Hydraulic Patents (Class 123/90.46)
  • Patent number: 11846211
    Abstract: A retainer clip can be used to restrict travel of a hydraulic lash adjuster body relative to a plunger of a hydraulic lash adjuster. A seating depth of the hydraulic lash adjuster can be controlled via a plunger cup in a hydraulic lash adjuster bore. The plunger cup can also restrict purge of lash oil from the hydraulic lash adjuster bore. A rocker arm can comprise a rocker arm body comprising a force-receiving end, a valve end, and a rocker shaft bore. An extension can connect the rocker shaft bore to the valve end. A hydraulic lash adjuster bore can be in the valve end. A plunger cup or an end socket profile can be included in the hydraulic lash adjuster bore for receiving a plunger of a hydraulic lash adjuster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Mahima Sharma, Vikram Deokar, Advait Ashokrao Patil, Akash Rajendra Shinde
  • Patent number: 11808181
    Abstract: An exhaust valve opening apparatus such as for an engine compression braking system includes a rocker shaft for supplying control fluid to an controllable valve and for distributing the control fluid to a primary and second piston arrangement that selectively opens an exhaust valve in response to the control fluid being pressurized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventor: Dixon Malcolm Correa
  • Patent number: 11555422
    Abstract: A switching rocker arm comprises an outer arm having a pair of integrally formed axles extending outwardly therefrom and an inner arm pivotally secured to the outer arm. A is latch slidably connected to the outer arm and is configured to selectively extend to engage the inner arm. An inner roller is configured on the inner arm, and a pair of outer rollers is mounted on the respective integrally formed axles on the outer arm. A rocker arm for variable valve lift comprises an outer arm comprising outer arm portions, rollers mounted in a cantilevered manner to the outer arm portions, and an inner arm seated between the outer arm portions, the inner arm comprising an inner roller. A pivot axle connects the outer arm and the inner arm. The inner arm and the outer arm are pivotable with respect to one another about the pivot axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Matthew Vance, Guruprasath Alagarsamy, James E. McCarthy, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11549403
    Abstract: A rocker arm can comprise a first outer arm and a second outer arm joined by a pivot body. An actuatable latch mechanism is within the pivot body. An inner arm assembly comprises a latch arm. A first spring prop is on the inner arm assembly distal from the latch arm. An axle joins the inner arm assembly to pivot between the first outer arm and the second outer arm. A spring is biased against the first outer arm and against the first spring prop. The first spring prop can comprise a hooked end. Or, the first spring prop can extend laterally out from the rocker arm and parallel to the axle. The spring can comprise a one-piece spring comprising first and second coil springs connected by a lateral connector. Or, two separate torsion springs can comprising tangential spring ends extending at approximately 90 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventor: Matthew A. Vance
  • Patent number: 11466598
    Abstract: In an internal combustion engine provided with an electro-hydraulic system for variable actuation of the intake valves of the engine, each cylinder has two intake valves, which are associated with two intake conduits and are controlled by a single cam of a camshaft through a single hydraulic circuit. The communication of the hydraulic actuators of the two intake valves with a discharge channel is controlled by two electrically-actuated control valves, both of an on/off two-position type, arranged in series with each other along a hydraulic line for communication between the a pressure volume and the discharge channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: C.R.F. SOCIETÀ CONSORTILE PER AZIONI
    Inventors: Raffaele Ricco, Sergio Stucchi, Marcello Gargano, Domenico Lepore, Chiara Altamura
  • Patent number: 11459915
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a hydraulic support element for a switchable rocker arm of a valve train of an internal combustion engine. The hydraulic support element includes a cup-shaped cylinder, within which a hollow piston is arranged in an axially displaceable manner. The piston includes a filter cartridge which is in the form of a hollow body and can be charged from the outside with pressurized oil and an interior space of which is connected to an outlet opening of the contact head. An interior space of the piston has two pressurized oil chambers, including a first pressurized oil chamber above the piston head and connected to a first pressurized oil feed, and a second pressurized oil chamber formed under the contact head and connected to a second pressurized oil feed. The filter cartridge is tubular and located in the second pressurized oil chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Oliver Schnell, Peter Sailer, Oliver Witter
  • Patent number: 11313255
    Abstract: A marine outboard motor having an internal combustion engine is provided. The internal combustion engine includes an engine block having at least one cylinder and a valve train comprising a cam, a valve assembly including a valve spring, a roller finger follower, and a pivot post. The pivot post extends from a fixed body of the engine block and defines a contact surface about which the roller finger follower pivots when deflected by the cam during use. The pivot post is moveable relative to the fixed body in a first longitudinal direction (A) against the action of the valve spring. A removable shim is disposed between the fixed body and a portion (182) of the pivot post to space the pivot post from the fixed body in the first longitudinal direction (A) and thereby reduce an amount of lash between the cam and the roller finger follower. The removable shim is dimensioned to fit at least partly around a shaft portion of the pivot post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: COX POWERTRAIN LIMITED
    Inventor: Adam Laycock
  • Patent number: 11242778
    Abstract: A compression-release engine brake system for effectuating a compression-release engine braking operation of an internal combustion engine. The compression-release system includes a lost motion exhaust rocker assembly including an exhaust rocker arm, an actuation device including an actuation piston and an actuation cavity, and a reset device including a reset check valve and a slider-piston. Hydraulic fluid in the exhaust rocker arm is locked in the actuation cavity when the reset check valve is in the closed position, and flows through the reset check valve when the reset check valve is in the open position. The slider-piston is associated with the reset check valve so that in an extended position of the slider-piston the reset check valve is free to move toward the closed position, and in a retracted position of the slider-piston the reset check valve is moved to the open position thereof by the slider-piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Pacbrake Company
    Inventors: Devin Batcheller, Kody Taylor, Vincent Meneely
  • Patent number: 11092044
    Abstract: A cylinder head, where a pivot member configured to pivotably support a rocker arm is fastened with a bolt, is provided. The cylinder head includes a bottom wall part forming an inner bottom surface of a cam chamber that is a space where the rocker arm is disposed, and a side wall part forming an internal surface continuously rising from the inner bottom surface. A bolt hole into which the bolt is inserted is formed in the inner bottom surface. The side wall part has a protrusion protruding inward in the cam chamber from the internal surface at a position separated from the inner bottom surface, and a support hole configured to support the pivot member is formed in the protrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Takakazu Onishi
  • Patent number: 10767522
    Abstract: A compression-release engine brake system for effectuating a compression-release engine braking operation of an internal combustion engine. The compression-release system includes a lost motion exhaust rocker assembly including an exhaust rocker arm, an actuation device including an actuation piston and an actuation cavity, and a reset device including a reset check valve and a slider-piston. Hydraulic fluid in the exhaust rocker arm is locked in the actuation cavity when the reset check valve is in the closed position, and flows through the reset check valve when the reset check valve is in the open position. The slider-piston is associated with the reset check valve so that in an extended position of the slider-piston the reset check valve is free to move toward the closed position, and in a retracted position of the slider-piston the reset check valve is moved to the open position thereof by the slider-piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Pacbrake Company
    Inventors: Devin Batcheller, Kody Taylor, Vincent Meneely
  • Patent number: 10669899
    Abstract: An arrangement for a valve train assembly in an internal combustion engine includes: a valve train component having a body that defines a bore with a first bore section and a second bore section, the first bore section having a diameter that is greater than a diameter of the second bore section; and a hydraulic lash adjustor having a plunger mounted for reciprocal sliding movement in the second bore section to enable the hydraulic lash adjustor to expand and contract, the hydraulic lash adjustor further including a first chamber and a second chamber. The first chamber is at least partly in the first bore section and can hold hydraulic fluid for flowing into the second chamber through a valve in response to the hydraulic lash adjustor expanding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventor: Majo Cecur
  • Patent number: 10450908
    Abstract: An exhaust valve rocker arm assembly operable in a combustion engine mode and an engine braking mode includes: a rocker shaft that defines a pressurized oil supply conduit; a rocker arm for receiving the rocker shaft and to rotate around the rocker shaft, the rocker arm including an oil supply passage defined therein; a valve bridge for engaging a first exhaust valve and a second exhaust valve; a first plunger body movable between a first position and a second position, and that in the first position extends rigidly for cooperative engagement with the valve bridge; a check valve disposed on the rocker arm and including an actuator for selectively releasing pressure acting on the first plunger body, the actuator including a needle including a longitudinal disk portion and a disk portion; and an oil discharge circuit for to selectively depressurizing oil under the disk portion of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Majo Cecur, Marco Alessandria, Nicola Andrisani
  • Patent number: 10358950
    Abstract: A cylindrical pin of a valve control lever has an outer side wall, a first end wall and a second end wall and includes a blind bore that extends from a blind bore opening in the first end wall to an inner surface of the second end wall, the inner surface forming a blind bore base, the blind bore base including at least one through opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventors: Harald Buhl, Manfred Mattes, Peter Scharnberger, Verena Weigand
  • Patent number: 10001035
    Abstract: An eccentric hydraulic lash adjuster, a combustion engine comprising the eccentric hydraulic lash adjuster, and a method of assembling the combustion engine, the combustion engine including a rocker lever having a nose at a distal end thereof, and a bridge bar extending between two valves, the rocker lever configured to apply pressure on the bridge bar to actuate the two valves, and an eccentric hydraulic lash adjuster positioned in the nose of the rocker lever; and a fuel injector adjacent to the nose of the rocker lever and the bridge bar, wherein the eccentric hydraulic lash adjuster includes a housing having a pivot point and a longitudinal axis offset from the pivot point and is configured to pivot about the pivot point when the rocker lever pivots about the rocket lever shaft, wherein the offset is dimensioned to prevent interference between the nose and the fuel injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Adam C. Cecil, David M. Barnes
  • Patent number: 9664072
    Abstract: A valve train of an internal combustion engine with a switchable hydraulic lash adjuster (SHLA) is provided, including a cylinder head having a boss, with an opening defined in the boss. The SHLA is located in the opening, and the SHLA includes: an outer housing having an inner bore, an inner housing movably located in the inner bore of the outer housing, and including a spring retainer at an outer end thereof, and a plunger assembly with a hydraulic lash adjuster mechanism movably located in a bore of the inner housing. A lost motion spring is located between the spring retainer and a spring seat located around the boss. This arrangement reduces the overall packaging length of the SHLA in that only a fraction of the lost motion spring's installed height has an influence on the overall length of the SHLA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Matthew Evans
  • Patent number: 9091186
    Abstract: A lash adjuster includes a plunger and a partitioning member inserted into the plunger. The plunger has a bottom wall with a valve hole and a peripheral wall having an oil passage hole. The plunger defines a high-pressure chamber between the bottom wall and a body. The partitioning member has a baffle having first and second plate surfaces. The baffle has an upper end serving as oil passage end. The plunger has an interior divided into two spaces. The passage hole is located at one space side. An oil passage is defined by an inner peripheral wall surface of the plunger and the first plate surface. A low-pressure chamber is defined at the other space side to store hydraulic fluid. The low-pressure chamber supplies the fluid through the valve hole into the high-pressure chamber and is defined by the inner peripheral wall surface of the plunger and the second plate surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: OTICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroki Yamamoto, Yoshiaki Haga
  • Patent number: 9080469
    Abstract: A lash adjuster includes a plunger having a bottom wall with a valve hole and a peripheral wall having an oil passage hole and an inner periphery formed with a recessed groove, the plunger defining a high-pressure chamber between the bottom wall and a body, and a partitioning member having an oil passage end located above the oil passage hole. The partitioning member has an oil-passage defining portion located opposite the recessed groove and defining an oil passage between itself and a groove face of the recessed groove. The partitioning member defines a low-pressure chamber reserving a hydraulic fluid flowing through the oil passage hole, the oil passage and the oil passage end. The low-pressure chamber causes the reserved hydraulic fluid to flow through the valve hole into the high-pressure chamber. The partitioning member is formed into a cylindrical shape and extends in an up-down direction without any stepped part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: OTICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Suzuki, Hideki Oka, Kiyoshi Masegi
  • Publication number: 20150122220
    Abstract: A hydraulic lash adjuster for an engine valve train has a hydraulic lash adjusting arrangement for automatically compensating for lash in an engine valve train, and a lost motion arrangement for inhibiting motion induced in the valve train in response to a lift profile of a rotating cam from being transferred to an engine valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventor: Majo Cecur
  • Patent number: 8985076
    Abstract: A lash adjustment device is for a valve train in a marine engine. The lash adjustment device comprises an external hollow body and a ball shaft that is telescopically movable in the hollow body. The ball shaft has a through-bore for receiving oil and having an annular lower end surface and an upper end surface. Oil flow into the hollow body pushes on the lower end surface and forces the ball shaft to telescope outwardly with respect to the hollow body. An absence of oil flow in the hollow body allows the ball shaft to telescope inwardly with respect to the hollow body until the annular lower end surface engages with an internal stop surface formed in the hollow body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Bo K. Kim, Christopher R. Jenks
  • Patent number: 8973546
    Abstract: A lash adjuster includes a body, a plunger inserted, into the body and having a bottom wall formed with a valve hole and a peripheral wall standing from the bottom wall and having an oil passage hole, the plunger defining a high-pressure chamber between the bottom wall and the body, a partitioning member inserted into the plunger and having an oil passage end located above the oil passage hole, the partitioning member defining an oil passage between itself and the plunger peripheral wall, the partitioning member having a low-pressure chamber reserving a hydraulic fluid flowing through the oil passage hole, the oil passage and the oil passage end, the low-pressure chamber causing the reserved hydraulic fluid to flow through the valve hole into the high-pressure chamber, and a spacer interposed between the plunger peripheral wall and the partitioning member so that the partitioning member is held in the plunger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Otics Corporation
    Inventors: Hideki Oka, Kimihiko Todo
  • Patent number: 8960144
    Abstract: The present invention provides a variable valve mechanism of an internal combustion engine, which includes a main arm having at a rear end thereof a supported portion that is continuously supported swingably by a support member without floating upward, a sub arm which has a tip end to which a roller contacting a cam is rotatably attached, in which a center of the roller is located rearward of the pressing portion and forward of a swing center of the supported portion, which has a rear end that is swingably supported with respect to the main arm by a support pin, and in which a center of the support pin is located rearward of the center of the roller and forward of the swing center of the supported portion, and a switch pin that is inserted in a central portion of the roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Otics Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki Hiramatsu, Koki Yamaguchi, Akira Sugiura, Takayuki Maezako
  • Patent number: 8915225
    Abstract: A system for preloading a latch used in a variable valve actuation system for internal combustion engines is disclosed. It includes a rocker arm assembly having a first arm for operatively engaging the first cam for a first desired lift profile, and a second arm for operatively engaging the second cam for a second desired lift profile. A selectively-activatable latch to operatively latch the second arm with the first arm. An electronic control unit (ECU) communicates with an oil control valve that changes oil pressure to the latch to cause it to secure the arms together, or allow them to move independently. Due to the short time period required to operate the latch, the ECU provides a signal for the oil control valve to supply oil pressure or release oil pressure prior to the rocker arms being engaged with the base circle of the cams. This effectively preloads the latch causing it to react quickly and within the small time period allowed to latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Austin Robert Zurface, David Gerard Genise
  • Publication number: 20140366827
    Abstract: A lash adjuster is configured that reduces the impact at the time when a pressure force is exerted on a pressure-receiving effector, and reliably opens a valve by the necessary amount. This lash adjuster includes, in a relatively movable manner, the pressure-receiving effector that receives the pressure force and a relay effector that performs an operation of opening an intake valve, a pressure receiving-side damper space is formed at an insertion portion thereof, and an orifice portion is formed that suppresses an outflow of oil in the pressure receiving-side damper space when the pressure-receiving effector and the relay effector move in approaching directions. An abutting portion is formed that directly transmits the pressure force of the pressure-receiving effector to the relay effector when the pressure-receiving effector and the relay effector approach each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Koji Nunami, Hisashi Ono, Yuki Nishida
  • Patent number: 8887679
    Abstract: A valve actuation mechanism for an internal combustion engine includes rockers moved by a camshaft, each rocker being adapted to exert a valve opening force on at least a portion of a valve actuation mechanism of each cylinder belonging to a housing of the engine, via an engine brake activation piston, housed in a bore of the rocker, and movable with respect to the rocker under action of a fluid pressure raise in a chamber fluidly linked to the bore, from a first position, in which an engine brake function is deactivated, to a second position, in which a roller of the rocker reads at least one engine brake bump of a cam of the camshaft so as to perform the engine brake function. Each rocker includes a discharge valve movable in translation with respect to the rocker, adapted to reduce fluid pressure in the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Renault Trucks
    Inventors: Benjamin Girard, Romain Le Forestier
  • Publication number: 20140283776
    Abstract: A dual feed hydraulic lash adjuster includes a plunger assembly slidingly disposed in a lash adjuster body and having an end adapted to cooperate with a valve actuating mechanism, the plunger assembly forming a low-pressure first chamber and a high-pressure second chamber with the body, the plunger assembly having a first aperture fluidly communicating with the first chamber, a passageway fluidly communicating with the first chamber, and a second aperture fluidly communicating with the passageway, and a separate fluid pressure separator disposed in the plunger assembly between the first aperture and the second aperture to prevent passage of hydraulic fluid between the first chamber and the passageway, wherein a passage is provided through the fluid pressure separator to provide for evacuation of air from the lash adjuster.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventors: Scott P. Smith, Ira R. Stoody
  • Patent number: 8813698
    Abstract: A variable valve apparatus of an internal combustion engine includes a first rocker arm that contacts a cam, a low lift cam provided coaxially with the cam, and a second rocker arm capable of contacting the low lift cam. The apparatus also includes a switching mechanism capable of connecting the first rocker arm and the second rocker arm to each other through pins, valves that open by being pressed by the second rocker arms via hydraulic lash adjusters arranged in the second rocker arms, and an oil supply path formed inside the second rocker arms that supplies oil to the hydraulic lash adjusters. A radius of a base circle of the low lift cam is smaller than a radius of a base circle of the cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shuichi Ezaki, Shuuji Nakano
  • Patent number: 8813705
    Abstract: A hydraulic support element having a housing, a pressure piston, a high pressure chamber for a hydraulic means extending between a bottom face of the pressure piston and a bottom of the housing, wherein the housing includes a passage for the hydraulic means, which communicates radially inwardly with an aperture in the pressure piston, wherein the pressure piston includes a deflecting sheath for the hydraulic means, tightly contacting the pressure piston at the interior jacket axially below the aperture and extending to the proximity of a head of the pressure piston, wherein a rising line for the hydraulic means is formed between the deflecting sheath and the interior jacket, which starts at the aperture and leads in the area of the head into a reservoir inside the deflecting sheath directly in front of the return valve and with the deflecting sheath having at least one perforation axially above its contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Christgen, Juergen Kretschmer, Melanie Stark
  • Publication number: 20140230767
    Abstract: A lash adjuster includes a body, a plunger inserted into the body and a partitioning member inserted into the plunger. The plunger has a bottom wall with a valve hole and a peripheral wall having an oil passage hole. The plunger defines a high-pressure chamber between the bottom wall and the body. The partitioning member has a plate-like baffle located opposite the passage hole. The baffle has an upper end serving as an oil passage end located above the passage hole. The plunger has interior divided into two spaces by the baffle. The passage hole is located at one space side. An oil passage is defined at one space side. A low-pressure chamber is defined at the other space side to store hydraulic fluid flowing through the passage hole, the oil passage and the passage end. The low-pressure chamber supplies the fluid through the valve hole into the high-pressure chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: OTICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroki YAMAMOTO, Yoshiaki HAGA
  • Publication number: 20140230768
    Abstract: A lash adjuster includes a body formed into a bottomed cylindrical shape, a plunger movably inserted into the body and having a peripheral wall having an oil passage hole, and a partitioning member inserted into the plunger. The plunger defines a high-pressure chamber between the body and a plunger underside and includes a first threaded portion formed in an inner periphery of the peripheral wall. The partitioning member has an oil passage end located above the oil passage hole and an oil passage is defined between an outer surface of the partitioning member and the plunger peripheral wall. A low-pressure chamber is defined inside the partitioning member to reserve hydraulic fluid flowing through the oil passage hole. The hydraulic fluid is then supplied into the high-pressure chamber. The partitioning member has an outer periphery formed with a second threaded portion threadingly coupled with the first threaded portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: OTICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshiaki HAGA, Hiroki YAMAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20140230766
    Abstract: A lash adjuster includes a body, a plunger inserted into the body and having a bottom wall with a valve hole and a peripheral wall having an oil passage hole, and a partitioning member. The plunger defines a high-pressure chamber. The partitioning member is inserted into the plunger and has an oil passage end located above the oil passage hole in an inserted state. The partitioning member has a recess defining an oil passage together with the peripheral wall. The partitioning member defines a low-pressure chamber reserving hydraulic fluid and has, together with the recess, a press-fit portion abutting against an inner periphery of the peripheral wall when the partitioning member is inserted into the plunger. Consequently, the press-fit portion has a deformed cross-sectional shape except for a circular shape when cut at a same height as the oil passage hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: OTICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroki FUJII, Kimihiko TODO
  • Publication number: 20140224202
    Abstract: A lash adjuster includes a body, a plunger which is inserted into the body and has a bottom wall with a valve hole and a peripheral wall having an oil passage hole and an inner periphery formed with a recessed groove, the plunger defining a high-pressure chamber between the bottom wall and the body, and a partitioning member inserted into the plunger. The partitioning member has an oil passage end located above the oil passage hole. The partitioning member has an oil-passage defining portion located opposite the recessed groove and defining an oil passage between itself and a groove face of the recessed groove. The partitioning member defines a low-pressure chamber inside. The low-pressure chamber reserves a hydraulic fluid flowing through the oil passage hole, the oil passage and the oil passage end. The low-pressure chamber causes the reserved hydraulic fluid to flow through the valve hole into the high-pressure chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: OTICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyuki SUZUKI, Hideki OKA, Kiyoshi MASEGI
  • Publication number: 20140224201
    Abstract: A lash adjuster includes a body, a plunger inserted, into the body and having a bottom wall formed with a valve h ole and a peripheral wall standing from the bottom wall and having an oil passage hole, the plunger defining a high-pressure chamber between the bottom wall and the body, a partitioning member inserted into the plunger and having an oil passage end located above the oil passage hole, the partitioning member defining an oil passage between itself and the plunger peripheral wall, the partitioning member having a low-pressure chamber reserving a hydraulic fluid flowing through the oil passage hole, the oil passage and the oil passage end, the low-pressure chamber causing the reserved hydraulic fluid to flow through the valve hole into the high-pressure chamber, and a spacer interposed between the plunger peripheral wall and the partitioning member so that the partitioning member is held in the plunger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: OTICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hideki OKA, Kimihiko TODO
  • Publication number: 20140216378
    Abstract: An assembly clip for holding together a stationary hydraulic lash adjuster (SHLA) and a roller finger follower (RFF) in a valve train of an internal combustion engine (ICE) is provided. The SHLA has a pivot, and the RFF has a pivot cap configured to fit around the pivot. The assembly clip includes a first attachment section and a second attachment section configured to engage with the pivot cap and pivot, respectively, to attach the assembly clip to the RFF and SHLA, respectively. When assembled, the pivot and the pivot end are substantially located between the first attachment section and the second attachment section, the pivot cap covering at least a portion of the pivot. The assembly clip is made of an oil soluble material such that it may dissolve and break away after the valve train is assembled into the ICE, and the assembly clip no longer serves a function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Glenn E. Clever, Charles K. Buehler
  • Publication number: 20140196676
    Abstract: A valve timing controller includes: a driving-side rolling body configured to rotate synchronously with an engine crankshaft; a driven-side rolling body configured to rotate in a unified manner with a camshaft for opening/closing an engine valve relative to the driving-side rolling body; an advance chamber, and a retard chamber; a torsion spring disposed in a space formed between a front plate or a rear plate of the driving-side rolling body and the driven-side rolling body and configured to bias at all times the driving-side rolling body and the driven-side rolling body in the advance direction or the retard direction; and a first cylindrical portion provided in the front plate or the rear plate and a second cylindrical portion provided in the driven-side rolling body, the first and second cylindrical portions being insertable into each other in an axial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuji Noguchi, Kazunari Adachi, Takeo Asahi
  • Patent number: 8776750
    Abstract: An assembly for a valve train of an internal combustion engine, which has a hydraulic support element and a cam follower resting on one end via a bearing surface located on the bottom side thereof on a complimentary end side of a pressure piston of the support element. The piston extends across the outer shell in a bore of a crucible-shaped housing of the support element. The housing has an opening for hydraulic fluid, which is conductible via a channel between the housing and piston through a passage in the pressure piston to a storage chamber. In a section of a direct contact region between the bearing surface of the cam follower and end side of the piston, an anti-turn mechanism for the piston in relation to the cam follower is implemented. The piston is installed in a defined manner and is torsionally oriented in relation to the cam follower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Christgen, Frank Himsel, Junichi Ichikawa
  • Publication number: 20140096743
    Abstract: The present invention comprises apparatus and methods for releasing internal combustion engine compression during cranking to reduce cranking effort and the size and weight of the starter motor and battery. It is particularly suitable for fuel conservation systems that stop the engine when the vehicle is stopped in traffic, and restart the engine when the driver steps on the accelerator petal, since such systems place heavy demands on the starter motor and battery. The apparatus provides a means for automatically shifting the valve gear such that exhaust and/or inlet valves are held slightly open during the intake compression strokes to reduce compression torque during initial cranking, and restoring the valves to normal operation before the first firing event. The method provides a sequence of steps executed by the engine electronic control module to control the compression release apparatus to carry out the engine starting process safely and reliably.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Inventor: G. B. Kirby Meacham
  • Patent number: 8677964
    Abstract: A variable valve lift apparatus includes a cam, a swing arm of which one end thereof a valve is connected to and the swing arm contacting the cam, a support portion selectively supporting the other end of the swing arm, a hydraulic lash adjuster of which an oil supply hole and an oil exhaust hole thereto, and selectively supporting the swing arm according to oil supplying thereto or oil exhausting therefrom, a check valve selectively opening the oil exhaust hole and a control portion controlling the check valve for the check valve to selectively open the oil exhaust hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Bosung Shin
  • Publication number: 20140020644
    Abstract: Systems and methods for actuating engine valves for positive power and engine braking operation are disclosed. The systems may include a self-lashing hydraulic piston slidably disposed in a fixed or rocker arm housing. The hydraulic piston may have an internal cavity in which a motion absorbing piston is disposed. A hydraulic fluid source may communicate with the hydraulic piston bore. A check valve which may be incorporated in a control valve may controls hydraulic fluid supply from the hydraulic fluid source to the hydraulic piston to provide self-lashing operation of the valve actuation system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: JACOBS VEHICLE SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Gabriel Scott ROBERTS, Justin Damien BALTRUCKI, Kevin AUDIBERT
  • Patent number: 8567368
    Abstract: To achieve further reduction in size and weight of a cylinder head in a four-cycle engine having a connection surface formed on the cylinder head to connect a head cover set so as to follow along a plane that is inclined so as to be spaced further away from a cylinder block toward a first side wall. A camshaft holder is integrally formed on a cylinder head so as to protrude from a connection surface as viewed from an axial direction of a camshaft. An intake port is disposed in the first side wall such that an upstream end thereof is disposed at the same position as part of the bearing portion in a direction along an axis of a cylinder bore. An exhaust valve has a stem end disposed at a position protruding from the connection surface as viewed in a direction along the axial direction of a camshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukihiro Tsubakino, Shinsuke Yasui, Isao Azumagakito
  • Publication number: 20130233265
    Abstract: A system for diagnosing malfunctions in a variable valve actuation device is disclosed. The system has a rocker arm assembly that includes: a first arm, a second arm with the first and second arms attached at a first end, a hydraulically operated latch assembly that functions to secure the first arm to the second arm when latched. The rocker arm assembly pivots upon a hydraulic lash adjuster. It also includes a source of pressurized fluid connected to a hydraulic valve that provided fluid high or low pressure fluid to the hydraulically-operated latch. The latch may be operated by a remote device. A pressure transducer is positioned within the hydraulic lash adjuster (HLA) and is adapted to create a signal indicating the fluid pressure in the HLA.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Austin Robert Zurface, Daniel Bennett Trudell, Brian Karl VanDeusen
  • Patent number: 8505509
    Abstract: The present invention provides to a rocker arm apparatus for cylinder deactivation with a new structure for increasing fuel efficiency in a gasoline engine. For this, the present invention provides a rocker arm apparatus for cylinder deactivation including: a rocker arm; a restoring spring supported at the bottom of a rear end portion of the rocker arm; a roller coupled to the rocker arm to be pressed by a cam; a pair of rocker shaft assemblies each including first and second rocker shafts, and a connecting rod integrally connecting the first and second rocker shafts; a pair of rocker shaft support members connected to the rocker arm by means of the first and second rocker shafts; and a transfer member for controlling the rocker shaft assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Kyoung Pyo Ha, Jin Kook Kong, Woo Tae Kim
  • Patent number: 8490590
    Abstract: A hydraulic lash adjuster capable of retaining a Large amount of hydraulic oil in a reservoir communicated with a high-pressure chamber when the engine is stopped. The hydraulic lash adjuster including: a cylindrical body (24) having an upper open end, a closed bottom, and a second oil supply hole (27a) formed in the sidewall of the cylindrical body; and a plunger having a top end serving as a plunging end, a sidewall, a bottom end, a high pressure chamber (29) at the lower bottom, and a first oil supply hole (24b) formed in the sidewall, the plunger being slidabic on the inner wall of the body. The plunger has a reservoir (28) that communicates with an external oil supply line (32) via the first oil supply hole (24b) and the second oil supply hole (27a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Nittan Valve Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukio Kubota, Akifumi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8413622
    Abstract: There are provided first and second extending oil passages supplying operational oil to intake-side and exhaust-side lash adjustors, a first connection oil passage interconnecting one end portions of the oil passages, and an oil-pressure control valve selecting a first state in which the first extending oil passage does not connect to a drain oil passage or a second state in which the first extending oil passage connects to the drain oil passage. An orifice is provided in an oil passage which is located on the side of the first connection oil passage relative to a supply portion of the operational oil supplied to the lash adjustor and located on the side of the first connection oil passage relative to another supply portion of the operational oil supplied to the lash adjustor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Akihiro Noda, Tomoya Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8408174
    Abstract: A rocker arm for a tappet pushrod valve train, which has a contact surface for a gas exchange valve on an underside at one end and a first bore in which a hydraulic lash adjusting element is arranged at another end. A second bore extends transverse through the rocker arm, between the ends. From the second bore, a passage leads to the first bore. A venting passage extends from a bottom of the bore at the another end and has an outlet aligned with the primary passage. A secondary passage branches from the venting passage and has an opening that extends to an upper side of the rocker arm and is situated in a longitudinal channel. The channel extends along the upper side and into a region on the one end. From the region, the hydraulic medium can be routed through an end passage to the contact surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Oliver Schnell
  • Publication number: 20130061824
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for assembling a valve operating system for opening and closing a poppet valve mounted on an engine cylinder head. The valve operating system comprises a camshaft 18 having two coaxial cams 14 and 16 for operating the valve 12, a summation lever 20 coupled to followers 24,26 of the two cams 14 and 16, a control spring 40 acting on the summation lever 20 to urge one of the cam followers 26 into contact with the associated cam 16, and a valve actuating rocker 30 pivotably connected to the summation lever 20 and acting on the valve 12 to open and close the valve in dependence upon the sum of the instantaneous lifts of the two cams 14 and 16.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: MECHADYNE PLC
    Inventors: Ian Methley, Edward Hughes
  • Publication number: 20120210960
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine having eight cylinders in V-configuration, wherein a first cylinder bank and a second cylinder bank are disposed opposite one another. The internal combustion engine includes a cross-plane crankshaft and has a firing order of a 90° crank angle from cylinder to cylinder. An intake camshaft and an exhaust camshaft are associated with each cylinder bank for actuating at least one intake gas exchange valve and one exhaust gas exchange valve for each cylinder. The gas exchange intake valves that are actuated at a 90° crank angle in the same cylinder bank have a larger valve stroke than the gas exchange intake valves in same cylinder bank actuated immediately prior thereto. The gas exchange intake valves in the same cylinder bank actuated immediately prior thereto have a smaller valve stroke than all the remaining gas exchange intake valves of both cylinder banks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Wolfram KIRCHWEGER, Ralf Kadura
  • Patent number: 8240288
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes an exhaust valve for removing exhaust gas from a combustion chamber and an engine braking device with a hydraulic valve control unit by which the exhaust valve is held in an intermediate open position when the engine braking device is actuated. The internal combustion engine includes a hydraulic valve lash compensation mechanism for the exhaust valve and a control channel formed between the hydraulic valve control unit and an oil feed channel for feeding oil to the hydraulic valve control unit which can be closed by a closure element to compensate for valve lash of the exhaust valve. A counter-holder is constructed as a piston-cylinder unit that forms a variable stop for a valve bridge cooperating with the valve lash compensation mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: MAN Nutzfahrzeuge AG
    Inventor: Hans-Werner Dilly
  • Patent number: 8240278
    Abstract: An engine brake may include a rocker shaft, a rocker arm pivoting around the rocker shaft, an actuator piston disposed to the rocker arm and selectively protruded there from, a stopper disposed to a corresponding position of the actuator piston for the rocker arm to open a valve when the actuator piston is protruded and a hydraulic pressure supply portion selectively supplying hydraulic pressure to the actuator piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Jae Hee Jeon, Yong Wook Yu
  • Publication number: 20120186549
    Abstract: A rocker or swing arm in a valve train of an internal combustion engine has a bearing bore pivotally supporting the arm on a hollow axis located in a fixed position in the engine. The valve train has a camshaft with cams for causing the arm to pivot. A hydraulic valve lash compensation element that acts on the tappet of a gas exchange valve connects to the arm. A supply line is arranged in the arm, and a radial opening connecting the hollow interior space of the axis to the supply line is arranged in the axis in the region of the arm to deliver hydraulic means through the hollow axis to the lash compensation element. According to the invention, a A labyrinth seal (35) surrounding the hollow axis without contact is arranged on the arm at each axial end of the bearing bore. The bearing space of the arm is laterally sealed by this means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Oliver Schnell, Oliver Witter
  • Publication number: 20120167850
    Abstract: An assembly for a valve train of an internal combustion engine, which has a hydraulic support element and a cam follower resting on one end via a bearing surface located on the bottom side thereof on a complimentary end side of a pressure piston of the support element. The piston extends across the outer shell in a bore of a crucible-shaped housing of the support element. The housing has an opening for hydraulic fluid, which is conductable via a channel between the housing and piston through a passage in the pressure piston to a storage chamber. In a section of a direct contact region between the bearing surface of the cam follower and end side of the piston, an anti-turn mechanism for the piston in relation to the cam follower is implemented. The piston is installed in a defined manner and is torsionally oriented in relation to the cam follower.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Christgen, Frank Himsel, Junichi Ichikawa