Cam Patents (Class 123/90.6)
  • Patent number: 7980217
    Abstract: A valve train of an internal combustion engine with at least one camshaft (1) on which at least one rotatable cam (2) is arranged fixed in the axial direction, wherein a rotationally fixed connection of the at least one cam (2) with the camshaft (3) can be selectively established and released by an associated coupling-like locking device (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Matthew Evans, Ross A. Gresley, John Stallmann, Bogyu Kang, Brian Lee
  • Patent number: 7975381
    Abstract: A camshaft system includes a number of cam lobes locked upon a cylindrical shaft. Bearings configured with one-piece bores and are engaged with the cylindrical shaft. The bearings are captured upon the shaft by the locked-on cam lobes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies
    Inventor: Darrell Charles Drouillard
  • Publication number: 20110162600
    Abstract: A camshaft assembly may include a shaft and a lobe member fixed for rotation with the shaft. The lobe member may include a lobe extending radially outward from a base circle. The lobe may include a valve closing profile defined between a peak of the lobe and an ending point of the lobe on the base circle. The valve closing profile may define a closing flank and a closing ramp extending from an end of the closing flank to the ending point. The closing ramp may have a radial extent from the base circle at the end of the closing flank that is less than ten percent of the radial extent of the peak from the base circle and may have a first angular extent of at least ten degrees. A second angular extent defined between the peak and the ending point may be at least eighty degrees.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2010
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: ROBERT LIONEL JACQUES, GERALD J. HYSKO, JR.
  • Patent number: 7966983
    Abstract: A camshaft may include a first shaft, a first lobe member, and a second lobe member. The first shaft may include an annular wall defining a first bore. The wall may include a first portion having a first radial outer surface and a second portion having a second radial outer surface that is radially offset relative to the first radial outer surface. The first lobe member may define a second bore having the first portion of the first shaft located therein and frictionally engaged with the first shaft for rotation with the first shaft. The second lobe member may define a third bore having the second portion of the first shaft located therein. The second lobe member may be rotatably disposed on the second portion of the first shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Glenn E. Clever, Frederick J. Rozario, Shekhar G. Wakade, Joseph E. Robbins
  • Patent number: 7958859
    Abstract: A camshaft assembly is disclosed which comprises an inner shaft, an outer tube surrounding and rotatable relative to the inner shaft, and two groups of cam lobes mounted on the outer tube, the first group of cam lobes being fast in rotation with the outer tube, the second group being rotatably mounted on the outer surface of the tube and connected for rotation with the inner shaft. The connection between the second group of cam lobes and the inner shaft is effected by means of driving members whose positions are adjustable in order to compensate for significant manufacturing inaccuracies between the inner shaft and its associated group of cam lobes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Mechadyne PLC
    Inventors: Ian Methley, Richard Alwyn Owen, Nicholas James Lawrence, Timothy Mark Lancefield
  • Publication number: 20110114046
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine, having at least one camshaft, which is mounted in the radial direction via at least one bearing block supplied with bearing fluid, wherein in the region of the bearing block, two sealing rings are provided, which are axially spaced apart from each other and which seal an annular chamber supplied with bearing fluid and located between the camshaft and the associated bearing block at least partially in the axial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Inventors: Thomas Flender, Michael Kreisig, Antonio Menonna, Falk Schneider
  • Publication number: 20110107990
    Abstract: A camshaft assembly may include a first shaft, a second shaft, a first lobe and a second lobe. The second shaft may be coaxial with and rotatable relative to the first shaft. The first lobe may be fixed for rotation with the first shaft and adapted to open a first valve in communication with an engine combustion chamber. The first lobe may define a first valve opening region having a first angular extent. The second lobe may be fixed for rotation with the second shaft and adapted to open a second valve in communication with the engine combustion chamber. The second lobe may define a second valve opening region having a second angular extent greater than the first angular extent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2009
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: RICHARD STEPHEN DAVIS
  • Patent number: 7938091
    Abstract: A cam lobe of a camshaft has a base circle portion and a lifting lobe portion. A camshaft journal of the camshaft has first and second bearing portions that bear reaction forces from the base circle portion and the lifting lobe portion, respectively. The first bearing portion has an axial width smaller than that of the second bearing portion with at least a portion of an axial end surface of the first bearing portion facing the cam lobe being disposed away from the cam lobe relative to an axial end surface of the second bearing portion. The base circle portion has an axial width smaller than that of the lifting lobe portion with at least a portion of an axial end surface of the base circle portion facing the camshaft journal being disposed away from the camshaft journal relative to an axial end surface of the lifting lobe portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Aichi Machine Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Munehiro Sagata
  • Publication number: 20110100310
    Abstract: A camshaft may include a first shaft, a first lobe member, and a second lobe member. The first shaft may include an annular wall defining a first bore. The wall may include a first portion having a first radial outer surface and a second portion having a second radial outer surface that is radially offset relative to the first radial outer surface. The first lobe member may define a second bore having the first portion of the first shaft located therein and frictionally engaged with the first shaft for rotation with the first shaft. The second lobe member may define a third bore having the second portion of the first shaft located therein. The second lobe member may be rotatably disposed on the second portion of the first shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2011
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: GLENN E. CLEVER, FREDERICK J. ROZARIO, SHEKHAR G. WAKADE, JOSEPH E. ROBBINS
  • Patent number: 7926458
    Abstract: A lubricating device comprises a cam shaft, plural cam portions for each valve provided at the cylinder head, a valve driving mechanism to change a rotational movement of the cam portion to an opening-and-closing movement of the valve via a slide member on which a peripheral surface of the cam portion slides, an oil passage of the cam shaft, a nozzle provided at either one of the cam portions to open at the peripheral surface of the cam portion and connect to the oil passage of the cam shaft, and a wall body having a recess portion. The recess portion collects lubricating oil ejected out of the nozzle and guides the lubricating oil collected to the peripheral surface of the other cam portion when the one cam portion is located in a position in which the nozzle is not directed to the slide member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiro Naito, Shigemi Okada, Jun Yamane
  • Publication number: 20110083626
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine, having a camshaft having at least one one-piece thrust plate, which is arranged and captively fixed between a drive element, and a function element, wherein the drive element and the function element are fixedly joined with the camshaft, wherein the thrust plate is in the cylinder crankcase and is an axial bearing plate and includes at least one of a wear reducing coating and a friction reducing coating, and wherein the thrust plate is guided at a radially outer edge in the cylinder crankcase
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Inventors: Thomas Flender, Michael Kreisig, Falk Schneider
  • Publication number: 20110067654
    Abstract: A camshaft assembly may include a monolithic camshaft body, a journal member and a thrust ring. The monolithic camshaft body may define lobes and journal regions along an axial extent thereof. The journal member may be separate from and fixed to an axial end of the camshaft body adjacent an end lobe of the camshaft body. The thrust ring may be axially secured to the camshaft assembly at the axial end of the camshaft body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: DOMINIQUE T. LESTER, RODNEY E. BAKER, ALAN W. HAYMAN
  • Publication number: 20110061614
    Abstract: A camshaft assembly may include a first shaft adapted to be rotationally driven, a first lobe member fixed for rotation with the first shaft, and a torsional damper fixed to the first shaft. The torsional damper may include a mass structure fixed to the first shaft and an elastic member disposed between and coupling the mass structure and the first shaft. The elastic member may have a spring constant providing a first sideband natural frequency and a second sideband natural frequency for the camshaft assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: CRAIG D. MARRIOTT, HONG WAI NGUYEN, RONALD JAY PIERIK
  • Publication number: 20110052934
    Abstract: There is provided a slide part used in an environment where there is a lubricant containing a molybdenum compound including a hard protective layer formed on an outermost surface of a substrate of the slide part; in which: the hard protective layer includes mainly carbon, nitrogen, and a metal element; the hard protective layer is composed of a complex of an amorphous carbon body containing nitrogen and a compound crystal of the metal element; the compound crystal is composed of at least one of a metal carbide, a metal nitride, and a metal carbonitride; and a surface hardness of the hard protective layer is 1800 or larger in Vickers hardness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventors: Itto SUGIMOTO, Kazutaka OKAMOTO, Fumiaki HONDA, Kenichi INOUE
  • Patent number: 7895982
    Abstract: A method of refurbishing a camshaft (100) having at least one defective portion (202, 206) includes removing material from the at least one defective portion (202, 206) to create a neck region (302). An alignment feature (402) is introduced in the neck region (302) according to a previous orientation of the defective portion (202, 206). A blank (508) is installed around the neck region (302) and oriented with the alignment feature (402).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jarrod David Moss, Adam Ostein, Curtis Graham, Patrick W. Savage, Jr., Trent A. Simpson, Benjamin C. Thomas
  • Patent number: 7895743
    Abstract: A method of refurbishing a camshaft (100) having at least one defective portion (202, 206) includes removing material from the at least one defective portion (202, 206) to create a neck region (302). An alignment feature (402) is introduced in the neck region (302) according to a previous orientation of the defective portion (202, 206). A segmented blank (1008) is installed around the neck region (302) and oriented with the alignment feature (402).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jarrod David Moss, Adam Ostein, Curtis Graham, Patrick W. Savage, Jr., Trent A. Simpson, Benjamin C. Thomas
  • Patent number: 7878167
    Abstract: An engine with intake and exhaust valves that may be controlled with a circular cam lobe is provided. The rotating axis of the circular cam lobe is offset from the physical center of the cam lobe. This permits the cam lobe to impart a reciprocal opening and closing of the valve. To maintain the valve in the closed position, the interconnection between the cam lobe and the valve 12 may have a spring which is compressed to allow the valve to remain closed for a set duration of time while the cam lobe continues to rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Inventor: Julian A. Decuir, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7866293
    Abstract: An engine assembly may include an engine structure and a camshaft supported on the engine structure. The camshaft may include a first shaft, a first lobe member fixed to the first shaft and including a bore and first and second lobe portions that are axially spaced from one another and fixed to one another. The bore may include a first radial inner surface at the first lobe portion and a second radial inner surface at the second lobe portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Glenn E. Clever, Roy Glenn Kaywood
  • Patent number: 7861682
    Abstract: Systems and methods for managing camshaft dynamic loads associated with actuation of a camshaft-driven auxiliary device in a multiple-cylinder internal combustion engine apply positive and negative torque to the camshaft in a phased relationship relative to actuation of the auxiliary device and optionally relative to actuation of intake or exhaust valves operated by the camshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Alvin Henry Berger
  • Patent number: 7849826
    Abstract: A valve system includes a first valve provided on an intake or exhaust port; a second valve provided on another intake or exhaust port; a first cam unit on a camshaft, defining first and second lobe heights; and a second cam unit on the camshaft, defining a third lobe height. The first cam unit moves the first valve by a distance of either the first or the second lobe height, and the second cam unit moves the second valve by a distance of the third lobe height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Yoonho Cho
  • Patent number: 7849829
    Abstract: A camshaft may include a first shaft, a first lobe member fixed to the first shaft, a second lobe member fixed to the first shaft, and a third lobe member. The first lobe member may include a first lobe portion and a first bearing portion extending axially from the first lobe portion. The second lobe member may include a second lobe portion and a second bearing portion extending axially from the second lobe portion toward the first bearing portion. The third lobe member may include a first end that is rotatably supported on the first bearing portion and a second end that is rotatably supported on the second bearing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn E. Clever, Rodney K. Elnick, Roy Glenn Kaywood
  • Patent number: 7845075
    Abstract: A camshaft has at least two completely machined individual cams fixedly mounted on a shaft in predetermined angular positions. The shaft includes an outside shaft and an inside shaft arranged concentrically in the former, and is to be manufactured in such a way that remachining of the joined camshaft is not necessary. This is by combining the individual cams even before they are mounted on a shaft and joining them to this shaft to form a machining module, such that the individual cams are combined in their mutual arrangement in relation to one another in which the cams are to be mounted on the finished camshaft. The final machining of the cams is performed within this machining nodule. When the cams are completely machined in this way, the cams are joined to the shaft of the camshaft within the machining module. This ensures that the desired mutual arrangement is maintained, i.e., that remachining is not necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Mahle Ventiltrieb GmbH
    Inventors: Oliver Fritz, Tilo Hentschel, Hermann Hoffmann, Martin Lechner
  • Publication number: 20100269769
    Abstract: A valve drive assembly cooperable with gas exchange valves of an internal combustion engine having a cam shaft and at least one came support rotatably fixed and axially displaceable on the cam shaft and having at least two cam profiles selectively engageable with a roller provided on a follower engageable with a valve comprising a cam support having a cylindrical surface disposed coaxially with a cam shaft, provided with a pair of oppositely inclined, spiral grooves; and means selectively insertable into the grooves, coacting with side walls of such grooves as the cam shaft rotates to effect axial displacement of the cam support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Inventors: Dirk Schoeneberg, Joerg Wutzler, Holger Voges, Gero Bromme
  • Patent number: 7819101
    Abstract: A diesel engine intake cam profile creates two intake valve events separated by a short dwell period each engine cycle. A relatively low valve lift during an engine exhaust event allows a portion of the exhaust gas to flow into an intake manifold and mix with intake air. The intake valve is then nearly closed for a dwell period until a normal intake valve opening occurs, drawing the mixture of air and exhaust gas back into the combustion chamber for compression and burning, upon closure of the intake valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Electro-Motive Diesel, Inc.
    Inventors: Ramesh B. Poola, Paul Gottemoller, Michael B. Goetzke
  • Patent number: 7802549
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a camshaft (1) which comprises an inner shaft (5) which is arranged coaxially in the outer shaft (6). Here, the outer shaft (6) is formed as a round cylindrical tube with a constant inner diameter (d) throughout, that is to say with a stepless inner lateral surface (9). Here, it is essential to the invention that the inner shaft (5) is secured directly against the stepless inner lateral surface (9) of the outer shaft (6) by means of at least one securing device (10) which is arranged axially at the end side of the inner shaft (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Mahle International GmbH
    Inventor: Falk Schneider
  • Publication number: 20100224146
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a shaft member having a sintered part bonded thereto is simple and provides an increased process yield and a high accuracy in position and angle of the sintered part. A green compact is prepared by subjecting a metal or alloy powder to a compression molding. A projection formed on an outer peripheral surface of the shaft member is embedded into the green compact, while chipping partially the green compact with the projection, to combine the green compact with the shaft member. Then, a sintering is carried out.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: NIPPON PISTON RING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takeshi Kuwahara, Atsuya Aoki, Masahiro Shinzawa, Hiroshi Takiguchi
  • Publication number: 20100224147
    Abstract: A camshaft may include a first shaft, a stop member, and a first lobe member. The first shaft may include an outer radial surface having a first recess extending radially therein. The stop member may be axially fixed within the first recess. The first lobe member may define an inner bore located on the outer radial surface of the first shaft. The first lobe member may include a second recess extending radially into the inner bore. The stop member may extend into the second recess to axially locate the first lobe member on the first shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2009
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: GLENN E. CLEVER, Roy Glenn Kaywood
  • Publication number: 20100212144
    Abstract: A camshaft assembly method may include locating a first lobe member of a camshaft assembly on a first shaft of the assembly. A locking pin may be inserted into a first radial bore in the first lobe member and a second radial bore of the first shaft. The locking pin may have an annular wall defining a pin bore extending from a first end of the locking pin to a second end of the locking pin. A deforming member may be forced into the pin bore to displace the annular wall in an outward radial direction and into a frictional engagement with the first radial bore. The forcing may include a deforming member entering the pin bore at the first end of the locking pin and exiting the pin bore at the second end of the locking pin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: GLENN E. CLEVER, ROY GLENN KAYWOOD, RONALD HENDRICK
  • Patent number: 7775186
    Abstract: A cam lobe is formed as a single part, not formed together with a shaft body. The shaft body penetrates through bearing holes, as well as a mounting hole provided in the cam lobe, which is arranged in between adjacent bearing holes. The bearing holes each in a perfect circular shape can be achieved, since there is no need to divide the bearing holes into two semi-circular arc shaped concave portions. Consequently, a camshaft can be supported so as to rotate smoothly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Otics Corporation
    Inventors: Masahide Sakurai, Katsuhiko Motosugi, Manabu Shibata
  • Patent number: 7762225
    Abstract: The invention relates to valve train of an international combustion engine, which comprise axially displaceable cam elements. The inventive valve train is characterized in that one cam element comprises at least two cams which in turn comprise at least two cam tracks. The first cam and the at least second cam of a cam element differ in at least one cam track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventor: Stefan Dengler
  • Publication number: 20100162977
    Abstract: A method for intentionally imbalancing one or more mass elements of a camshaft assembly to provide overall rotational balance to the assembly, also referred to herein as “zero balance”. Such intentional imbalance may be imparted to any element of a camshaft assembly. In a currently-preferred embodiment, one or more components of an improved camshaft phaser assembly are manufactured as rotationally unbalanced, either by intentionally forming an unbalanced component such as a sprocket wheel having added material or by removing non-functional material from an otherwise standard component. Because the camshaft phaser assembly has a unique and fixed angular relationship to the camshaft, zero balance can be readily and repeatedly achieved for all camshaft assemblies by correct manufacture of parts without requiring separate balancing for each individual camshaft assembly as manufactured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventors: Alan G. Strandburg, III, Timothy M. Nieves
  • Patent number: 7739987
    Abstract: The variable valve gear for an internal combustion engine includes a cam lobe that is rotatably supported by a cam drive shaft, and a variable valve mechanism that includes a drive arm fixed adjacent to one end of the cam lobe in the cam drive shaft, an eccentric shaft member that is swivelably supported at a position opposite to the cam lobe with respect to the drive arm in the cam drive shaft, has an outer circumferential surface eccentric to an axis of the cam drive shaft, and is adjustable in eccentricity, and an intermediate rotary member that is rotatably supported through a bearing member around the eccentric shaft member, and is connected to the drive arm, wherein the drive arm includes an end face that overlaps with an end face of the bearing member, when projecting along the axis of the cam drive shaft, and the end face of the drive arm is protruding further than the end face of the cam lobe toward the bearing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignees: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Mitsubishi Jidosha Engineering Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Jun Hoshikawa, Hirofumi Higashi, Akibiro Fujimoto, Noritsugu Ohsawa, Tetsuji Tatsumi, Tomoyuki Muraoka, Hideo Nakai
  • Patent number: 7739991
    Abstract: A rocker cam is comprised of a first split body and a second split body, which are joined with a joint split face that contains an axial line of a cam shaft. The first split body has a first pin support portion that supports one end portion of the connection pin, and the second split body has a second pin support portion that is located so as to face the first pin support portion and supports the other end portion of the connection pin. The connection pin is supported at the first and second pin support portions at its both end portions. Accordingly, a separation force that acts on the first and second split bodies of the rocker cam during its repeated rocking movement can be reduced without improperly increasing its rigidity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Toshimasa Kotani, Hirokazu Matsuura, Shinichi Sugihara
  • Publication number: 20100139586
    Abstract: It is a technical common knowledge that a chaplet used in casting of a hollow casting is fusion-bonded with the melt and is incorporated into the casting. However, the adhesion between the chaplet and the casting body is not necessarily satisfactory, thereby incurring the strength reduction of a thin-wall hollow casting. A core for a thin-wall hollow casting according to the present invention is provided with a chaplet mounted thereon. The chaplet has arcuate portion 2 with a gap 5 and a plurality of projections 4 from an outer peripheral of the arcuate portion and is in contact with an inner wall 7 of a mold. The entire arcuate portion of the chaplet is included in a groove 6 formed around an outer peripheral portion of the core body. Only the projections 4 of the chaplet protrude from the core body, when the chaplet is inserted in the groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicants: Kabushiki Kaisha Riken, Riken Castec Co., Ltd., Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Nakamura, Keiichi Maekawa
  • Publication number: 20100132640
    Abstract: A camshaft assembly is disclosed which comprises an inner shaft, an outer tube surrounding and rotatable relative to the inner shaft, and two groups of cam lobes mounted on the outer tube, the first group of cam lobes being fast in rotation with the outer tube, the second group being rotatably mounted on the outer surface of the tube and connected for rotation with the inner shaft. The connection between the second group of cam lobes and the inner shaft is effected by means of driving members whose positions are adjustable in order to compensate for significant manufacturing inaccuracies between the inner shaft and its associated group of cam lobes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2006
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: MECHADYNE PLC
    Inventors: Ian Methley, Richard Alwyn Owen, Nicholas James Lawrence, Timothy Mark Lancefield
  • Publication number: 20100108006
    Abstract: A camshaft (1) is provided for a stroke-variable valve drive of an internal combustion engine with a carrier shaft (2) and a cam part (3) that is arranged locked in rotation and movable in the axial direction on the carrier shaft and that is assembled from a cam carrier (4) and a sleeve (5). The cam carrier has a cam group (7, 8) of directly adjacent cams (9, 10, 11, 12) with different cam strokes and an adapter end (6) on which the sleeve is mounted. The sleeve has a setting groove (17) in the form of a groove that extends across an extent of the sleeve and that is used for the specification of an axial setting groove track for an activation pin (18) moving the cam part on the carrier shaft. The setting groove is produced in the sleeve through non-metal-cutting shaping of sheet-metal material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER KG
    Inventors: Harald Elendt, Andreas Nendel
  • Patent number: 7707983
    Abstract: A cam shaft assembly is provided which includes a rolling bearing providing for effective oil feeding to a raceway. The assembly includes: a shaft 1; the rolling bearings 3 rotatably supporting the shaft 1; and cams 2 fitted on the shaft 1. The rolling bearing 3 includes a circumferential groove formed on an outer periphery of an outer ring 5 and an axial groove extending from place in the circumferential groove and opening on a lateral side of the outer ring 5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ueno, Kazuyoshi Yamakawa, Tomoya Hattori
  • Patent number: 7699032
    Abstract: With a camshaft for an automotive internal combustion engine in particular, having two concentrically arranged shafts mounted to rotate in opposite directions, namely an inside shaft (3) and an outside shaft (4), at least one single cam (1) fixedly connected to the inside shaft (3) by a pin (5) passing radially through the outside shaft (4) and passing radially through the outside shaft (4), a bearing of the pin (5) in the respective pin receptacles (6), each running radially, in the cam and the inside shaft (3), a lateral projection as the receptacle (6) on the cams (1), a space-saving design of the at least one adjustable single cam should be achieved. To this end, various space-saving pin receptacle designs are proposed. A space-saving measure is also provided with respect to an arrangement of an adjustable cam in close proximity to a cam fixedly connected to the outside shaft by adjustment of the shaft of the neighboring cam to the pin receptacle of the adjustable single cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: MAHLE International GmbH
    Inventors: Harald Rüdiger Müller, Jürgen Rommel, Falk Schneider
  • Publication number: 20100077980
    Abstract: A compression release assembly is disclosed, the assembly including a camshaft rotatable about a camshaft axis, a trigger rotatable about a trigger axis substantially perpendicular to the camshaft axis, and a spring position between the trigger and the camshaft. Preferably, the trigger is rotated from an engagement position toward a disengagement position when a rotational velocity of the camshaft achieves a known value, and is rotated from the disengagement position toward the engagement position when the rotational velocity of the camshaft is below the known value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: S & S Cycle, Inc.
    Inventors: James Havlik, Kyle Mahan, Randy Williams, Jeffrey Bailey, Roy Meyer
  • Patent number: 7685977
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine has at least one cylinder and at least one gas exchange valve (1; 1a, 1b) controlled by a first cam (14) on a first camshaft (16) and by a second cam (15) on a second camshaft (17), at least one camshaft (16, 17) having an adjustable phase position in order to modify the control times of the gas exchange valve (1; 1a, 1b). The first cam (14) acts upon actuating means (6, 10) and the second cam (15) upon actuating means (6, 10) which actuate the gas exchange valve (6, 10). The actuating means (6, 10) are designed in such a way that the gas exchange valve (1) opens only when both the first cam (14) and the second cam (15) are acting upon the actuating means (6, 10). A simple structure with very high degrees of freedom for the control is achieved in that the actuating means (6, 10) comprise a lever which actuates the gas exchange valve (1; 1a, 1b) and is actuated by both cams (14, 15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: AVL List GmbH
    Inventors: Johann Wagner, Helmut Melde-Tuczai, Johannes Rieger
  • Publication number: 20100059002
    Abstract: A camshaft system includes a number of cam lobes locked upon a cylindrical shaft. Bearings configured with one-piece bores and are engaged with the cylindrical shaft. The bearings are captured upon the shaft by the locked-on cam lobes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Darrell Charles Drouillard
  • Publication number: 20100024750
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling the volume of air or air and non-combusted fuel mixture inside a combustion chamber and cylinder of an internal combustion engine. The apparatus includes an inlet-outlet portal having open and closed states and connected to air or air and non-combusted fuel source(s), and a combustion chamber with reduced volume. The inlet-outlet portal is controlled, when open, to permit air or air and non-combusted fuel mixture to enter or enter and exit the combustion chamber and cylinder and when closed to prevent air or air and non-combusted fuel mixture from entering or exiting the chamber and cylinder, in which the volume of air or air and non-combusted fuel mixture located inside the chamber and cylinder when the inlet-outlet portal closes, is less than the volume of the combustion chamber and cylinder defined when the piston is at the bottom dead centre position inside the cylinder when the inlet-outlet portal is closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Inventor: Naji Amin Atalla
  • Publication number: 20100012060
    Abstract: An engine assembly may include an engine structure and a camshaft supported on the engine structure. The camshaft may include a first shaft, a first lobe member fixed for rotation with the first shaft, a second lobe member fixed for rotation with the first shaft and spaced axially from the first lobe member, and a third lobe member located on the first shaft axially between the first and second lobe members. The third lobe member may include first and second portions coupled to one another to provide for assembly of the third lobe member on the first shaft after the first and second lobe members are fixed to the first shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Glenn E. Clever, Roy Glenn Kaywood, Jack Stringfield
  • Publication number: 20100000477
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a camshaft (1) which comprises an inner shaft (5) which is arranged coaxially in the outer shaft (6). Here, the outer shaft (6) is formed as a round cylindrical tube with a constant inner diameter (d) throughout, that is to say with a stepless inner lateral surface (9). Here, it is essential to the invention that the inner shaft (5) is secured directly against the stepless inner lateral surface (9) of the outer shaft (6) by means of at least one securing device (10) which is arranged axially at the end side of the inner shaft (5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Inventor: Falk Schneider
  • Publication number: 20090308338
    Abstract: A valve train of an internal combustion engine is provided with a plurality of camshaft supports arranged on a support member of the engine, and a camshaft is supported on the camshaft supports. The camshaft has valve operating cams thereon for opening and closing engine valves of engine. A torque reducing mechanism is provided to apply a counter torque to the camshaft to suppress torque fluctuation of the camshaft caused by reaction forces applied to the cams by the engine valves. The torque reducing mechanism has a rotating member that rotates together with the camshaft, and a counterforce applying member for applying a counterforce to the rotating member to apply a counter torque to the camshaft. The counterforce applying member is supported on a connecting member connecting adjacent ones of the camshaft supports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masahiko TASHIRO
  • Patent number: 7628129
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a cam for a camshaft, comprising the steps of continuously applying, to a billet having a volume larger by a specified volume than a final product, a plurality of cold forging steps formed of a preliminary outline upsetting, an outline drawing, a simultaneous piercing of inner and outer diameter surfaces, a press-molding forming excess amount as burrs on the inner diameter surface, a piercing of the inner diameter surface for removing the burrs from the inner diameter surface, and a simultaneous ironing of the inner and outer diameter surfaces. The final finishing (machining) of a cam (profile) surface can be eliminated, and the final product of the cam for the camshaft having a high dimensional accuracy can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fumio Takeshima, Koji Satake, Hideo Kurasawa, Kozo Ono
  • Patent number: 7621245
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a camshaft (1) for more preferably motor vehicle engines with a termination element (2) arranged with an axial end side in or on the camshaft (1) and permanently joined to the latter which closes off the camshaft (1) in axial direction and which is designed as drive element for an auxiliary unit on the output side. Here it is essential to the invention that the termination element (2) is formed as a formed sheet metal part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Mahle International GmbH
    Inventor: Martin Lechner
  • Publication number: 20090283063
    Abstract: A materials combination for a camshaft and follower of an engine valve train provides excellent wear resistance. The camshaft or camshaft lobes are made from a malleable cast iron and the cam followers are made from a carbonitrided 52100 or 4130 steel to provide excellent wear resistance equivalent to diamond-like coatings at greatly reduced cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Shekhar G. Wakade, Simon Chin-Yu Tung
  • Publication number: 20090272365
    Abstract: In a fuel-pumping system in an internal combustion engine, a mechanical fuel pump roller actuator is slidably disposed to ride on a dedicated tri-lobate camshaft lobe. In prior art camshaft lobes for this purpose, a portion of the lift profile over a certain angle of camshaft rotation imparts a constant velocity, and hence zero acceleration and zero jerk, to the roller actuator. It has been found that such areas of zero acceleration give rise to undesirably high contact stress between the lobe and the roller actuator. In a method in accordance with the present invention, a reference radius of curvature of a reference camshaft lobe lift profile is adjusted such that, between regions of minimum lift and maximum lift, there are no regions imparting zero acceleration to the actuator and maximum contact stress is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Inventor: Timothy W. Kunz
  • Patent number: 7610890
    Abstract: The aim of the invention is to provide a reliable and inexpensive camshaft wherein the inner shaft and the outer shaft can be adjusted in a low-friction manner. For this purpose, a camshaft with cams that can be rotated in relation to each other, wherein at least one first cam (3) is rotatably received on the outer shaft (1), is permanently connected to the inner shaft (2) via at least one radial opening in the outer shaft (1). Means (10) for connecting a camshaft rotational drive are provided at the axial ends of the camshaft. The camshaft is also provided with a rotational drive (9) exerting radial supporting forces onto the camshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Mahle International GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Lettmann, Roland Schacherer, Falk Schneider