Cam Engaged Patents (Class 123/90.44)
  • Patent number: 7673607
    Abstract: A tappet carrier for a barrel type internal combustion engine includes a body having a central bore that is coaxial with a camshaft of a barrel engine. The tappet carrier further comprises a plurality of radially extending bores that are continuous with the central bore so as to allow mechanical communication between the tappets and the camshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Thomas Engine Company, LLC
    Inventor: Anton Polt
  • Patent number: 7661400
    Abstract: A switchable finger lever (1) of a valve train of an internal combustion engine is provided, including an outer lever (3) and an inner lever (4) that extends between the arms thereof. One end of the outer lever (3) is provided with a contact area (6) for a head of a resting element on the bottom side (5) thereof. A smooth-faced longitudinal recess (7) for a coupling means (8) extends above the contact area (6). Some sections of the coupling means (8) can be engaged with the driving area (9) located on a face (10) of the inner lever (4) when the levers (3, 4) are coupled. The coupling means (8) is provided as a circular cylinder which is freely rotatable in the longitudinal recess (7) that is provided as a bore. The driving area (9) is provided on the inner lever (4) so as to be complementary to the outer envelope (14) of the coupling means (8). Durability in the coupling zone is improved as a result of the fact that the coupling means (8) is freely rotatable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Joachim Seitz, Bodo Rorig
  • Patent number: 7658172
    Abstract: A valve unit of an internal combustion engine is accommodated in a space between a cylinder head and a rocker cover. The valve unit comprises a camshaft, a variable valve operating mechanism, a sensor, and a retaining member. The camshaft is provided with a cam for each cylinder. The variable valve operating mechanism receives a displacement of the cam, outputs a valve drive output, and continuously variable-controls the valve drive output in accordance with a rotational displacement of a control shaft provided substantially in parallel with the camshaft. The sensor detects the rotational displacement of the control shaft. The retaining member retains the camshaft, the variable valve operating mechanism, and the sensor. The retaining member expose the sensor to the out side of the rocker cover thereby to fix the camshaft, the variable valve operating mechanism, and the sensor to the cylinder head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mikio Tanabe, Shinichi Murata, Hitoshi Toda, Masashi Igarashi
  • Patent number: 7650863
    Abstract: A valve actuation system for a combustion engine is provided. The valve actuation system may have an engine valve movable between first and second spaced apart end positions. The valve actuation system may also have a first cam element mechanically coupled to move the engine valve, and a first hydraulic slave piston operatively connected to the engine valve to move the engine valve independent of movement of the first cam element. The valve actuation system may further have a high pressure rail fluidly connected to the first hydraulic piston, and a control valve disposed between the high pressure rail and the first hydraulic piston to regulate movement of the engine valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. Bond, Steven J. Funke, Michael P. Harmon
  • Patent number: 7647903
    Abstract: A variable valve lift device of an internal combustion engine having a first link arm rotatably supported at a fixed position of an engine body rotatably connected to a rocker arm, and a movable support shaft rotatably supporting one end portion of a second link arm of which an other end portion rotatably connected to the rocker arm is connected to a crank member formed in a crank shape having crank webs sandwiching the second link arm from opposite sides and a connecting part integrally joining both the crank webs at a position where interference with the second link arm is avoided. The crank member is rotationally driven with a drive device and an amount of lift of an engine valve is continuously changed, in addition to which, torsional rigidity of the crank member is ensured while ensuring assembly workability of the second link arm to the crank member, and reduction in size is made possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Noriaki Fujii, Akiyuki Yonekawa, Tomoya Fujimoto, Katsunori Nakamura, Keiko Yoshida
  • Publication number: 20100006046
    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: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2009
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Inventor: Shizuo ISHIKAWA
  • Publication number: 20100006047
    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: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2009
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Inventors: Shizuo ISHIKAWA, Morihiro Yamamoto, Akira Yoshihara, Kenta Kotsuji
  • Patent number: 7637237
    Abstract: A switchable double tappet (1) is provided, especially for a tappet-push rod valve train of an internal combustion engine, with a cylindrical housing (2), which is arranged so that it oscillates via its outer casing (3) in a guide (4) in the internal combustion engine side and which has a bore (5) on the camshaft side, in which an inner element (6) moves axially relative to this borehole, wherein, on one side, a cam contact surface (10) is intrinsic to this inner element on its end projecting past an edge (7) of the borehole (5) or lower head (9) running in the region of the edge (7) and also, on the other side, at least one coupling slide (11) is intrinsic in its interior in the decoupled case, and this coupling slide can be displaced partially for a coupled case in or under a respective catch surface (12) of the housing (2), wherein between an upper head (13) of the inner element (6) facing away from the lower head (9) and a lower side (14) of a crossbar (15) of the housing (2), at least one lost-motion spr
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Matthew Evans, Florin Bugescu
  • Patent number: 7628129
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a cam for a camshaft, comprising the steps of continuously applying, to a billet having a volume larger by a specified volume than a final product, a plurality of cold forging steps formed of a preliminary outline upsetting, an outline drawing, a simultaneous piercing of inner and outer diameter surfaces, a press-molding forming excess amount as burrs on the inner diameter surface, a piercing of the inner diameter surface for removing the burrs from the inner diameter surface, and a simultaneous ironing of the inner and outer diameter surfaces. The final finishing (machining) of a cam (profile) surface can be eliminated, and the final product of the cam for the camshaft having a high dimensional accuracy can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fumio Takeshima, Koji Satake, Hideo Kurasawa, Kozo Ono
  • Patent number: 7624711
    Abstract: A variable mechanical valve control for an internal combustion engine is provided having an underhead camshaft for adjusting a valve stroke and an opening and closing time, making it possible to achieve a very compact transmission gear between the push rod drive and the intake and exhaust valves, to reduce the number of components required for the transmission gear, and to obtain a mechanical, completely variable valve train with an underhead camshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignees: Hydraulik-Ring GmbH, Entec Consulting GmbH
    Inventor: Rudolf Flierl
  • Patent number: 7621245
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a camshaft (1) for more preferably motor vehicle engines with a termination element (2) arranged with an axial end side in or on the camshaft (1) and permanently joined to the latter which closes off the camshaft (1) in axial direction and which is designed as drive element for an auxiliary unit on the output side. Here it is essential to the invention that the termination element (2) is formed as a formed sheet metal part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Mahle International GmbH
    Inventor: Martin Lechner
  • Patent number: 7617807
    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 a pair of valves operated by a common camshaft lobe and a cam follower. The valvetrain may include independently operable mechanical or hydraulic lash adjusters. The cam follower contacts the common camshaft lobe and at least two pushrods with each pushrod having an associated single plane rocker arm which couples to a fulcrum mounted to the cylinder head to actuate the at least two valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Diggs, Wally Beaber, Robert Innes
  • Patent number: 7617806
    Abstract: A valve drive (1) of an internal combustion engine which is used to actuate a gas exchange valve (6) is provided. Displacement of the valve takes place when a cam (9) is lifted and when a hydraulic force applying device (12) is lifted. A piston (13) of the force applying device can be displaced from a first end position (A) to a second end position by feeding a hydraulic medium, which can be pressure-adjusted, from a hydraulic medium line (24) into a pressure chamber (21). The pressure chamber (21) can be connected to the hydraulic medium line (24) via a shut-off element (20) which is open towards the pressure chamber (21) and which is arranged in the housing (15) and also by means of at least one passage (26) in the housing (15). The passage (26) is at least partially blocked by an external casing surface (16) of the piston (13) in the first end position (A) thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Volker Schmidt, Michael Berger
  • Patent number: 7614375
    Abstract: A two-step roller finger follower having a high-lift follower portion that pivots on a pivot shaft disposed on a low-lift follower portion, and having a lost-motion spring disposed between the high-lift follower and the low-lift follower to bias the high-lift follower toward the high lift cam lobe. Various bearing cups and roller shaft sleeve embodiments are shown, all of which allow for improved shaft and needle bearing arrangements. A z-stop formed by the bearing cups and/or the shaft sleeve limits the range of travel of the high-lift follower with respect to the low-lift follower. Various z-stop embodiments are provided including a non-contacting roller shaft sleeve that grounds the high-lift follower to the low-lift follower independent of the roller shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Cynthia A. Tawaf, Andrew J. Lipinski, William D. Bauman, Carl R. Kangas, Albert C. Stone, Eric G. Wilusz, Hermes Fernandez, Nick J. Hendriksma
  • Patent number: 7610890
    Abstract: The aim of the invention is to provide a reliable and inexpensive camshaft wherein the inner shaft and the outer shaft can be adjusted in a low-friction manner. For this purpose, a camshaft with cams that can be rotated in relation to each other, wherein at least one first cam (3) is rotatably received on the outer shaft (1), is permanently connected to the inner shaft (2) via at least one radial opening in the outer shaft (1). Means (10) for connecting a camshaft rotational drive are provided at the axial ends of the camshaft. The camshaft is also provided with a rotational drive (9) exerting radial supporting forces onto the camshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Mahle International GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Lettmann, Roland Schacherer, Falk Schneider
  • Patent number: 7600496
    Abstract: A valve operating apparatus for an internal combustion engine including a drive cam, first and second swing cams, first and second motion transmission mechanisms and first and second valve actuating members. The first and second swing cams are provided with identical swing motion characteristic with respect to a rotation angle of the drive cam through the first and second motion transmission mechanisms. The first swing cam and the first valve actuating member cooperate with each other to provide a valve lift amount of the engine valve for the first group of cylinders with respect to a swing angle of the first swing cam which is identical to a valve lift amount of the engine valve for the second group of cylinders with respect to a swing angle of the second swing cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Nakamura, Mikihiro Kajiura, Yoshihiko Yamada, Seinosuke Hara
  • Patent number: 7600497
    Abstract: An engine valve actuation system for an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The valve actuation system may include a longitudinally extending link member pivotally attached to an engine member. A longitudinally extending finger follower may be pivotally attached to the link member. The finger follower may include first and second contact surfaces spaced longitudinally from each other. A lost motion piston may contact the first contact surface of the finger follower and an engine valve assembly may contact the second contact surface of the finger follower. A means for receiving valve actuation motion, such as a cam follower, may be incorporated into the finger follower. A valve seating device may contact a third contact surface located on the link member, and a biasing spring may contact a fourth contact surface on the finger follower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Jacobs Vehicle Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard E. Vanderpoel
  • Publication number: 20090229554
    Abstract: An engine assembly may include an engine structure, a rocker arm assembly supported by the engine structure, and a camshaft. The rocker arm assembly may include a lever body, a support member coupled to the lever body, and a first roller member supported for rotation on the support member. The first roller member may include an annular body having first and second axial ends and an inner bore. The inner bore may receive the support member and include a groove extending from the first axial end to the second axial end. The groove may include a first portion at the first axial end rotationally offset relative to a second portion at the second axial end of the annular body. The first roller member may be rotated by rotation of the camshaft and the groove may be adapted to pump oil along the bore when the first roller member is rotated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2008
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Rodney K. Elnick, Ronald Jay Pierik
  • Patent number: 7588006
    Abstract: A camshaft for automotive engines in particular having contra-rotating cams capable of rotating over a limited circumferential angle about the camshaft axis in which an inside shaft (2) and an outside shaft (1) are arranged concentrically one inside the other, the contra-rotating cams (3, 4) include first and second cams, of which the first cam (4) is fixedly connected to the inside shaft, and the second cam (3) is fixedly connected to the outside shaft (1), the outside shaft (1) and the inside shaft (2) are mounted with respect to one another, is to be manufacturable economically and with a high manufacturing precision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Mahle Ventiltrieb GmbH
    Inventors: Tilo Hentschel, Martin Lechner, Falk Schneider
  • Patent number: 7578272
    Abstract: A multiple cylinder engine includes a plurality of cylinders. Each cylinder includes a valve configured to open and close a port associated with each of the respective cylinders. The cylinders comprises at least a first cylinder group and a second cylinder group. A drive shaft is configured to rotate about an axis. A plurality of valve actuators are configured to transmit rotational movement of the drive shaft to the valve. A change mechanism comprises a control member that is configured to change a transmission state of the rotational movement transmitted from the drive shaft to the valve actuators. The change mechanism is configured to sequentially change an open period and a lift amount of each valve by changing a control amount of the control member. The control member is common to the first and second cylinder groups and the transmission states for the first cylinder group differs from the transmission states of the second cylinder group in accordance with the control amount of the control member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hideo Fujita
  • Patent number: 7568460
    Abstract: A variable valve drive (1) of an internal combustion engine is provided which is used to actuate a gas exchange valve (5). Displacement thereof takes place via a cam (7) generated lift and via a lift generated by a piston (14, 32) of a hydraulic force applying device (4a, 4b), which is superimposed on the cam lift and which is independent thereof. The hydraulic force applying device is connected to a hydraulic fluid line (S-P) which provides an adjustable hydraulic pressure medium and includes a pressure chamber (24a, 24b) which is limited on one side by the piston (14, 32), in addition to a hydraulic valve lash compensation device (23a, 23b) which includes a working chamber (22a, 22b) which is radially defined by a housing (13a, 13b). The housing (13a, 13b) is also used to radially define the pressure chamber (24a, 24b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventor: Volker Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7568459
    Abstract: Proposed is a switchable valvetrain (1) for an internal combustion engine, having a row of rocker arms (2) which extend in the longitudinal direction of a cylinder head, which rocker arms (2) run via a recess (7) on their upper side (6) on a head (8) of a bearing journal (9), which bearing journal (9) is axially moveably arranged in a bore (10) of a carrier (11)/insert part (11a) which runs above, with piston-like coupling means (12) being provided for selectively coupling the bearing journal (9) to the carrier (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventor: Richard Best
  • Patent number: 7565887
    Abstract: For an internal combustion engine, there is provided a valve actuation device which comprises a cam shaft having thereon at least first and second cams that are different in profile; a first rocker arm that is in contact with the first cam to be swung, the first rocker arm being adapted to actuate an engine valve; a second rocker arm that is in contact with the second cam to be swung; a coupling mechanism that selectively couples and uncouples the first and second rocker arms; and an electric actuating mechanism that actuates the coupling mechanism with an electric power for the selective coupling and uncoupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiji Tsuruta, Mikihiro Kajiura
  • Patent number: 7562644
    Abstract: A variable valve lift apparatus includes a cam, a camshaft that rotates the cam, at least one cam follower selectively connected to an end lever such that the cam follower opens and closes a valve corresponding to rotation of the cam, and a variable device selectively connecting the cam follower with the end lever to regulate whether or how much the valve is opened and closed. Three cam followers may be provided: two outer cam followers fixedly connected to the end lever, and an inner cam follower interposed between and selectively connected to the outer cam followers corresponding to an operation of the variable device. The variable device may include a first pin in one of the outer cam followers, a second pin in the inner cam follower, and a third pin in the other outer cam follower. The pins may be configured to move together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Hyung Ick Kim
  • Patent number: 7556003
    Abstract: An engine valve operating system is provided in which one end of a first link arm (61) turnably supported at a fixed position of an engine body and the other end of a second link arm (62) turnably supported by a displaceable movable shaft (68a) are turnably connected to a rocker arm (63) which has a cam abutting portion (65) abutting against a valve operating cam (69) and is interlocked and connected so as to apply a force in a valve opening direction to an engine valve (19) biased by a valve spring (24) in a valve closing direction. A rocker arm biasing spring (54) which is different from the valve spring (24) biases the rocker arm (63) in a direction in which the cam abutting portion (65) abuts against the valve operating cam (69). This ensures follow-up ability of the opening/closing operations and enables a reduction in the size of the system, while allowing the lift amount of the engine valve to vary continuously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Noriaki Fujii, Katsunori Nakamura, Akiyuki Yonekawa
  • Patent number: 7546823
    Abstract: A valve control mechanism is provided for an overhead valve, internal combustion engine having a camshaft moving a pushrod to move a rocker arm that in turn moves the valve. Three aligned rollers are fastened to the end of the pushrod adjacent the rocker arm. The outer two rollers roll along parallel profiled surfaces that control at least the valve lift and ramp. The middle roller rolls along an engaging surface on the rocker to move the rocker arm in a motion determined by the configuration and location of the profiled surfaces and the engaging first and second rollers. The outer rollers rotate in a direction opposite the middle roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Inventor: Terry Buelna
  • Patent number: 7540267
    Abstract: An engine includes a camshaft with outer and inner elongate members. The outer elongate member can include a lobe that actuates a valve. The inner elongate member can be axially disposed within a passageway defined by the outer elongate member. The inner elongate member can be movable relative to the outer elongate member. A tab can be attached to the inner elongate member and can extend into an aperture defined by the outer elongate member. Crankshaft and camshaft pulleys can be respectively attached to the crankshaft and camshaft. A flexible transmitter can be routed over the camshaft pulley, a first deflection member, the crankshaft pulley, and a second deflection member. A first deflection actuator can be engaged with the first deflection member and can facilitate variation in a phase relationship between the camshaft and crankshaft pulleys. A vehicle may also be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Honda Motor Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Daniel Thomas Sellars
  • Patent number: 7530338
    Abstract: A variable lift deactivateable valvetrain system for an engine is provided. The system includes a camshaft, a rocker shaft, a valve and at least one rocker arm rotateably connected to the rocker shaft and arranged to engage the camshaft. A connecting rocker arm is rotateably connected to the rocker shaft and is in constant engagement with the valve. The connecting rocker arm is arranged to operate in selective engagement with the at least one rocker arm to provide a variable lift deactivateable valvetrain configuration. The system further includes a low lift rocker arm having a low lift pin assembly and a high lift rocker arm having a high lift pin assembly. The low and high lift pin assemblies are arranged to selectively engage the connecting rocker arm responsive to oil pressure selectively directed to the low and high lift pin assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Chrysler LLC
    Inventors: Alan G Falkowski, Richard H Sands, Christopher P Thomas, David W Fiddes, Anteo Opipari
  • Patent number: 7530339
    Abstract: A valve system lifter for combustion engines includes a hard metal face pad connected to a lower-grade metal lifter body. The connecting material is one or more materials that are different from both the lifter body and the face pad. Preferably, the connecting material is a silver-and copper-containing material, that may take the form of a wafer with silver or silver alloy layered over a copper alloy core. The preferred body includes one or more ferrous compounds, and the preferred face includes tungsten carbide. The resulting lifter is resistant to the cracking, breakage, and wear that plague conventional lifters, due to the harsh temperature and impact environment of the lifter. The resulting lifter may be used to reduce the need for change-out and down-time in many engines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Jerry Burnham of C & B Aviation
    Inventor: Clyde G. Ritter
  • Publication number: 20090095241
    Abstract: The cam follower has a roller, which is movable, between a first axial position and a second axial position and which alternately transmits elevations, which are different from one another. The cam has a cylinder-piston unit, which has a pressure medium space for moving the roller from the first axial position into the second axial position, and a spring means for moving the roller from the second axial position into the first axial position. The piston of the cylinder-piston unit is the roller and the roller has an end wall, which delimits the pressure medium space, and an annular collar which extends from said end wall and whose outer lateral surface serves as a cam pick-off surface. The inner lateral surface of the annular collar surrounds an outer section of the cylinder of the cylinder-piston unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER KG
    Inventor: Arndt IHLEMANN
  • Patent number: 7513231
    Abstract: There is provided a valve gear (11) with a motor (12), a cam mechanism (14) which converts a rotational motion of the motor (12) into a linear motion of an intake valve (2) by a cam (21), and a motor control apparatus (30) which controls the motor (12) such that an acceleration characteristic during a lift of the intake valve (2) changes in correspondence to a rotation number of an internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shuichi Ezaki, Toshiaki Asada, Kimitoshi Tsuji, Yasushi Kusaka
  • Patent number: 7506624
    Abstract: A valve actuation system for a power system is provided. The valve actuation system has an engine valve moveable to selectively prevent or allow a flow of fluid relative to the engine valve. The valve actuation system also has a cam assembly with a first cam lobe and a second cam lobe. The valve actuation system also has a cam follower with a first tappet protrusion and a second tappet protrusion. A selective rotation of the cam follower engages either the first tappet protrusion with the first cam lobe to move the engine valve through a first valve event, or the second tappet protrusion with the second cam lobe to move the engine valve through a second valve event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Perkins Engines Company Limited
    Inventor: Daniel Deane
  • Patent number: 7503300
    Abstract: A switchable finger lever (1) for a valve drive of an internal combustion engine is provided. The inner lever (3) of the finger lever includes a piston (6) on one end thereof, that can be longitudinally displaced, and acts as a coupling element. The coupling element can be partially brought into contact with a driving surface (7) of an outer lever (2), and is provided, for example, with a rising radial profile (13) in the coupling region thereof, and from the front (12) in the coupling direction. The driving surface (7) of the outer lever (2) also has a conical contour which follows the profile (13). During coupling, a contact point (K) of the piston (6) is located on the driving surface (7) in a region of half a depth thereof. In this way, the formation of undesired edge supports is prevented during coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Joachim Seitz, Bodo Rörig
  • Patent number: 7503299
    Abstract: A twincam engine including a rocker arm configured to transmit rotation of a cam to reciprocate at least one of intake and exhaust valves, the rocker arm being pivotally attached to a cylinder head between a center axis of a valve stem of the intake valve and a center axis of a valve stem of the exhaust valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshimoto Matsuda
  • Publication number: 20090064954
    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: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2007
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER KG
    Inventor: Debora Manther
  • Patent number: 7500456
    Abstract: The present invention is a novel non-splined shaft for connecting cam units (cam sections) in a series to construct a camshaft having zero degree backlash for use within an engine. Such engines typically use a camshaft comprised of a plurality of separate camshaft units (cam sections) which are connected in a series by one or more cam connecting shafts. The entire series of camshaft units and cam connecting shafts may be, for example, 40 feet in length. Examples of natural gas engines in which the cam connecting shafts described herein may be used include, but are not limited to, the INGERSOLL-RAND KVR and KVT series of engines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Inventor: Jeffrey B. Horton
  • Publication number: 20090056654
    Abstract: A valve actuating mechanism includes a first rocker arm moving mechanism including a first spring for urging left and right rocker arms from a first operation position side towards a second operation position side. The valve actuating mechanism also includes a second rocker arm moving mechanism including a second spring for urging the left and right rocker arms from the second operation position side towards the first operation position side. When a predetermined force is applied to the left and right rocker arms by one of the respective springs, the rocker arms are configured to be moved to operation positions corresponding to the applied force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshio Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20090050091
    Abstract: As this radial needle bearing 7c, a radial needle bearing is used which includes a cage 10b. Respective pillar portions 12, 12 which make up the cage 10b are disposed more radially inwards than a circle pitch of respective needles 8, 8. In addition, the needles 8, 8 which are adjacent to each other in a circumferential direction are caused to approach each other, so as to secure the number of such needles 8, 8. As a result, no large bending stress is applied to a tappet roller 6 without increasing the thickness of the tappet roller 6.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2006
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Applicant: NSK LTD.
    Inventors: Makoto Watanabe, Satoshi Kadokawa
  • Patent number: 7490583
    Abstract: A full-type rolling bearing that can be used under the conditions of high-speed, heavy-load and lowered viscosity of lubricating oil is provided. The full-type rolling bearing is formed of an outer ring, an inner ring and rollers made of steel, at least one of the outer ring, inner ring and rollers has a carbonitrided layer in its surface layer, and the austenite crystal grain size number of the surface layer is larger than 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Tadatoshi Suzuki, Kenichi Ichikawa, Kikuo Maeda, Yukio Fujii
  • Publication number: 20090038572
    Abstract: Cam actuated systems, such as valve trains for an engine, typically bring cam lobe action to the engine valve via a linkage that includes a cam actuated roller assembly which may be either a rocker or a lifter. These cam actuated rocker assemblies include a housing with a pair of arms with roller support bores there through. A roller support pin is received in the roller support bores, and rotationally supports a roller mounted about the roller pin and between the arms of the housing. The roller pin may include a relatively hard and inexpensive core, such as steel, cladded with a relatively soft more expensive metal, such as bronze.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2007
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventors: Edwin H. Langewisch, Arthur S. Lindell
  • Patent number: 7484487
    Abstract: A valve control system including a camshaft having first and second cam profiles, the valve control system comprising a rocker arm assembly (11) including a first rocker arm (13) having a first cam follower (15) in engagement with the first cam profile, and a second rocker arm (17) having a second cam follower (23,25) in engagement with the second cam profile. The engine includes a fulcrum location (P) operable to provide a source of pressurized fluid, and the first rocker arm includes a latch member (47) moveable between latched (FIG. 6) and unlatched conditions. The latch member is biased toward the latched condition by a fluid pressure in a chamber (51), and the first rocker arm defines a fluid passage (55) having a first end (57) in open fluid communication with the pressure source, and a second end (59) in open fluid communication with the pressure chamber (51).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Austin R. Zurface, Andrew P. Harman, Kynan L. Church
  • Patent number: 7475659
    Abstract: A device for controlling valve movements in an internal combustion engine includes a rotating camshaft having a cam curve, the camshaft being designed, via a rocker arm, to interact with a valve mechanism for operating the inlet or exhaust valve by a valve spring. The valve mechanism includes timing gear which allows the return movement of the valve mechanism to be controlled during the closing phase of the inlet valve or exhaust valve, independently of the cam curve. A resilient element is arranged between the rocker arm and a fixed point in such a way that the rocker arm continuously follows the cam curve as the camshaft rotates. The force of the valve spring is adjusted to the moving mass of the valve mechanism and to forces counteracting the valve closure. The force exerted by the resilient element are adjusted to the mass of the rocker arm for the purpose of minimizing the energy losses of the valve mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Volvo Lastvaguar AB
    Inventor: Jan Arnell
  • Publication number: 20090007870
    Abstract: A rocker arm (1) made of thin-walled sheet steel which rocker arm is intended for a suspended arrangement together with other like rocker arms under a girder-like carrier (2) of a valve train of an internal combustion engine, the rocker arm having an inverted U-shaped profile, a support (7) for a gas exchange valve is formed on one end (6) of an underside (5) of a crossbar (4) of the rocker arm, an upper side (9) of the crossbar (4) is stamped in the region of the support (7) by a stamping and extrusion molding method toward the underside (5), so that an M-like cross-section with a longitudinal channel (10) formed on the upper side (9) is obtained and at its other end (11), the rocker arm (1) has a fork-shaped, open configuration and merges into a region (12) which is angularly bent towards the underside (5) and on which a roller (13) forming a cam contacting surface is arranged, said rocker arm (1) of this type possesses, among other things, an excellent stiffness, is simple to manufacture and has a small de
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Inventor: Van Hau Nguyen
  • Patent number: 7469669
    Abstract: A rotational cam can be disposed on a camshaft rotationally driven by a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine. A swing cam can be swingable through the rotational cam. The swing cam has a rotational cam abutment portion which contacts the rotational cam and transmits driving force from the rotational cam to the swing cam. An abutment portion displacing mechanism can be provided for displacing the rotational cam abutment portion to change a relative distance between the rotational cam abutment portion and a center axis of the swing shaft. Changing the relative distance allows changing a lift and the like of a valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideo Fujita, Koichi Hatamura
  • Publication number: 20080314342
    Abstract: The combination of the Fully Variable Valve Actuation or FVVA system with the Desmodromic control results in a fully functional FVVA rid of valve springs and any other kind of the restoring springs of the art.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventors: Manousos Pattakos, John Pattakos, Emmanouel Pattakos
  • Patent number: 7467610
    Abstract: A valve-operating system for an internal combustion engine includes cam followers which have cam abutment portions abutting against valve-operating cams provided on a camshaft and which are swingably carried in an engine body and operatively connected to engine valves biased in a closing direction by a valve spring. The cam followers are biased in a direction of abutment of the cam abutment portions against the valve-operating cams by a resilient biasing means different from the valve spring. A resilient biasing means includes a pull rod connected at one end thereof to the cam follower, and a compression coil spring interposed between the other end of the pull rod and the engine body to pull the pull rod to bias the cam follower in a direction of abutment of the cam abutment portion against the valve-operating cam. Thus, the resilient biasing means is constructed to be compact, leading to an increase in degree of freedom of the design of the structure of the valve-operating system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Noriaki Fujii, Keiko Yoshida, Tomoya Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 7467609
    Abstract: A valve-stroke control apparatus continuously varies the stroke of a valve in an engine, and selectively maintains it in a closed position, while the-engine is in operation. The control apparatus includes a force-transmitting rod which is pivoted by a cam and a cam-contact roller. An additional roller on one end of said force-transmitting rod engages a transverse contact surface of a stroke-length setting lever. The contact surface has a contour such that pivoting of the force-transmitting rod causes movement between the contact surface and the additional roller, which in turn displaces the force-transmitting rod longitudinally in a direction associated with valve opening. Such displacement is introduced by way of a rotary articulation into a rocking lever that activates the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: ThyssenKrupp Presta TecCenter AG
    Inventor: Herbert Naumann
  • Patent number: 7461620
    Abstract: A valve actuating link is provided for transmitting a combined movement of a drive cam on a cam shaft and a control cam on a control shaft to a valve pressing structure of an engine valve. The valve actuating link comprises a bearing portion that bears the control shaft, a hook-shaped lower portion that surrounds the cam shaft keeping a given space therebetween and a cam portion that repeatedly pushes the valve pressing structure to induce an open/close operation of the engine valve. Each of a plurality of engine valves has its own respective drive cam, control cam, valve actuating link and valve pressing structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventor: Seinosuke Hara
  • Publication number: 20080276890
    Abstract: An engine valve operating system is provided in which one end of a first link arm (61) turnably supported at a fixed position of an engine body and the other end of a second link arm (62) turnably supported by a displaceable movable shaft (68a) are turnably connected to a rocker arm (63) which has a cam abutting portion (65) abutting against a valve operating cam (69) and is interlocked and connected so as to apply a force in a valve opening direction to an engine valve (19) biased by a valve spring (24) in a valve closing direction. A rocker arm biasing spring (54) which is different from the valve spring (24) biases the rocker arm (63) in a direction in which the cam abutting portion (65) abuts against the valve operating cam (69). This ensures follow-up ability of the opening/closing operations and enables a reduction in the size of the system, while allowing the lift amount of the engine valve to vary continuously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2005
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventors: Noriaki Fujii, Katsunori Nakamura, Akiyuki Yonekawa
  • Publication number: 20080271693
    Abstract: A deactivating rocker arm mechanical adjustment system for internal combustion engines is provided wherein a lash adjustment screw which has eccentric cam and a feature by which the screw can be rotated using a tool. The adjustment screw is installed a valve actuation section of a split rocker arm wherein the cam end of the adjustment screw engages a feature of the cam follower section of the split rocker arm. When the lash adjustment screw is rotated, the design of the cam is such that the angular orientation of the valve actuation and cam follower sections is varied and in turn varies the distance or lash between the cam follower section latch pin and the receiving latch pin hole in the valve actuation section. The lash adjustment screw is rotated until a previously specified lash is obtained and then a jam nut is tightened to prevent rotation of the lash adjustment screw.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2007
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Inventors: THOMAS C. EDELMAYER, THOMAS E. ROME