Cam Patents (Class 123/90.6)
  • Patent number: 7341032
    Abstract: A dynamic camshaft apparatus includes, according to one embodiment, a moveable camshaft connected to an engine. The moveable camshaft has a first position when the engine is started and at low RPMs. Further, the moveable camshaft is conformed to move to different positions as the RPMs change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Inventor: Michael Steven Del Santo
  • Patent number: 7334550
    Abstract: A camshaft for an internal combustion engine includes a cam lobe for actuating a valve. The cam lobe has an opening ramp profile that acts to loft the valve gear away from contact with the cam lobe to a maximum lift of the valve, with the valve gear returning to contact with a closing ramp of the cam lobe sufficiently in advance of a minimum cam lobe closing ramp height so as to dissipate enough closing energy of the valve to minimize valve bounce after the valve contacts a corresponding valve seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Jesel, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel H. Jesel, Walter R. Donovan
  • Patent number: 7331319
    Abstract: A cam hub mounting assembly for a camshaft having a cam cover rotationally mounted within a cam cover retainer with a bearing retainer ring therebetween having a plurality of slots, each slot rotationally maintaining a ball bearing positioned in a smooth U-shaped groove on the outside of the cam cover and in a smooth U-shaped groove on the inside of the cam cover retainer. The method of assembly allows the inner and outer grooves to collectively act as inner and outer bearing races for the ball bearings. The axial position of the cam cover is maintained within the bearing retainer and does not require endplay spacing when the cam cover is attached to the camshaft. The cam cover can have one or more balancing bores therein for rotationally balancing. The cam hub mounting assembly permits a camshaft to be attached thereto and to rotate at speeds exceeding approximately sixteen thousand revolutions per minute (16,000 rpm) for use in racing engines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: CV Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin L. Rumley
  • Patent number: 7322330
    Abstract: A Method for the linking of cam rings to hollow shafts. In a first process step, the cam rings are manufactured, so as to generate their function-related contour, from two individual rings of different material connected to each other in a force-and form-closing manner, with the material of the outer ring being hard and elastic and having a permissible residual expansion of at least 0.5%, and that of the inner ring being soft and plastically deformable. The cam rings together with the hollow shaft to be deformed are placed into an internal high pressure forming tool in a manner to suit the respective function. In a second process step through the application of an internal high pressure forming process and, due to the internal pressure exerted the cam rings are joined to the hollow shaft in a force-and form-closing manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Inventor: Bodo Furchheim
  • Patent number: 7314027
    Abstract: A variable valve unit for an internal combustion engine includes a first arm opening and closing a valve, a second arm driven by a cam, a third arm receiving a displacement of the second arm to drive the first arm, and a variable mechanism displacing the fulcrum of the second arm. The second arm has a drive plane. The third arm has a shaft member formed with a driven surface contacting with the drive plane. The displacement of the second arm is transmitted to the third arm with sliding between the driven surface and the drive plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignees: Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation, Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shinichi Murata
  • Patent number: 7314031
    Abstract: A camshaft assembly 16 is disclosed for an engine 10, along with a method of producing the camshaft 16. The camshaft includes a support shaft 22 that carries in the region of one end 26 a camshaft element. The camshaft element may comprise a rotation sensor target member 24 and the support shaft 22 is preferably a tubular shaft. The camshaft element 24 is captured onto the support shaft 22 by deforming a deformation zone 46 at the end of the support shaft 22 into a radially extending rivet head 28.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: Renault s.a.s.
    Inventors: Christophe Le Troadec, Yves Gourlay
  • Patent number: 7308869
    Abstract: A compression-ignition internal combustion engine for aircraft generally comprises a stationary crankshaft, a crankcase adapted to rotate about the stationary crankshaft, and a plurality of cylinders radially extending from the crankcase. Each cylinder includes a piston adapted to reciprocate therein and a connecting rod drivingly coupling the piston to the crankshaft. The engine further comprises a valve assembly for operating an exhaust valve associated with each cylinder and a fuel assembly for supplying fuel to each cylinder. First and second cams mounted on the crankshaft are adapted to operate the valve assembly and fuel assembly in a timed manner as the crankcase rotates about the crankshaft. The engine also includes a propeller synchronizer for adjusting the pitch of a plurality of propellers radially extending from the rotating crankcase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Inventor: Nicholas Mathew Stone
  • Publication number: 20070283913
    Abstract: A cylinder head for an internal combustion engine includes a casting having a number of camshaft support bulkheads. Each of the support bulkheads has a portion of a parent bore bearing for mounting a camshaft. A bulkhead thrust surface is formed in an outer surface of at least one of the support bulkheads. A camshaft is rotatably mounted upon the support bulkheads. The camshaft has at least one thrust bearing member abutting a bulkhead thrust surface which is provided with lubricating oil by means of a radially extending, surface-piercing lubricant distribution channel formed in the bulkhead thrust surface, such that oil flowing in the parent bearing will be caused to be deposited upon the bulkhead thrust surface as well as upon the camshaft thrust surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Publication date: December 13, 2007
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Reinhart, Raymond Puhl, John Pieprzak
  • Patent number: 7305953
    Abstract: A built multiple cam is disclosed which can be produced at low cost and which can be used in a flexible manner and which requires a small amount of construction space in an axial direction. The built multiple cam comprises the following components: a first partial cam provided with a bore, a cam contour A and a joint contour which is arranged in axial proximity thereto and provided with an outer surface; a second partial cam provided with a bore, a cam contour A and a joint contour which is arranged in axial proximity thereto and provided with an outer surface; a ring which is provided with a cam contour B which is different from cam contour A and an inner contour having an inner surface, wherein the inner surface of the ring can be displaced towards the outer surfaces of the partial cams; and connections which act between the ring and the partial cam ensure a fixed connection between such components. Also disclosed is a method used to produce a built camshaft comprising at least one built multiple cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Thyssenkrupp Automotive AG
    Inventor: Thomas Walz
  • Publication number: 20070277753
    Abstract: A camshaft assembly including a target wheel is manufactured using an assembly process in which the camshaft is formed from a hollow tube. After the cam rings and a target wheel ring have been correctly positioned on the hollow tube, the tube is pressurized to expand its diameter, locking the rings into position on the tube. Locating the target wheel along the axis of the camshaft and spaced from the camshaft end allows the sensor to be located along the axis of the camshaft, and precludes the need to increase the overall length of the head to accommodate the target wheel and the sensor. In a dual overhead engine, the target wheels may be mounted on the two camshafts so that they may be read by a dual element sensor that is mounted between the two wheels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2006
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Inventors: Michael S. Boggess, Mark R. Arcori, David W. Fiddes
  • Publication number: 20070272183
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a camshaft (1) having an inner shaft (3) arranged coaxially in an outer shaft (2) and mounted to rotate with respect to the outer shaft (2). The camshaft (1) has a first phase adjuster (7) and a second phase adjuster (8), the first phase adjuster (7) adjusting a phase relation of the inner shaft (3) and thus of the first cams in relation to a drive, in particular a crankshaft, while the second phase adjuster (8) adjusts a phase relation of the outer shaft (2) in relation to the drive. Thus the first and second phase adjusters (7, 8) each have a switchable hydraulic valve (9, 10), both being arranged inside the inner shaft (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2007
    Publication date: November 29, 2007
    Applicant: MAHLE International GmbH
    Inventor: Falk Schneider
  • Patent number: 7290515
    Abstract: In a camshaft for an internal combustion engine having a cam disk support shaft, to which a plurality of cam disks and a drive wheel are attached, the outer radius of the cam disk support shaft varies continuously in those sections in which the cam disks are attached. The cam disks have bores whose inner radius varies continuously and the cam disk support shaft is alternately provided with elevations and depressions in those sections in which the cam disks are attached, the elevations and depressions forming a wedge-shaped curve profile about the circumference of the section of the cam disk support shaft The elevations continuously enlarge the outer radius of the cam disk support shaft, the bores of the cam disks being matched to the enlarged portion of the outer radius of the cam disk support shaft, so that by relative rotation of the cam support shaft and the cam disks and also the drive wheel the components are firmly joined and the camshaft is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventor: Alois Schmid
  • Patent number: 7284521
    Abstract: A camshaft of an automotive engine includes two concentric contra-rotating shafts mounted one inside the other, namely an inside shaft and an outside shaft, at least one cam rotatably mounted on the outside shaft, fixedly connected to the inside shaft radially through the outside shaft via a fastening mechanism, a sleeve gripped by the fastening mechanism and inserted fixedly into aligned boreholes in the inside shaft and in the cam, a core that widens the material of the sleeve within its elasticity limits in the area of the inside shaft and is inserted into the sleeve after insertion of the sleeve into the shaft mechanism. To improve mountability, the core extends over the entire length of the sleeve and widens it beyond the area limited by the inside shaft without exceeding the upper limit of elasticity of the material of the sleeve in comparison with its uninstalled starting state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: MAHLE International GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Lechner, Falk Schneider
  • Patent number: 7270097
    Abstract: An engine assembly is provided including an engine crankshaft and a balance shaft connected with the crankshaft and rotatably driven thereby. A vehicle component such as a hydraulic pump or an overhead camshaft is operatively connected with the balance shaft such that it is rotatably driven by the crankshaft through the balance shaft. A camshaft drive system includes the engine crankshaft, the balance shaft and the overhead camshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregg T. Purcilly, Franz Decarli, Chris Cowland
  • Patent number: 7249581
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system, comprising a camshaft with at least two bearing points, a two-part camshaft receptacle which has, in a lower part, at least two bearing saddles and, in an upper part, at least two bearing covers corresponding to the bearing saddles, the camshaft being mounted with its bearing points in the bearing saddles and bearing covers. Further, bearing half shells are provided, of which in each case two are arranged in pairs between a bearing point and the bearing saddle and bearing cover receiving this bearing point, so that, the bearing half shells are supported on the bearing saddle or bearing cover and in each case two bearing half shells, together with a bearing point form a radial plain bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Guenter Bartsch
  • Patent number: 7246588
    Abstract: An assembled camshaft (10) for engine includes: a cam lobe piece (12); and a hollow shaft member (11) having at least two shaft fixing surfaces (11A) formed by plasticity process on a portion of the hollow shaft member (11) corresponding to a position between cylinders of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Takano, Tomoyuki Hirota, Yujiro Ohara
  • Patent number: 7234428
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine including an engine housing having a cam chamber and an aperture providing access to the cam chamber. The engine also includes an insert at least partially made from plastic received within the aperture, a crankshaft coupled to the engine housing for rotation about a crank axis, and a cam shaft defining a cam shaft axis and at least partially made from plastic that is rotatably driven by the crankshaft. The cam shaft includes first and second ends and at least one cam lobe positioned between the ends. The first end is rotatably supported by the engine housing and the second end is rotatably supported by the insert. The engine also includes a metal portion coupled to either the insert or the cam shaft. The metal portion defines a flange having a face in contact with an adjacent surface of the other of the insert and the cam shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Briggs and Stratton Corporation
    Inventors: John J. Nagel, John A. Zbiegien, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7234426
    Abstract: A variable valve apparatus of an internal combustion engine adopts a structure in which, a transmission arm is laid out such that, when a distance from a contact point where a cam contacts a transmission arm to an oscillating fulcrum of the transmission arm is defined as A, and a distance from the oscillating fulcrum of the transmission arm to a point of action of the transmission arm is defined as B to thereby determine a B/A value, ?1 as a B/A value at the time of a high valve lift control for controlling valve lift characteristics, and ?2 as a B/A value at the time of a low valve lift control for controlling valve lift characteristics establish a relation of ?1>?2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shinichi Murata
  • Patent number: 7228831
    Abstract: An adjustable camshaft system for an automotive engine includes a camshaft having machined and fabricated axially-directed control passages combined with an oil-activated camshaft phaser. The fabricated oil control passages are formed within a portion of the camshaft having an outside diameter which is substantially equal to the outside diameter of other portions of the camshaft fitted within bearings carried within the engine's cylinder head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ryan O'Gorman, Jonathan Edward Fleming, Joel John Beltramo
  • Patent number: 7222596
    Abstract: A valve drive for charge-cycling valves of internal combustion engines, which are held in the closed position by means of spring force, and can optionally be activated by a main cam or additionally by a secondary cam of a camshaft, in which connection the main cam with its elevation curve and angle setting is adapted to the crankshaft of a charge-cycling process to be controlled, and the secondary cam operates separately from the main cam. The drive variably controls an additional opening procedure of a charge-cycling valve, separate from the charge-cycling stroke to be controlled directly, in order to sensitively regulate the exhaust gas feed-back in this manner. The drive has two engagement surfaces for introducing movements on a pivot lever mounted on the cylinder head, which activates at least one charge-cycling valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: IAV GmbH Ingenieurgesellschaft Auto und Verkehr
    Inventor: Lutz Stiegler
  • Patent number: 7210440
    Abstract: A camshaft assembly includes 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 is fast in rotation with the outer tube and the second group is rotatably mounted on the outer tube and connected for rotation with the inner shaft by means of pins that pass with clearance through slots in the outer tube. A spring is incorporated in the camshaft assembly to bias the inner shaft relative to the outer tube towards one extreme of its angular range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Machadyne PLC
    Inventors: Nicholas James Lawrence, Richard Alwyn Owen, Timothy Mark Lancefield, Ian Methley
  • Patent number: 7204214
    Abstract: #7 cylinder shares an exhaust manifold with #1 cylinder and is fired a predetermined firing interval after #1 cylinder. An exhaust cam shaft has a first cam for driving the exhaust cams of #1 cylinder and a second cam for driving the exhaust cams of #7 cylinder. A valve overlap period of #1 cylinder during its shift from an exhaust stroke to an intake stroke overlaps a time period during which the exhaust valves of the second cylinder are open in #7 cylinder while it is shifting from a power stroke to an exhaust stroke. The nose of the second cam is located farther in a retard direction than a position that is away in the retard direction from the nose of the first cam by an angle corresponding to the predetermined firing interval between the first and second cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Miyaji, Hirokazu Kurihara
  • Patent number: 7146956
    Abstract: A valve train for an internal combustion engine is comprised of a lubricating oil, and a camshaft which is made of an iron-based material and comprises a cam lobe and a camshaft journal. The camshaft slidingly moves on a counterpart thereof through the lubricating oil. A hard carbon film is formed on at least one of a sliding portion of the camshaft and the counterpart made of an iron-based material. A hydrogen amount of the hard carbon film is 10 atomic percent or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shin Nomura, Takahiro Miura, Makoto Kano, Yutaka Mabuchi, Takahiro Hamada, Miki Murakami
  • Patent number: 7111598
    Abstract: Swivel actuator device for lift control of a gas exchange valve in a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine comprising a swivel motor having a shaft on which is provided a first operating element having a control path for opening the gas exchange valve, whereby a second operating element having a second control path provided on the first operating element. Due to the arrangement of the swivel actuator device, less electric power is needed at low rotational speeds and processing of the fuel mixture is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Gaubatz, Johannes Meyer, Axel Knaut, Rudolf Seethaler
  • Patent number: 7096838
    Abstract: A reversible four cycle internal combustion engine. A crankshaft is rotatably mounted in a block and a piston is operatively mounted to a crankshaft via a connecting rod. A follower wheel traverses a cam as the cam rotates with the crankshaft, and in doing so, causes a combustion chamber valve to open and close access of an intake port in the block and an exhaust port in the block to a combustion chamber in the block so as to allow the engine to achieve each of a power stroke thereof, a exhaust stroke thereof, a intake stroke thereof, and a compression stroke thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Inventor: Daniel W. Sexton
  • Patent number: 7082912
    Abstract: System and method for controlling internal combustion engine valve lift and valve opening by an arrangement of cams with overlapping cams track that synchronize and vary the rise, fall, and dwell of the inlet and exhaust valves of an IC engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Inventor: Frank A. Folino
  • Patent number: 7077088
    Abstract: A desmodromic “springless” valve and adjustable cam system is provided which is adapted to be installed onto a head configured for an overhead cam for an internal combustion engine having at least one intake and one exhaust valve per cylinder. The system includes a main camshaft, a cam lobe with a follower groove formed in each side of the cam, at least one intake and one exhaust valve assigned to each cylinder, a valve connector installed onto the distal tip of each valve, a hydraulic lifter assigned to each valve. The system further includes a rocker defined by a valve movement end and lifter end, wherein the valve movement end is adapted to be mechanically linked to a respective valve connector and the lifter end is adapted to be pressed against a respective piston tip by a rocker retainer. During operation (i.e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Inventor: Julian A. Decuir, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7069892
    Abstract: A camshaft for automotive engines in particular, comprising at least one first cam (5?) and at least one cam segment (6) which is rotatable to a limited extent with respect to the first cam (5?) and exercises the full or partial function of a second cam (4), with which an inner shaft (3) and an outer shaft (2) are arranged concentrically one inside the other and also rotatably with respect to one another, the first cam (5?) and the cam element (6) surround the outer shaft (2) on the periphery at least in part, the first cam (5?) is fixedly connected to the outer shaft (2), and the respective cam segment (6) is connected to the inner shaft (3) in a rotationally fixed manner, the cam segment (6) is provided with an inside circumferential surface extending over only a section of the circle running concentrically in a circular cylindrical pattern with respect to the inner shaft (3) and the outer shaft (2), the inside circumferential surface of the cam segment (6) is supported on a guide area (2?) formed by the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: MAHLE Ventiltrieb GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Lechner, Falk Schneider
  • Patent number: 7066124
    Abstract: In a scooter engine having valve lifters (33) interposed between intake valves (16) and a cam shaft (31), as well as between exhaust valves (17) and a cam shaft (32), with its axial line (C) of a cylinder (7) extending toward the front part of the vehicle body, a stopper (42) is provided in the cylinder (7) in the opposite position to a top face (33a) of the valve lifters (33). The top face (33a) of the valve lifters (33) is abutted against the stopper (42) when the valve lifters (33) move to fall off a cylinder head (12) as the cam shaft is removed from the cylinder head (12), thus the valve lifters (33) are prevented from falling off the cylinder (7) by the stopper (42). In this way, the valve lifters (33) are be kept assembled to the cylinder (7) even when the cam shaft is removed during the maintenance work. In other words, the DOHC engine (2) can be installed on a scooter while preventing the valve lifters (33) from falling off in the course of maintenance work.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Atsushi Aoyama
  • Patent number: 7055480
    Abstract: There is provided a valve gear of an internal combustion engine, comprising a cam mechanism for converting rotational motion of an electric motor into linear motion to drive a valve for opening and closing a cylinder against a valve spring, and a torque reduction mechanism for adding an opposite torque, which serves so as to reduce a torque applied to the cam mechanism from the valve spring at the time of driving the valve, to the cam mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasushi Kusaka, Toshiaki Asada, Shuichi Ezaki, Kimitoshi Tsuji
  • Patent number: 7051691
    Abstract: The invention relates to a valve drive, in particular for internal combustion engines of motor vehicles, comprising at least one cam element (2) that is located on a driven shaft (1) and at least one lifting valve (10), which has a valve stem (11) and can be displaced by the cam element (2). The cam element (2) is pivotally mounted inside a flexible encapsulation element (4), which is connected to one end of the valve stem (11). The end of the valve stem (11) is guided in the displacement direction of the valve (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Inventor: Stefan Battlogg
  • Patent number: 7040267
    Abstract: The invention relates to a variably adjustable mechanical valve gear for at least one gas-reversing valve (1) provided with a closing spring (2) on a piston-type internal combustion engine having a drive mechanism (13) for generating a lifting movement that is effective counter to the force of the closing spring (2) on the gas-reversing valve (1) and with a stroke transfer means (4) in the form of a pivoting element (8), arranged between the driving mechanism (13) and the gas-reversing valve (1), which acts upon the gas-reversing valve (1) in the direction of its movement axis (14) and for which the lifting distance in the direction of the movement axis (14) can be changed via an adjustable guide element (11), wherein the pivoting element is connected to the gas-reversing valve with its end that is effective in the direction of the movement axis (14) and to the driving mechanism (13) with its end opposite the gas-reversing valve (1) and is guided to pivot back and forth on the guide element (11) designed as c
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: FEV Motorentechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Markus Duesmann
  • Patent number: 7036473
    Abstract: An adjustable cam shaft includes an elongated shaft which may include multiple shaft sections rotatably coupled to one another. Intake and exhaust cam lobes are carried by the one or more shafts and are selectively rotatable relative to one another and selectively locked in place relative to one another in order to adjust a displacement angle between the cam lobes to alter intake and exhaust timing and other engine characteristics without the need to replace the cam shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Inventor: Grant Goracy
  • Patent number: 7032555
    Abstract: A cam cover for a motorcycle engine comprises a fluid passageway for crankcase ventilation, a camshaft support, and a crankshaft support. The fluid passageway is routed such that the camshaft support and the crankshaft support are positioned to one side of the fluid passageway. Additionally, the cam cover comprises a piece of sheet material that partially bounds the fluid passageway and creates a settling chamber for separating oil out of mixture with gaseous fluids being vented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Midwest Motorcycle Supply Distributors
    Inventor: Kenneth A. Francis
  • Patent number: 7032554
    Abstract: The present invention provides a thrust cam cap for an engine camshaft disclosed to effectively place a thrust cam cap to limit the longitudinal movement of an engine camshaft according to the location of a thrust bearing cap that limits the longitudinal movement of the crankshaft, thereby maintaining a smooth operation of a timing belt or a timing chain in spite of thermal expansion of the crankshaft and the camshaft while an engine is in operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Seung-Woo Lee
  • Patent number: 7025024
    Abstract: The invention relates to a camshaft comprising a tubular shaft (1) and cams (2) which are radially disposed thereon. Said cams (2) respectively engage with the shaft in a perfect fit (1) and the free surface (1.1) of the shaft forms the base circle of the cams (2), whereby the cams (2) are respectively engaged in pocket-like recesses of the shaft (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Inventor: Karl Merz
  • Patent number: 7020962
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing cams (1) for a camshaft. The cams are produced by bending together the ends of long profile strips (4) or by bending and putting together several pieces of profile strips in a circumferential direction. Cams produced in such a way are preferably welded onto the shaft. The invention also relates to suitable welding methods such as resistance welding, laser-beam or electron-beam welding and corresponding devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Inventor: Karl Merz
  • Patent number: 7011056
    Abstract: The invention concerns a variable timing device for reciprocating engines with, at least two cam shafts (AC1, AC2) comprising, at least an intake valve (A) and at least an exhaust valve (E) actuated by said shafts, and means for shaft angular offset D1, D2). The invention is characterised in that at least a common valve (A) is actuated by hydraulic transmission means (4, 9, 10) adapted to transmit to said valve the movement of at least two cams (A1, A2) belonging to the shafts with distinct cams (AC1, AC2) capable of being offset relative to each other. The invention also concerns engines comprising said timing system and a timing and turbocharging method capable of using said distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Inventor: Jean Frédéric Melchior
  • Patent number: 7007644
    Abstract: A valve actuation system and method for use in an internal combustion engine including at least one combustion cylinder having a piston and an engine valve. The valve actuation system includes a hydraulic pump, a high-pressure reservoir, and an electro-hydraulic valve actuator. The hydraulic pump is configured to produce a hydraulic output based on a valve-piston clearance profile of at least one cylinder of the combustion engine. The high-pressure reservoir is coupled with the hydraulic pump. The electro-hydraulic valve actuator is coupled with the high-pressure reservoir via a first control valve and configured to actuate at least one engine valve of the combustion engine according to an output of the hydraulic pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Mack Trucks, Inc.
    Inventors: Chun Tai, Timothy A. Suder, Walter Curtis Jacques, Benjamin C. Shade
  • Patent number: 7007652
    Abstract: A variable duration valve timing camshaft is disclosed. The camshaft has a shaft with fixed cam lobes and lobe modifying elements that are adapted to move outwardly as the rate of rotation of the camshaft increases thereby cooperating with the lobes to continuously increase the angular distance at constant radius of each fixed valve lobe's nose. The lobe modifying elements are further adapted to move inwards as the rate of rotation of the camshaft decreases thereby continuously decreasing the angular distance of constant radius of each fixed valve lobe's nose until it equals that of the fixed lobe. The lobe modifying elements are pivotally connected to the camshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Transtar Pacific Limited
    Inventor: Danny Russell Williams
  • Patent number: 7004126
    Abstract: A structure for a camshaft includes a cam angle detecting element arranged to face a cam angle sensor and supported in a cantilever manner by a cam journal on the outer side of the cam journal. An extension journal between the cam journal and the cam angle detecting element is enlarged toward the cam journal such that the external diameter on the side of the cam journal may be larger than the external diameter on the side of the cam angle detecting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidoshi Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shuji Nagano, Satoshi Ando, Masayuki Kamo, Tetsushi Nagira
  • Patent number: 7000581
    Abstract: A 4-stroke engine incorporating a mono-shaft multi-valve operating system, the multi-valve operating system incorporating a first cam follower assembly that is associated with an intake valve, a second cam follower assembly that is associated with an exhaust valve, and a cam follower channel assembly that is integrated into a crank web of the engine, the cam follower channel assembly including a base circle channel, a cam channel, and a cross-over channel. The cam follower channel assembly is configured to commonly interact with the two cam follower assemblies to operate the intake valve at a first instance, and the exhaust valve at a second instance, with both instances occurring while the crank web completes two rotations. When either of the two cam follower assemblies engages with a cam channel of the cam follower channel assembly, the cam follower channel assembly is configured to provide a camming operation to operate the respective valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Inventors: Nagesh Siddabasappa Mavinahally, Jay S. Veerathappa
  • Patent number: 6994063
    Abstract: The invention includes a first arm which opens and closes a valve, a second arm which is driven by a cam, a third arm which drives the first arm upon receiving a displacement of the second arm, and a variable mechanism which varies a supporting point of the second arm. The second arm includes a driving surface. The third arm includes an axis member in which a driven surface coming into surface contact with the driving surface is formed. The displacement of the second arm is transferred to the third arm with slippage occurring between the driven surface and the driving surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignees: Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation, Mitsubishi Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shinichi Murata
  • Patent number: 6978749
    Abstract: A device for providing additional torsional energy for a cam shaft is provided. The device includes at least one main cam lobe formed on a rotating shaft; a valve operating mechanism disposed to be engaged by the main cam lobe; and an outer cylinder encompassing the valve operating mechanism, and capable of movement that is independent of the valve operating mechanism, the outer cylinder being disposed to provide torsional energy to the rotating shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Roger T. Simpson
  • Patent number: 6973904
    Abstract: Mechanical controls for continuously varying the length of the stroke of the valves in an internal-combustion engine and for maintaining the valves constantly closed while the engine is in operation while simultaneously varying how long the valve or valves remain open, whereby the valves are actuated by rocker levers that are in turn actuated by an angled lever, whereby the positions of the levers are varied in order to vary the length and duration of the stroke. The valves are actuated at low engine speeds by assigning a specific narrow angle of rotation to each abbreviated stroke to be established. FIG. 1 illustrates valve stroke controls with an angled lever (2) actuated by a cam (17) mounted on a lateral roller (3). In the event of a misalignment, a planetary gear comes into play, wherein a roller (9), mounted on the rocker lever (8) that actuates the valve (1) acts a sun wheel, the angled lever (2) acts as a planet wheel, and a setting lever (5) acts as a planet bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: ThyssenKrupp Automotive AG
    Inventor: Herbert Naumann
  • Patent number: 6968814
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for converting a rotational displacement into a displacement back and forth. Said device comprises at least one control cam region, provided with a driven cam element, having an eccentric control surface, and a cam follower element that can be displaced or pivoted by the cam element. The cam element is rotatably mounted in a flexible encircling element which is displaceably connected to the cam follower element on a plane that is perpendicular to the rotational axis of the cam element. The encircling length of the flexible encircling element and the peripheral length of the control cam region are configured to correspond and can be modified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Inventor: Stefan Battlogg
  • Patent number: 6945206
    Abstract: A lobe-less cam for use in a springless poppet valve system is disclosed including a cam shaft having at least one surrounding region, at least one asymmetrical cam groove formed in the at least one surrounding region, and wherein the at least one asymmetrical cam groove has a lift portion and a descent portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Inventor: George Wayne Mobley
  • Patent number: 6938596
    Abstract: Mechanical controls for continuously varying the length of the stroke of the valves in an internal-combustion engine and for maintaining the valves constantly closed while the engine is in operation while simultaneously varying how long the valve or valves remain open, whereby the valves are actuated by rocker levers that are in turn actuated by an angled lever, whereby the positions of the levers are varied in order to vary the length and duration of the stroke. The valves are actuated at low engine speeds by assigning a specific narrow angle of rotation to each abbreviated stroke to be established. FIG. 1 illustrates valve stroke controls with an angled lever (2) actuated by a cam (17) mounted on a lateral roller (3). In the event of a misalignment, a planetary gear comes into play, wherein a roller (9), mounted on the rocker lever (8) that actuates the valve (1) acts a sun wheel, the angled lever (2) acts as a planet wheel, and a setting lever (5) acts as a planet bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: ThyssenKrupp Automotive AG
    Inventor: Herbert Naumann
  • Patent number: 6935292
    Abstract: Camshaft configurations are increasingly more closely assembled in motor vehicle engines such that access to the cylinder head bolts is obstructed. Indentations 2 along built-up camshafts, which comprise a camshaft tube 1 with slid-on camshaft structural components, such as the cams 3, permit through corresponding rotation free access to the cylinder head bolts even after they are in the installed state. In order to be able to employ for the camshaft structure tubular camshafts 1, according to the invention a pressing tool 10 with bottom dies 12, 13 is provided such that during the pressing operation of the indentations, the camshaft tube 1 advantageously is not deformed beyond the original outer diameter d and the camshaft 1 can be assembled advantageously form-fittingly through subsequent sliding-on of the cams 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Thyssenkrupp Presta AG
    Inventors: Walter Spiegel, Peter Wiesner, Manfred Muster, Walter Schreiber
  • Patent number: 6928970
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for variable control of the gas exchange valves of an internal combustion engine, of which at least one gas exchange valve is triggered by a cam of a camshaft, which cam has a cam contour with a circular portion of the cam bottom and a cam apex portion. For variably adjusting the cam contour, a pressure-fluid-actuated piston guided by the cam and retractable and extensible radially continuously, is provided which on its end forms at least a part of the cam apex portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Sebastian