: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventor: David G. Genise
  • Patent number: 6499453
    Abstract: A drive train for an overhead valve engine, including a cam gear driven by the crankshaft, the cam gear supported for rotation in the cylinder block externally of the cylinder head and having a cam lobe mounted thereon for actuating a pair of rocker arms mounted for rotation in the cylinder head, which in turn actuates intake and exhaust valves in the cylinder head. A first lubrication passageway is provided in the crankcase of the engine to communicate oil, pumped from the oil sump by a combination oil pump and governor assembly driven from the crankshaft, to the upper crankshaft bearing. A second lubrication passageway is provided in the crankshaft and communicates oil from the upper crankshaft bearing to the coupling between the crankshaft and the connecting rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Tecumseh Products Company
    Inventors: Thomas A. Immel, Gar M. Adams
  • Patent number: 6491012
    Abstract: A rocker arm assembly having a main body with side walls and a push rod contacting portion spaced away from a valve stem contacting portion is disclosed. The valve stem contacting portion further includes a spring clip mounted thereon. The arms of the spring clip cooperate to form a channel for providing lateral guidance between the rocker arm and a valve stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Toledo Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Stanley J. Pryba, Terry Shook
  • Publication number: 20020170515
    Abstract: The present invention prevents abnormal wear of the. friction surfaces surrounding the rocker arm, prevents poor lubrication when the engine is started at low temperature after a long period of shutdown, and improves reliability. A bag-shaped oil sump (24) opening upward is provided in the middle part of the rocker arm main body (17). A roller (15) and a roller pin (16) are provided inside the oil sump (24) and when the engine stops, these are immersed in the oil in the oil sump (24). When the engine stops, the area between the roller (15) and the roller pin (16) is lubricated. Further, when the engine is re-started after a long period of shutdown, until the oil has risen, the area between the roller (15) and the cam (8) can be lubricated using the oil adhering to the roller (15). When the rocker arm (6) oscillates downward, the oil in the oil sump (24) is supplied from the oil exhaust (28) by spraying towards the valve shaft end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2002
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Inventor: Akira Iijima
  • Patent number: 6481398
    Abstract: Several embodiments of variable valve lift mechanisms employing rocker arms that cooperate with high and low speed cam lobes and which are selectively coupled or uncoupled so as to operate the valve dependent upon either the low speed cam lobe configuration or the high speed cam lobe configuration. The construction is such that there are no bending loads placed on the valve stems and the actuating mechanism is relatively light and can be carried at least in part independently of the rocker arms so as to reduce the reciprocating masses and improve engine performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shigenobu Uchiyama
  • Patent number: 6467443
    Abstract: A low speed cam is disposed on a cam shaft. A low speed sub-rocker arm actuated by the low speed cam is pivotally connected to a main rocker arm. A connecting member is supported by the main rocker arm. The connecting member has both a first condition wherein the sub-rocker arm and the main rocker arm are fixed to each other to constitute a single unit and a second condition wherein the sub-rocker arm and the main rocker arm are disengaged from each other. A hydraulically actuating mechanism has a hydraulic work chamber. The mechanism induces the first condition of the connecting member upon discharge of hydraulic fluid from the work chamber and induces the second condition upon feeding of hydraulic fluid to the work chamber. A control unit causes the hydraulically actuating mechanism to induce the first condition of the connecting member when the engine stops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Unisia Jecs Corporation
    Inventors: Seiji Tsuruta, Nobutaka Hayashi
  • Patent number: 6467444
    Abstract: A valve operating system in an internal combustion engine includes an associative-operation switchover means capable of switching over the associative operation of a pair of rocker arms disposed adjacent each other and the releasing of the associative-operation. The associative-operation switchover means is provided between a plurality of rocker arms including the rocker arms disposed adjacent each other. In such valve operating system, through-bores are coaxially provided in support walls of the rocker arm, and opposite ends of a roller shaft are fitted and fixed in the through-bores. A spring-receiving member is mounted to the roller shaft for receiving a return spring. Thus, when the roller shaft with the return spring of the associative-operation switchover means accommodated therein is mounted to the rocker arm, it is possible to facilitate the processing and to reduce the size and weight of the rocker arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Chikara Tanaka, Noriyuki Yamada, Junichi Iwamoto
  • Patent number: 6467445
    Abstract: A roller finger follower. includes an elongate body having first and second opposing sides each having respective inside surfaces. First and second grooves are defined by the respective inside surfaces. A slider bracket includes a top plate having a top surface that is substantially perpendicular to the first and second sides. First and second projections are affixed to or integral with the top plate, and protrude therefrom in a generally parallel manner relative to the top surface. The first projection is slidably disposed within the first groove and the second projection is slidably disposed within the second groove. A locking pin assembly is carried by the slider bracket, and selectively couples and decouples the slider bracket to and from the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne S. Harris
  • Patent number: 6463899
    Abstract: In a valve operating system in an internal combustion engine, a swinging support section provided at a base end of a rocker arm is swingably carried on a rocker shaft mounted in a cylinder head. A plurality of valve abutments are provided at a tip end of the rocker arm and capable of being individually put into abutment against upper ends of a plurality of engine valves, and a cam abutment is provided on the rocker arm in an intermediate portion between the swinging support section and each of the valve abutments to come into contact with a valve operating cam. The swinging support section comprises a thinner cylindrical portion surrounding the rocker shaft, and thicker cylindrical portions which are formed at a thickness larger than that of the thinner cylindrical portion into a cylindrical shape to surround the rocker shaft and which are integrally and continuously provided at axially opposite ends of the thinner cylindrical portion, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Chikara Tanaka, Noriyuki Yamada, Hiromu Nakamura, Junichi Iwamoto
  • Patent number: 6460498
    Abstract: It is aimed to prolong the life of a rocker arm in which rollers are housed in a full type form between a ring and a pin from a viewpoint completely different from the idea of improving the material. It is proposed to suitably control the relation between clearances in circumferential and radial directions for the rollers housed in a roller housing space formed between the outer peripheral surface of the pin and the inner peripheral surface of the ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Harimoto, Yoshiyasu Nakano, Nobuhiro Kasahara
  • Publication number: 20020139336
    Abstract: An overhead camshaft type valve train includes drive rocker arms interlockingly connected to intake valves (exhaust valves) rockingly supported on a rocker shaft fixed to camholders for rotatably supporting a camshaft, free rocker arms adapted to get free relative to the intake valves (exhaust valves), connection switching mechanisms for switching over the connection and release of connection between the drive rocker arms and the free rocker arms, and lost motion mechanisms for biasing the free rocker arms to a cam side. The respective cam holders are fastened to the cylinder head by pairs of fastening portions with bolts, and holding portions for holding the lost motion mechanisms are formed integrally with the fastening portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2002
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Applicant: HONDA GIKEN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shigekazu Tanaka, Toshiyuki Sato, Naoki Takahara
  • Publication number: 20020129780
    Abstract: A collector equipped intake system of an internal combustion engine, the collector is fixedly connected directly to either of a cylinder-head side wall and a collector mounting bracket hermetically covering perimeters of intake-port opening end portions of a plurality of intake ports opening through the side wall. A plurality of intake-manifold branches respectively communicating with the plurality of intake ports, are protruded into the interior space of the collector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Publication date: September 19, 2002
    Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tsuneyasu Nohara, Shinichi Takemura, Shunichi Aoyama, Takanobu Sugiyama
  • Publication number: 20020117134
    Abstract: A VVA apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes a intake valve, and an alteration mechanism which variably controlling lift characteristics of the intake valve in accordance with the engine operating conditions, wherein the valve lift characteristics include a ramp period which is shorter in the range of medium lift amount than in the range of small lift amount and the range of large lift amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2002
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Applicant: UNISIA JECS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Makoto Nakamura, Shinichi Takemura
  • Publication number: 20020112686
    Abstract: An adjustment screw assembly (10) having an adjustment screw (11) engaged to a rocker arm (14) of a combustion engine (12) is disclosed. The adjustment screw (11) comprises a lower member (26) and a vertical member (28) wherein the vertical member (28) threads to the rocker arm (14) and the lower member (26) secures pivotally and rotatably to the vertical member (28) forming a pivotal connection (31). The pivotal connection (31) has a male connector (38) which snap fits through an engagement lip portion (46) of a female socket (35) and is thereby held together for combustion engine assembly purposes. Once the adjustment screw (11) is assembled and placed within the combustion engine (12), internal springs (24) of the engine (12) resiliently hold and secure the lower member (26) to the vertical member (28).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Applicant: Detroit Diesel Corporation
    Inventors: Scott Russell Zechiel, Jon DePentu
  • Publication number: 20020108594
    Abstract: The rocker arm (2), obtained from a shaped element (30) made of metallic material, comprises surfaces (15,18) for engagement with a tappet (3) and with a stem (20) of a valve, respectively, and a portion (7) for mounting of a rotatable roller (8) able to co-operate with a cam-type actuating member (4). According to the invention, the surface (15) is formed in an insert (25) produced separately and fixed to the rocker arm. This constructional solution is particularly advantageous when the design constraints, determined by the position of the other elements of the valve train, require a substantial alignment between the center (A) of the surface (15) engaging the tappet, the center (B) of the roller and the contact (C) surface engaging the valve stem (20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Applicant: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Majo Cecur
  • Publication number: 20020092491
    Abstract: A rocker arm is tilted by a cam so as to open and close a valve provided on a cylinder head. This arm comprises a pair of opposing wall portions which are made by folding a flat plate so that they oppose substantially in parallel and cylindrical expanding portions which are formed at tilting fulcrum shaft mounting portions located in a center of the opposing wall portions in the length direction thereof, the expanding portions being expanded in the direction of the tilting fulcrum shaft. The cylindrical expanding portions which are thicker than the opposing wall portions receive a load accompanied by the tilting motion so as to decrease bearing stress applied to the opposing wall portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2001
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Kotani, Kazuo Uchida
  • Publication number: 20020092490
    Abstract: A valve train for an internal combustion engine includes a rocker shaft (9) provided with an oil passage, first and second rocker arms (7, 8) having support parts (7a, 8a) provided with bores (7b, 8b) to receive the rocker shaft (9) therein so as to be supported on the rocker shaft (9) for rocking motion, and a rocker arm interlocking mechanism (10) for selectively engaging or disengaging the first and the second rocker arms (7, 8). The first rocker arm (7) is provided with a pressure chamber (33) holding a piston (30) therein, a straight connecting passage 34 connected to the pressure chamber (33) and an oil passage (35)formed in the rocker shaft (9). An open end surface (7b1) of the bore (7b) of a first support wall (7e) of the rocker arm (7) is on an axially outer side of the pressure chamber (33).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2002
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Applicant: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takeya Harada, Toshiki Kobayashi, Noriyuki Yamada
  • Patent number: 6418898
    Abstract: In a valve operating system in an internal combustion engine, a rocker arm has a plurality of valve abutments provided thereon and capable of being individually put into abutment against upper ends of a plurality of engine valves cam abutments, and also has cam abutments provided thereon to come into contact with a valve operating cam. Wall-removed portions are formed in the rocker arm at locations corresponding to the cam abutments and open at opposite sides of the rocker arm. Thus, it is possible to provide a reduction in weight of the rocker arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki
    Inventors: Chikara Tanaka, Hiromu Nakamura, Noriyuki Yamada, Junichi Iwamoto
  • Patent number: 6415752
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an innovative, economical method or system disclosing a captive volume in a hydraulic circuit which can be selectively hydraulically or pneumatically locked, or vented in order to correspondingly maintain, or increase the total volume of the hydraulic circuit. The structural elements of an embodiment of the present invention may include an accumulator with or without a fixed solid stop, which limits its travel. The accumulator can either be a separate entity, or as an assembly within the master or slave pistons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Diesel Engine Retarders, Inc.
    Inventor: Robb Janak
  • Publication number: 20020073948
    Abstract: The valve drive mechanism is particularly suitable for internal combustion engines of motor vehicles. The mechanism has at least one driven cam element and a valve control member which is moved (translationally or rotationally) by the cam element. The cam element is rotatingly mounted in a flexible surround element which is connected to the valve control member in a plane orthogonal to the axis of rotation of the cam element. The surround element can be reversably extended, such as elastically extended, to enable a variation in the resulting valve lift.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2002
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventor: Stefan Battlogg
  • Publication number: 20020066426
    Abstract: A vehicle multi-cylinder engine in which a plurality of banks each comprising a cylinder row portion and a cylinder head and set at an angle relative to each other are disposed so as to be offset from each other in an axial direction of a crankshaft, and in which valve operating characteristics changing mechanisms for changing the operating characteristics of engine valves in response to oil pressure control by an oil pressure control valve are incorporated in the valve trains on the cylinder head of at least either of the respective banks. An oil pressure control valve is disposed in a space produced between end portions of adjacent banks at one ends thereof along an axial direction of a crankshaft as the respective banks are offset from each other and is attached to at least one cylinder head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2001
    Publication date: June 6, 2002
    Applicant: HONDA GIKEN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masayuki Takahashi, Toshihiro Akiwa
  • Publication number: 20020059911
    Abstract: In an internal combustion engine including bearing sections rotatably carrying a camshaft and provided integrally or separately on a cylinder head, and rocker arms moved with the rotation of the camshaft and swingably carried on rocker shafts, a rocker shaft holder fastened and fixed to the bearing sections to support the rocker shafts is provided with accommodating recesses into each of which a portion of each of the bearing sections protrudes. Thus, the support rigidity of the rocker shafts can be enhanced and moreover, an increase in size of the engine can be avoided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Publication date: May 23, 2002
    Inventors: Masayuki Takahashi, Toshihiro Akiwa
  • Publication number: 20020056425
    Abstract: A pair of valve-timing controlling oil passages leading to a second valve-operating characteristic changing mechanism are defined in a lower camshaft holder, and a valve lift controlling oil passage leading to a first valve-operating characteristic changing mechanism is defined between the pair of valve-timing controlling oil passages in a mating surface of the lower camshaft holder with a cylinder head. In an area where the width of the valve lift controlling oil passage is reduced in order to avoid the interference with the valve-timing controlling oil passages, the depth of the valve lift controlling oil passage is larger than that in the other positions, whereby a sectional area of the oil passage is secured. Thus, the oil passages leading to the first and second mechanisms can be formed compact in a camshaft support member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2001
    Publication date: May 16, 2002
    Inventor: Toshiki Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20020046719
    Abstract: In an internal combustion engine, a pair of suction ports are formed on left and right sides of the rear of the cylinder head with respect to the vehicle body. A pair of exhaust ports is formed on left and right sides on the front side of the cylinder head. Suction poppet valves and exhaust poppet valves for opening and closing the suction ports and the exhaust ports are slidably fitted in guide tubes, respectively. In addition, a valve gear includes a camshaft and a rocker arm pivotally supported on a rocker arm shaft. The rocker arm is formed with a bifurcated end, which crosses an ignition plug on the exhaust poppet valve side. The suction poppet valves are directly driven to open and close by the camshaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Inventors: Akifumi Nomura, Yasuo Shimura, Kazuhisa Takemoto, Akira Tokito
  • Patent number: 6360705
    Abstract: A valve lift mechanism for an internal combustion engine is disposed on the engine cylinder head. The valve lift mechanism has a rocker arm pivotally mounted on the stem of an engine intake valve that is slidably mounted in the cylinder head of the engine. The inlet valve is reciprocated by rocking motion of the rocker arm to control the opening and closing of an inlet passage in the cylinder to thereby control the incoming air/fuel mixture. A contact roller is mounted adjacent one end of the rocker arm on one side of the pivotal mount and a contact surface is formed along the rocker arm on the opposite side of the pivotal mount. A positioning mechanism including a roller is operable to selectively position a contact point between the roller and the contact surface to establish a rocking point for the rocker arm between a maximum lift position for the inlet valve and a minimum lift position of the inlet valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Madhusudan Raghavan, Jie Tong
  • Publication number: 20020020378
    Abstract: A valve drive mechanism includes a tappet assembly which comprises a center tappet, a pair of side tappets between which the center tappet is interposed so as to move relatively to the side tappets, and a locking/unlocking mechanism operative to mechanically couple the center tappet to both of the side tappets and to uncouple the center tappet from both of the side tappets so as to selectively transmit rotation of a high lift center cam and low lift side cams to twin valves such as twin intake valves and twin exhaust valves per cylinder. Locking/unlocking of the center tappet and each side tappet is performed in a position which is in a vertical plane including a center axis of each side tappet and intersecting perpendicularly to an axial direction of a camshaft and is offset from the center axis of the side tappet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2001
    Publication date: February 21, 2002
    Inventors: Kouji Asanomi, Hirokazu Matsuura
  • Patent number: 6341587
    Abstract: The invention proposes a lever-type cam follower (1) which, for mounting a pin (7) for a cam roller, comprises bores (5, 6) in the region of its side walls (2, 3). The diameter of the bore (5) is larger than the diameter of the bore (6). Corresponding ends (8, 9) of the pin (7) are configured so that when mounted, the pin (7) is fixed in the bores (5, 6) by a press fit. Thus, the pin (7) can be inserted with its second end (8) at first through the larger bore (5) without causing damage to its raceway (8a) during assembly. At the same time, the press fit guarantees an excellent fixture of the pin (7) in the cam follower (1) with an all-round contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Assignee: INA Walzlager Schaeffler oHG
    Inventors: Walter Speil, Arndt Ihlemann, Martin Jakel
  • Publication number: 20010037782
    Abstract: A variable valve mechanism includes an elongate input shaft having a central axis. An opening cam lobe and a closing cam lobe are disposed upon the input shaft. The opening cam lobe and the closing cam lobe have a predetermined angular relation relative to each other and relative to the central axis. A rocker assembly has a first end and a second end. The rocker assembly carries a roller that engages the opening cam lobe. A first split frame member assembly is pivotally mounted upon the input shaft. The first split frame member assembly is pivotally coupled at a first end thereof to the rocker assembly. The first split frame member assembly is configured for being pivotally coupled at a second end thereof to a control shaft. A first split output cam is pivotally mounted upon the input shaft, and a link pivotally couples the first split output cam to the second end of the rocker assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2001
    Publication date: November 8, 2001
    Inventor: Ronald J. Pierik
  • Publication number: 20010027764
    Abstract: One of adjacent rocker arms in a valve operating system of an engine is provided with first and second support walls. A roller is disposed between the first and second support walls to come into rolling contact with cams. A cylindrical roller shaft, supporting the roller, is provided between the first and second support walls, so that a switchover pin of an associative-operation switchover means can be slidably fitted into the roller shaft in response to the movement thereof. The roller shaft is press-fitted into at least a second one of the first and second support walls, and a press-fit margin for the roller shaft press-fitted into the second support wall on the side of the other rocker arm is set smaller than a press-fit margin for the roller shaft press-fitted into the second support wall on the side of the roller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2000
    Publication date: October 11, 2001
    Inventors: Chikara Tanaka, Hiromu Nakamura, Noriyuki Yamada, Junichi Iwamoto
  • Publication number: 20010027765
    Abstract: A roller finger follower includes an elongate body having a first side member and a second side member. A bracket having first and second sides is associated with the body. The first side of the bracket is disposed adjacent an inside surface of the first side member of the body. The second side of the bracket is disposed adjacent an inside surface of the second side member of the body. A roller is disposed between the first and second sides of the bracket. The roller defines a shaft orifice therethrough. An elongate hollow shaft extends through the shaft orifice and couples the roller to the bracket. A locking pin assembly is disposed at least partially within the hollow shaft. The locking pin assembly has a first position wherein the shaft is decoupled from the body and a second position wherein the shaft is coupled to the body. The locking pin assembly is switchable between the first and second positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2001
    Publication date: October 11, 2001
    Inventors: Nick J. Hendriksma, Jongmin Lee
  • Publication number: 20010025616
    Abstract: A variable valve actuating mechanism includes a rocker having a central rocker axis that is substantially parallel with and spaced apart from a central axis of a rotary input shaft. A frame member has a first end configured for being pivotally mounted upon the input shaft and a second end pivotally carrying the rocker. A connecting rod has a first end configured for engaging an eccentric of the rotary input shaft and a second end pivotally attached to the rocker. The connecting rod transfers rotation of the input shaft to oscillation of the rocker relative to the rocker central axis. An output cam is configured for being pivotally mounted upon the input shaft. An output cam gear is affixed to the output cam. A crank gear is affixed to the rocker and engages the output cam gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2001
    Publication date: October 4, 2001
    Inventor: Ronald J. Pierik
  • Publication number: 20010023675
    Abstract: A two-step roller finger follower includes an elongate body having a first side member and a second side member. A first end and a second end interconnect the first and second side members. The first and second side member define first and second pin orifices, respectively. A center roller is disposed between the first and second side members. The center roller defines a shaft orifice therethrough. A shaft extends through the shaft orifice. A first shaft end is disposed proximate the first side member, and the second shaft end is disposed proximate the second side member. The second shaft end defines a shaft bore therein. The first shaft end defines a pin chamber therein. The shaft bore being is substantially concentric with and intersects the pin chamber. A locking pin assembly is disposed partially within the shaft bore, the pin chamber and at least one of the pin orifices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2001
    Publication date: September 27, 2001
    Inventors: Jongmin Lee, Hermes A. Fernandez, Wayne S. Harris, Ryan D. Fogarty
  • Publication number: 20010023672
    Abstract: A valve control system including a valve actuating camshaft (A), having a high lift cam (B) and a low lift cam (C), and an outer rocker arm (2) engaging the high lift cam, and an inner rocker arm (3) engaging the low lift cam. The ends of the rocker arms adjacent the engine poppet valve (V) are fixed to each other by a connector pin (37). The system includes a latching mechanism disposed at the ends of the rocker arms opposite the connector pin (37). Latching of the rocker arms is accomplished by a compound pin (8) moved between latched (FIG. 14A) and unlatched (FIG. 14B) conditions in response to movement of an actuator (9). The system also includes a rocker ratio varying device, such that, during operation in the low lift mode, the lift can be gradually increased, and gradually phase-shifted, as the engine speed increases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Publication date: September 27, 2001
    Applicant: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Majo Cecur