Cam Engaged Patents (Class 123/90.44)
  • Patent number: 8312851
    Abstract: A switchable finger lever (1) for a valve train of an internal combustion engine is provided. The finger lever includes an inner lever (2) with a U-shaped cross-section having, on one end (3), outer arms (4) which are made separately from each other and are pivotable relative to the inner lever (2). The outer arms extend, while flanking outer walls (6) of the inner lever (2), in a direction of the other end (5), and have on upper sides (7), running surfaces (7a) for high-lift cams. A support (10) having integrally connected lateral guide tabs (11) for at least one gas exchange valve extend on an underside (8) of a crossbar (9) of the inner lever (2) in a vicinity of the one end (3). An insert (12) having a contact surface (13) for a head of a support element is installed on the another end (5) between side walls (14) of the inner lever (2), and has a coupling slide (15) for an optional connection of the outer arms (4) to the inner lever (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Robert Heinemann
  • Patent number: 8307797
    Abstract: In an internal combustion engine valve drive train shifting device including a camshaft having at least two shifting units arranged on the camshaft in spaced relationship, at least one coupling unit is provided interconnecting the at least two shifting units for shifting purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Jens Meintschel, Thomas Stolk, Alexander Von Gaisberg-Helfenberg
  • Publication number: 20120279465
    Abstract: In one form a rocker is disclosed coupled with a valve stem at one end and a cam follower at the other end. The rocker is operable to rotate about a fixed axis. In one form the cam follower includes a set of lower rollers operable to follow one cam lobe and an upper roller operable to follow another cam lobe. A leaf spring can be used to couple the cam follower with the rocker. A cam shaft can have a nested configuration including an inner shaft, an intermediate tube, and an outer tube. Cam lobes can be fastened to the cam shaft in one form by fastening through each of the inner shaft, intermediate tube, and outer tube, and in another form by attaching at least two devices inserted from either side of the cam shaft and that are not inserted at least through the inner shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2011
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Inventors: David M. Barnes, Adam C. Cecil
  • Patent number: 8291874
    Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting deviation of an engine and a continuously variable valve lift device including the same are provided. The apparatus for adjusting deviation of an engine includes an adjustment member connecting a rocker arm to plural output cams, respectively, to adjust lengths between the rocker arm and the output cams, respectively, so that the lengths become equal to or different from each other. The continuously variable valve lift device includes an eccentric cam shaft with eccentric cams installed on its outer periphery, a rocker arm rotatably installed on the eccentric cams to interlock with plural output cams, and apparatus for adjusting deviation provided on the rocker arm to adjust lengths between the rocker arm and the output cams so that the lengths become equal to or different from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Jei Choon Yang, Young Hong Kwak, Ki Uk Shin, Jin Kook Kong, Soo Hyung Woo, Jin Soon Kim, Ki Young Kwon
  • Publication number: 20120260874
    Abstract: The invention relates to a finger follower, or lever (1) of a valve train, for example of a piston-type internal combustion engine, with a lever body (2) having an end-sided base web (4), on which there is a spherical cap-shaped bearing cup (8) for an articulated mounting on a bearing pin of a housing-sided support element, said bearing pin terminating as a spherical cap; and on this base web is fastened a retaining clamp (9), engaging with an annular groove of the bearing pin, in order to secure the finger follower (1) on the support element in such a way that said finger follower can move to a limited extent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Stephan Moeck, Michael Kress
  • Publication number: 20120260875
    Abstract: A finger follower lever of a valve train, which has a lever body that is a pressed and punched component made of sheet metal and has a U-shaped cross-section with two largely parallel side walls. A roller rotatably mounted between the side walls on a pin. The pin is uniformly hardened and inserted at each end into a hole punched out of the side wall and is staked or caulked at the ends. To enable the holes to be punched out simultaneously in opposite directions of a relatively narrow lever body, at least one of the two side walls has, at least on the outside thereof, a flat recess in the region of the hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Stephan MOECK, Michael KRESS, Martin LAMBERT
  • Patent number: 8286600
    Abstract: A rocker arm may include a first arm defining a first longitudinal bore and a second arm defining a second longitudinal bore. The rocker arm may house a locking assembly including a first actuation pin extending through a first radial passage in the rocker arm, a second actuation pin extending through a second radial passage in the rocker arm, and a first lock pin located in the first longitudinal bore between the first and second actuation pins. An actuation assembly may be engaged with the first and second actuation pins and may be linearly displaceable between first and second actuation positions. The first and second arms may be rotatable relative to one another when the actuation assembly is in the first actuation position and may be fixed for rotation with one another when the actuation assembly is in the second actuation position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Inventors: William B. Riley, Robert Lionel Jacques, Alan Edgar Bowler, Kevin M. Luchansky
  • Patent number: 8286599
    Abstract: A rocker arm may include a first arm defining a first longitudinal bore and a second arm defining a second longitudinal bore. The rocker arm may house a locking assembly including a first lock pin located within the first longitudinal bore, an actuation pin extending through a radial passage in the rocker arm and engaged with the first lock pin, and a first biasing member engaged with the first lock pin and urging the first lock pin toward the actuation pin and biasing the actuation pin radially inward. An actuation assembly may be engaged with the actuation pin and linearly displaceable between first and second actuation positions. The first and second arms may be rotatable relative to one another when the actuation member is in the first actuation position and may be fixed for rotation with one another when the actuation member is in the second actuation position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Inventors: William B. Riley, Robert Lionel Jacques, Alan Edgar Bowler, Kevin M. Luchansky
  • Patent number: 8276556
    Abstract: A mechanism for compensating systematic uni-directional torque bias imposed on a bi-directional drive actuator shaft, comprising a pallet disposed on an arm for rotation with the actuator shaft. A bucket tappet is engaged by the pallet and contains a helical compression spring. As the actuator shaft rotates and compresses the spring, the load on the pallet increases linearly but the length of the lever arm changes non-linearly at a rate different from the force applied to the pallet. This results in a non-linear torque about the actuator shaft. The torque can be the same at the compression spring preload state as it is at the full load state or it can be biased to be unsymmetrical based on the layout and size of the components and the stroke of the actuator shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael B. Knauf, Jeffrey D. Rohe, Hermes A. Fernandez
  • Patent number: 8272359
    Abstract: A camshaft assembly may include a assembly and a shaft. The cam assembly may include a hollow structure with an interior surface and an exterior surface. A plurality of projections may be located on the exterior surface of the hollow structure. The interior surface of the cam assembly may define a recess axially aligned with at least one of the plurality of projections. At least one of the plurality of projections may define an undercut portion. The cam assembly may be coupled with the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Rodney K. Elnick, Glenn E. Clever, Shekhar G. Wakade
  • Patent number: 8267059
    Abstract: The invention proposes a switchable finger lever (1) comprising an inner lever (2) comprising on one end (4), a support (5) for a gas exchange valve and on another end (6), a contact surface (7) for a head of a support element, said inner lever (2) comprising on the one end (4), pivotable outer arms (8) made separately from each other, which outer arms (8) comprise on their upper sides (10), contacting surfaces (11) for high lift cams, a coupling device (12) comprising a coupling slide (13) for simultaneously connecting the outer arms (8) to the inner lever (2) being seated in a section of the another end (6) in the inner lever (2), which coupling slide (13) is seated in an oblong hole (14) extending transversely through the inner lever (2) as also in longitudinal direction of the finger lever (2), the coupling slide (13) comprises two end portions (15) which protrude beyond the outer walls (9),and for effecting coupling, the coupling slide (13) can be displaced with the two end portions (15) partially under
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Debora Manther, Jeffrey Shewell, Jeff Villemure
  • Patent number: 8261709
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an internal-combustion engine comprising at least one cylinder (10, 12, 14, 16) including intake means with an intake valve (22), exhaust means with an exhaust valve (32) and control means (40, 42) for controlling opening/closing of the valves, said control means comprising drive means (44) and means (56) intended for motion and load transmission between said control means and the valve to be controlled. According to the invention, motion and load transmission means (56) comprise a rocker arm (58) with at least two rockers (72, 74) disengageable from a pad (62) controlling the motion of said valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: IFP
    Inventors: Thierry Colliou, Stéphane Venturi, Yoann Viollet
  • Publication number: 20120222639
    Abstract: A valve train system for an internal combustion engine includes an exhaust valve moveable between an exhaust closed position and an exhaust open position. A camshaft includes a main exhaust lobe for moving the exhaust valve between the exhaust closed position and the exhaust open position for expelling exhaust constituents from the combustion chamber and an exhaust rebreath lobe for moving the exhaust valve between the exhaust closed position and the exhaust open position for allowing exhaust constituents into the combustion chamber. A two-step device is provided for transmitting motion from the camshaft to the exhaust valve and is switchable between a motion transmitting position and a motion preventing position such that the motion transmitting position allows motion to be transmitted from the exhaust rebreath lobe to the exhaust valve and the motion preventing position prevents motion from being transmitted from the exhaust rebreath lobe to the exhaust valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: MICHAEL B. KNAUF, MARK C. SELLNAU
  • Patent number: 8251032
    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 further comprising on the one end, axle stubs protruding on two sides of the inner lever, a first outer arm extending for pivoting relative to the inner lever on one of the axle stubs and a second outer arm extending for pivoting relative to the inner lever on another one of the axle stubs, said outer arms extending in direction of the another end while flanking outer walls of the inner lever and being made as separate parts from each other, a cam contacting surface being arranged on an upper side of each outer arm while, in the region of the another end, a coupling device for an optional connection of the outer arms to the inner lever is seated in the inner lever, and a restoring spring means for each outer arm acts at one end ag
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Debora Manther
  • Publication number: 20120210965
    Abstract: A valve train device installed in a cylinder head of an engine and driven by a camshaft including a valve unit having an intake valve and an exhaust valve communicated with a combustion chamber of an engine, each of the intake valve and exhaust valve having a linearly extending stem portion and driven in an extending direction of the stem portion; a valve lifter disposed between one end side of the stem portion located apart from the combustion chamber and the camshaft to transmit power from the camshaft to the valve unit; a lost motion unit that interrupts power transmission from the valve lifter to the valve unit; a first spring urging the valve unit in a direction to close the intake valve or exhaust valve; and a second spring having a diameter lager than that of the first spring and urging the lost motion unit against the valve lifter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Keisuke ITO
  • Patent number: 8245680
    Abstract: An engine assembly may include an engine structure supporting a camshaft and a valve lift mechanism. The camshaft may include a cam lobe and may define a longitudinally extending rotational axis. The valve lift mechanism may define a longitudinally extending cam engagement surface and a first side wall. The cam engagement surface may be engaged with the cam lobe at a first location. The first side wall may be fixed to the cam engagement surface and may include first and second portions. The first portion may extend from the cam engagement surface. The second portion may extend continuously inward from an end of the first portion. The inward extent of the second portion may be greater than or equal to a first height at the first location defined from the cam engagement surface to the end of the first portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Inventor: Hong Wai Nguyen
  • Patent number: 8240284
    Abstract: A rocker arm includes a roller rotatably mounted between two sidewalls thereof. The roller is pressed by a cam. The rocker arm also includes two washers that reduce a wobbling motion of the roller with respect to the cam. The washers guiding mechanism the rocking movement of the rocker arm in the up-and-down direction, thereby reducing wobbling motion of the rocker arm when an engine runs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Otics Corporation
    Inventors: Masahide Sakurai, Naoki Hiramatsu
  • Patent number: 8235019
    Abstract: A camshaft assembly may include a first shaft, a second shaft, a first lobe and a second lobe. The second shaft may be coaxial with and rotatable relative to the first shaft. The first lobe may be fixed for rotation with the first shaft and adapted to open a first valve in communication with an engine combustion chamber. The first lobe may define a first valve opening region having a first angular extent. The second lobe may be fixed for rotation with the second shaft and adapted to open a second valve in communication with the engine combustion chamber. The second lobe may define a second valve opening region having a second angular extent greater than the first angular extent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Inventor: Richard Stephen Davis
  • Patent number: 8230833
    Abstract: A valve train for an internal combustion engine for actuating gas exchange valves includes a camshaft in the form of a camshaft tube driven by a crankshaft of the internal combustion engine. A selector shaft is disposed in the camshaft tube. A surface of the selector shaft includes a shifting contour having an axial gradient. At least one cam carrier is disposed on the camshaft and axially displaceable but rotationally fixed with respect to the camshaft. Each cam carrier includes an identical base-circle portion and a plurality of cam profiles. A rotationally fixed but axially displaceable shifting sleeve is disposed between the camshaft tube and the rotatable selector shaft of each cam carrier. Each shifting sleeve includes a hole. A shilling ball is disposed in the hole of each shifting sleeve. The shifting ball is coupled with the shifting contour of the selector shaft so as to be guided by the selector shaft so as to axially displace the shifting sleeve by rotation of the selector shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: IAV GmbH Ingenieurgesellschaft Auto und Verkehr
    Inventors: Andreas Werler, Thomas Arnold
  • Patent number: 8225756
    Abstract: Disclosed is an adjusting mechanism for rotating the adjusting shaft of a variable valve control device for combustion engines, in which the crank of a crank-rocker mechanism or slider-crank mechanism is mounted on the camshaft and in which the rocker of the crank-rocker mechanism or the slider of the slider-crank mechanism can entrain the adjusting shaft in the desired direction of rotation by means of switchable freewheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: ThyssenKrupp Presta TecCenter AG
    Inventors: Helmut Schoen, Peter Kuhn, Gordon Koehne, Patric Hoecker
  • Patent number: 8225764
    Abstract: A cam carrier assembly may include at least a cam carrier mounted on a cylinder head and including a support, an actuator shaft, a portion of which is mounted in the support and rotatable to control a valve life, and a cap mounted on the cylinder head and coupled to the at least a cam carrier to rotatably support the portion of the actuator shaft and surrounding and rotatably supporting the other portion of the actuator shaft, which is not surrounded by the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Seok Jun Yoon, Seung Woo Go
  • Patent number: 8225761
    Abstract: A valve gear for an internal combustion engine having a sub-rocker arm return spring that is shortened in a longitudinal length of a cylinder. The valve gear for the internal combustion engine is provided with a camshaft, an intake cam turning integrally with the camshaft, a valve cam for opening and closing an engine valve, a link mechanism for transmitting a valve driving force to the valve cam, a holder for supporting a sub-rocker arm support and a driving mechanism for varying a fulcrum position of the link mechanism. A valve operating characteristic can be varied with an oscillating position of the sub-rocker arm support. A sub-rocker arm is provided with a roller, an eccentrically disposed step and a link section. The step is provided with a spring socket, and a return spring is arranged intervening between the spring socket and the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaki Cho, Toshiyuki Sato, Takahiro Imafuku
  • Patent number: 8225760
    Abstract: A valve motion for an internal combustion engine which suppresses the height of the internal combustion engine low. In a valve motion for an internal combustion engine, a driving mechanism includes a ball screw disposed over an intake side camshaft and an exhaust side camshaft and having threaded portions provided thereon which are threaded in different directions from each other on the intake side and the exhaust side. Sliders are individually provided on the intake side and exhaust side and movable on the ball screw with connecting link members provided between the sliders and a holder member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Sato, Masaki Cho, Takahiro Imafuku
  • Patent number: 8220429
    Abstract: A single-cylinder, four-stroke cycle, internal combustion engine arranged in an overhead valve configuration includes a first valve train and a second valve train. The first valve train includes a first cam on a camshaft, a first pushrod driven by the first cam, a first rocker arm attached to the first pushrod, and an exhaust valve driven by the first rocker arm. The second valve train includes a second cam on the camshaft, a second pushrod driven by the second cam, a second rocker arm attached to the second pushrod, and an intake valve driven by the second rocker arm. The first rocker arm is longer than the second rocker arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
    Inventor: John R. Schneiker
  • Patent number: 8215275
    Abstract: A deactivating rocker arm for use with a cam having at least one no-lift safety lobe is provided. Safety lobe contacting surfaces on the rocker arm are configured for contact with safety lobes during abnormal operation of the rocker arm. When the rocker arm is deactivated, the safety lobe contacting surfaces may come into contact with safety lobes when excessive pump-up of a lash adjuster brings the rocker arm undesirably close to the rotating cam. This contact limits the range of motion of the rocker arm during certain instances of abnormal operation, promoting more effective transition between deactivated and activated states and preventing damaging contact between the rocker arm and the cam lobe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Kynan L. Church
  • Patent number: 8205588
    Abstract: In an internal combustion engine, a variable valve-actuating mechanism includes a trigger pin operable to permit axial movement of a rocker arm concurrently with a axial movement of a rocker arm shaft. A retention member has an insertion aperture formed therein, in which the trigger pin is inserted, and which slidably supports the trigger pin in the inserting direction. The trigger pin includes upper and lower expanded portions disposed on both sides thereof in the inserting direction. The upper and lower expanded portions of the trigger pin are operable to disable sliding motion of the trigger pin, relative to the retention member, beyond a predetermined range. The upper and lower expanded portions allow the trigger pin to be integrally assembled in the insertion aperture of the retention member, so as to be selectively retained therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Nakashima, Katsuhiro Kubo, Yoshihiro Takada, Takuya Warashina, Kazuyuki Kosei
  • Patent number: 8201527
    Abstract: An auxiliary-device arrangement for a cylinder-deactivation multi-cylinder internal combustion engine includes an auxiliary-device driving member and an auxiliary device. The cylinder-deactivation multi-cylinder internal combustion engine is capable of deactivating at least one deactivated cylinder by keeping an intake valve and an exhaust valve closed while at least one operating cylinder is operating. The auxiliary-device driving member is provided adjacent to an operating cam of a valve operating cam shaft which is provided in the at least one operating cylinder. The auxiliary device has an operating member via which the auxiliary device contacts the auxiliary-device driving member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoki Yokoyama, Masahiro Nakajima
  • Patent number: 8191522
    Abstract: In an internal combustion engine using poppet type valves, a center pivot rocker arm is moved through a specific path wherein the roller in contact with a cam is moved to alter the phasing of the valves or injectors in the engine. Depending on the interface between the valve or injector and the rocker arm, the rocker ratio of the rocker arm may be altered, giving a change in lift as well. By positioning a control arm at desired points on either side of a centered position, and rotating the control arm about its own pivot point via an arm actuator, phase change is achieved. The arm actuator controls the location of the control arm and thus the timing of the valve or injector relative to the rotation of the cam. Advanced, centered, and retarded phase change is possible depending upon the movement of the control arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Inventor: Michael B. Riley
  • Patent number: 8161930
    Abstract: A camshaft (1) is provided for a stroke-variable valve drive of an internal combustion engine with a carrier shaft (2) and a cam part (3) that is arranged locked in rotation and movable in the axial direction on the carrier shaft and that is assembled from a cam carrier (4) and a sleeve (5). The cam carrier has a cam group (7, 8) of directly adjacent cams (9, 10, 11, 12) with different cam strokes and an adapter end (6) on which the sleeve is mounted. The sleeve has a setting groove (17) in the form of a groove that extends across an extent of the sleeve and that is used for the specification of an axial setting groove track for an activation pin (18) moving the cam part on the carrier shaft. The setting groove is produced in the sleeve through non-metal-cutting shaping of sheet-metal material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Schaffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Harald Elendt, Andreas Nendel
  • Patent number: 8156909
    Abstract: An end pivot valve train is provided in a cylinder head to open and close a cylinder valve. The end pivot valve train includes a cam follower forcing the cylinder valve, and a cam holder assembled onto an upper portion of the cylinder head and includes a receiving groove to receive the cam follower therein, wherein the cam holder has a protrusion configured and dimensioned to interfere with an upper surface of the cam follower when the cam follower rotates such that a longitudinal edge thereof moves up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Jong Sul Seo
  • Patent number: 8156908
    Abstract: An engine of the present invention comprises a valve body configured to open and close ports and formed in a cylinder head, a drive cam mechanism operable in association with a crankshaft by a driving power transmission mechanism, a pivot cam mechanism which is configured to be pivoted according to movement of the drive cam mechanism to cause the valve body to open and close and is configured to change a pivot state to change a lift characteristic of the valve; and a servo motor configured to change the pivot state of the pivot cam mechanism, wherein the servo motor is positioned at one end portion of the pivot cam mechanism such that the servo motor is distant from the driving power transmission mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toru Nishida, Kazuki Nagasawa, Yoshio Watanabe, Yoji Fukami, Toshiyuki Yanamoto
  • Patent number: 8146552
    Abstract: A coupling device (1) of a switchable cam follower (2), in which a borehole (9) extends above a contact (8) for a support element in an outer lever (3) of the cam follower (2), and this borehole has a first section (10) of large diameter that starts from an outer side (11) of a crosspiece (6) on the other end (7) to which connects to a second section (12) of accordingly smaller diameter up to directly before an inner side (13) of the crosspiece (6). A smooth cylindrical coupling slide (14) is guided in a sealing manner through the second section (12), and this coupling slide projects with a sub-region (15) into the first section (10). This sub-region (15) is encompassed by a compression spring (16) that acts, on one end, against an annular end (17) formed between the sections (10, 12) and, on the other end, against a catch element (19) arranged on the lateral surface (18) of the sub-region (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Joachim Seitz, Joachim Krause, Jens Lang
  • Patent number: 8146548
    Abstract: A continuously variable valve lift device may include a vibration link having one end eccentrically and rotatably coupled to a rotation shaft, a rocker arm having a middle portion pivotally coupled to the other end of the vibration link, an advance lever having one end coupled to the one end of the rocker arm to select advance or delay, a swivel cam link having one end pivotally coupled to the other end of the rocker arm, and a swivel cam, one end of which is pivotally coupled to the other end of the swivel cam link and the other end of which is pivotally coupled to a stationary shaft to open and close a valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Jei Choon Yang, Eun Ho Lee, Young Hong Kwak, Ki Young Kwon, Jin Kook Kong, Soo Hyung Woo, Jin Soon Kim, Kyoung Joon Chang
  • Patent number: 8141530
    Abstract: A rocker arm configured to be supported by a support portion of an internal-combustion engine and to be driven in a swinging manner by a cam. The rocker arm includes a rocker arm body including a cam follower having a first slide-contact surface, wherein the first slide-contact surface is in sliding contact with the cam, a fulcrum portion including a second slide-contact surface, wherein the second slide-contact surface swingably is in sliding contact with respect to the support portion, and a lubricant discharging portion for biasing a lubricant supplied from the fulcrum portion in a direction toward the first slide-contact surface and discharging the lubricant. The fulcrum portion penetrates the rocker arm and is fastened to the rocker arm body. The fulcrum portion has a through hole supplying the lubricant to the lubricant discharging portion through the rocker arm body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Otics Corporation
    Inventor: Shizuo Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 8132551
    Abstract: A switchable cam follower of a valve train assembly of an internal combustion engine is proposed, with an external lever that encloses an internal lever with its arms, of which components, that can deviate from each other flexibly, run on an axis that is attached to a valve side end, and the internal lever on an underside on the valve side end possesses a mechanism for a gas exchange valve as well as a complementary surface at the other end for storage on a head of a support element. A special characteristic is that guidance plates for the gas exchange valve come out from the underside of the external lever. That way, the switchable cam follower can be made narrower at least on the valve side. In addition, development of the mechanism for the gas exchange valve on the internal lever is simplified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventor: Debora Manther
  • Patent number: 8127727
    Abstract: A mechanism for actuating a poppet valve (28) of an internal combustion engine, comprises two coaxially mounted cams (12,14), cam followers (18,20) in contact with the respective cams (12,14) mounted on a common summation lever (16) which is movable in proportion to the instantaneous sum of the lifts of the two cams (12,14), and a rocker (24) pivotably connected to the summation lever (16) and serving to open the engine valve (28). The rocker is pivotable about a pivot (126) having a fixed preset position and a control spring (134) is provided between the summation lever (16) and a fixed point on the engine to urge the rocker (24) into contact with the tip of the valve (28) and the pivot (126) while the valve is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Mechadyne, PLC
    Inventors: Ian Methley, Nicholas Lawrence
  • Patent number: 8127726
    Abstract: A variable valve lift apparatus includes a camshaft with a first cam lobe and a second cam lobe, a cam follower with a first follower contacting the first cam lobe and a second follower contacting the second cam lobe, a connection rotatably connecting the first follower to the second follower, a main body supporting the first follower and the second follower, a connector selectively connecting the first follower and the second follower to the main body, a lost motion elastic member provided on the main body for supplying restoring force to the first follower and the second follower, and a valve configured to be opened and closed by the cam follower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Comapny, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Back Sik Kim, Ingee Suh, Dong Hee Han, Woo Tae Kim, Hyung Ick Kim, Dae Sung Kim, Kyoung Pyo Ha
  • Patent number: 8122862
    Abstract: A method of purging air from an oil passage in communication with a lifter assembly in an engine assembly may include isolating the oil passage from a pressurized oil source while the lifter assembly is engaged with a base region of a cam lobe to operate the first lifter assembly in the activated mode. The pressurized oil may be provided to the lifter assembly via the oil passage after the isolating when the lifter assembly is engaged with a lift region of the cam lobe. The lifter assembly may be maintained in the activated mode after the providing. Air may be purged from the oil passage based on the pressurized oil provided to the oil passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Inventors: James B. Hicks, William C. Albertson, Mark Stabinsky, Mike M. McDonald
  • Patent number: 8113163
    Abstract: A camshaft may include a first shaft, a stop member, and a first lobe member. The first shaft may include an outer radial surface having a first recess extending radially therein. The stop member may be axially fixed within the first recess. The first lobe member may define an inner bore located on the outer radial surface of the first shaft. The first lobe member may include a second recess extending radially into the inner bore. The stop member may extend into the second recess to axially locate the first lobe member on the first shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Inventors: Glenn E. Clever, Roy Glenn Kaywood
  • Publication number: 20120024248
    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: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Frank HIMSEL, Jochen OTT, Dirk RICHTER, Junichi ICHIKAWA
  • Patent number: 8096275
    Abstract: A camshaft assembly may include a first shaft adapted to be rotationally driven, a first lobe member fixed for rotation with the first shaft, and a torsional damper fixed to the first shaft. The torsional damper may include a mass structure fixed to the first shaft and an elastic member disposed between and coupling the mass structure and the first shaft. The elastic member may have a spring constant providing a first sideband natural frequency and a second sideband natural frequency for the camshaft assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Inventors: Craig D. Marriott, Hong Wai Nguyen, Ronald Jay Pierik
  • Patent number: 8091525
    Abstract: A rocker arm supported by a support portion of an engine and to be driven by a cam includes a sheet-metal rocker arm body manufactured by plastic working and including a cam follower, a fulcrum portion manufactured by cutting and including a through hole supplying lubricant, and a lubricant discharging hole. The cam follower includes a first slide-contact surface being in sliding contact with the cam. The lubricant discharging hole is defined by an outer surface of the fulcrum portion and an outer surface of the sheet-metal rocker arm body and in communication with the through hole. The lubricant discharging hole biases the lubricant supplied from the through hole in a direction toward the first slide-contact surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignees: Otics Corporation, Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shizuo Ishikawa, Morihiro Yamamoto, Akira Yoshihara, Kenta Kotsuji
  • Patent number: 8091522
    Abstract: To provide a variable valve driving device which can accurately control the lift amount of valves and can be manufactured at a low cost. The device has: valves (10) serving as intake valves or exhaust valves of an engine; springs (11) for biasing the valves (10) in the valve closing direction; a cam (12) for pressing the valves (10) in the valve opening direction against a biasing force of the springs; a piston (19) joined to the valves (10); a control chamber (21) configured by a piston insertion hole (20) into which the piston (19) is inserted; and a control mechanism (24) for changing the valve closing timing of the valves (10) by controlling the introduction and discharge of a working fluid into and from the control chamber (21).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Isuzu Motors Limited
    Inventors: Akihiko Minato, Terukazu Nishimura, Takeshi Tokumaru, Tsuneo Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8079337
    Abstract: A variable valve lift apparatus may include an inner body of which an end is pivotally connected to an anchor, an outer body of which an end is pivotally connected to the anchor, a roller finger follower of which an end is pivotally connected to a hydraulic lash adjuster, wherein a portion of the roller finger follower is pivotally connected to the outer body, a valve disposed to the other end of the roller finger follower, and a connecting unit selectively connecting the inner body and the outer body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Back Sik Kim, Ingee Suh, Dong Hee Han, Hyung Ick Kim, Myungsik Choi, Dae Sung Kim, Kyoung Pyo Ha
  • Patent number: 8079336
    Abstract: A multi-cylinder barrel internal combustion engine includes a valve actuation mechanism having generally L-shaped rockers for actuating valves in the engine. The rockers are arranged in pairs each pivotally coupled to a common rocker support. The pair of rockers actuate respective valves of an adjacent pair of cylinders in the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Thomas Engine Company, LLC
    Inventor: Anton Polt
  • Patent number: 8079333
    Abstract: A slide type continuous variable valve lift (CVVL) device includes a swing arm rotating to press a valve; a cam lobe; a roller transmitting a driving force of the cam lobe to the swing arm; and a guide guiding the roller to move along a predetermined path. The CVVL device generally can minimize the number of places where sliding friction between respective parts may occur to minimize power loss and enable more precise operation control, reduce the number of parts to enhance the overall robustness of the device, and advance the time of maximum valve opening to improve the fuel efficiency of an engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Byoung Young Choi, Dong Heon Park, Sang Hyun Bang
  • Patent number: 8079334
    Abstract: A continuously variable valve actuation (CVVA) system may include a driving cam rotated by a driving force transmitted from a crankshaft, and a driven cam pressed by the driving cam to be rotated around a first end thereof serving as a rotational axle of the driven cam, wherein the driven cam has a cam face at a second end thereof so as to press and open a valve when rotated, and wherein a vertical distance between the rotational axis of the first end of the driven cam and a rotational axis of the driving cam is configured to be adjusted by moving a position of the rotational axis of the first end of the driven cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Byung Ok Park
  • Patent number: 8074615
    Abstract: A variable valve control apparatus includes an oscillating arm and a pivot lever pivotably mounted to each other via a swivel joint. A first roller, which is rotatably mounted on an arm of the pivot lever engages with the camming surface of a cam, while a second roller which is rotatably mounted on another arm of the pivot lever makes contact with a contact surface of an arcuate sliding block disposed within a housing of the valve control apparatus. The contact surface of the sliding block includes a first region which has an arcuate contour, and a radius that is centered on a pivot axis of the swivel joint when the valve is in the closed position, as well as a second region which adjoins the first region and has a curved spur that extends inwardly toward the swivel joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Thyssenkrupp Presta TecCenter AG
    Inventor: Herbert Naumann
  • Patent number: 8061315
    Abstract: A variable valve actuating apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes: a control shaft rotatably supported through a bearing to a body of the engine, and arranged to rotate about a center axis to control an operating state of an engine valve, the control shaft including; a control cam having a center which is off the center axis of the control shaft in a first direction; and a journal portion rotatably supported by the bearing, the journal portion having a center axis which is off the center axis of the control shaft in a second direction different from the first direction of the control cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Nakamura, Seinosuke Hara, Seiji Tsuruta, Mikihiro Kajiura
  • Patent number: 8061314
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine valve mechanism including a rocker arm, which includes a bearing section and a rocker roller, and an HLA. The HLA has a pivot, which is to be inserted into the bearing section, and supports one end of the rocker arm. The pivot has a spherically curved surface, whereas the bearing section has a shell-shaped dent. A swing arm rotates in synchronism with camshaft rotation and gives roller pressure force to the rocker roller. The direction in which the swing arm presses the rocker roller shifts toward the HLA when the lift of a valve disc increases. An osculating circle is inclined by inclining the axis of the bearing section at an angle of ?° relative to the axis of the HLA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shuichi Ezaki