Hydraulic Patents (Class 123/90.55)
  • Patent number: 11512629
    Abstract: The invention relates to an adjustable-length connecting rod for a reciprocating piston engine, to a reciprocating piston engine, and to a vehicle, where an effective connecting rod length of the connecting rod can be changed, and the connecting rod has a hydraulic length adjustment device which has a hydraulic working chamber, a hydraulic duct, a valve recess with a valve recess longitudinal axis, and a valve device which is arranged in the valve recess and has a valve chamber, where the valve device is configured for opening and/or shutting of a hydraulic medium outflow from the hydraulic working chamber, and the hydraulic duct opens into the valve recess at an orifice opening in an inner wall section of the valve recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignees: iwis motorsysteme GmbH & Co. KG, AVL List GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Rath, Siegfried Lösch, Christian Gallob, Klaus Landfahrer
  • Patent number: 11506090
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for actuating an advanced cam profile switch (CPS) assembly. In one example, a system may include a first cylinder and a second cylinder of the CPS assembly that may be independently coupleable to a valve stem via two separate locking mechanisms. A first cam may be selectively engage with the first cylinder and the valve stem and a second cam may be selectively engaged with the second cylinder and the valve stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Xiaogang Zhang, Steven Wooldridge
  • Patent number: 11326509
    Abstract: The valve ignition prechamber (1) with a reversed direction of combustion includes a lamination cavity (6) in which opens a pilot charge injector (32), and said cavity (6) being connected to a combustion chamber (5) of an internal combustion engine by a lamination duct (7), which, when opened by a lamination valve (13), forms with the latter a torch-ignition prechamber while an inverter housing (93) containing an ignition pilot charge (27) and accommodating ignition means (11) is housed in the lamination cavity (6) with which it forms a late combustion volume, said housing (93) comprising a main ejection nozzle (94) which can emit a pre-ignition torch in the direction of the lamination duct (7), the volume swept by said torch forming an early combustion volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Inventor: Vianney Rabhi
  • Patent number: 11208923
    Abstract: A hydraulic tappet configured for a valve train of an internal combustion engine is provided. The tappet includes an outer housing, a socket plunger, and a hydraulic lash adjuster assembly. The socket plunger and the hydraulic lash adjuster assembly are disposed within the outer housing. The hydraulic lash adjuster assembly includes an outer casing, a piston, and a check valve assembly. The outer casing is configured with a spherical first end. The hydraulic lash adjuster assembly can include a swivel pad that engages the spherical first end. The piston is at least partially received by an opening in the outer casing. The piston and socket plunger define a first fluid chamber, while the piston and outer casing define a second fluid chamber. The check valve assembly is arranged to fluidly connect the first fluid chamber to the second fluid chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Faheem Ahmed, Peter Sailer
  • Patent number: 11149596
    Abstract: A valve for variable throttling of a hydraulic flow includes a tappet and a guide element in which the tappet is guided for movement in a stroke direction. The valve also includes at least one fatigue-resistant, mechanical member that locally reduces a radial play of the tappet so as to reduce possible valve oscillations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Lechler, Andrej Gardt, Christoph Eisele, Edgar Kurz, Felix Schorn, Joern Kreutzer, Marcus Biehler, Michael Kloss, Patrick Schellnegger, Wolf Stahr
  • Patent number: 10968788
    Abstract: A roller-lifter assembly for a cam-actuated engine, comprising a two-part roller lifter (10, 13, 16) comprising a pump actuator main body, a receiving portion extending from the main body (160, 161, 162, 163 164), and a cam follower comprising a roller assembly (31) or a flat tappet integrated to the main body and configured to follow a rotating cam of a cam-actuated (32) engine. A hydraulically-actuated capsule (200, 202, 203, 204, 205) is fitted to the receiving portion of the pump actuator, the capsule configured to rotate with respect to the pump actuator (100, 101, 102, 103, 104).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: James E. McCarthy, Jr., Leighton Roberts, Ryan Krieger
  • Patent number: 10900389
    Abstract: A hydraulically variable gas exchange valve train for an internal combustion engine is proposed that includes a hydraulic housing with a pressure chamber, a pressure relief chamber, and a vent duct. The vent duct is connected hydraulically on a housing inner side via a restriction to the pressure relief chamber, and opens on the housing outer side below the pressure relief chamber with regard to a direction of gravity. The vent duct opens into a hydraulic reservoir, wherein the vent duct opening lies below a normal level of the hydraulic reservoir with regard to the direction of gravity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Steffen Pfeiffer, Philipp Galster
  • Patent number: 10690017
    Abstract: A hydraulic lash adjuster (HLA) sleeve configured to be received within a lifter bore of an engine block, includes a cylindrical sleeve having an outer surface defining an outer diameter, and an inner surface defining an inner diameter. The outer diameter is sized for an interference fit with the lifter bore to prevent rotation of the HLA sleeve within the lifter bore. The inner diameter is sized to receive a lifter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Leon Brown, James E. McCarthy, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10690064
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an engine with deactivating and non-deactivating valves is presented. In one example, the engine may include non-deactivating intake valves, deactivating intake valves, and only non-deactivating exhaust valves. The non-deactivating exhaust valves may operate to open and close during an engine cycle while deactivating intake valves remain closed during the engine cycle to prevent air flow through selected engine cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Eric Rollinger, Adam J. Richards
  • Patent number: 10590810
    Abstract: Systems for valve actuation in internal combustion engines provide configurations for hydraulic lash adjusters and valve actuation valvetrain components that are particularly suitable for prevention of HLA jacking in lost motion cam environments and in valve bridge environments. In one implementation, a rocker arm may transmit motion from a lost motion cam having main event and auxiliary event lobes. Main event motion is transmitted to two engine valves through the rocker arm, a lash adjuster, lash adjuster loading component and valve bridge, which define part of a first load path. Braking motion is transmitted to one of the engine valves through an inboard valve actuator and bridge pin, which define part of a second load path. The HLA is thus disposed in a separate load path from the braking valve load and the lash adjuster loading component keeps the lash adjuster under a constant compressive force to prevent jacking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Jacobs Vehicle Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Ferreira, Gabriel S. Roberts, Justin D. Baltrucki
  • Patent number: 10428697
    Abstract: A fluid diverter including a cylindrical body and an extension arm is provided. The cylindrical body defines a first fluid passage extending from a first axial end of the cylindrical body and a second fluid passage circumferentially offset from the first fluid passage and extending from a second axial end of the cylindrical body. A seepage orifice is defined in the cylindrical body providing a fluid communication path between the first axial end and the second axial end. The extension arm extends from the cylindrical body and includes a locating receptacle dimensioned to receive a fixing element to rotationally and axially fix the fluid diverter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Debora Manther, John Whitton, Pradeep Mohan Mohan Das
  • Patent number: 10294828
    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: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventor: Majo Cecur
  • Patent number: 10094248
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a lash adjuster body for use in a lash adjuster assembly can include forming a lash adjuster body to an as-formed condition including an outer cylindrical surface and an inner cylindrical surface. The inner cylindrical surface can have a leak down portion and a blind bore. The method can also include imparting a wear resistant surface layer to at least the leak down portion of the inner cylindrical surface with a sub-critical temperature process. The method can also include preserving the leak down portion in the as-formed condition during imparting of the wear resistant surface layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Prasanna Kumar Gudaloor, John Page Chapman, Gary Lynn Janowiak
  • Patent number: 10066517
    Abstract: A double-flow hydraulic support element for a switchable finger lever of a valve train of an internal combustion engine is provided. A piston is arranged in an axial bore of the housing of the support element in an axially movable manner, and the piston includes a hollow cylindrical pressure part and a cup-shaped working part. A head of the pressure part is used as a support for the finger lever and projects beyond the housing edge, and an opening for the flow of a hydraulic medium is formed in the end face of the head. The housing has a first passage and a second passage axially spaced from the first passage for the hydraulic medium. The support element has a hydraulic play compensation device with a ball non-return valve for the finger lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jurgen Kretschmer, Peter Sailer, Wolfgang Christgen, Michael Kugler, Jochen Tovar, Max Schafer
  • Patent number: 9695924
    Abstract: A mechanical system, comprising a tappet including a body, a support element defining two bores centered on a first axis, a pin comprising two opposite ends each adapted to be fitted in one of the two bores, and a roller element positioned between the two bores along the first axis and movable in rotation relative to the pin around the first axis. The support element is distinct from the body and fixed thereto, and the support element also comprises at least one antirotation device integrally formed thereto. The mechanical system can be integrated into an injection pump and/or a valve actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventors: Benoît Hauvespre, Nicolas Berruet, Charles Chambonneau, François Champalou, Samuel Viault
  • Patent number: 9556763
    Abstract: A variable valve lift apparatus may include an outer body, an inner body inserted in the outer body to move up and down in the outer body, a valve cylinder inserted in the outer body on a lower side of the inner body to have one side coupled to the inner body and the other side coupled to the valve, a latching member provided either to the outer body or to the inner body to be operated by a hydraulic pressure for coupling to the outer body and the inner body selectively, a hydraulic chamber formed between the outer body and the inner body, a latching flow passage formed in the outer body to supply the hydraulic pressure to the latching member, and an oil removal valve provided to drain a fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Young Hong Kwak, Won Gyu Kim, Gyu Han Hwang, Jin Hwa Kim, Gee Wook Shin, Myungsik Choi, Jin Kook Kong
  • Patent number: 9267397
    Abstract: The invention proposes a subassembly of a hydraulic variable valve train of an internal combustion engine, having a guide bushing (4) that can be installed in a hydraulic housing (3), and having a piston (5) supported therein so as to be axially movable for actuating a gas exchange valve (1), and having a valve element (7) that, together with the end face (10) of the piston distant from the gas exchange valve, defines a hydraulic pressure chamber (11) in the guide bushing, wherein the valve element is a throttle check valve that allows hydraulic medium to flow out of the pressure chamber throttled by a continuously open throttle opening (16) and allows hydraulic medium to flow into the pressure chamber with little throttling by a ball check valve (17). The subassembly is intended to be implemented as a modular unit assembled outside of the hydraulic housing, wherein the guide bushing and the valve element are fastened to one another, and the piston is secured in a captive manner in the guide bushing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Calin Petru Itoafa, Hermann Keller
  • Patent number: 9234555
    Abstract: A spring seat member includes a seat body having a seat portion and a shaft portion extending from the seat portion, and attachment members attached to the seat body. The spring seat member is attached to a coil spring in a state where the attachment members are attached to the seat body. The shaft portion has a groove on the outer periphery thereof that extends in the circumferential direction. The attachment members are provided with engaging portions that engage with the groove of the shaft portion. The engaging portions are selectively and elastically deformable inward or outward in the radial direction of the shaft portion. The groove has an inner wall facing the seat portion. The inner wall has an inclined surface. The inclined surface is inclined radially outward of the shaft portion as the distance from the seat portion in an extending direction of the shaft portion increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Togo Seisakusyo Corporation
    Inventor: Yuji Nakamura
  • Patent number: 9200574
    Abstract: A variable valve timing apparatus including: an actuator housing having a space at the inside thereof; an upper plunger mounted inside the upper portion of the actuator housing to move upward and downward; a lower plunger mounted inside the lower portion of the actuator housing to allow the upper plunger to move upward and downward; an oil chamber allows oil to be circulated upwardly and downwardly or blocks the flow of oil through a head formed on the top end periphery of the upper plunger in accordance with the upward and downward movements of the upper plunger; and a communicating passage allows the upper and lower end portions of the oil chamber to communicate with each other in accordance with upward and downward movements of the lower plunger and to adjust the oil flowing thereon to control the speeds of the upward and downward movements of the upper plunger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: HYUNDAI HEAVY INDUSTRIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seho Kim, Dongyeon Kim, Sunghyeok Kim, Hunsuk Kim
  • Patent number: 9109468
    Abstract: Valve actuation systems are disclosed herein that allow valve opening timing to be varied using a cam phaser and that allow valve closing timing to be varied using a lost-motion system. In one embodiment, an actuation system is provided that has a locked configuration in which a bearing element is held in place between a cam and a rocker to transmit cam motion to an engine valve. The actuation system also has an unlocked configuration in which the bearing element is permitted to be at least partially ejected from between the cam and rocker, such that cam motion is not transmitted to the engine valve. The actuation system is switched to the unlocked configuration by draining fluid therefrom through a main valve which is piloted by a trigger valve. The actuation system also includes integrated autolash and seating control functionality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Scuderi Group, LLC
    Inventors: Riccardo Meldolesi, John A. Schwoerer, Ian P. Gilbert, Clive Lacy, Glenn Wendel
  • Patent number: 9051854
    Abstract: A hydraulic lash adjuster for a valve train of an internal combustion engine uses a partial recirculation feature in order to provide device cooling while also retaining many of the benefits associated with leak recirculation. The hydraulic lash adjuster includes a hollow piston that is received in an axial bore of a body component. The annular clearance area between the hollow piston and the body defines a plurality of leak escape paths and a plurality of leak recirculation paths. The portion of the leaked oil recirculated is on a same order of magnitude as the remaining portion of the leaked oil that is allowed to escape back to sump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: David Andrew Cyborski
  • Patent number: 9010291
    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: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Otics Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Haga, Hiroki Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20150083062
    Abstract: A hydraulic lash adjuster is provided. The hydraulic lash adjuster includes an outer housing having an annular body with an open first axial end, a closed second axial end, a radially inner wall defining an axial bore, and a radially outer wall. The radially outer wall includes a first annular groove located adjacent to the first axial end, and a second annular groove located adjacent to the second axial end. A first port is located in the first annular groove, and a second port is located in the second annular groove. A radially outer surface of the first annular groove tapers radially inwardly between a first axial end and a second axial end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Matthew Evans
  • Publication number: 20140238322
    Abstract: A cylinder valve system in an engine is provided. The cylinder valve system includes a first oil pressurized bore corresponding to a cylinder valve and in fluidic communication with a control valve assembly, the control valve assembly comprising at least one hydraulic valve and a second oil pressurized bore corresponding to the cylinder valve and in fluidic communication with the control valve assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Charles Fabros
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8800520
    Abstract: A hydraulic lash adjuster includes a body and a plunger assembly slideably mounted with respect to the body. A first chamber is defined by the body and the plunger assembly and is configured to contain a hydraulic fluid. A second chamber is configured to supply the hydraulic fluid to the first chamber through a valve disposed between the first and second chambers in response to a movement of the plunger assembly that increases the volume of the first chamber. An aperture opens into the second chamber. A stopper is insertable into the aperture during use of the hydraulic lash adjuster such that the stopper restrains the hydraulic fluid from exiting the second chamber through the aperture and enables air to exit the second chamber through the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Eaton SRL
    Inventor: Massimo D'Amore
  • Patent number: 8695551
    Abstract: A hydraulic lash adjuster includes a body defining an axial bore and having an open end and a closed end. A hollow piston is telescopically received within the axial bore and defines a fluid reservoir. The hollow piston has a first end disposed within the axial bore and a second end extending outwardly beyond the open end of the body. A high pressure volume is defined by the axial bore and the first end of the hollow piston. The hydraulic lash adjuster also includes a valve mechanism positioned through an opening of the hollow piston and including a valve member having an open position defining a fluid path from the fluid reservoir to the high pressure volume. The valve member also has a closed position in which the fluid reservoir is fluidly blocked from the high pressure volume at the opening. The hollow piston includes a band of radial recirculation openings defining recirculation paths from the high pressure volume to the fluid reservoir along an exterior of the hollow piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Edwin Henry Langewisch, Ashwin A. Hattiangadi
  • Patent number: 8651079
    Abstract: A valve operating mechanism includes a pin housing housed in a lash adjuster and a lash adjustment chamber. A sync pin is slidably received within the housing between an activating position and a deactivating position. A ball valve assembly is provided within the housing for communication with the chamber, and is moveable between an open position and a closed position. The valve operating mechanism is operable in an active mode and a deactive mode. In the active mode, the sync pin is in the activating position, a valve is in an active state and the valve operating mechanism is configured to adjust valve lash. In the deactive mode, the sync pin is in the deactivating position and the valve is in a deactive state. The valve operating mechanism is configured to generate valve lash to allow the operating mechanism to move between the active mode and the deactive mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Phillip Aquino
  • Patent number: 8651075
    Abstract: An engine assembly may define first and second combustion chamber and may include a camshaft having a first lobe region engaged with the first valve arrangement and a second lobe region engaged with the second valve arrangement and rotatable relative to the first lobe region. The cam phaser may be coupled to the camshaft and may include a first member and a second member rotatable relative to the first member. The first lobe region may be fixed for rotation with the first member and the second lobe region may be fixed for rotation with the second member to vary valve timing for the second combustion chamber independently from the valve timing of the first combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Alan W. Hayman, Robert S. McAlpine
  • Publication number: 20140041609
    Abstract: A switch valve for a hydraulic unit, in particular a quick-acting valve for a hydraulic unit of a hydraulically variable valve gear of a reciprocating internal combustion engine, having a valve body, which is guided in an axially movable manner in a housing part and which is sealed with respect to the housing part by a seal, wherein the seal is designed as a flat seal element, which encloses the valve body in a sealing manner and which is operatively connected to an axial surface of the housing part in a sealing manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Calin Petru Itoafa
  • Patent number: 8622036
    Abstract: A method is provided for operating an engine assembly having a hydraulically actuated component. The method may include providing pressurized oil from a pressurized oil source to an oil passage in communication with the hydraulically actuated component and determining a first oil pressure measurement within the oil passage a first predetermined time after the providing. The method may further include preventing operation of the hydraulically actuated component when the first oil pressure measurement is below a first predetermined limit, isolating the oil passage from the pressurized oil source after the providing, and determining a second oil pressure measurement within the oil passage a second predetermined time after the isolating when the first oil pressure measurement is above the first predetermined limit. Operation of the hydraulically actuated component may be prevented when the second oil pressure measurement is above a second predetermined limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: William C. Albertson, Mike M. McDonald
  • Publication number: 20130319358
    Abstract: A valve drive of an internal combustion engine, having a finger lever which acts at one end on a gas exchange valve and which is seated at the other end on a head of a housing of a support element, which housing runs in an axially movable manner in a reception bore of a cylinder head, the finger lever is acted on by a cam from the base circle from which there projects in a fixed manner an additional cam piece for generating an additional lift of the gas exchange valve, a bore extends from a bottom of the housing in the direction of the head, in the lower portion of which bore there runs a pressure piston which is axially movable relative to the housing and via the lower face of which the support element is mounted on a base of the reception bore of the cylinder head, a high-pressure chamber for hydraulic medium is formed between an upper face of the pressure piston and a ring part situated above said upper face and which is fixed with respect to the housing, and to generate the additional lift, the high-press
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventors: Oliver Schnell, Peter Sailer, Oliver Witter
  • Patent number: 8596234
    Abstract: An electro-hydraulic variable valve lift apparatus may includes a housing having a housing protruding portion is formed therewithin, a driving cam, a pump piston which forms a main chamber with the housing, reciprocates within the housing according to rotation of the driving cam, and forms hydraulic pressure within the main chamber, a pump piston elastic portion disposed for elastically supporting the pump piston, an oil pressure controller communicated with the main chamber in order to control hydraulic pressure within the main chamber, a hydraulic piston slidably disposed within the housing and connected with a valve, a multiple orifice unit slidably disposed within the hydraulic piston and forms an auxiliary chamber with the hydraulic piston, and the multiple orifice unit of which an orifice hole communicating the main chamber with the auxiliary chamber is formed thereto, and an orifice unit elastic portion disposed within the auxiliary chamber to elastically support the multiple orifice unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Byong Young Choi, Jin Kook Kong, Soo Hyung Woo, Jin Soon Kim
  • Publication number: 20130298859
    Abstract: A hydraulic lash adjuster includes a body and a plunger assembly slideably mounted with respect to the body. A first chamber is defined by the body and the plunger assembly and is configured to contain a hydraulic fluid. A second chamber is configured to supply the hydraulic fluid to the first chamber through a valve disposed between the first and second chambers in response to a movement of the plunger assembly that increases the volume of the first chamber. An aperture opens into the second chamber. A stopper is insertable into the aperture during use of the hydraulic lash adjuster such that the stopper restrains the hydraulic fluid from exiting the second chamber through the aperture and enables air to exit the second chamber through the aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventor: Massimo D'AMORE
  • Patent number: 8573171
    Abstract: A valve control device for an internal combustion engine with an engine valve and a camshaft having a cam profile including a first lift profile is disclosed. The device includes a first body and second body. The device is configurable in first and second configurations. When in the first configuration, relative movement between the first and second body, caused when said first lift profile engages a cam engagement surface, inhibits a valve actuating linkage from actuating said engine valve. Embodiments of the device include a means which, when in the second configuration, prevents relative movement between the first and second bodies when the first lift profile engages the cam engagement surface to enable the valve actuating linkage to actuate said engine valve, and when the device is in the second configuration, the means may be arranged so substantially all of the force exerted as the valve is actuated is compressive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Eaton SRL
    Inventors: Majo Cecur, Fabiano Contarin, Nicola Andrisani, Marco Querio
  • Patent number: 8555833
    Abstract: In a clearance compensating device for an internal combustion engine with an internal part movably arranged within a guide duct of an external part for adjusting a clearance of an associated valve of the internal combustion engine, a pressure chamber, and a storage chamber which is hydraulically connected to the pressure chamber for receiving hydraulic fluid are associated with the interior part. Between the two chambers a one-way valve is disposed for applying an actuating force to the interior part relative to the external part. A feeding device is hydraulically connected to a blocking chamber for supplying a hydraulic fluid to the blocking chamber in order to exert a blocking force to the internal part acting in a direction opposite the actuating force under the control of a timing device the blocking force being modified depending on a cycle of the timing devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Josef Astner, Daniel Böhme, Marc Oliver Wagner, Harry Wolf
  • Patent number: 8544435
    Abstract: A hydraulic valve lifter apparatus including a seal at the interface of a pushrod seat and a pushrod is provided herein. In one form, the hydraulic valve lifter apparatus includes a body, a piston slidably disposed within the body including a pushrod seat for contacting a pushrod, and a seal located between the pushrod seat and the pushrod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventor: Gregory P. Prior
  • Publication number: 20130186359
    Abstract: A valve operating mechanism includes a pin housing housed in a lash adjuster and a lash adjustment chamber. A sync pin is slidably received within the housing between an activating position and a deactivating position. A ball valve assembly is provided within the housing for communication with the chamber, and is moveable between an open position and a closed position. The valve operating mechanism is operable in an active mode and a deactive mode. In the active mode, the sync pin is in the activating position, a valve is in an active state and the valve operating mechanism is configured to adjust valve lash. In the deactive mode, the sync pin is in the deactivating position and the valve is in a deactive state. The valve operating mechanism is configured to generate valve lash to allow the operating mechanism to move between the active mode and the deactive mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Phillip Aquino
  • 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: 8474426
    Abstract: A roller lifter assembly has a lifter body with a leg extending outwardly therefrom, a bar having a elongated slot formed therein, a first rivet having a head and a shank, a button affixed to the shank of the rivet so as to sandwich the bar between the button and the leg of the lifter body. The head of the rivet has a surface adjacent to the shank that bears against a curved inner surface of the leg of the lifter body so as to prevent the rivet from rotating. The shank extends through the hole in the leg and through the elongated slot of the bar. The rivet is positioned so as to as to be non-rotatable during the movement of the lifter bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Inventors: William Gaterman, Brad A. Miller
  • Patent number: 8453613
    Abstract: A variable valve actuation system to actuate and control the seating velocity of an internal combustion engine valve is disclosed. The system comprises: a housing having a bore formed therein; an outer piston slidably disposed in the bore, the outer piston having an orifice formed therein; a catch piston slidably disposed in the outer piston; and an cone-shaped extension extending from the inner piston, wherein the cone-shaped extension is adapted to provide a variable flow area through the outer piston orifice to provide improved engine valve seating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Jacobs Vehicle Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhou Yang, Ryan C Noss, Brian Ruggiero, John A. Schwoerer, Neil Fuchs
  • Publication number: 20130104825
    Abstract: A hydraulic valve lifter apparatus including a seal at the interface of a pushrod seat and a pushrod is provided herein. In one form, the hydraulic valve lifter apparatus includes a body, a piston slidably disposed within the body including a pushrod seat for contacting a pushrod, and a seal located between the pushrod seat and the pushrod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: CHRYSLER GROUP LLC
    Inventor: Gregory P. Prior
  • Patent number: 8342145
    Abstract: A lifter retainer including a central body portion connected to both a left bank of lifter retaining arms and a right bank of lifter retaining arms. The lifter retainer may be adapted to engage a key portion of one or more lifters to prevent the lifters from rotating during engine operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventor: James R. Klotz
  • Publication number: 20120325171
    Abstract: A hydraulic lash adjuster includes a body defining an axial bore and having an open end and a closed end. A hollow piston is telescopically received within the axial bore and defines a fluid reservoir. The hollow piston has a first end disposed within the axial bore and a second end extending outwardly beyond the open end of the body. A high pressure volume is defined by the axial bore and the first end of the hollow piston. The hydraulic lash adjuster also includes a valve mechanism positioned through an opening of the hollow piston and including a valve member having an open position defining a fluid path from the fluid reservoir to the high pressure volume. The valve member also has a closed position in which the fluid reservoir is fluidly blocked from the high pressure volume at the opening. The hollow piston includes a band of radial recirculation openings defining recirculation paths from the high pressure volume to the fluid reservoir along an exterior of the hollow piston.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR, INC.
    Inventors: Edwin Henry Langewisch, Ashwin A. Hattiangadi
  • Patent number: 8316809
    Abstract: A two mode valve lifter for Diesel engines which varies the compression ratio between higher for cold starting and other selected operating conditions, and lower for warmed-up running. This is accomplished during engine starting and selected other conditions by causing the intake valve to close early (near bottom center), providing for example, up to three ratios additional compression. The invention incorporates a conventional valve lifter packaged within a sleeve, the sleeve being moved by the engine cam. In its conventional operating mode, the sleeve is rigidly attached to the lifter and the cam moves the assembly to lift the valve in the ordinary manner. When the sleeve is not attached, partial lost motion occurs, causing the valve to open later and close earlier. In the modified mode and as needed, optional damping can be introduced to allow the valve to open and close gradually and quietly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Electro-Mechanical Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald James Patterson, Kevin Michael Morrison, George Byron Schwartz
  • Publication number: 20120272932
    Abstract: A valve assembly configured to provide feed-back control of pressurized fluid in a gallery includes a housing and a pressure chamber. The valve assembly also includes a first passage for providing continuous flow of fluid through the gallery and a second passage for supplying the pressurized fluid to the gallery. The valve assembly additionally includes a piston moveable within the pressure chamber between a first position that opens the second passage and a second position that closes the second passage. The piston includes a third passage that provides fluid communication between the first passage and the pressure chamber. Furthermore, the valve assembly includes a spring configured to move the piston to the first position when gallery fluid pressure is less than a threshold pressure value and permit the piston to shift to the second position when gallery fluid pressure is equal to or greater than the threshold pressure value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Joseph J. Moon, David R. Staley
  • Patent number: 8281759
    Abstract: The antirotational, mechanical lash control mechanism for two reciprocating bodies having opposing cylindrical surfaces uses a radial U-shaped groove in the outer surface of the outer housing; a radial cut in the leg of said U-shaped groove, that extends from the groove into said bore; a U-shaped clip adapted to fit the U-shaped groove, the U-shaped clip having a ledge on a leg of U-shaped clip, where the ledge extends through said cut and into said bore; and a first stop on the outer surface of the inner housing, such that the first stop abuts said ledge to control mechanical lash between the outer housing and the inner housing. To prevent rotation, the ledge has a flat surface that mates to a flat surface on the inner housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Matt Evans, Tracy Novinski
  • Patent number: 8240285
    Abstract: A switchable bucket tappet for a valve drive of an internal combustion engine, which has a bucket basic body with a ring-like base. A hollow-cylindrical projection protrudes from an inner edge of the base, and in the bore of the projection an inner body extends. Two coupler pistons lie opposite one another and, to achieve full valve stroke, engage in sections with a driver surface of the bucket basic body which run in a radial hole of the inner body. A zero valve stroke is achieved when the coupler piston is displaced completely into the radial hole of the inner body, which is baseless and free of contact with a cam. The projection has a window-like aperture, with the underside acting as the driver surface for an upper side of the coupler piston during coupling. The region of the base is an approximately symmetrical and continuously thin-walled formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Lucia Hinkovska, Sandra Schaefer, Lothar Von Schimonsky, Norbert Nitz, Mario Kuhl, Michael Haas
  • Patent number: 8215276
    Abstract: An improved deactivation hydraulic lash adjuster wherein the prior art lost motion spring or springs formerly located within the body of the DHLA and below the pin housing are either omitted completely or are reduced in length, spring force, and/or number and are augmented hydraulically, allowing a shorter, more compact lifter body and reduced overall lifter length. The prior art lost motion spring chamber becomes a hydraulic chamber connected to a new pressurized oil supply gallery containing an accumulator in the engine. An embodiment having no lost motion spring and solely hydraulic lost motion return can be even shorter than a spring-hydraulic hybrid because the potential hydraulic pressure to be brought against the pin housing is not a function of the length of the lost motion chamber, which length is limited only by the required displacement of the pin housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Nick J. Hendriksma
  • Patent number: RE44864
    Abstract: In a switching element (1) for a valve train of an internal combustion engine for switching to different valve lifts, said switching element (1) comprising an outer element (2) having an inner element (4) arranged for axial displacement therein, each of the outer and the inner element (2, 4) comprising a reception (11, 9) aligned to each other in a relative position, at least one piston (10) being arranged in at least one of the receptions (11, 9) for sliding toward the other of the receptions (9, 11) to couple the inner element (4) to the outer element (2) in said relative position, and a high-position stop for defining said relative position being arranged between the inner and the outer element (4, 2), at least one part of the high-position stop is configured as an adjustable, separate element (13). This element (13) cooperates through a preferably conical section (15) of its outer periphery with a complementary chamfer (18) on one end (17) of a guide (16) in the outer element (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Ina Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Hermann Wenisch, Mario Kuhl, Peter Sailer, Oliver Schnell