Cam Engaged Patents (Class 123/90.44)
  • Patent number: 8635979
    Abstract: A drag lever for actuating a gas exchange valve of an internal combustion engine. The drag lever includes an oblong lever body formed of sheet metal material, wherein the lever body has a bottom and side walls integrally formed at an angle of about 90° onto the bottom on both sides. A first end section of the lever body includes a joint socket formed into the bottom between the side walls. The joint socket serves to pivotally moveably support the drag lever on a joint head mounted stationary in the internal combustion engine. A middle section of the lever body is provided with a cam gripping surface, and a second end section of the lever body has a contact surface extending on the bottom. The contact surface serves for actuating the gas exchange valve. The lever body is dimensioned so as to have essentially the same width in a cross section through the joint socket and in a cross section through the middle section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Frank Himsel, Jochen Ott, Dirk Richter, Junichi Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 8635980
    Abstract: A deactivating rocker arm for use with a cam having at least one no-lift safety lobe is provided. Safety lobe contacting surfaces on the rocker arm are configured for contact with safety lobes during abnormal operation of the rocker arm. When the rocker arm is deactivated, the safety lobe contacting surfaces may come into contact with safety lobes when excessive pump-up of a lash adjuster brings the rocker arm undesirably close to the rotating cam. This contact limits the range of motion of the rocker arm during certain instances of abnormal operation, promoting more effective transition between deactivated and activated states and preventing damaging contact between the rocker arm and the cam lobe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Kynan L Church
  • Patent number: 8631775
    Abstract: A multi-mode valve control mechanism for an engine includes a primary cam follower rotatably mounted within a mount and having one end engaging a camshaft. One or more secondary cam followers are rotatably mounted within the mount and having one end engaging the camshaft. Each secondary cam follower is operatively coupled to a shaft. A follower is dedicated to each cam lobe. A frequency and a duration at which valves in a valve train are actuated is changed by activating only the primary cam follower in a first mode of operation, or activating both the primary cam follower and the one more than one secondary cam followers in a second mode of operation, depending on whether the control mechanism has been activated or not. In either mode of operation, the entire valve train assembly is actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Adam Edgar Klingbeil
  • Patent number: 8631776
    Abstract: An assembled camshaft includes an outer hollow camshaft body and an inner camshaft body disposed within the outer hollow camshaft body and mounted so as to rotate relative to it by a predetermined angle. The camshaft also includes at least two separate cam elements. A first cam element is connected with the inner camshaft body so as to rotate with it, and is disposed so as to rotate relative to the outer hollow camshaft body. A second cam element has at least two partial cam elements, in such a manner that a first partial cam element is disposed on the outer hollow camshaft body, so as to rotate with it, and a second partial cam element is connected with the inner camshaft body, so as to rotate with it, and is disposed so that it can be rotated relative to the outer hollow camshaft body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: ThyssenKrupp Presta TecCenter AG
    Inventors: Uwe Dietel, Uwe Grossgebauer, Jonathan Heywood, Bernd Mann
  • Patent number: 8627796
    Abstract: A dual body rocker arm comprising an outer arm, an inner arm, a substantially cylindrical pivot axle, a pivot foot and a first and second pivot foot retaining ring. The inner arm is disposed between side arms of the outer arm. The pivot axle is mounted to both the inner and outer arm. The pivot foot has a cylindrical axle interfacing surface and a valve tip interface. Retaining rings mount the pivot foot to the axle, allowing partial rotation of the pivot foot about the axle. Interfering protrusions on the retaining rings limit the range of motion of the pivot foot. A pivot foot having at least one interfering block is configured to restrict motion of the pivot foot by interfering with at least one interfering tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Andrew Paul Harman
  • Patent number: 8613265
    Abstract: A detent structure for a rocker shaft includes a camshaft, a rocker shaft, a shaft support, and a detent part. The camshaft is provided at a cylinder head of an engine. The shaft support is provided at the cylinder head to support the rocker shaft and has a support surface supporting the rocker shaft. The detent part is to prevent rotation of the rocker shaft. The detent part includes a bolt insertion hole and a detent bolt. The bolt insertion hole is displaced from a central axis of the rocker shaft and passes through the rocker shaft. The detent bolt is provided in the bolt insertion hole and is fastened to the shaft support to pass across the support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sei Maruyama, Machiko Harada, Yoshiki Matsushiro
  • Patent number: 8607754
    Abstract: The invention concerns a roller tappet (1) for a high pressure fuel pump, said roller tappet (1) comprising a housing (2) comprising on a drive side front end (3), a slide-mounted roller (4) serving as a running surface of a cam, said housing (2), as viewed in housing direction, comprising a bridge member (5) arranged below the roller (4), said bridge member (5) comprising on a front end (7) turned towards a driven side front end (6) of the housing (2), a support (8) for a tappet follower member, wherein a shell member (11) like a semi shell or a one-third shell separated out of a rolling bearing ring is seated in a cylindrical cavity (9) of a further drive side front end (10) of the bridge member (5), and the roller (4) extends for sliding displacement directly in said shell member (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Stefan Dorn, Norbert Geyer, Karsten Kucht
  • Patent number: 8607753
    Abstract: A switchable finger lever for a valve drive of an internal combustion engine having an interior lever encompassed by arms of an exterior lever, with a joint axle extending through the levers so they are relatively pivotal. A stub projects from the axle at each exterior side, with the respective stub being encompassed by a coil section of a pivot pin spring, having one leg acting upon the exterior lever and another leg acting upon the interior lever to pre-load the levers relative to each other, with the coil section encompassing a bush encasing an exterior casing of the stub. The bush encompasses the stub with a clearance fit and, for fixation of the axle, an annular groove with a safety ring is located inside the bush bore, and engages a radially inwardly located groove in the exterior casing of the stub allowing the axle to be disassembled without destruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Joachim Krause, Stefan Gemein, Ronny Gunnel
  • Patent number: 8584631
    Abstract: A continuously variable valve lift system for actuating a combustion valve of an engine includes a camshaft having a camshaft lobe rotatable about an camshaft axis of rotation. A rocker assembly is pivotable for providing reciprocating motion to the combustion valve. A control shaft is rotatable about a control shaft axis of rotation such that rotation of the control shaft about the control shaft axis of rotation changes the position of the rocker assembly to vary the lift of the combustion valve. An actuator selectively rotates the control shaft between a minimum lift position and a maximum lift position. A bias spring surrounding the control shaft axis of rotation biases the control shaft only from the minimum lift position to a predetermined position which is intermediate the minimum lift position and the maximum lift position upon failure of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Hermes A. Fernandez
  • Patent number: 8584630
    Abstract: A switchable roller finger follower for a valvetrain of an internal combustion engine. The switchable roller finger follower includes an elongated body, a cam follower, a locking pin assembly, lost motion springs and a shuttle pad assembly moving horizontally. The locking pin assembly includes a locking pin and hydraulic fluid supply channel, selectively locking and unlocking the shuttle pad assembly, allowing either a high lift or low lift profile to achieve contact with pre-determined profiles of a multi-lobe camshaft which, in turn, provides low lift or high lift operation of an associated gas exchange valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Kirk Siefker
  • Publication number: 20130298858
    Abstract: A valve gear operates an intake valve for a plurality of cylinders. The valve gear includes a driving cam shaft that rotates with an engine crankshaft, a driven member operated by a driving cam of the driving cam shaft, a pivot member which pivots in association with movement of the driven member causing the intake valve to reciprocate, and a valve gear case accommodating the cam shaft, the driven member, the pivot member, and a control shaft. The valve gear case mounts to an intake-side part of a cylinder head, and includes end wall portions at both ends in a longitudinal direction, an inter-cylinder wall portion, and connection wall portions connecting the end wall portions and the inter-cylinder wall portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Satoaki Ichi
  • Patent number: 8578898
    Abstract: A valve train control device, for use in a reciprocating piston internal combustion engine having a camshaft with a primary cam lobe, is provided herein and generally includes a primary cam follower positioned in an operational path between the primary cam lobe and a corresponding valve with the primary cam follower being constructed to follow the primary cam lobe while an auxiliary motion transfer device, having at least a portion responsive to at least one engine parameter, may be placed in a variable motion operational path including the primary cam follower to shift the primary cam follower relative to the primary cam lobe during at least a portion of the camshaft rotation to alter one or more valve operating parameters relative to a set of valve parameters defined by the primary cam lobe profile interacting with an unshifted primary cam follower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Inventor: Barry Braman
  • 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: 8561585
    Abstract: A rocker arm unit constituting a valve gear includes a support member, a rocker arm including a roller and walls opposed to each other with the roller being interposed between them and a wire member bridging the support member side and the rocker arm side with each other. The walls have shaft holes into which both ends of a shaft member rotatably supporting the roller extend respectively. The walls have lengthwise ends connected to each other via a receiving portion supported on a top of the support member so that the rocker arm is swung. The wire member has an extending portion extending from the support member side to the rocker arm side and having a distal end. The rocker arm side includes a part located away from the receiving portion. The distal end of the extending portion serves as an engagement portion engaging the rocker arm side part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: OTICS Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoki Miyoshi, Masahide Sakurai, Naoki Hiramatsu, Toshimasa Sasaki
  • Patent number: 8555835
    Abstract: A switchable finger lever for a valve train of an internal combustion engine is provided, with the finger lever having an inner lever which cooperates at a valve-side end region with a gas exchange valve of the internal combustion engine and is connected at a support-side end region turned away from the valve-side end region pivotally to a support. Outer levers (1a, 1b) connected pivotally to the inner lever are arranged on both sides of the inner lever while being urged against the inner lever in a pivoting direction through a spring and being capable of being coupled to the inner lever through a coupling element. The outer levers (1a, 1b) are configured with an identical structure and each outer lever (1a, 1b) is configured symmetrically to the longitudinal lever axis (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Holger Pätzold, Joachim Krause
  • Patent number: 8550047
    Abstract: A valve control synchronizing apparatus for an internal combustion engine for controlling opening and closing operations of an engine valve includes a synchronizing pin assembly selectively transferring pivoting movement from one or both of first and second adjacent rocker arms to a central rocker arm. The synchronizing pin assembly is received in a bore defined through the central rocker arm and at least partially into each of the first and second rocker arms. The synchronizing pin assembly bridges between the first rocker arm and the central rocker arm to transfer pivoting movement of the first rocker arm to the central rocker arm and bridges between the second rocker arm and the central rocker arm to transfer pivoting movement from the second rocker arm to the central rocker arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Marcus Odell, Masataka Ikawa, Yuji Matsumochi, Akira Terao, Yasutaka Hayashi
  • Patent number: 8544431
    Abstract: In an internal combustion engine using poppet type valves, a center pivot rocker arm is moved through a specific path wherein the roller in contact with a cam is moved to alter the phasing of the valves or injectors in the engine. Depending on the interface between the valve or injector and the rocker arm, the rocker ratio of the rocker arm may be altered, giving a change in lift as well. By positioning a control arm at desired points on either side of a centered position, and rotating the control arm about its own pivot point via an arm actuator, phase change is achieved. The arm actuator controls the location of the control arm and thus the timing of the valve or injector relative to the rotation of the cam. Advanced, centered, and retarded phase change is possible depending upon the movement of the control arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Yelir, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael B. Riley
  • Patent number: 8534244
    Abstract: In an internal combustion engine using poppet type valves, a center pivot rocker arm is moved through a specific path wherein the roller in contact with a cam is moved to alter the phasing of the valves or injectors in the engine. Depending on the interface between the valve or injector and the rocker arm, the rocker ratio of the rocker arm may be altered, giving a change in lift as well. By positioning a control arm at desired points on either side of a centered position, and rotating the control arm about its own pivot point via an arm actuator, phase change is achieved. The arm actuator controls the location of the control arm and thus the timing of the valve or injector relative to the rotation of the cam. Advanced, centered, and retarded phase change is possible depending upon the movement of the control arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Yelir, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael B. Riley
  • Patent number: 8528509
    Abstract: A variable valve lift apparatus may include a variable valve lift housing, a master piston which is slidably disposed in the variable valve lift housing and contacts a cam, a slave piston which is slidably disposed in the variable valve lift housing, defines an oil chamber with the master piston therebetween, and opens a valve connected to the slave piston according to reciprocative motion of the master piston, and a lift control portion which supplies oil to the oil chamber or exhausts oil in the oil chamber selectively to control a relative distance between the master piston and the slave piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Hosung Cho, Jin Gyu Yang, Myung Rae Cho, Hong Wook Lee, Seong Hyuk Kang, Taewon Park, Jinwoo Yang, Wootae Kim, Myungsik Choi, Eui Chul Choi, Sung Han Kang, Won Gyu Kim
  • Publication number: 20130220254
    Abstract: Rocker arm for actuating at least one gas exchange valve of an internal combustion engine having an elongated lever body (2) with a floor (3) and with side walls (4,5) angled away therefrom, wherein a first end section (6) of the lever body (2) has a cup (9) for a support element formed in the floor (3), and in that a section (7) near the center is provided with a cam engagement surface and in that a second end section (8) of the lever body (2) has a contact surface (12) for a valve stem end of the gas exchange valve, wherein a crossbar (13) extends between the section (7) near the center and the second end section (8), wherein the crossbar (13) has a stamping 14) that is provided on the side facing away from the section (7) near the center.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventor: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
  • Publication number: 20130220249
    Abstract: A hinged rocker arm includes a first wing including a first opening for receiving a rocker shall and a first contacting surface, and a second wing including a second opening for receiving the rocker shaft, the second wing including a second contacting surface When the first and second wings are mounted on the rocker shaft, the first contacting surface and the second contacting surface are adapted to contact each other and thereby transfer a force in a direction transverse to an axis of the rocker shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: MACK TRUCKS ,INC.
    Inventor: John Lowe
  • Patent number: 8516984
    Abstract: Hydraulic lost motion systems and methods for actuating an internal combustion engine valve include a master piston slidably disposed in a housing. One or more master piston fluid passages extend from a bore provided in the master piston and register with a fluid passage extending through the housing. A slave piston is slidably disposed in a lower portion of the master piston bore and a valve catch piston is slidably disposed in an upper portion of the master piston bore. The valve catch piston may have a hollow interior, a lower end orifice extending from the hollow interior through a lower end of the valve catch piston, one or more side passages extending through a side portion of the valve catch piston, and one or more seating passages extending through the valve catch piston wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Jacobs Vehicle Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: John A. Schwoerer
  • Patent number: 8505509
    Abstract: The present invention provides to a rocker arm apparatus for cylinder deactivation with a new structure for increasing fuel efficiency in a gasoline engine. For this, the present invention provides a rocker arm apparatus for cylinder deactivation including: a rocker arm; a restoring spring supported at the bottom of a rear end portion of the rocker arm; a roller coupled to the rocker arm to be pressed by a cam; a pair of rocker shaft assemblies each including first and second rocker shafts, and a connecting rod integrally connecting the first and second rocker shafts; a pair of rocker shaft support members connected to the rocker arm by means of the first and second rocker shafts; and a transfer member for controlling the rocker shaft assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Kyoung Pyo Ha, Jin Kook Kong, Woo Tae Kim
  • Publication number: 20130199480
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing spring pallets of a switchable roller finger follower. The method includes the steps of forming the spring pallets of the roller finger follower as a single unit, forming a material web between the spring pallets, and separating the spring pallets apart from each other. Also, an intermediate assembly of the spring pallets of the roller finger follower is disclosed. The intermediate assembly includes a first spring pallet, a second spring pallet, and a material web which extends between the spring pallets, and adjoins the spring pallets together. Further, a method of manufacturing an inner arm of the switchable roller finger follower is disclosed in which the inner arm is formed by sheet metal, preferably by stamping.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO KG
    Inventor: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO KG
  • Publication number: 20130186358
    Abstract: A finger follower having an inner and outer body and a torsional lost motion spring acting between the bodies is provided. A roller cam follower is connected to the inner body. The inner body is switchable from a fixed state, in which it moves with the outer body to transfer a cam lift to a valve stem, to a released state, in which the inner body can move relative to the outer body so that the cam lift is not transferred to the valve stem. A separate valve pallet that acts on the valve stem is press fit or otherwise rotationally fixed on a pivot pin connecting the inner and outer bodies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventor: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
  • Patent number: 8490587
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cam drive (1) having a camshaft and having cams (18, 18?)arranged thereon and having at least one rocker arm (3) which has a cam follower (2) and which is operatively connected by means of its first arm (4) to a plunger-like bearing (5) and by means of its second arm (6) to at least one gas exchange valve (7) of an associated cylinder. The cam drive (1) also has a device (10) for varying the lift of the at least one gas exchange valve (7). Here, it is essential to the invention that the device (10) is embodied as a clutch device which acts between the plunger-like abutment (5) and the rocker arm (3, 3?, 3?)and which has an actuating element (12) which is mounted so as to be rotatable about an axis (13) of the plunger-like abutment (5) at least between two positions, wherein a valve lift in a first, coupled position of the actuating element (12) is varied in comparison with a second, decoupled position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Mahle International GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Hale, Jonathan Hall, Hermann Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 8479694
    Abstract: The finger follower employs two independent lost motion arms and a rod which moves longitudinally to lock both arms. The rod is transversely mounted in the follower. In order to avoid premature locking, each arm has a chamfered surface on a top wall to force the rod out of engagement with the arm during upward movement of the arms, to protect premature movement of the rod from an unlocked position to a locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Debora Manther, Jeff Villemure
  • Publication number: 20130167788
    Abstract: Valve control for at least one valve of an internal combustion engine, in which the movement of at least one cam (2) of a camshaft (3) can be transmitted to a valve stem (5) of the valve (1) by a transmission mechanism (4), the transmission mechanism (4) including at least one transmission element (7) which is mounted rotatably on an axis (6) and is preferably designed as a rocker arm (10) or drag lever and which is connected to the camshaft (3) via a contact element (8) arranged on the transmission element (7), the contact surface (19) of the contact element (8) and the circumferential surface (20) of the cam (2) having, at least in regions, curved and mutually corresponding contours in the axial direction (21), and the transmission element (7) being mounted axially moveably on an axial body (11) of the axis (6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: MAN Truck & Bus AG
    Inventors: Werner Vogel, Heribert Möller
  • Patent number: 8474425
    Abstract: The finger follower employs two independent lost motion arms and a rod which moves longitudinally to lock both arms. The rod is transversely mounted in the follower. In order to avoid premature locking, a clip is employed with tabs that interact with end surfaces of the arms so as to prevent premature movement of the rod from an unlocked position to a locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Lutz Kirbach
  • Patent number: 8468988
    Abstract: Provided is a variable valve operating apparatus for an internal combustion engine, which can favorably reduce electric power consumption in a vehicle system that may stop the internal combustion engine during power-up of the vehicle system. A changeover mechanism 90 is provided which is capable of switching between a connection state in which a first rocker arm 96 and a second rocker arm 98 are in connection with each other via a changeover pin 112, 118 and a disconnection state in which the connection is released. The changeover mechanism 90 performs energization of actuators 130 for each cylinder in a case in which fuel supply to the internal combustion engine 12 is stopped in response to an establishment of a predetermined stop condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Nishikiori, Yasuyuki Shibata, Shinya Misaka
  • Patent number: 8464677
    Abstract: A variable valve lift apparatus includes a high cam and a low cam fixed side by side to a camshaft, an outer body pressed by the rotation of the high cam, and has a crossbar formed at the bottom of the front end, an inner body, of which the front end protrudes further than the outer body, the lower front end is provided with a valve member, the upper rear end is hinged to a lost motion hinge shaft coaxially with the rear end of the outer body, and the lower rear end is pivotally connected to a hinge member, and a latching portion inserted into the inner body and selectively connected to the crossbar of the outer body to move the inner body dependent on movement of the front end of the outer body, wherein the lost motion hinge shaft is disposed in the same direction as a hinge point between the inner body and the hinge member with respect to the camshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Byong Young Choi, Young Hong Kwak, Gee-Wook Shin, Yoonsik Woo, Jin Kook Kong, Soo-Hyung Woo
  • Patent number: 8459220
    Abstract: A novel concentric phaser camshaft comprises valve actuating lobes that are arranged into lobe structures. The valve actuating lobes to be affixed to an inner camshaft member, are arranged in pinned structures comprising adjacent pairs of lobes which are affixed to the inner camshaft member by pins. The valve actuating lobes to be affixed to the outer camshaft member by an interference fit are arranged into lobe structures comprising a bearing journal and at least one lobe, each lobe structure including an index feature operable to engage a jig to angularly position the lobe structure on the outer camshaft member while the interference fit is established.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Magna Powertrain Inc.
    Inventor: Paolo J. Comello
  • Publication number: 20130133601
    Abstract: A detent structure for a rocker shaft includes a camshaft, a rocker shaft, a shaft support, and a detent part. The camshaft is provided at a cylinder head of an engine. The shaft support is provided at the cylinder head to support the rocker shaft and has a support surface supporting the rocker shaft. The detent part is to prevent rotation of the rocker shaft. The detent part includes a bolt insertion hole and a detent bolt. The bolt insertion hole is displaced from a central axis of the rocker shaft and passes through the rocker shaft. The detent bolt is provided in the bolt insertion hole and is fastened to the shaft support to pass across the support surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2012
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
  • Patent number: 8448618
    Abstract: A variable valve lift device equipped with a swing arm variably lifting an exhaust valve or an intake valve may include an outer body in which a mounting groove is formed in the middle portion thereof, an inner body mounted inside the mounting groove of the outer body and with a rear end thereof pivotally-connected to the outer body in the outer body, and a latching portion formed in the outer body and the inner body and fixing or releasing a front end portion of the inner body to the outer body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Ju Hun Lee, Jei Choon Yang, Gee Wook Shin, Jin Kook Kong, Soo Hyung Woo, Jin Soon Kim
  • Patent number: 8434440
    Abstract: A switchable finger lever for a valve train of an internal combustion engine, said finger lever comprising an inner lever comprising on an underside on one end, a support for a gas exchange valve and on another end, a contact surface for a head of a support element, said inner lever being flanked by outer arms which are articulated for pivoting relative to the inner lever on a side of the one end, at least each of said outer arms comprising on an upper side, a cam contacting surface, said inner lever comprising directly next to the contact surface a coupling device for an optional connection of the outer arms to the inner lever, said coupling device comprising a cross-bore in which two coupling slides are arranged diametrically opposite each other, which coupling slides for effecting coupling engage partially in or under an entraining surface arranged on the respective outer arm ending in this region, and the at least one restoring spring being likewise arranged in the region of the another end while being cl
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Debora Manther, Jeff Villemure
  • Patent number: 8434441
    Abstract: A connecting device for the pivotal and loss-prevention joining of an actuating lever (1) and a support element (6) of a valve operating mechanism of a combustion engine. The actuating lever (1) has, in a supporting section (3), a spherical cap-shaped cavity (5) inside of which the spherical end (7) of the supporting element (6) may be placed. A recess and/or undercut (8) is formed underneath the spherical end (7) in the supporting element (6). The actuating lever (1) has, in the supporting section (3), a spherical upper surface (4) above the spherical cap-shaped cavity (5). A securing element (9) joins the actuating lever (1) and the supporting element (6) to one another. This securing element (9) has a U-shaped cross-sectional shape with an upper and a lower limb (10, 11) that are joined to one another via a joining section (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Inventors: Manfred Günthner, Martin Jäkel, Stephen Ernstberger, Franz-Holger Woitowitz
  • Patent number: 8434437
    Abstract: A valve drive system (1) having a support element (2) and a switchable cam follower (3) that is linked on this support element in an articulated way is provided. The cam follower (3) is made from an outer lever (4) between whose arms (5) runs an inner lever (6), wherein at least the outer lever (4) is provided on its top side (7) with a contact surface (8) for a lifting cam, n the inner lever (6) has, on a bottom side (9) on a first end (10), a contact (11) for a gas-exchange valve and at least on the other end (12) two side walls (13) that are spaced apart and in which extend opposing boreholes (14). The side walls (13) are bridged by a tubular axle piece (15) that sits in the boreholes (14) and in whose opening (16) run two diametrically opposed coupling pistons (17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Stefan Gemein, Lucia Hinkovska, Arne Manteufel
  • Patent number: 8434451
    Abstract: An engine brake unit, may include a rocker shaft having an oil passage to open or close an exhaust valve when an engine braking is in operation, an exhaust rocker arm rotatable about the rocker shaft inserted into the exhaust rocker arm, wherein the exhaust rocker arm includes a supply oil passage communicating with the oil passage and the outside, and a recess connected to the supply oil passage and having an open lower portion, an actuator disposed in the recess of the exhaust rocker arm, wherein the actuator includes a piston that selectively moves downwards through the open lower portion of the recess by oil supplied from the supply oil passage to press the exhaust rocker arm while oil pressure in the oil passage has a predetermined pressure or more, and an oil control valve connected to the oil passage of the rocker shaft and controlling the oil pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Seock Joong Yoon, Kyung Mo Kim
  • Patent number: 8418667
    Abstract: A valve train of an internal combustion engine with a camshaft (1) that has a carrier shaft (2) and a cam part (3) that is locked on rotation on the carrier shaft and is arranged displaceable in the axial direction and has at least one cam group (4a to 4c, 5a to 5c) of different elevations for variable actuation of a gas-exchange valve and a groove-shaped axial connecting link (10) with two connecting-link paths (11, 12) crossing its periphery, and with two actuation pins (13, 14) that can be coupled in the connecting-link paths for displacement of the cam part in the direction of the two connecting-link paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Andreas Nendel
  • Patent number: 8418666
    Abstract: A camshaft assembly may include a monolithic camshaft body, a journal member and a thrust ring. The monolithic camshaft body may define lobes and journal regions along an axial extent thereof. The journal member may be separate from and fixed to an axial end of the camshaft body adjacent an end lobe of the camshaft body. The thrust ring may be axially secured to the camshaft assembly at the axial end of the camshaft body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Inventors: Dominique T. Lester, Rodney E. Baker, Alan W. Hayman
  • Patent number: 8413623
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine is equipped with a variable valve control system which is operable to selectively actuate an engine valve using one of two cams of a camshaft, by sliding a rocker arm in the axial direction of a rocker-arm shaft. The system is capable of restricting the axial-direction movement of the rocker arm within a predetermined range, using a simple structure without unduly increasing the number of component parts. Position-restriction portions are formed in a rocker arm, and abut on a trigger arm to restrict sliding movement of the rocker arm within a predetermined amount, when the trigger arm is disengaged from the rocker arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Takada, Katsuhiro Kubo, Yuichi Tawarada, Masahiro Nakashima, Hiroyuki Natsui
  • Patent number: 8393308
    Abstract: A switchable cam follower of a valve train of a combustion engine, which has an external lever that encompasses an internal lever. The levers are pivotably moveable relative to one another at a valve-side end. The cam follower has a stop for a gas exchange valve on an underside on the valve-side end and a complementary face on the other end for a support element. The cam follower has a start face on an upper side for at least one high-lift cam. In one receptacle of the internal lever a coupling element is seated, which is displaceable longitudinally and can be brought into engagement in sections in case of coupling with a driving surface of the external lever. Also, at least one torsion is clamped between the two levers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Bogyu Kang, Xiaopo Ma
  • Patent number: 8387575
    Abstract: In a variable valve apparatus, a second connector has a fifth side surface located below a fourth side surface and further away from a second side surface than is the fourth side surface, so that a width in a direction along a rocker shaft is narrower in a lower portion adjacent to an inlet valve than in an upper portion adjacent a slipper surface. A guide surface is provided in a lower portion of the fourth side surface and includes an arc that is shorter than a semicircle, and coaxial and equal in radius with an engaging hole. Thus, even when a connecting pin is advanced in a state of a through-hole and the engaging hole not being in precise alignment, the forward end of the connecting pin is guided through the guide surface into the engaging hole. An extended period can therefore be secured for advancing the connecting pin, to improve the certainty of connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toshihiko Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8375905
    Abstract: A valve train for an internal combustion engine includes a camshaft, a valve-operating cam for operating an engine valve, and a link mechanism for swinging the valve-operating cam. The valve train also includes a holder member operable to turn around the camshaft, and a drive mechanism operable to turn the holder member for varying positions of the link mechanism. The drive mechanism includes a ball screw provided perpendicularly to the camshaft, a slider threadably engaged with the ball screw, an arm member swingably attached to the slider, and a connecting bolt having one end secured to an arm-connecting portion of the arm member, and the other end secured to the holder member. In such movable valve train for an internal combustion engine, the holder member and the drive mechanism are connected to each other with a small and lightweight configuration, requiring a minimal number of parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Sato, Masaki Cho, Takahiro Imafuku, Natsue Ogawa
  • Patent number: 8360018
    Abstract: A V-type internal combustion engine having a variable valve train for keeping the height of the internal combustion engine low. Disclosed is a V-type internal combustion engine with a variable valve train that uses an actuator to vary the phase/lift amount of camshafts. The actuator is mounted on head covers for each of a plurality of cylinder blocks arranged in a V-shape. The actuator is attached to a lateral surface positioned opposite the offset direction of the head covers. In an embodiment, the actuator is attached to a lateral surface of the head covers and positioned close to the inside of the V banks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Sato, Masoki Cho, Takahiro Imafuku
  • Publication number: 20130000582
    Abstract: A deactivating rocker arm for use with a cam having at least one no-lift safety lobe is provided. Safety lobe contacting surfaces on the rocker arm are configured for contact with safety lobes during abnormal operation of the rocker arm. When the rocker arm is deactivated, the safety lobe contacting surfaces may come into contact with safety lobes when excessive pump-up of a lash adjuster brings the rocker arm undesirably close to the rotating cam. This contact limits the range of motion of the rocker arm during certain instances of abnormal operation, promoting more effective transition between deactivated and activated states and preventing damaging contact between the rocker arm and the cam lobe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kynan L. Church
  • Patent number: 8342145
    Abstract: A lifter retainer including a central body portion connected to both a left bank of lifter retaining arms and a right bank of lifter retaining arms. The lifter retainer may be adapted to engage a key portion of one or more lifters to prevent the lifters from rotating during engine operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventor: James R. Klotz
  • Patent number: 8342146
    Abstract: A camshaft assembly, particularly for use in an internal combustion engine, having a shaft base body and a plurality of cam parts. In order to be able to selectively shut down individual cylinders, cam parts are provided with cams which are arranged so as to be rotationally fixed and axially displaceable in relation to the shaft base body. Depending on a desired sequence of axially fixed and axially displaceable cam parts, it is proposed to arrange the axially displaceable cam parts on a longitudinally extending profile in an axially displaceable manner and to push the axially fixed cam parts—insofar as these are necesary—over or across the receiving area for the axially displaceable cam parts and to secure them to the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Neumayer Tekfor Holding GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Schuler, Renald Kuempel
  • Publication number: 20120291736
    Abstract: A cam follower for actuating a gas exchange valve of an internal combustion engine. The cam follower has a housing and a cam roller mounted in a recess of the housing for disengaging a cam of a camshaft. The cam roller is mounted radially on a bearing journal by a needle bearing that extends in the bearing bore thereof. The width of the needle bearing is significantly greater than the width of the cam roller in the region of the cam disengagement. The width of the needle bearing is also significantly greater than the width of the cam roller in the region of the bearing bore and significantly greater than the clear space between roller contact surfaces which delimit the recess and on which the cam roller runs axially with the end faces thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2010
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventor: Stephan Moeck
  • Patent number: 8312849
    Abstract: In a dual intake valve arrangement for an internal combustion engine, a variable valve lift system controls two intake valves for one or more engine cylinders. In each cylinder, one of the intake valves includes an associated two-step actuation device, and the other includes an associated valve deactivation device. To improve in-cylinder air flow turbulence, one valve may be operated in a high-lift or low-lift state while the other valve may be deactivated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard B. Roe, Jongmin Lee