Lash Adjustment Patents (Class 123/90.45)
  • Patent number: 8061314
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine valve mechanism including a rocker arm, which includes a bearing section and a rocker roller, and an HLA. The HLA has a pivot, which is to be inserted into the bearing section, and supports one end of the rocker arm. The pivot has a spherically curved surface, whereas the bearing section has a shell-shaped dent. A swing arm rotates in synchronism with camshaft rotation and gives roller pressure force to the rocker roller. The direction in which the swing arm presses the rocker roller shifts toward the HLA when the lift of a valve disc increases. An osculating circle is inclined by inclining the axis of the bearing section at an angle of ?° relative to the axis of the HLA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shuichi Ezaki
  • Publication number: 20110239968
    Abstract: A switchable roller finger follower for a valvetrain of an internal combustion engine. The switchable roller finger follower includes an elongated body, a cam follower, a locking pin assembly, lost motion springs and a shuttle pad assembly moving horizontally. The locking pin assembly includes a locking pin and hydraulic fluid supply channel, selectively locking and unlocking the shuttle pad assembly, allowing either a high lift or low lift profile to achieve contact with pre-determined profiles of a multi-lobe camshaft which, in turn, provides low lift or high lift operation of an associated gas exchange valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Kirk SIEFKER
  • Patent number: 8028668
    Abstract: The present invention provides a variable valve lift including a housing, a plurality of swing arms that are rotatably arranged at the housing, and a plurality of latching mechanisms for selectively latching the plurality of swing arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Myungsik Choi
  • Patent number: 8025037
    Abstract: A valve gear comprises a cylinder head, a supporting member fixed to the cylinder head, a rocker arm which is mounted on the supporting member so as to be placed on the latter, a substantially plate-shaped clip mountable to the rocker arm, the clip having a fitting hole in which an outer periphery of the supporting member is fitted so that the clip is prevented from falling off, a pair of walls which is formed on the rocker arm so as to be opposed to each other with the supporting member being located therebetween, and a pair of locking portions formed in inner faces of the walls so that outer edges of the clip are elastically engaged with the locking portions thereby to be locked, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Otics Corporation
    Inventor: Naoki Hiramatsu
  • Patent number: 8001939
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically adjusting the valve lash of an internal combustion engine is provided. In another aspect of the present invention, a probe is employed for verifying and/or setting valve lash settings in an automated manner. A further aspect of the present invention does not require determination of a zero lash position or reference datum prior to adjusting the valve lash adjusting screw for desired lash.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Cinetic Automation Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas J. Hathaway
  • Publication number: 20110197843
    Abstract: The finger follower employs two independent lost motion arms and a coupling device that locks both arms. Stops are provided both for the roller axle and for the arm swing. The axle stop and the end stops for the arm swing are positioned on the arm and the outer sidewall of the inner lever.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Debora MANTHER
  • Publication number: 20110174254
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and a device for accurately measuring and adjusting a valve clearance value to a desired value in an engine having a rocker-arm-type valve. According to a valve clearance measuring and adjusting method of the present invention, a pair of probes 60 each having a round tip end 611 are brought into direct contact with a valve clearance CV of an engine having a rocker-arm-type valve 105, and a center-to-center distance between the two tip ends 611 is measured. An actual valve clearance value is calculated and measured on the basis of the center-to-center distance between the tip ends 611. The actual valve clearance value is adjusted to a desired valve clearance value, while the actual valve clearance value is measured in real time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: HIRATA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hisayuki Sueoka, Yasuyoshi Miyauchi, Yasuo Morise, Tatsumi Otomura, Hiroya Mitsushima
  • Publication number: 20110126787
    Abstract: The finger follower employs two independent lost motion arms and a rod which moves longitudinally to lock both arms. The rod is transversely mounted in the follower. In order to avoid premature locking, a clip is employed with tabs that interact with end surfaces of the arms so as to prevent premature movement of the rod from an unlocked position to a locked position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Lutz KIRBACH
  • Publication number: 20110061621
    Abstract: A valve lash setting method for setting a predetermined lash in a valve assembly for internal combustion engines. The method includes generating a torque curve and using a linear regression calculation to define a zero crossing point from which a predetermined final lash position of an adjusting screw can be set and secured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: ATLAS COPCO TOOLS & ASSEMBLY SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventor: Mark Allen Finkenbiner
  • Patent number: 7905208
    Abstract: A system and method of actuating one or more engine valves is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system comprises: a valve train element; a rocker arm pivotally mounted on a shaft and adapted to rotate between a first position and a second position, the rocker arm selectively receiving motion from the valve train element; a valve bridge disposed above the one or more engine valves; and a lost motion system disposed in the valve bridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Jacobs Vehicle Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Ruggiero, Neil Fuchs, Zhou Yang, Robb Janak
  • Publication number: 20110041791
    Abstract: A rocker arm unit constituting a valve gear of an internal combustion engine includes a support member assembled into the cylinder head, a rocker arm supported on a top of the support member so as to be swung with a supported position serving as an approximate fulcrum, and a wire member bridging the support member side and the rocker arm side with each other thereby to connect the support member and the rocker arm together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: OTICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomoki Miyoshi, Masahide Sakurai, Naoki Hiramatsu, Toshimasa Sasaki
  • Patent number: 7878168
    Abstract: A high performance overhead valvetrain assembly includes a hydraulic lash adjuster which is received within and supports a trunnion. The trunnion, in turn, is received within a cylindrical passageway in one end of a rocker arm. The opposite end of the rocker arm engages a valve stem. Between the trunnion and the valve stem is a roller adapted the engage a cam of a camshaft. The trunnion stabilized rocker arm permits significantly increased valve lift and improved engine performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Alan W. Hayman, Robert S McAlpine, Eric C. Douse
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20110017160
    Abstract: A rocker arm unit comprises a lash adjuster having a plunger extending axially and a cylindrical body which houses the plunger so that the plunger is slidable; a rocker arm supported by an upper end of the plunger and swung with the supported position serving as a pivot; and a clip which is fixed to the body so as to extend from the fixed position to engage the rocker arm, thereby restricting drop of the rocker arm out of the lash adjuster.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2009
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Applicant: Otics Corporation
    Inventors: Masateru Kishi, Kimihiko Todo
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20100263613
    Abstract: The object is to prevent the adjusting screw from being pushed in while rotating when a load is applied to the adjusting screw that tends to push in the adjusting screw. In a lash adjuster comprising a cylindrical housing 12 inserted in a receiving hole 11 formed in the top surface of a cylinder head 2 and having an internal thread 13 on the inner periphery thereof, an adjusting screw 15 having an external thread 14 on the outer periphery thereof and in threaded engagement with the internal thread 13 on the housing 12, and a return spring 17 biasing the adjusting screw 15 in a direction to protrude upwardly from the housing 12, the adjusting screw 15 having a protruding end 19 protruding from the housing 12 and supporting an arm 7, the surface of the protruding end 19 of the adjusting screw 15 is made of a material that does not react with oil additives of oil containing organic molybdenum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2008
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Inventors: Makoto Yasui, Eiji Maeno, Katsuhisa Yamaguchi
  • Publication number: 20100236508
    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 (2) 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 upper side (11) for at least one high-lift cam, wherein in one receptacle (13) of one of the cams (4, 2), a coupling means (14) is seated, which can be brought into engagement in sections in case of coupling (high lift) with a driving surface (15) of the respective other lever (2, 4) and wherein a lost-motion spring means (16) is clamped between the two levers (2, 4), which means is positioned in the region of the other end (9) of the cam follower (1) and is embodied a
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES GMBH & CO., KG
    Inventor: Bogyu KANG
  • Publication number: 20100224150
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine including a variable valve mechanism that can avoid an unnecessary friction increase while preventing a hydraulic lash adjuster from pumping up. When a first engine speed is a critical rotation speed at which the inertia force of the variable valve mechanism exceeds the maximum load on a lost motion spring and a second engine speed is a critical rotation speed at which the inertia force of a valve and rocker arm exceeds the maximum load on a valve spring, the maximum loads are set such that the first engine speed is lower than the second engine speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2007
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shuichi Ezaki
  • Patent number: 7779805
    Abstract: The liquid is sealed in the lash adjuster so that the volume “V1” of the gas, in the reservoir chamber when the lash adjuster is being produced and the plunger protrudes from the body, is equal to or more than 1.24 times as great as the sum of the volume “Vo1” of the liquid discharged from the high-pressure chamber when the plunger moves downward, and the increase “Vo2” in the volume of the liquid that expands, due to heat, when the temperature of the gas in the reservoir chamber is increased from the production temperature to the maximum use temperature, and the ratio of “V1” to “Vo1+Vo2” is equal to or higher than a ratio, which is derived based on the production temperature and the maximum use temperature, when the inner pressure of the lash adjuster increases by 500 kPa at maximum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Nittan Valve Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shouji Katsumata, Akihiko Hosaka, Ryo Kojima, Junichi Kawakita
  • Publication number: 20100192889
    Abstract: A reciprocating lever for a valve train assembly is provided, including a receiving portion and at least one retaining feature. The receiving portion is for selectively receiving a member that is actuated by the reciprocating lever. An actuation direction is also included and is defined by an actuation axis, wherein the reciprocating lever selectively actuates the member. The at least one retaining feature is located at the receiving portion of the reciprocating lever. The at least one retaining feature is configured to selectively engage with and limit relative movement of the member with respect to the reciprocating lever along the actuation axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventors: Andrei D. Radulescu, James R. Sheren, Brian K. Vandeusen
  • Publication number: 20100186693
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine valve mechanism including a rocker arm, which includes a bearing section and a rocker roller, and an HLA. The HLA has a pivot, which is to be inserted into the bearing section, and supports one end of the rocker arm. The pivot has a spherically curved surface, whereas the bearing section has a shell-shaped dent. A swing arm rotates in synchronism with camshaft rotation and gives roller pressure force to the rocker roller. The direction in which the swing arm presses the rocker roller shifts toward the HLA when the lift of a valve disc increases. An osculating circle is inclined by inclining the axis of the bearing section at an angle of ?° relative to the axis of the HLA.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shuichi Ezaki
  • Publication number: 20100180847
    Abstract: The present invention provides a valve actuation system comprising a valve train for actuating a valve, the valve train including actuating elements and a valve lash, and a valve lash adjustment system for adjusting the valve lash, wherein the valve train and the valve lash adjustment system do not share any common actuating elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: Scuderi Group, LLC
    Inventors: Riccardo Meldolesi, Clive Lacy, Anthony Perkins, Ian Gilbert
  • Publication number: 20100180848
    Abstract: The present invention provides a valve actuation system comprising a valve train for actuating a valve, the valve train including actuating elements and a valve lash, and a valve lash adjustment system for adjusting the valve lash, wherein the valve train and the valve lash adjustment system do not share any common actuating elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: Scuderi Group, LLC
    Inventors: Riccardo Meldolesi, Clive Lacy, Anthony Perkins, Ian Gilbert
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20100126453
    Abstract: The object is to provide a lash adjuster that can be easily and repeatedly mounted on a swing arm type valve gear, having an adjusting screw that can be repeatedly held in a pushed-in state with a general-purpose turning tool such as a wrench. A serrated internal thread 24 is formed on the inner circumferential face of a cylindrical body 21 having closed bottom end, and a serrated external thread 26 formed on the outer circumferential face of an adjusting screw 25 engages with the internal thread 24. A return spring 27 is mounted in the body to bias the adjusting screw 27 in the protruding direction. A friction member 31 is provided between the bottom faces of the adjusting screw 25 and the body 21. A spherical pivot portion 32 is formed on the top of the adjusting screw 25, and an engaging hole 33 is formed in the top end of the pivot portion 32.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2008
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Inventor: Eiji Maeno
  • Patent number: 7721695
    Abstract: Connecting element (10) retains cam follower (2), which actuates gas-exchange valve (4) of an internal combustion engine, on support element (6). Support element (6) has spherical end (7) on cylindrical section (22) and on which cam follower (2) is mounted, so as to be pivotably movable in the direction of gas-exchange valve (4) about center of rotation (9). Connecting element (10) has elastically deformable projections (21), which proceed from central webs (19), parallel to the pivot axis of cam follower (2) such that connecting element (10) is connected to cylindrical section (22) in a frictionally-engaging manner. Projections (21) are embodied as lugs (20) which angle away from central webs (19) and extend in a direction pointing away from cam follower (2), so that projections (21) are elastic in shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Stephan Moeck, Helmut Engelhardt
  • Publication number: 20100101515
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cam drive (1) having a camshaft and having cams (18, 18?) arranged thereon and having at least one rocker arm (3) which has a cam follower (2) and which is operatively connected by means of its first arm (4) to a plunger-like bearing (5) and by means of its second arm (6) to at least one gas exchange valve (7) of an associated cylinder. The cam drive (1) also has a device (10) for varying the lift of the at least one gas exchange valve (7). Here, it is essential to the invention that the device (10) is embodied as a clutch device which acts between the plunger-like abutment (5) and the rocker arm (3, 3?, 3?) and which has an actuating element (12) which is mounted so as to be rotatable about an axis (13) of the plunger-like abutment (5) at least between two positions, wherein a valve lift in a first, coupled position of the actuating element (12) is varied in comparison with a second, decoupled position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 4, 2007
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Inventors: Thomas Hale, Jonathan Hall, Hermann Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 7685984
    Abstract: A switchable valve train member, such as a deactivating valve lash adjuster or a deactivating hydraulic valve lifter, including a pin housing slidably disposed within an axial bore in a body. A transverse bore in the pin housing contains a retractable locking pin that engages a feature in the body including a locking surface whereby the body and the pin housing are locked together for mutual actuation by rotation of a cam lobe. A lash ring at the outer end of the body includes a portion extending into the axial bore that limits the travel of the pin housing within the body and thereby sets the internal mechanical lash in the switchable member. The axial thickness of the lash ring may be varied between assemblies to compensate for manufacturing variation in the components and is secured to the body in any of various configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Nick J. Hendriksma, John J. Burns
  • Publication number: 20100050969
    Abstract: [Problem] To adjust increase/decrease in valve clearance automatically.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: NITTAN VALVE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Michihiro Kameda, Akifumi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7644693
    Abstract: A hydraulic lash adjuster (17;61;81) in which the body (19) defines a body bore (39) extending over substantially the entire axial length of the body, thus making it possible to finish the bore (39) by a more accurate process, such as honing. In the FIG. 2 embodiment, there is a cylindrical member (71) disposed in the lower portion of the body bore (39) cooperating to define a leakdown clearance (39,71 S), to isolate side load on the plunger (25) the leakdown. In the FIG. 3 embodiment, there is both the leakdown clearance (23S,39) between the body bore and the plunger (23) and the leakdown clearance (39,71 S) between the body bore and the cylindrical member (71), the leakdown flow rate of FIG. 3 being variable if the body and the cylindrical member (71) comprise dissimilar metals, having different coefficients of thermal expansion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Majo Cecur
  • Patent number: 7637238
    Abstract: A hydraulic valve play compensating element for generating valve play compensation for a gas exchange valve in a valve operating mechanism of an internal combustion engine, having a piston housing in which a piston, which is elastically supported against the piston housing via a piston spring, is guided in a movable fashion, in which the piston has a low-pressure space which is connected via an axial opening in a piston head to a high-pressure space which is enclosed by the piston housing, and having a control valve which has at least one control valve closing element which can bear in a seal-forming fashion against a valve seat, the letter surrounding the axial opening on a piston head underside, and comprises a control valve spring which is preloaded in the opening direction, wherein, in the event of a collapsing movement between the piston and the piston housing when the gas exchange valve is actuated, the control valve closing element can be acted on hydraulically in the closing direction by means of a bu
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Donald Haefner, Lu Zhu
  • Patent number: 7610887
    Abstract: A valve-deactivation hydraulic valve lifter including a recessed face on the pin housing for making contact with the a crowned surface region of a roller follower. The lifter includes a pin housing that is slidably disposed within an axial bore in a lifter body. Pins for variably locking the pin housing to the lifter body may be disengaged to place the lifter in lost-motion mode by application of engine oil to the outer ends of the pins. A surface of the pin housing, preferably configured as a dished surface, is formed on the bottom end face of the pin housing that approaches the cam-following lifter roller for making contact with the roller follower so as to avoid contacting the roller follower's crowned surface region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark J. Spath
  • Publication number: 20090266324
    Abstract: Provided are a rocker arm, a rocker shaft, a valve cap, an adjust screw, a pivot receiving member, and a valve of an arm type valve operating device that can suppress wear and pitching, and attain a long service life. A multiplicity of minute recesses are provided at random in contact portions with other members of those members. A surface provided with recesses has a surface roughness parameter Ryni that is in a range: 0.4 ?m?Ryni?1.0 ?m, and an Sk value of ?1.6 or less. Accordingly, contact surfaces exhibit a high oil-film-forming capacity, so a long service life is attained even under a condition of low viscosity, thin lubrication and extremely thin oil film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2006
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Inventor: Rino Fukami
  • Patent number: 7578276
    Abstract: An automatic tappet clearance adjusting device, comprising an adjusting unit adjusting the projected amount of a rocker arm by advancing and retreating an adjust screw to and from the tip of the rocker arm, a pressure setting part electrically controlling the pressure of an air supply source part based on the measurement signals of a primary side pressure sensor measuring the pressure of the air supply source part so that the pressure becomes a specified one, a supply pipeline allowing the air supply source part to communicate with a combustion chamber through a variable orifice, and a control mechanism part controlling the adjusting unit based on measurement signals of a secondary side pressure sensor measuring the pressure of the supply pipeline. The pressure is set to 1.5 kPa by the pressure setting part and the variable orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junichi Matsuura, Takehisa Handa, Tomoaki Tsuyoshi
  • Publication number: 20090199802
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a lash adjuster including a ball retainer having a generally conical chamber for situating a ball near the base of the lash adjuster housing. The chamber has both an external and internal shoulder for engaging a plunger spring and a ball spring, respectively. The chamber may further define at least one aperture near its apex and at least one aperture near its base to facilitate oil flow through the lash adjuster.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Inventor: Robert T. MacVicar
  • 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: 7559301
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically adjusting the valve lash of an internal combustion engine is provided. In another aspect of the present invention, a probe is employed for verifying and/or setting valve lash settings in an automated manner. A further aspect of the present invention does not require determination of a zero lash position or reference datum prior to adjusting the valve lash adjusting screw for desired lash.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Cinetic Automation Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas J. Hathaway
  • Publication number: 20090145389
    Abstract: The present invention provides a variable valve lift including a housing, a plurality of swing arms that are rotatably arranged at the housing, and a plurality of latching mechanisms for selectively latching the plurality of swing arms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2008
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Applicants: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Myungsik Choi
  • Patent number: 7543555
    Abstract: A hydraulic lash compensation device for an engine includes a plunger assembly slidingly received within a body bore to define a high pressure chamber. The plunger assembly includes a lower pressure chamber, an upper plunger element, and a lower plunger element. A mechanical lift loss feature includes a generally annular lift stop member retained to the upper plunger element by an adjustment member that extends through the lift stop member and is adjustably received in upper plunger element. The lift stop member is biased away from upper plunger element by a spring. When the upper plunger element is received into the body, the upper plunger element is offset a predetermined distance from the lower plunger element by virtue of the lift stop member's engagement with the lower plunger element. The offset is adjustable based on the position of the lift stop member relative to the upper plunger element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: David G. Genise
  • Publication number: 20090031971
    Abstract: A continuous variable valve lift apparatus includes an input cam disposed on an input shaft, a valve opening/closing portion, and a rocker arm rotating shaft. A rocker arm rotates around the rocker arm rotating shaft corresponding to a rotation of the input cam. An output cam is disposed at an end of the rocker arm, and opens and closes the valve opening/closing portion. A control portion controls a position of the rocker arm rotating shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventors: Kiyoung Kwon, Young Hong Kwak, Ki Uk Shin, Kyoung Joon Chang, Jin Kook Kong
  • Publication number: 20090000585
    Abstract: A lash adjuster support portion is integrally formed with a lower cam carrier. The lower cam carrier is fixed onto a cylinder head into which an intake valve and an exhaust valve have been fitted. After a lash adjuster is set in the lash adjuster support portion, a rocker arm is placed on the intake side and a rocker arm is placed on the exhaust side. Camshafts are then placed on the lower cam carrier such that the rocker arm contacts an intake cam and the rocker arm contacts an exhaust cam. An upper cam carrier is then assembled to the lower cam carrier, thus completing the camshaft support structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: TOYOTA-JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takanori Sasaki, Tetsuhi Suzuki, Atsunori Kumagai, Shoichi Tateyama
  • Publication number: 20080295789
    Abstract: The finger follower has an inner and outer body and a torsional lost motion spring positioned at its lash adjuster end of the outer body The torsional lost motion springs have a short leg that abuts the outer body and a long leg that contacts the inner body. The torsional spring is located above the pivot point of the finger follower so as to provide a low mass moment of inertia and to reduce the weight over the valve stem end of the follower.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER KG
    Inventors: Debora MANTHER, Yunshan LIU, Anna STREHLAU, Richard BEST, Xiaopo MA
  • Patent number: 7434557
    Abstract: A hydraulic reverse spring valve clearance compensation element (RSHVA) for a valve train of an internal combustion engine comprising: a housing (2), which has a blind bore (3), in which a piston (4) is guided with a tight, sealing clearance; the piston (4) comprises a lower piston part (4a) with a lower piston head (5), which together with the blind bore (3) defines a high-pressure chamber (7), whilst a low-pressure chamber (8) is situated above the lower piston head (5); the pressure chambers (7, 8) being connected by a central axial bore (10) in the lower piston head (5), which is controlled by a control valve (11) arranged on the underside (23) of the lower piston head (5); the control valve (11) comprises a control valve ball (19), upon which a control valve spring (20) acts in the opening direction and the lift of which is limited by a lift-limiting stop (24) of a valve ball cap (21), whereby an RSHVA, the idle lift of which is as independent as possible of the viscosity and hence of the temperature
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Peter Sailer, Oliver Schnell
  • Patent number: 7424876
    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: October 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Matthew Diggs
  • Publication number: 20080216784
    Abstract: The valve drive has a cam follower (10) which is arranged between a cam (3) of a camshaft (4) and the gas exchange valve (5) and is mounted on a support element (8). Support element (8) is stationary in cylinder head (2), with a rigid installation height (feature YP), for the adjustment of the valve play (21) with respect to the cam (3) and/or the gas exchange valve (5). A module (6) which has the cam, follower (10) and the support element (8), defines total installation dimension of the module (6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER KG
    Inventors: Frank Himsel, Wolfgang Christgen
  • Patent number: 7421993
    Abstract: A variable valve lift apparatus is provided comprising: an arm; a valve and valve springs connected to a first end of the arm for controlling an air intake and an air exhaust; a driving plunger disposed in a driving plunger groove formed on a second end of the arm which is opposite to the first end; a driving plunger portion elastic member disposed in the driving plunger groove for biasing the driving plunger; a support coupled to a cylinder head for supporting the driving plunger; a locking unit for selectively fixing the driving plunger; and a hydraulic pressure supply unit for selectively supplying hydraulic pressure to the locking unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Hyung Ick Kim
  • Patent number: 7415951
    Abstract: A valve timing mechanism of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, having a camshaft having at least one cam (18), via which a switchable valve timing mechanism element (1) can be loaded with a cam stroke (s), in which locking means (12) are arranged on the valve timing mechanism element (1), which locking means (12) have a locking play (16) which is active in the direction of a valve stroke, in which the cam (18) has a base circle region (?) and a ramp region (19) with an opening ramp (?) which adjoins the base circle region (?), and in which at least one ramp section (21) is formed on the opening ramp (?) in order to compensate for the locking play (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Peter Sailer, Oliver Schnell, Jochen Tovar
  • Publication number: 20080190386
    Abstract: A multi-step valve actuation system is provided to selectively open a poppet valve of an internal combustion engine having a camshaft rotatably supported by a cylinder block. The multi-step valve actuation system includes a rocker arm operable to selectively open the poppet valve and a pushrod operable to bias the rocker arm. A first follower arm is engageable with a first cam of the camshaft and operates to selectively bias the pushrod. A lash adjuster is disposed between the first follower arm and the pushrod. A second follower arm is engageable with a second cam of the camshaft and selectively latchable with respect to the first follower arm, while a third follower arm is engageable with a third cam of the camshaft and selectively latchable with respect to the first follower arm. An internal combustion engine incorporating the multi-step valve actuation system of the present invention is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Madhusudan Raghavan, Burak A. Gecim, Ioan Manole
  • Patent number: 7404386
    Abstract: A multi-step valve actuation system is provided to selectively open a poppet valve of an internal combustion engine having a camshaft rotatably supported by a cylinder block. The multi-step valve actuation system includes a rocker arm operable to selectively open the poppet valve and a pushrod operable to bias the rocker arm. A first follower arm is engageable with a first cam of the camshaft and operates to selectively bias the pushrod. A lash adjuster is disposed between the first follower arm and the pushrod. A second follower arm is engageable with a second cam of the camshaft and selectively latchable with respect to the first follower arm, while a third follower arm is engageable with a third cam of the camshaft and selectively latchable with respect to the first follower arm. An internal combustion engine incorporating the multi-step valve actuation system of the present invention is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Madhusudan Raghavan, Burak A. Gecim, John Ioan Manole
  • Patent number: 7392777
    Abstract: The invention proposes a variable valve train (1) for a gas exchange valve (8) of an internal combustion engine, which gas exchange valve (8) is actuated by a cam (2), said valve train (1) comprising a force transmission device (4) that is arranged between the cam (2) and the gas exchange valve (8) and includes a hydraulic lifting device (9) comprising a pressure piston (10) that is arranged for longitudinal displacement in a cylinder (12), said pressure piston (10) defining a pressure chamber (13) that is connected to a pressure medium supply of the internal combustion engine and said pressure piston (10) permitting, under high-pressure loading, an actuation of the gas exchange valve (8) independently of the cam (2). The force transmission device (4) is configured as an oscillating lever or rocker arm (3) mounted for pivoting on a lever shaft (6) comprising a longitudinal channel (14) that transports pressure medium and acts as a link (15) between the pressure medium supply and the pressure chamber (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Christof Faria, Frank Himsel