Coupling Facilitates Relative Rotary Displacement Between Coupled Members Patents (Class 464/160)
  • Patent number: 7143730
    Abstract: A valve timing system for an internal combustion engine includes a phase alteration mechanism interposed between a driving rotator and a driven rotator and having a direction turning point at which the phase alteration direction is reversed when a movable portion of the mechanism travels from a beginning to a termination, and an operation control device for displacing the movable portion when undergoing an energization control, the movable portion being displaced toward the beginning when the energization control fails to be carried out. The rotation phase is set at a middle position between a maximum retard position and a maximum advance position when the movable portion is located at the beginning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Hitachi Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsushi Yamanaka
  • Patent number: 7143728
    Abstract: A control apparatus that is capable of maintaining both the control resolution and the control accuracy at respective high levels even when at least one of the nonlinearity and the frequency characteristic of a controlled object varies. A control apparatus 1 that control a cam phase Cain by a phase control input Ucain includes two controllers 102 and 103. The two-degree-of-freedom response-specifying controller 102 calculates a follow-up control input Rsld as a value for causing the cam phase to follow a target cam phase Cain_camd. The DSM controller 103 calculates a phase control input Ucain by modulating the follow-up control input Rsld, and in the calculation, the repetition period at which the phase control input Ucain is calculated is selected from two repetition periods ?T1 and ?T2 according to engine speed NE, a cam phase Cain, and a valve lift Liftin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuji Yasui
  • Patent number: 7143729
    Abstract: A supply switching valve (140) can selectively switch the communication between a supply path (104) and a retard supply path (110) and the communication between the supply path (104) and an advance supply path (120). Check valves (111, 121) are arranged in the retard supply path (110) and the advance supply path (120), respectively. The check valves (111, 121) allow the working oil to be supplied from an oil pump (102) to each oil pressure chamber and prohibit the reverse flow of the working oil from each oil pressure chamber to the oil pump (102). A discharge switching valve (150) is configured independently of the supply switching valve (140) and can selectively switch the communication between a retard discharge path (130) and a discharge path (134) and the communication between an advance discharge path (132) and the discharge path (134).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignees: Nippon Soken, Inc., Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Seiji Yaoko, Jun Yamada, Takao Nojiri
  • Patent number: 7137369
    Abstract: In a VCT system having a feedback loop including a sensed signal and a set point, a method is provided, which includes the steps of: determining a switch variable which is related to the sensed signal and the set point; computing the switch variable; and according to the value of the switch variable, controlling the operation of an on/off two position solenoid that controls the flow of a control fluid flowing within a VCT phaser. Thereby the control fluid either flows in one direction or another direction by means of using a two-position ON/OFF solenoid for actuating a spool valve which controls the flow direction with the VCT phaser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Zhenyu Jiang
  • Patent number: 7124722
    Abstract: A VCT system having a housing, a rotor, a locking pin, and a spool valve. The spool valve has a spool slidably located in a bore with a plurality of ports. The spool has a plurality of lands that block the ports. When the spool is in the advance position, the plurality of lands allow fluid through the ports from the retard chamber to the advance chamber. When the spool is in the retard position, the plurality of lands allow fluid through the ports from the advance chamber to the retard chamber. When the spool is in the null position, the plurality of lands allow fluid from a source to the advance and retard chambers. When the spool is in the locked position, the plurality of lands allow fluid supplied to one of the advance chamber or the retard chamber to move the locking pin to a locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Franklin R. Smith
  • Patent number: 7117832
    Abstract: A device for adjusting a camshaft of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle has a stator and a rotor fixedly connected to a camshaft and rotatable relative to the stator. A drive wheel is fixedly connected to the stator and is centered by the camshaft. The stator has a peripheral area provided with a centering element interacting with a counter element provided on the drive wheel for aligning the drive wheel in a rotational direction relative to the stator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Hydraulik-Ring GmbH
    Inventors: Ralf Naumann, Gerold Sluka, Andreas Knecht
  • Patent number: 7104339
    Abstract: An agricultural seeding machine, includes a seed hopper, a first frame member carrying a drive shaft, a second frame member carrying a driven shaft, a coupler, and a flexible shaft. The first frame member and the second frame member are foldable relative to each other between a folded position and an unfolded operational position. The coupler includes a first coupler half associated with the drive shaft, and a second coupler half associated with the driven shaft. The second coupler half and the first coupler half are configured for automatic engagement and disengagement upon movement between the folded position and the unfolded position respectively. The flexible shaft interconnects the first coupler half with the drive shaft or the second coupler half with the driven shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Elijah Beckham Garner
  • Patent number: 7100556
    Abstract: A variable valve timing controller has a phase adjusting mechanism. The phase adjusting mechanism includes a first rotating member and second rotating member which are respectively rotate in synchronization with a driving shaft and a driven shaft of an engine, a first arm rotatably connected with the first rotating member, and a second arm rotatably connected with the second rotating member and the first arm. In the first arm, a distance between connecting points is defined as a distance L1. In the second arm, a distance between connecting points is defined as a distance L2. A ratio L1/L2 is defined within a range of 0.5 to 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Taei Sugiura
  • Patent number: 7100555
    Abstract: An outer bottom of an engaging member, which is formed as a tubular shape having a bottom, is contact with an inner wall of a housing existing in the opposite direction of a fitting direction. The engaging member urges and covers one edge of an urging member. As a result, pressure, which the inner wall of the housing receives, can be decreased comparing with the structure, in which the urging member is directly in contact with the inner wall of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuhiko Imaizumi, Tomonari Chiba
  • Patent number: 7089898
    Abstract: In a valve timing control device, a control means is configured to carry out feeding one of retarding and advancing chambers with a hydraulic pressure upon starting of the engine; actuating one of first and second disengaging mechanisms to cancel the engagement of one of first and second projectable members with the corresponding one of first and second engaging portions; feeding the other of the retarding and advancing chambers with a hydraulic pressure to turn a vane member in a housing within a range determined by each of the first and second engaging portions; and actuating, while the vane member is under the rotational movement within the range, the other of the first and second disengaging mechanisms to cancel the engagement of the other of the first and second projectable members with the corresponding one of the first and second engaging portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventor: Tomoya Tsukada
  • Patent number: 7066122
    Abstract: A space, which is formed between an outer side wall of a vane rotor and an inner side wall of a housing facing the outer side wall, in the inside direction of diameter is formed smaller than the space in the outside direction of diameter, before the vane rotor is fastened to a camshaft by a bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Tadao Ikihara, Yasushi Morii
  • Patent number: 7059286
    Abstract: In a valve timing control apparatus, hydraulic oil is supplied into retarding and advancing chambers, and first and second hydraulic chambers, when hydraulic pressure is less than a predetermined pressure and when a phase difference between a most advancing target phase and actual phase of a driver-side rotating member relative to a driven-side rotating member is small. Hydraulic pressure is applied from the first and second hydraulic chambers to the stopper pin, so that the stopper piston is restricted from protruding to the engaging ring before the actual phase coincides with the most advancing target phase. Hydraulic oil is drained from the retarding chamber and the first hydraulic chamber, and hydraulic pressure in the second hydraulic chamber is small, so that the stopper pin protrudes and engages with an engaging ring at the most advancing target phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Shigeyuki Kusano, Yasushi Morii
  • Patent number: 7059285
    Abstract: A control structure for the adjusting motor (8) of an electric camshaft adjuster (6) in an internal combustion engine (1) is provided. The control structure includes a controller (19) which processes measuring signals of the internal combustion engine (1) to control data for the adjusting motor (8). A controller (19) which has meaningful values for the adjusted setpoint rotational speed of the adjusting motor (8), even when the input differential signal has a zero value, is obtained by applying the signal of an uncontrolled rotational speed (21) to the output signal (20) of a controlled setpoint rotational speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: INA-Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Jens Schäfer, Martin Steigerwald, Martin Overberg
  • Patent number: 7025023
    Abstract: In a hydraulic camshaft adjuster for an internal combustion engine including a hydraulic operating unit for adjusting the angular position of the camshaft relative to a camshaft drive by way of a hydraulic control valve with a valve housing in which a control piston is disposed for controlling the supply of hydraulic fluid to, and its removal from, the hydraulic operating unit and to which hydraulic fluid is supplied from the camshaft by way of a pressure channel which is formed into the valve housing so as to extend along the outer surface thereof and a sleeve tightly surrounds at least the part of the valve housing which includes the channel for tightly covering the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Kai Lehmann, Jens-Uwe Plank, Jörg Rösener, Holger Rudzinski
  • Patent number: 7017540
    Abstract: A valve timing adjusting device includes a first rotor that rotates synchronously with a crankshaft of an engine, a second rotor that is relatively rotatable by a predetermined angle within the first rotor and is secured on the end face of an intake or exhaust camshaft, and a lock mechanism that restricts a relative rotation between the first rotor and the second rotor. The receiving hole of the lock mechanism is a stepped structure having a small part provided at the outermost located radially to the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kinugawa, Koji Yudate
  • Patent number: 7013854
    Abstract: A device (1) for the hydraulic adjustment of the angle of rotation of a camshaft (3) in relation to a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine, situated at the drive-side end (2) of the camshaft (3) and formed of a drive unit (4) that stands in a driven connection with the crankshaft and an output unit (5) that is connected in rotationally fixed fashion with the camshaft (3) is provided. The drive unit (4) stands in a force-transmitting connection with the output unit (5) via at least two pressure chambers (6, 7) formed inside the device (1), the supply of pressure medium to the pressure chambers (6, 7) taking place via a separate distributor housing (8) that has a connecting flange (10) suitable for transmitting pressure medium to the device (1) and a control valve receptacle (9) that is connected to the connecting flange (10) via two pressure medium conduits (11, 12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: INA-Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Dirk Heintzen, Jochen Auchter, Ahmet Deneri
  • Patent number: 6997150
    Abstract: A variable camshaft timing phaser for an internal combustion engine having at least one camshaft comprising a plurality of vanes in chambers defined by a housing and a spool valve. The vanes define an advance and retard chamber. At least one of the vanes is cam torque actuated (CTA) and at least one of the other vanes is oil pressure actuated (OPA). The spool valve is coupled to the advance and retard chamber defined by the CTA vane and the advance chamber defined by the OPA vane. When the phaser is in the advance position, fluid is routed from the retard chamber defined by the OPA vane to the retard chamber defined the CTA vane. When the phaser is in the retard position fluid is routed from the retard chamber defined by the CTA vane to the advance chamber defined by the CTA vane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Roger T. Simpson
  • Patent number: 6994062
    Abstract: A variable valve timing control device includes a rotor member integrally connected to either one of a camshaft and a crankshaft, a housing member connected to either one of the crankshaft and the camshaft via a driving force transmitting member and assembled to the rotor member so as to be rotatable relative thereto, a vane, a fluid pressure chamber divided into an advanced angle chamber and a retarded angle chamber by the vane, and a sensor wheel assembled to either one of the rotor member and the housing member and including a projecting portion for detecting a rotational angle of the rotor member or the housing member by using a sensor provided adjacent to the sensor wheel. The sensor wheel includes at least one reference hole for determining a position of the projecting portion in a circumferential direction of the sensor wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Kawai, Masaki Kobayashi, Shinji Ohe, Hideyuki Suganuma
  • Patent number: 6976460
    Abstract: A variable valve timing control device which includes a driving side rotational member, a driven side rotational member, a rotational phase holding mechanism for holding a relative rotational phase between the driving side rotational member and the driven side rotational member at a locked phase, a rotational phase restriction mechanism for allowing and restricting the relative rotation, a groove formed at one of the rotational members, a restriction body provided at the rotational phase restriction mechanism for restricting the relative rotation, a plurality of said rotational phase restriction mechanisms for restricting the relative rotation in a predetermined direction at different relative rotational phases, a step portion provided at the groove being engaged with the restriction body for restricting the relative rotation in the predetermined direction, and the rotational phase restriction mechanism including the step portion for restricting the relative rotation in the predetermined direction at the plur
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Osamu Komazawa, Naoto Yumisashi
  • Patent number: 6971351
    Abstract: A region including an engaging hole is given surface treatment such as partial quench hardening by induction hardening for improving surface hardness of the region. The partial quench hardening by induction hardening provides the region with satisfactory mechanical strength or surface hardness enough for resisting deformation of the engaging hole and wear-out of an edge of opening of the engaging hole caused by putting in and out of the lock pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kinugawa, Makoto Yamauchi
  • Patent number: 6968816
    Abstract: In an oil flow control valve (OCV) according to the present invention, a first volume varying chamber is adapted to communicate with a second volume varying chamber through a second plunger breathing path, and the second volume varying chamber is adapted to communicate with a first breathing hole through an intra-plunger breathing path, an intra-shaft breathing path, and a third volume varying chamber. That is, the breathing path to the second volume varying chamber is long and the volume thereof is large, and the breathing path to the first volume varying chamber is still longer and larger in its volume. Consequently, the amount of foreign matters getting into the first and second volume varying chambers can be decreased and therefore it is possible to prevent the occurrence of an operation defect of the OCV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Eiji Isobe, Jiro Kondo
  • Patent number: 6964249
    Abstract: A valve timing control system includes a hydraulic-pressure supply/discharge device for selectively supplying and discharging working fluid from advance and retard chambers, an annular recess formed in a sidewall member of a housing to face a housing main body and communicating with one supply/discharge passage of the hydraulic-pressure supply/discharge device, and a radial groove radially extending from the annular recess and communicating with the advance chamber or the retard chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yusaku Komaki
  • Patent number: 6962133
    Abstract: A variable valve timing control device comprises a housing member integrally rotating with either one of a crankshaft or a camshaft of an internal combustion engine, a rotor member assembled to the housing member so as to be rotatable relative thereto, including at least one of vane portions forming an advanced angle chamber and a retarded angle chamber within the housing member, and integrally rotating with the other one of the crankshaft or the camshaft; a fluid pressure circuit for controlling operation fluid to be supplied to or discharged from the advanced angle chamber and the retarded angle chamber, an engaging groove formed at the housing member in circumferential direction and including an advanced angle side end portion and a retarded angle side end portion, a lock member provided at the housing member and being freely projecting/retreating, and a projecting portion provided at the rotor member and projecting outward, which is sandwiched between either one of the end portions of the engaging groove
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazumi Ogawa
  • Patent number: 6941913
    Abstract: A VCT phaser for an engine having a housing, rotor and a spool valve. The rotor having a bore comprising an open outer end, an inner surface, and inner end having a vent port and arranged along the bore, an advance port, a common port, a retard port, and a lock port. The spool valve comprises a spool with a first land, a first groove, a second land, a second groove, and a third land, with the area between the inner surface of the bore and the first groove defining a first chamber, the area between the bore and the second groove defining a second chamber, and the area between the bore and the inner end of the spool defining a third chamber. A passage between the first groove and the second groove for fluid passage provides fluid communication between the first chamber and the second chamber and lock pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Franklin R. Smith
  • Patent number: 6935290
    Abstract: A VCT phaser for an internal combustion engine with at least one camshaft comprising a housing, a rotor, a spool valve and a ring-shaped reservoir. The housing having at least one chamber and the rotor having at least one vane dividing the chambers into advance and retard. The spool valve is comprised of a spool mounted within a bore of the rotor. The reservoir is defined within the bore by an oil dam and at least one of the spool lands. The spool has a first position in which a chamber is coupled to the supply and the other chamber is exhausting fluid and a second position in which a chamber is coupled to the supply and the other chamber is coupled to the reservoir. When a torque reversal occurs, hydraulic fluid pooled in the reservoir is drawn into the other chamber when the spool is in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Zhenyu Jiang
  • Patent number: 6932036
    Abstract: An electromagnetic-brake cooling structure of a phase-variable device having an electromagnetic brake means (40) and varying the phase of a camshaft, wherein engine oil in an oil sump (74) on the radial inner side of a clutch case (60) led to the relative sliding surfaces of a friction material (66) and a rotary drum (44) through a notch (61) provided in the clutch case (60) at the front edge part of the inner peripheral wall of the clutch case (60), a notch (61b) for leading oil to the front edge part of the clutch case outer peripheral wall (60b), the oil on the relative sliding surfaces of the friction material (66) and the rotary drum (44) is discharged positively to the outside, and the circulation of the cooling oil is activated to increase the cooling effect of the sliding surface of the friction material (66).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignees: Nittan Valve Co., Ltd., Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Dynax Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Aino, Koichi Honma, Hiroki Morozumi, Yousuke Mae, Kazuhito Mukai
  • Patent number: 6928968
    Abstract: When a target advance angle VTT1 of an intake valve is a threshold K1 or less and when a target retard angle VTT2 of an exhaust valve is a threshold K2 or less, an intake-side variable valve timing device and an exhaust-side variable valve timing device are turned into a base mode. When a target advance angle VTT1 of an intake valve exceed the threshold K1 or when the target retard angle VTT2 of an exhaust valve exceeds the threshold K2, both of the variable valve timing devices are turned into a feedback mode at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuki Ichimura, Yasuo Hirata
  • Patent number: 6920853
    Abstract: A variable valve timing control device includes a rotation member for opening or closing a valve, a rotation transmission member engaged with the rotation member to be relatively rotatable, a vane provided on either one of the rotation member or the rotation transmission member, a hydraulic chamber formed between the rotation member and the rotation transmission member and including an advance angle chamber and a retarded angle chamber, the advance angle chamber and the retarded angle chamber being formed by dividing the hydraulic chamber by the vane, a first hydraulic passage for supplying and discharging a fluid to the advance angle chamber, and a second hydraulic passage for supplying and discharging the fluid to the retarded angle chamber. The vane includes a surface hardness determined to be higher than a surface hardness of a sliding surface of the rotation member or the rotation transmission member for sliding the vane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigeru Nakajima, Taiyu Iwata, Ichiro Hiratsuka, Takayuki Kurumi, Kazumi Ogawa
  • Patent number: 6912981
    Abstract: A method of correcting a cam phaser system failure including detecting a cam phaser system fault and generating a control signal to correct said cam phaser system fault.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Jason Thomas Davis, Timothy J. Braman
  • Patent number: 6883480
    Abstract: A camshaft adjuster for internal combustion engines of motor vehicles has a stator having a casing and stays connected to the casing and projecting radially inwardly. A rotor rotatable relative to the stator is fastened on the camshaft. The rotor has a rotor base member and vanes connected thereto. The vanes project into spaces between the stator stays. The stays each have an end face that rest sealingly against the rotor base member. The vanes of the rotor each have an end face resting sealingly against an inner peripheral wall of the stator. At least one of the vanes of the rotor has a damping element and the stator has at least one counter damping element. Upon rotation of the rotor into its end position, the damping element interacts with the counter damping element and slows the movement of the rotor into the end position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Hydraulik-Ring GmbH
    Inventors: Gerold Sluka, Guido Schneider
  • Patent number: 6883481
    Abstract: An infinitely variable cam indexer utilizes engine oil pressure to actuate a cam and preferably uses an inlet check valve in the oil source to minimize back flow during a torque reversal. The control system is in the center of the rotor and uses an electromechanical actuator, preferably a variable force solenoid, acting directly on the spool to control oil flow. This design reduces leakage and improves the response of the phaser. There are shorter oil passages as compared to a control system mounted at the cam bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Borgwarner Inc.
    Inventors: Marty Gardner, Michael Duffield
  • Patent number: 6880505
    Abstract: Due to the fact that a regulator engages with an engagement aperture when hydraulic pressure is low due to unexpected decreases in engine rotation frequency during relative turning of a valve timing control device, the valve timing control device re-enters a regulated state. Control and running of regulation or release of relative rotation position of the valve timing control device by a regulator are performed by an external device distinct from the valve timing control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kinugawa, Akira Sakata, Makoto Yamauchi
  • Patent number: 6871621
    Abstract: A camshaft adjuster for motor vehicles has a stator and a rotor rotatable relative thereto between which pressure chambers are provided. Pressure medium is supplied in a controlled way via a valve to the pressure chambers in order to rotate the rotor relative to the stator. Mounting of the valve in the internal combustion engine of the motor vehicle is often difficult when mounting conditions are tight, sometimes even impossible. In order for the camshaft adjuster to be usable even in tight spatial conditions, the valve is arranged on the side facing away from the camshaft connection. The valve can therefore be arranged stationarily axially outside of the engine of the motor vehicle. The camshaft adjuster requires thus only little mounting space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Hydraulik-Ring GmbH
    Inventors: Edwin Palesch, Andreas Knecht, Gerold Sluka
  • Patent number: 6866013
    Abstract: A variable camshaft timing mechanisms having a vane/housing format is provided. Working hydraulic chambers are created by imposing either single or multiple vanes of a rotor attached to the camshaft into a cavity in a housing that is attached to the camshaft sprocket. Fluid is allowed to normally exhaust from the hydraulic chamber during normal phasing until the rotor nears the end of its travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Borgwarner Inc.
    Inventor: Franklin R. Smith
  • Patent number: 6845740
    Abstract: A device for hydraulically adjusting the rotation angle of a camshaft with respect to a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine: A drive unit connected to a crankshaft and an output unit connected to a camshaft, having radially extending, axially facing sides secured by the pre-stressing force of a central securing bolt. The drive unit is rotably mounted to the output unit and they are so connected that at least two hydraulic pressure chambers transmit relative rotation forces. An annular disk with coating on opposite sides increases the frictional force between the end face of the output unit which faces the camshaft and the end of the camshaft and enables reduction of the pre-stressing force on the bolt. The character of visually detectable elements on the disk enable detection of the presence or absence of the disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Ina-Schaeffler KG
    Inventor: Mike Kohrs
  • Patent number: 6843215
    Abstract: A sliding mechanism includes a first sliding member made of an aluminum alloy material, the aluminum alloy material being supplemented with at least an element selected from Sb ranging from 0.05 to 0.20 weight %, Na ranging from 0.001 to 0.01 weight %, Sr ranging from 0.001 to 0.05 weight %, and Ca ranging from 0.0005 to 0.01 weight %; and a second sliding member arranged so as to be brought into sliding engagement with the first sliding member. The second sliding member is made of a material which is obtained by caking a rapidly solidified aluminum powder containing therein at least an Si element and a Fe element. Preferably, the Si element has an average particle diameter of 3 ?m or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ichiro Hiratsuka, Shigeru Nakajima
  • Patent number: 6827052
    Abstract: A variable valve timing control device includes a rotation member unitary fixed to a rotation shaft for controlling a valve timing assembled to a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine to be rotatable, a rotation transmission member engaged with the rotation member to be relatively rotatable, a vane provided on either one of the rotation member or the rotation transmission member, a hydraulic pressure chamber formed between the rotation member and the rotation transmission member and is divided into an advance angle chamber and a retarded angle chamber by the vane, and a detection member for detecting a relative rotation phase between the rotation member and a crankshaft. The detection member is press fitted into a cylindrical portion formed in an axial direction of the rotation member and the rotation member is fixed to the rotation member by a tightening member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaki Kobayashi, Katsuhiko Eguchi
  • Patent number: 6814038
    Abstract: A variable cam timing system that utilizes the same spool that controls the VCT mechanism to actively control the locking pin. The positions of the spool's multiple lands directly influences whether source oil is supplied to both the locking pin and either the retard or advance chamber of the phaser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: BorgWarner, Inc.
    Inventor: Franklin R. Smith
  • Patent number: 6805081
    Abstract: A valve timing control device for an internal combustion engine, comprises a drive rotary member rotated by a crankshaft of the engine, a driven rotary member to rotate a camshaft of the engine upon rotation of the drive rotary member; a rotational phase control mechanism having an intermediate rotary member rotated relative to the drive and driven rotary members to cause relative rotation between the drive and driven rotary members and an braking mechanism having a hysteresis brake that generates a braking force to cause the intermediate rotary member to rotate relative to the drive and driven rotary members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Hitachi Unisia Automotive, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiko Watanabe, Tamotsu Todo, Kazuhiko Takayanagi
  • Publication number: 20040121846
    Abstract: A coupling arrangement (1) with a first clamping ring (10) concentric to the axis of rotation (1a), a second clamping ring (20) oriented concentrically with the axis of rotation and grooved around its circumference, and with clamping bodies (30) oriented radially between the clamping rings (10, 20); which includes on at least one of the clamping rings projections (11) that are built into a shape like a ramp (10, 20), each of which is placed between two neighboring clamping bodies; and which includes a first retainer (15) and a second retainer (25), with which the clamping rings (10, 20) and the clamps (30) are held together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2003
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Applicant: INA-Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Swen Dorrie, Richard Baier, Georg Draser
  • Patent number: 6745735
    Abstract: A device includes: a locking member substantially disposed within a closure in the housing, the locking member locking the housing and the rotor free from relative rotation and independent of fluid flow; and at least one vent passage disposed between either the first or the second chamber and the closure in the housing; thereby air within the chamber is purged and noise stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Franklin R. Smith
  • Patent number: 6743004
    Abstract: A vacuum pump, in particular for brake booster systems in motor vehicles, with a drivable rotor via which a blade in a housing can be set in rotation is proposed. The vacuum pump is distinguished by the fact that the rotor consists of plastic and is formed as one piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Luk. Automobiltechnik GmbH & Co. KG.
    Inventor: Dieter Otto
  • Patent number: 6742485
    Abstract: A vane-type cam phaser wherein a locking pin assembly is disposed between a rotor and a stator of the phaser to selectively couple the rotor and stator together under certain operating conditions, for example, during engine start-up. The central axis of the locking pin assembly is disposed in the rotor parallel to the rotational axis of the phaser. The pin is spring loaded in a default position and is guided through its axial movement by two cylindrical guide surfaces—an inner guide surface and an outer guide surface. The lengths of these guide surfaces are optimized to minimize binding and sluggish operation of the pin caused by lateral forces exerted on the pin by the stator when in operation. The outer guide surface to inner guide surface ratio (L/I) is preferably greater than 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas H. Lichti
  • Patent number: 6739298
    Abstract: In a valve timing adjusting apparatus, rotating response speed of a vane rotor and a moving speed of a lock piston are changed according to changes of oil temperature and pressure. It sometimes happens that the lock piston passes the fitting hole before the lock piston is fitted in the fitting hole. Timing of actuating a solenoid valve is retard by a given delay time from timing of actuating a spool valve. The given delay time is decided by a map based on sensor signals representing the oil temperature and pressure input to ECU. The given delay time is shorter as the oil temperature increases and longer as the oil pressure increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Shigeyuki Kusano, Masaomi Inoue
  • Patent number: 6732690
    Abstract: A torque bias coil spring for a camshaft phaser disposed on the outside of a cover plate for the rotor chamber and connected between the stator and rotor for angularly biasing the rotor. A rotor extension, such as a sleeve for a locking pin mechanism or a target wheel unit, extends from the rotor chamber through an opening in the cover plate for engaging a first spring tang. The second tang of the spring is engaged by a phaser binder bolt. The spring thus is able to follow the rotary motion of the rotor within the rotor chamber and to bias the rotor toward a predetermined rotational extreme.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald J. Pierik, Dominic Borraccia, Jason Urckfitz
  • Patent number: 6725004
    Abstract: A coupling apparatus capable of being connected by sliding and transferring power when being connected. The apparatus has a first coupler having a plurality of first ribs protruding at an outer circumference of a body at a regular interval and a second coupler having a connection portion to embrace and be separated from the body of the first coupler, and a plurality of second ribs protruding at an inner circumference of the connection portion, the plurality of second ribs being connected between the plurality of first ribs, wherein each of front ends of the first ribs and the second ribs have sloping sides sloped in a predetermined direction, and the first ribs include a rib having a relatively longer length than the other ribs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Byeong-hwa Ahn, Joo-hwan Noh, Kyung-hwan Jang
  • Patent number: 6684835
    Abstract: A valve timing control device is provided, which has an advantageous point of locking a relative rotation phase at an intermediate phase based on an engine halt signal. The valve opening-closing timing control device has a relative rotation control mechanism including the first path for supplying or discharging oil to or from the retard angle chamber and the advance angle chamber and for moving a relative rotation phase between the retard angle chamber and the advance angle chamber in the range between the most retarded angle phase and the most advanced angle phase. The relative rotation control mechanism has a lock oil passage for actuating lock portions for locking the relative rotation phase at the intermediate phase between the most retarded angle phase and the most advanced angle phase. The second path is provided separately from the first path. The second path supplies oil to and discharges oil from a lock oil passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Osamu Komazawa, Hiroshi Kubo
  • Patent number: 6684834
    Abstract: A rotating piston positioning device to adjust the angle of rotation of a camshaft with respect to a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine. The device includes a drive member (5) that is driven by the crankshaft and a driven member (10) that is fixed to the camshaft (4). At least the driven member (10) of the device (1) is formed of a lightweight metal and is bolted to the camshaft (4) by a central fastening screw (13), whereas the drive member (5) is radially supported external to the driven member (10) and transfers force to the driven member by at least two hydraulic pressure chambers located inside the device (1). The conical zone of force from the fastening screw (13) to the driven member (10) is carried by a special collar (16) made of a compression-resistant material that at the same time is a prefabricated pressure medium distributor of the device (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: INA-Schaeffler KG
    Inventor: Mike Kohrs
  • Patent number: 6675752
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine including a cylinder head having gas-exchange valves, at least one camshaft supported on the cylinder head, which camshaft is driven by a crankshaft to actuate corresponding gas-exchange vales on the cylinder head, and a camshaft adjuster arranged on the camshaft. The adjuster has a hydraulic pressure chamber and is configured to use hydraulic pressure to rotate position of the camshaft relative to the crankshaft to change control times of the gas-exchange valves. A feed device for hydraulic pressure is provided on the camshaft adjuster and is configured as a component separate from the cylinder head. The feed device has a ring for each camshaft, each ring having two grooves, each of the grooves being connected via associated hydraulic pressure channels in the feed device to a hydraulic pressure valve. Each ring is arranged to surround a section of the camshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventors: Ernst-Andreas Kunne, Andreas Knecht
  • Patent number: 6668774
    Abstract: An assembly having first and second coaxially-related elements oscillatingly-rotatable about a mean angular relationship therebetween. An axial well in one element is threaded and an axial well in the other element is splined. A pin having threads on a first end and splines on the second end is disposed on both the threads and splines of the two elements. A Hall-effect magnetic field strength sensor is disposed coaxially adjacent to the assembly. A permanent magnet mounted on an end of the pin adjacent the Hall-effect sensor creates a magnetic response therein. As the angular relationship between the two elements changes, the pin turns with the splined element, the threads simultaneously displacing the pin and magnet axially of the assembly, thereby changing the intensity of the field experienced by the sensor and the signal output therefrom in proportion to the relative angular position of the two elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Dauer, David J. Trapasso