Cam Engaged Patents (Class 123/90.44)
  • Patent number: 7882814
    Abstract: A roller finger follower assembly for variably activating a valve in an internal combustion engine includes at least one vertical recessed channel formed inside an outer arm and a shaft. The channel includes a machined upper surface closing the channel. The shaft engages with the recessed channel, the shaft reciprocates within the recessed channel, and the upper surface stops an upward movement of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark J. Spath, Nick J. Hendriksma, Michael E. McCarroll
  • Patent number: 7882815
    Abstract: A hydraulic cam follower for simultaneous actuation of several equal-acting gas-exchange valves, especially for a tappet pushrod valve train of an engine, includes an outer part, whose base forms a cam contacting surface, and from whose head hollow-cylindrical guides extend in the same number as the valves in a direction towards the base. A housing of a hydraulic play compensation element is provided in each guide and sits with its bottom side on an inside of the bottom of the outer part. A concentric pressure piston is guided in a borehole starting from a head end of each housing so it can move axially. A non-return valve is located at a bottom-side base of the piston and a high-pressure space is formed axially between the base and the bottom side of the housing. A reservoir for hydraulic medium is formed between the base and a head end of the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Florin Bugescu, Richard Best
  • Patent number: 7878167
    Abstract: An engine with intake and exhaust valves that may be controlled with a circular cam lobe is provided. The rotating axis of the circular cam lobe is offset from the physical center of the cam lobe. This permits the cam lobe to impart a reciprocal opening and closing of the valve. To maintain the valve in the closed position, the interconnection between the cam lobe and the valve 12 may have a spring which is compressed to allow the valve to remain closed for a set duration of time while the cam lobe continues to rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Inventor: Julian A. Decuir, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7878163
    Abstract: A variable valve lift apparatus includes an end lever; a variable lift body connected to the end lever, and rotatable around the end lever, a valve mounted on the variable lift body; and a low lift cam operable to open and close the valve. The variable lift body includes a high lift body, and a low lift body rotatable around the high lift body. A low lift connecting portion selectively connects the low lift body and the high lift body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Hyung Ick Kim, Wootae Kim, Ingee Suh, Dong Hee Han, Back Sik Kim, Dae Sung Kim
  • Patent number: 7878169
    Abstract: A roller pin for carrying a cam roller in a tappet assembly is provided. The roller pin providing reduced run in time and reduced peak and localized contact pressure between the cam roller and roller pin. The roller pin comprises a substantially cylindrical shaft having a length, a first end and a second end. The length extends from the first end to the second end. The shaft includes a plurality of grooves axially spaced apart and extending in a direction being transverse to the length. The plurality of grooves located proximate the first and second ends and extending only partially the circumference of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Woodward Governor Company
    Inventor: Barry T. Brinks
  • Patent number: 7866293
    Abstract: An engine assembly may include an engine structure and a camshaft supported on the engine structure. The camshaft may include a first shaft, a first lobe member fixed to the first shaft and including a bore and first and second lobe portions that are axially spaced from one another and fixed to one another. The bore may include a first radial inner surface at the first lobe portion and a second radial inner surface at the second lobe portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Glenn E. Clever, Roy Glenn Kaywood
  • Patent number: 7861681
    Abstract: A switchable valve train for gas-exchange valves of internal combustion engines with a rocker arm device (1), in which a rocking motion about a rocker arm axis (3) can be introduced by at least one cam (2a, 2b), one tappet, or the like, wherein this rocking motion can be transmitted to at least one valve (4). The rocker arm device (1) is formed from at least one cam lever part (5) in working connection with the cam (2) and a valve lever part (6) in working connection with the valve (4), which are supported so that they can rock about the rocker arm axis (3). A coupling device is constructed between the cam lever part (5) and the valve lever part (6), in order to selectively engage and disengage the transmission of the rocking motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Debra Manther, Lucian Botez, Florin Bugescu, Richard Best
  • Patent number: 7861680
    Abstract: A multiple-cylinder internal combustion engine having a camshaft-driven valvetrain with a camshaft disposed within an engine block includes at least two intake and/or exhaust valves with multiple valves operated by a common lifter and pushrod that engages a follower having multiple independent lash adjusters coupled to associated rocker arms. The lifter contacts the common camshaft lobe and a corresponding pushrod that engages a reciprocating bucket follower with a compliant coupling to corresponding rocker arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Matthew Byrne Diggs
  • Patent number: 7861682
    Abstract: Systems and methods for managing camshaft dynamic loads associated with actuation of a camshaft-driven auxiliary device in a multiple-cylinder internal combustion engine apply positive and negative torque to the camshaft in a phased relationship relative to actuation of the auxiliary device and optionally relative to actuation of intake or exhaust valves operated by the camshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Alvin Henry Berger
  • Publication number: 20100319642
    Abstract: A roller follower includes a roller ring, a shaft and a plurality of rollers. At least one of the roller ring, the shaft and the rollers is a steel member made of steel containing 0.7 to 2.4% carbon and 10.0 to 20.0% chromium, with remainder iron and impurities. In addition, carbide containing at least any one of iron and chromium as well as carbon and having an area of 12.6 ?m2 or greater is generated at an area ratio of 5.0% or higher, at a rolling contact surface of the steel member (a roller ring rolling contact surface, a shaft rolling contact surface and a roller rolling contact surface).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2009
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takumi Fujita, Kousuke Obayashi
  • Patent number: 7849826
    Abstract: A valve system includes a first valve provided on an intake or exhaust port; a second valve provided on another intake or exhaust port; a first cam unit on a camshaft, defining first and second lobe heights; and a second cam unit on the camshaft, defining a third lobe height. The first cam unit moves the first valve by a distance of either the first or the second lobe height, and the second cam unit moves the second valve by a distance of the third lobe height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Yoonho Cho
  • Patent number: 7845326
    Abstract: A variable valve lift apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes an inner body contacting an input cam, an outer body connected with a valve, a lost motion spring disposed between the inner body and the outer body for supplying restoring force to the inner body, a return pin assembly supplying connecting force to the inner body and the outer body, and an operating portion selectively disconnecting the inner body from the outer body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Chung Han Oh
  • Publication number: 20100300390
    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: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Inventor: Debora Manther
  • Patent number: 7836861
    Abstract: A variable valve mechanism for an internal combustion engine includes a rocker arm, a swing cam, and a transmission member which is interposed between the swing cam and a cam and transmits the displacement of the cam to the swing cam. The rocker arm is provided with a rolling roller member which includes a inner ring, an outer ring, and a plurality of rolling elements accommodated between the inner ring and the outer ring. The outer ring contacts with the swing cam. At least one of a first transmission part, in which the displacement of the cam is transmitted from the cam to the transmission member, and a second transmission part, in which the displacement of the cam is transmitted from the transmission member to the swing cam, includes a sliding roller member, wherein a sliding bearing mechanism is constituted between the sliding roller member and the support part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mikio Tanabe, Hideo Nakai, Satoshi Yoshikawa
  • Patent number: 7827951
    Abstract: In a gas exchange valve operating apparatus with at least one overhead camshaft for actuating the gas exchange valves, with a hydraulic medium supply passage extending through the camshaft and with at least one hydraulic switchable support unit cooperating with a lever-like cam follower which is disposed on a switchable support unit and on a gas exchange valve and is furthermore in contact with the overhead camshaft, the support unit is disposed in communication with at least one pressure medium supplied via the hydraulic medium supply passage of the camshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Hans Kofler, Robert Niklas, Christoph Reckzügel
  • Patent number: 7827946
    Abstract: An upper surface of a head part of a valve lifter has a predetermined turn back portion at which, with a variable valve control device kept controlled to induce a maximum lift of an engine valve, a swing stroke of a rounded cam surface of a swing cam relative to the upper surface of the head part changes a traveling direction from a radially outward direction for opening the engine valve to a radially inward direction for closing the engine valve. An inlet end part of an oil hole formed in the head part is placed at a radially inside position of the upper surface other than a position where side edges of the rounded cam surface of the swing cam are in contact with the inlet end part of the oil hole when the rounded cam surface is placed in the vicinity of the turn back portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinichi Ishii, Akira Hidaka, Keisuke Takeda
  • Patent number: 7819100
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine is equipped with a variable actuation system for the intake valves, including a chamber of fluid under pressure interposed between the intake valve and the respective controlling cam, and a solenoid valve whose opening causes the pressure chamber to discharge such as to determine the rapid closure of the valve by effect of the respective biasing spring means, even when the respective cam would tend to keep the valve open. The variable valve operation system is used in combination with the use of cams controlling the intake valves shaped in such a manner as to give rise to an intake valve lift profile including a boot portion at substantially constant lift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: C.R.F. Societa Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Gianluca Canino, Luca Gentile, Laura Gianolio, Maria Grazia Lisbona, Francesco Vattaneo
  • Patent number: 7819102
    Abstract: A lost motion spring is disposed to contact at one end an oscillating member interposed between a cam and a valve for synchronizing the oscillating of the valve with the rotation of the cam. The lost motion spring impels the oscillating member toward the cam. A spring support shaft is provided for supporting a second portion of the lost motion spring. A spring position adjustment mechanism is provided for adjusting the mounting position of the lost motion spring relative to the spring support shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Maehara, Shuichi Ezaki
  • Patent number: 7814875
    Abstract: A device for adjusting the valve lift (1) of the valves of a combustion engine comprising a lever (3) being driven by a camshaft (4), pushed against the cam-shaft (4) by a spring, which cooperates with at least one valve engagement means and is positioned by a positioning means (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Entec Consulting GmbH
    Inventors: Rudolf Flierl, Mark Andy Mohr, Daniel Gollasch
  • Patent number: 7802549
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a camshaft (1) which comprises an inner shaft (5) which is arranged coaxially in the outer shaft (6). Here, the outer shaft (6) is formed as a round cylindrical tube with a constant inner diameter (d) throughout, that is to say with a stepless inner lateral surface (9). Here, it is essential to the invention that the inner shaft (5) is secured directly against the stepless inner lateral surface (9) of the outer shaft (6) by means of at least one securing device (10) which is arranged axially at the end side of the inner shaft (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Mahle International GmbH
    Inventor: Falk Schneider
  • Publication number: 20100236507
    Abstract: Proposed is a switchable cam follower (1) of a valve train of a combustion engine, having an external lever (2) which is encompassing an internal lever (4) between its arms (3), which levers (2, 4) are pivotably moveable relative to one another on an axis (6) that is applied to a valve-side end (5), wherein the cam follower (1) has a stop (8) for a gas exchange valve on an underside (7) on the valve-side end (5) and on the other end (9) has a complementary face (10) for a support element, wherein the cam follower (1) has a start face (12) on an upperside (11) for at least one high-lift cam, wherein in one receptacle (13) of the internal lever (4) a coupling means (14) is seated, which is displaceable in the longitudinal direction and which can be brought into engagement in sections in case of coupling (high lift) with a driving surface (15) of the external lever (2) and wherein at least one torsion spring (16) as a lost-motion spring is clamped between the two levers (2, 4), which torsion spring is seated on
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES GMBH & CO., KG
    Inventors: Bogyu KANG, Xiaopo MA
  • Patent number: 7798114
    Abstract: The valve train assembly with magnet uses the magnet to collect ferrous metal particles that are in the oil prior to their arrival at the high pressure cavity of the hydraulic lash adjuster. The magnet can be positioned in the low pressure cavity of the hydraulic lash adjuster, in the bore of the hollow rocker arm shaft or in the bore of the hollow push rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignees: Schaeffler KG, Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: Mark McElwee, Jermel Jones, Peter Sailer, Oliver Schnell
  • Patent number: 7798112
    Abstract: A rocker arm assembly includes first and second rocker arms defining a pivot location. The first rocker arm includes, toward a first axial end thereof adjacent the pivot location, a fulcrum surface and, toward a second axial end thereof, a latch assembly including a latch member moveable between latched and unlatched conditions relative to a latch surface defined by an adjacent portion of the second rocker arm. The latch assembly further including a spring biasing the latch member toward one of the latched and unlatched conditions, and a pressure chamber operable to bias the latch member toward the other of the latched and unlatched conditions. The first rocker arm further includes a fluid passage having a first end in open fluid communication with the fulcrum surface and a second end in open fluid communication with the pressure chamber of the latch assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Austin R. Zurface, Andrew P. Harman, Kynan L. Church
  • Patent number: 7798113
    Abstract: A two-step roller finger follower assembly for use in conjunction with a camshaft of an internal combustion engine, wherein the camshaft has at least one first lobe and at least one second lobe. The roller finger follower assembly comprises a follower body for engaging the first cam lobe and having a central aperture, a follower pivotably disposed on the follower body in the central aperture for engaging the second cam lobe, and a limiting stop disposed on the follower body for engaging a feature on the follower to limit travel of the follower body with respect to the follower. The limiting stop prevents overtravel of the follower body during valve-deactivation mode of the assembly, thus preventing excessive leak down of an associated hydraulic lash adjuster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas H. Fischer, Andrew J. Lipinski, Hermes A. Fernandez, Timothy W. Kunz, Richard B. Roe
  • Patent number: 7789053
    Abstract: A continuous variable valve lift apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a camshaft, an input cam disposed to the camshaft, a variable lever that is rotably connected to the camshaft and includes a first arm including a first connecting shaft and a second arm including a second connecting shaft, a first link rotating around the first connecting shaft corresponding to a rotation of the input cam, an output cam rotating around the camshaft, a valve opening/closing portion that is opened and closed corresponding to a rotation of the output cam, and a connecting portion that is disposed for the output cam to rotate corresponding to a rotation of the first link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Jin Kook Kong, Won Geun Lee, Kyoung Joon Chang, Kiyoung Kwon, Young Hong Kwak, Ki Uk Shin, Eun Ho Lee, Young Nam Kim
  • Patent number: 7779803
    Abstract: A rocker arm installed module 1 is constructed by installing the cam shaft 3, the rocker arm 4 and the pivot 5 to the housing 2. The housing 2 is provided with a drop-off preventing means 21 for supporting and preventing the rocker arm 4, which is disposed on the pivot 5, from dropping off. The rocker arm installed module 1 is constructed by disposing the rocker arm 4 among the cam 31 of the cam shaft 3, the pivot 5 and the drop-off preventing means 21 in the housing 2 to form a module, the module being configured to be disposed in a concave portion 61 of the cylinder head 6 while preventing the rocker arm 4 from dropping off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Otics Corporation
    Inventors: Naoyuki Yamamoto, Masahide Sakurai, Tomoki Miyoshi, Naoki Hiramatsu
  • Patent number: 7765972
    Abstract: A variable mechanical valve train for actuating a valve in an internal combustion engine includes a two-part follower operatively coupled between a cam shaft and a valve, so that the follower: in a fully-activated mode, causes a maximum lift of the valve in response to a rotation of the cam shaft; in a partial load mode, collapses partially so as to cause a partial valve lift during the rotation of the cam shaft; and in a deactivated mode, collapses in response to the rotation of the cam resulting in no valve lift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: FEV Engine Technology, Inc
    Inventor: Peter Hofbauer
  • Patent number: 7762223
    Abstract: A valve train (1) of an internal combustion engine (2), said valve train (1) comprising a support element (10) and a finger lever (5) or a rocker arm for operating a gas exchange valve, said finger lever (5) or rocket arm comprising a joint socket (8) comprising a semispherical portion (12) for mounting the finger lever (5) or rocker arm on a joint head (9) of the support element and further comprising, adjacent to the semispherical portion, a depression (13) from which a spray bore (20) starts to extend through the joint socket, the spray bore (20) is in hydraulic communication with a supply bore (19) that extends through the joint head which provides a valve body (15a, 15b) that is arranged for displacement in the depression and comprises a projection (18), so that, in the closed position of the gas exchange valve, the spray bore and the supply bore are substantially or entirely separated hydraulically from each other by a snapping of the projection into the supply bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Christgen, Thomas Kern
  • Patent number: 7762225
    Abstract: The invention relates to valve train of an international combustion engine, which comprise axially displaceable cam elements. The inventive valve train is characterized in that one cam element comprises at least two cams which in turn comprise at least two cam tracks. The first cam and the at least second cam of a cam element differ in at least one cam track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventor: Stefan Dengler
  • Patent number: 7757645
    Abstract: A variable valve system for an internal combustion engine includes a drive shaft rotated by an engine crankshaft, a drive cam integrally mounted on the drive shaft, first and second swing cams mounted on first and second engine valves in each engine cylinder, a valve lift mechanism for converting a rotational movement of the drive cam into swing movements of the first and second swing cams to open and close the first and second engine valves, and a control mechanism for controlling the operating position of the valve lift mechanism to vary the valve lifts of the first and second engine valves according to engine operating conditions. The valve lifts of the first and second engine valves are different from each other when the control mechanism performs minimum lift control on the valve lift mechanism to control the valve lifts of the first and second engine valves to minimum lifts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Seinosuke Hara, Makoto Nakamura
  • Patent number: 7757647
    Abstract: A variable valve apparatus uses a camshaft provided rotatably in an internal combustion engine, and has a cam, a rocking cam driven by a cam, a intake valve or an exhaust valve driven by the rocking cam, a control shaft rotatably provided side by side with the camshaft in the engine, and has an oil passage inside to flow oil, a control arm whose one end is held by the control shaft, and the other end is projected from the control shaft, an actuator which rotates the control shaft, and displaces the control arm, a transmission arm which is rotatably connected to the other end of the control arm, and transmits the displacement of the control arm to the rocking cam, and a lubricant passage which is provided inside the control arm, and supplies oil in the oil passage to a part connecting the control arm and transmission arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Habushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mikio Tanabe, Shinichi Murata
  • Patent number: 7748356
    Abstract: The invention relates to a valve train for internal combustion engines, comprising a camshaft and valve actuation elements for one or more valves, the elements being located in the cylinder head. The aim of the invention is to provide a valve train for an internal combustion engine, with which a reliable stroke adjustment of the valves can be made, without the need for complex technical resources, while at the same time allowing a forward or rear displacement of the valve orifice region. To achieve this, in order to modify the valve stroke curve, the contact point between the transfer member and the cam can be displaced along the periphery of the cam and the contact point between the transfer member and a control curve of the support body can be displaced, forcing the part of the transfer member that interacts with the cam to be guided, by shifting the transfer member in relation to the camshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: IAV GmbH Ingenieurgesellschaft Auto und Verkehr
    Inventors: Markus Meyer, Erik Schneider, Lutz Stiegler, Andreas Werler, Jörg Wutzler
  • Patent number: 7748358
    Abstract: A variable valve train apparatus (20) has a formed on a camshaft, a rocking cam driven by the cam, an intake valve or an exhaust valve driven by the rocking cam, a control shaft provided for rotation and side by side with the camshaft, a control arm having one end held on the control shaft and the other end projecting from the control shaft, an actuator which rotates the control shaft to displace the control arm, a transmission arm connected to the other end of the control arm for rocking motion around a rocking axis in substantially the same direction as an axial direction of the control shaft and transmits a displacement of the control arm to the rocking cam, and an adjustment mechanism which adjusts a distance between an axis of the control shaft and the rocking axis of the transmission arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mikio Tanabe, Shinichi Murata
  • Patent number: 7739991
    Abstract: A rocker cam is comprised of a first split body and a second split body, which are joined with a joint split face that contains an axial line of a cam shaft. The first split body has a first pin support portion that supports one end portion of the connection pin, and the second split body has a second pin support portion that is located so as to face the first pin support portion and supports the other end portion of the connection pin. The connection pin is supported at the first and second pin support portions at its both end portions. Accordingly, a separation force that acts on the first and second split bodies of the rocker cam during its repeated rocking movement can be reduced without improperly increasing its rigidity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Toshimasa Kotani, Hirokazu Matsuura, Shinichi Sugihara
  • Patent number: 7739987
    Abstract: The variable valve gear for an internal combustion engine includes a cam lobe that is rotatably supported by a cam drive shaft, and a variable valve mechanism that includes a drive arm fixed adjacent to one end of the cam lobe in the cam drive shaft, an eccentric shaft member that is swivelably supported at a position opposite to the cam lobe with respect to the drive arm in the cam drive shaft, has an outer circumferential surface eccentric to an axis of the cam drive shaft, and is adjustable in eccentricity, and an intermediate rotary member that is rotatably supported through a bearing member around the eccentric shaft member, and is connected to the drive arm, wherein the drive arm includes an end face that overlaps with an end face of the bearing member, when projecting along the axis of the cam drive shaft, and the end face of the drive arm is protruding further than the end face of the cam lobe toward the bearing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignees: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Mitsubishi Jidosha Engineering Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Jun Hoshikawa, Hirofumi Higashi, Akibiro Fujimoto, Noritsugu Ohsawa, Tetsuji Tatsumi, Tomoyuki Muraoka, Hideo Nakai
  • Publication number: 20100139595
    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: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicants: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Jong Sul SEO
  • Patent number: 7730861
    Abstract: A two-step rocker arm assembly is provided having an arm member and a first roller assembly rotatably mounted with respect to the arm member and defining a generally C-shaped opening. A shaft member rotatably supports a second and a third roller assembly. The shaft member extends through the generally C-shaped opening and is selectively translatable therein to guide the second and third roller assemblies with respect to the arm member. A coupling lever is mounted with respect to the shaft member and is operable to selectively retain the shaft member with respect to the arm member for unitary movement therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Kwok Y. Ng
  • Publication number: 20100132644
    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: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: MECHADYNE PLC
    Inventors: Ian Methley, Nicholas Lawrence
  • Patent number: 7721691
    Abstract: A worm gear is connected to an actuator and a worm wheel is connected to a control shaft. The worm wheel has teeth formed only on a predetermined angular range thereof. The above-referenced angular range includes a required rotational range of the control shaft. The worm wheel is formed to be brought out of mesh with the worm gear outside the predetermined angular range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Manabu Tateno
  • Patent number: 7721694
    Abstract: A lock pin bore in a two-step rocker arm assembly contains a hydraulically-actuable lock pin. A return spring urges the lock pin toward an unlatched mode. The bore has one or more annular grooves formed near the outer end of the bore. A plug, formed preferably of a soft metal, is pressed as a hydraulic seal into the bore. During assembly, the final position of the lock pin within the bore is set by positioning a stopping assembly fixture into the locking end of the bore. The plug is pressed into the bore until contact is made with the lock pin and the lock pin engages the fixture. The plug is radially deformed into the annular groove(s) to anchor the plug and fix the outer limit of travel of the locking pin and the compressive load on the return spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Hermes A. Fernandez, Albert C. Stone
  • Patent number: 7721690
    Abstract: A valve actuation mechanism are disclosed, which is capable of controlling the lift of valves of an engine by more than three on/off combinations. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the valve actuation mechanism is designed to control the opening and closing of engine valves by the use of an uncomplicated structure with minimum solenoid valves and hydraulic lines. By the valve actuation mechanism of the invention, not only the design of hydraulic line as well as that of space mechanism of an engine can be greatly simplified, but also the opening and closing of valves of an engine can be controlled thereby for enabling the engine to provide different valve lifts and thus satisfying different engine requirements, such as output power increasing, combustion efficiency improving, or cylinder deactivation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Ta-Chuan Liu, Pan-Hsiang Hsieh
  • Patent number: 7721696
    Abstract: Proposed is a cam follower (1) for a valve drive of an internal combustion engine, having a roller (3), which is rotatably mounted on a journal (2), as a cam thrust face, which journal (2) runs with its outer casing (4) in a respective bore (5, 6) of a first and second guide wall (7, 8) of the cam follower (1), between which guide walls (7, 8) the roller (3) is held, which outer casing (4) is composed of a first and a second section (9, 10), which first section (9) intrinsically has a greater diameter than the second section (10), wherein the journal (2) has an axial travel limitation in one direction by means of its collar (11) which is situated between the sections (9, 10), and in the other direction by means of a radially projecting element such as a securing ring (12), which collar (11) and which securing ring (12) abut against one of the guide walls (7, 8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Matthew Evans, Debora Manther, Donald Haefner, Richard Best
  • Publication number: 20100095918
    Abstract: A lift-control device for a poppet valve of an internal-combustion engine including a first valve-lift means, a second valve-lift means, and a means for selective de-activation of the second valve-lift means. In an embodiment, the first valve-lift means is configured to define a first valve-lift law and is operatively connected with a rocker that acts on a stem of said valve to move said stem according to the first valve-lift law; and the second valve-lift means is configured to define a second valve-lift law and is operatively connected with the rocker. In an embodiment, the first valve-lift means comprises a profile of a cam or eccentric acting on the rocker to cause it to oscillate about a first axis so as to move the valve stem according to the first valve-lift law; and the second valve-lift means comprises an auxiliary rocker that co-operates in contact with the first valve-lift means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Applicant: EATON S.R.L. CON UNICO SOCIO
    Inventor: Majo Cecur
  • Publication number: 20100083923
    Abstract: A valve operating device (100) opens and closes a valve (2) of an internal combustion engine by driving a valve stem axially. A rocker cam (10) that rocks about a drive shaft (21) in synchronization with a rotation of the internal combustion engine includes a driving cam portion (11) and a lift restricting cam portion (12). A cam follower (41) lifts the valve by contacting the driving cam portion (11) slidingly so as to convert the rocking of the rocker cam (10) into an axial direction motion of the valve stem. A restricting member (42) formed integrally with the cam follower (41) in a rocker arm (40) prevents the cam follower (41) from separating from the driving cam portion (11) in cooperation with the lift restricting cam portion (12), and as a result, an irregular valve motion is prevented regardless of a rocking acceleration of the rocker cam (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Inventors: Toru Fukami, Shinichi Takemura, Tsuyoshi Arinaga, Takanobu Sugiyama, Shunichi Aoyama
  • Publication number: 20100077978
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine is equipped with a variable valve controlling system, in which the single actuator is disposed in a cylinder head on one side where one ends of the rocker-arm shafts are disposed, while enabling the single actuator to activate the rocker arms irrespective of the arrangement of the rocker-arm shafts. In the internal combustion engine, a hydraulic cylinder of a hydraulic actuator is disposed so as to transverse a timing chamber. Operation elements extend respectively from sidewalls of a plunger in the hydraulic cylinder, and activate respective rocker-arm shafts. In a motorcycle on which the engine is mounted, a frame member of a vehicle frame is disposed outside the hydraulic actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Nakashima, Yoshihiro Takada, Yuichi Tawarada, Takuya Warashina
  • Publication number: 20100077979
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a variable valve control system which is operable to switch actions of an engine valve by slidably moving a rocker arm in the axial direction of a rocker-arm shaft, and which is capable of removing a restriction on the sliding movement of the rocker arm at accurate timings while employing a simplified configuration. When a trigger arm swings by a predetermined amount to the opposite side of a rocker arm, a left-hand engagement nail in engagement with an engagement groove disengages from the engagement groove, but a right-hand engagement nail still engages with an engagement groove. The left-hand engagement nail is placed on top of a left-hand deck-like portion. After that, when an action of the rocker arm makes the trigger arm further swing to the opposite side of the rocker arm, the right-hand engagement nail disengages from the engagement groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Takada, Katsuhiro Kubo, Yuki Uzawa, Kazuyuki Kosei
  • Publication number: 20100077976
    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: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Takada, Katsuhiro Kubo, Yuichi Tawarada, Masahiro Nakashima, Hiroyuki Natsui
  • Publication number: 20100064999
    Abstract: A cam follower for actuating a gas exchange valve of an internal combustion engine, which has a lifting body cold formed from sheet metal and that forms, on a valve-sided lifting section which has two lateral walls and a first base section connecting the walls, a cross-sectional profile which is open towards the gas exchange valve in a U-shaped manner, and on a joint-sided lifting section that has lateral walls and a second base section connecting the walls, a modifiable cross-sectional profile which is initially open towards the gas exchange valve in a U-shaped manner, the U-shape adopting a trough shape that has a protruding annular cavity. The trough shape adjacent to an annular cavity on the side of the valve-sided lifting section is M-shaped and has two free recesses open towards the gas exchange valve and extend between one of the lateral walls and the second base section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER KG
    Inventors: Helmut Engelhardt, Christian Minner
  • Patent number: 7677211
    Abstract: A single hydraulic circuit module is provided for controlling valve lift at multiple cylinders in an engine. The single module includes a housing that at least partially forms a supply passage and a control passage. The supply passage is in fluid communication with the fluid supply and the control passage is in fluid communication with the feed passage. At least one solenoid valve is provided and supported by the housing positioned between the supply passage and the control passage. The solenoid valve is controllable to vary fluid flow from the supply passage to the control passage to permit adjustment of hydraulic lift assemblies to vary lift of engine valves in response to control of the solenoid valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Vimesh M. Patel, Timothy L. Neal
  • Patent number: 7673602
    Abstract: A variable valve mechanism includes a low-speed cam, a high-speed cam, a low-speed rocker arm driven by the low-speed cam, a high-speed rocker arm driven by the high-speed cam, and a switching mechanism. A cam profile of the high-speed cam is set such that it does not exceed a cam profile of the low-speed cam. During low-speed operation, the switching mechanism links the low-speed and the high-speed rocker arms such that the low-speed cam causes the high-speed rocker arm to rock together with the low-speed rocker arm and to open and close a valve. During high-speed operation, the switching mechanism de-links the low-speed rocker arm and the high-speed rocker arm such that the low-speed cam causes the low-speed rocker arm to rock idly and the high-speed cam causes the high-speed rocker arm to rock independently and to open and close the valve. The cam profile of the low-speed cam is set such that the valve closes later than it does with the cam profile of the high-speed cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Otics Corporation
    Inventor: Kiyoshi Masegi