Actuated By Fluid Or Electricity Patents (Class 464/2)
  • Patent number: 6308669
    Abstract: A phase change coupling is disclosed for allowing the angular position of a drive member 10 of a camshaft 12 to be varied in relation to the camshaft. The coupling is additionally provided with a locking mechanism for preventing rotation of the drive member relative to the camshaft in only one direction during cranking of the engine, so that, during cranking of the engine, the drive member 10 is rotated in only one sense relative to the camshaft by the camshaft torque reversals until it reaches a predetermined start-up angular position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Mechadyne PLC
    Inventors: Timothy Mark Lancefield, Ian Methley
  • Patent number: 6306042
    Abstract: A phase variator including a piston actuator slidable between two travel limit positions as a result of the supply of a flow of pressurized fluid to at least one chamber of the variator. Valves are provided in the variator for choking the flow associated with the at least one chamber so as to avoid axial end contact of the piston and casing and axial end contact of the piston and hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Carraro S.p.A.
    Inventor: Renzo Tortul
  • Patent number: 6302072
    Abstract: The vane type hydraulic actuator according to the present invention includes a guide locking device (guide stopper pin) (1) for guiding the rotor (44) to a locking position where the rotor (44) can be locked to the case (43), and are taining locking device (retaining stopper pin) (4) for retaining the rotor (44) to the case (43), after the rotor (44) is guided to the locking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mutsuo Sekiya, Katsuyuki Fukuhara, Masafumi Sugawara
  • Patent number: 6289862
    Abstract: A locking mechanism for a device (1) to modify the control timing of cylinder valves of an internal combustion engine, in particular for a vane-cell positioning device. The device (1) consists of a drive wheel (2) driven by a crankshaft of the internal combustion engine, said drive wheel having a cavity (6), and an impeller (8) permanently connected to the camshaft (7) that has at least one vane (12). In the cavity (6) of the drive wheel (2), at least one working chamber (15) is formed by intermediate walls (14) and each of these chambers is divided by an associated vane (12) into two hydraulic pressure spaces (16, 17). When pressure is applied by means of a hydraulic pressure medium, the pressure spaces (16, 17) effect a pivoting motion of the impeller (8) with respect to the drive wheel (2), whereas when the pressure is not applied to one of the pressure spaces (16, 17) the impeller (8) and the drive wheel (2) are mechanically coupled together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: INA Walzlager Schaeffler oHG
    Inventors: Jens Schäfer, Martin Steigerwald, Matthias Kapp
  • Patent number: 6289860
    Abstract: An assembly for controlling the phase relationship between a crankshaft and a camshaft of an internal combustion engine with an outer ring member which is connectable to the crankshaft for receiving rotating torque therefrom and a hub which is connectable to the camshaft for transmitting torque from the outer ring member utilizes at least one elongated, centrifugally-responsive lever member which is pivotally connected to the ring member for pivotal movement relative thereto between radially inwardmost positions and radially outwardmost positions. Moreover, each lever member is connected to the hub so that movement of the lever member between the radially inwardmost and outwardmost positions effects a rotational shift of the hub relative to the outer ring member about the axis of rotation which alters the phase relationship between the crankshaft and the camshaft driven thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Inventors: Frank H. Speckhart, John C. McCracken
  • Patent number: 6276321
    Abstract: A vane-type camshaft phaser wherein a coil spring under torsional compression or extension is disposed coaxially within an annular cavity formed in either the cover plate or back plate. A first end of the spring is connected to the cover plate or back plate, and a second end extends from the cavity and is connected to the phaser rotor. The spring constant is selected such that a biasing torque is exerted on the rotor in the valve-opening-advancing direction which counters the inherent valve-opening-retarding torque bias of the camshaft during operation. The bias spring permits more rapid response to a demand on the cam phaser for advancing valve timing, and is also useful in orienting the camshaft advantageously, especially an exhaust valve camshaft, in a timing-advanced position when the engine is shut off or operating at low engine speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Howard Lichti, Michael James Fox, Jason M Urckfitz, Wayne Stanley Harris
  • Patent number: 6263845
    Abstract: In a phase change mechanism in which the phase of a driven member (10) relative to a drive member (12) is adjusted by axial displacement of an actuating rod (30) connected to the piston (50) of a hydraulic jack rotatable with the drive and driven members, the cylinder (52) of the hydraulic jack has a double-skinned wall, and the gap (54) between the two skins of the cylinder wall serves as a passage for supplying oil to and from one of the working chambers of the hydraulic jack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Mechadyne PLC
    Inventors: Timothy Mark Lancefield, Ian Methley
  • Patent number: 6253720
    Abstract: A variable phase coupling for connecting a crankshaft to a camshaft comprises a drive member for connection to the crankshaft having helical grooves of a first pitch, a driven member for connection to the engine camshaft having helical grooves of a different pitch facing towards the grooves in the drive member, an intermediate member disposed between the drive and driven members having helical grooves on its inner and outer surfaces, a first set of balls engaging in the pairs of helical grooves comprising the helical grooves in the driven member and the facing grooves on one surface of the intermediate member, a second set of balls engaging in the pairs of helical grooves that comprise the grooves in the drive member and the facing grooves on the other surface of the intermediate member, and means for axially displacing the intermediate member relative to the drive and driven members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Mechadyne PLC
    Inventors: Timothy Mark Lancefield, Ian Methley
  • Patent number: 6250267
    Abstract: A variable phase coupling 10 is disclosed for connecting a crankshaft of an engine to a camshaft 16. The coupling 10 comprises a drive member 14, 18 having a first set of grooves 20, a driven member 26 having a second set of grooves 28 and mounted in a fixed axial position relative to the drive member 18 and an intermediate member 30 movable axially in relation to the drive and driven members. Grooves are arranged on the same side of the intermediate member to face the grooves of both the drive member and the driven member. A first set of balls 36 is engaged in the grooves 20 of the drive member 18 and the intermediate member 30 and a second set of balls 34 is engaged in the grooves 28 of the driven member 26 and the intermediate member 30 so as to transmit torque from the drive member to the driven member through the intermediate member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Mechadyne PLC
    Inventor: Ian Methley
  • Patent number: 6213071
    Abstract: A variable phase coupling for connecting a crankshaft to a camshaft (12) comprises a drive member (20) for connection to the crankshaft having grooves (40) of a first pitch, a driven member (14) for connection to the engine camshaft (12) having helical grooves (26) of a different pitch facing towards the grooves (40) in the drive member (20), balls (28) engaged in the two helical grooves (26, 40) and serving to couple the drive and driven members for rotation with one another, an intermediate member (16) disposed between the drive and driven members for rotation with one another, an intermediate member (16) disposed between the drive and driven members in contact with the balls (28, 34), and means (56) for displacing the intermediate member (16) relative to the drive and driven members. The displacement of the intermediate member (16) serves to move the balls relative to the helical grooves in the drive and driven members so as to vary the phase between the drive and driven members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Mechadyne PLC
    Inventors: Timothy Mark Lancefield, Ian Methley
  • Patent number: 6209497
    Abstract: The system according to the invention for the relative rotating position change of a shaft with respect to a driving wheel has an adjusting device with two pressure spaces which act against one another and which can be acted upon by a pressure medium pump. In order to achieve a uniform controlled adjusting operation and a secure position fixing, the pressure space connected with the pressure medium pump is acted upon by pressure at the start of the adjusting movement before the opposite pressure space connected with the pressure medium tank is relieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignees: Dr. Ing. h,c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft, Hydraulik Ring GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Niethammer, Andreas Knecht
  • Patent number: 6202611
    Abstract: A camshaft drive that is provided with a timing drive assembly at the front end of an internal combustion engine and a control assembly at the rear end of the engine characterized in that a portion of the control assembly is capable of being a self-contained unit which is easily mounted to the cylinder head of the engine through a simple attachment arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventor: Jose F Regueiro
  • Patent number: 6199524
    Abstract: A shoe housing 3 is connected to and rotatable together with an input shaft. A vane rotor 9 is connected to an output shaft and accommodated in shoe housing 3 so as to cause a rotation within a predetermined angle with respect to shoe housing 3. Vane rotor 9 and shoe housing 3 cooperatively define hydraulic chambers 10, 11, 12 and 13 whose volumes are variable in accordance with a rotational position of vane rotor 9 with respect to shoe housing 3. A locking member 7 is accommodated in vane rotor 9 and shiftable in a direction parallel to a rotational axis common to shoe housing 3 and vane rotor 9. And, an engaging bore 20, formed on a front plate 4 secured to shoe housing 3, receives locking member 7 through a tapered surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Nippondenso Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masayasu Ushida
  • Patent number: 6199523
    Abstract: The phase of a camshaft in an internal combustion engine can be changed by the piston rod of a double-acting hydraulic cylinder and piston unit which is controlled by a valve having a spool movable axially by an electromagnet which is adapted to be influenced by a plurality of signals including those from the engine electronics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Aft Atlas Fahrzeugtechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Dirk Neubauer, Dirk Heintzen, Helmut Schilly, Harald Schmitz
  • Patent number: 6173688
    Abstract: Since conventionally the chip seal 14, 16 and the metallic blade spring 15, 17 have been formed separately, assembly efficiency has been poor (for example when the chip seal 14, 16 is inserted, the metallic blade spring 15, 17 detaches and falls out) which lowers productivity. As a result, the cross sectional shape of the chip seal 21 which pushes against the rotor 13 is made in the shape of a letter L.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabusbiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katuyuki Fukuhara, Makoto Yamauchi, Mutsuo Sekiya
  • Patent number: 6158404
    Abstract: The phase of a camshaft in an internal combustion engine can be changed by the piston rod of a double-acting hydraulic cylinder and piston unit which is controlled by a valve having a spool movable axially by an electromagnet which is adapted to be influenced by a plurality of signals including those from the engine electronics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: AFT Atlas Fahrzeugtechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Dirk Neubauer, Dirk Heintzen, Helmut Schilly, Harald Schmitz
  • Patent number: 6155221
    Abstract: A shoe housing 3 is connected to and rotatable together with an input shaft. A vane rotor 9 is connected to an output shaft and accommodated in shoe housing 3 so as to cause a rotation within a predetermined angle with respect to shoe housing 3. Vane rotor 9 and shoe housing 3 cooperatively define hydraulic chambers 10, 11, 12 and 13 whose volumes are variable in accordance with a rotational position of vane rotor 9 with respect to shoe housing 3. A locking member 7 is accommodated in vane rotor 9 and shiftable in a direction parallel to a rotational axis common to shoe housing 3 and vane rotor 9. And, an engaging bore 20, formed on a front plate 4 secured to shoe housing 3, receives locking member 7 through a tapered surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: Nippondenso Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masayasu Ushida
  • Patent number: 6138623
    Abstract: A device for adjusting the phase angle of a camshaft of an internal combustion engine relative to the camshaft driving gear includes a hydraulic adjusting element which is connected with both a member supporting the drive gear and a member rigidly connected to the camshaft. Simple and reliable adjustment of the camshaft phase is obtained by providing the hydraulic adjusting element with a hydraulic pumping member which is driven by the drive gear, and a driving member connected to the camshaft, which is hydraulically driven by the pumping member, the outlet end of the pumping member being flow-connected to the inlet end of the driving member and the flow volume and/or pressure of the working fluid delivered from the pumping member to the driving member being regulated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: TCG Unitech Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Siegfried Heer
  • Patent number: 6129061
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a rotational phase is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an input member provided so as to be rotatable, an output member co-axially provided with the input member so as to be rotatable, a planetary gear mechanism co-axially provided with the input member and the output member for connecting the input member with the output member, the planetary gear mechanism including three elements, namely a sun gear, a planetary carrier supporting planetary gears and a ring gear, a drive apparatus connected with one of the three elements of the planetary gear mechanism for shifting a rotation phase, the drive means including two members which are rotatable with respect to each other. One of the input member and the output member is connected with the ring gear, and the other of the input member and the output member is connected with the planetary carrier. The two members of the drive apparatus is co-axially provided with the planetary gear mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Tsunehisa Okuda, Yoshiyuki Shinya, Tsutomu Shimizu, Yasuaki Hasegawa, Toshihide Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 6129063
    Abstract: A device for changing the rotational position of a shaft relative to a drive wheel has an adjusting device with two pressure chambers that act against one another. The chambers are pressurized by a pressure medium pump. The adjusting device includes an inner part with ribs that divides the chambers formed by the ribs of a compartmented wheel into corresponding pressure chambers. A plurality of depressions extending axially are machined into the circumferential surfaces of the compartmented wheel that faces the ribs of the inner part, which depressions serve to collect dirt particles carried by the pressure medium into the pressure chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche AG
    Inventors: Bernd Niethammer, Andreas Knecht
  • Patent number: 6116200
    Abstract: A system for angular adjustment of a shaft relative to a driving gear, preferably of a camshaft of an internal combustion engine, includes a hydraulically controllable angular adjustment device rotating with the shaft and having hydraulic supply ducts in a non-rotatably fitted end cap and oil distribution ducts, associated with the supply ducts, in the angular adjustment device. The end cap is provided in its inner circumferential region facing the direction of adjustment with at least one recess shaped to receive an oil distribution ring. The oil distribution ring is shaped so as to be connectable non-rotatably to the end ring and to be movable transverse to the common axial direction, and the internal diameter of the recess is greater than the external diameter of the oil distribution ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Manfred Abts, Rudolf Menne, Roger Wildemann, Thomas Koob
  • Patent number: 6105544
    Abstract: An apparatus (1) for changing the opening and closing times of gas exchange valves of an internal combustion engine has intercommunicating slide and freewheel means (15, 20). By means of these elements (15, 20), immediately upon starting the internal combustion engine, and adjusting piston (7) of the apparatus (1) is moved into its desired starting position and/or held there long enough for the apparatus (1) to be filled sufficiently with hydraulic fluid again. During the hydraulic-fluid-free state, the adjusting piston (7) is at the same time largely prevented from making any undesired oscillations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: INA Walzlager Schaeffler oHG
    Inventors: Jochen Auchter, Mike Kohrs, Andreas Strauss
  • Patent number: 6089198
    Abstract: A device for varying the opening and closing times of gas exchange valves of an internal combustion engine, comprising a drive unit (2) which is in driving relationship with a crankshaft through a traction element and a driven unit (14) connected to an intake or exhaust camshaft, there being arranged within the device (1), a coupling element (18) by which a rotationally fixed, force-transmitting connection can be established between the drive unit (2) and the driven unit (14) when the pressure of the hydraulic medium falls below a level required for the displacement of the adjusting piston (9), the coupling element (18) being configured as a locking piston (19) which can be displaced on the one hand by hydraulic pressure and on the other hand by an auxiliary energy and comprises on an end face (26) a number of concentrically arranged extensions (27) which are associated to complementary recesses (35) of a locking ring (34) in the housing (6) to avoid noise generation on starting of the internal combustion eng
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: INA Walzlager Schaeffler oHG
    Inventors: Dieter Goppelt, Mike Kohrs, Jochen Auchter, Joachim Matuschka
  • Patent number: 6062183
    Abstract: In a variable valve operation control apparatus, an exhaust camshaft and an intake camshaft are held non-movably and movably in the axial direction, respectively. The intake camshaft has a profile varying in the axial direction. A timing pulley and the exhaust camshaft are fixed by a bolt to drive the exhaust camshaft by a crankshaft. A vane rotor is fixed to the exhaust camshaft, while a shoe housing and a gear are held rotatably relative to the vane rotor. Torque gears are provided on the intake camshaft to rotate with the intake camshaft. The rotational phase of the intake camshaft relative to the crankshaft is adjusted by hydraulically varying the rotational phase of the shoe housing relative to the vane rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignees: Denso Corporation, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Osamu Sato, Yoshihito Moriya, Kiyoshi Sugimoto
  • Patent number: 6055950
    Abstract: An arrangement for controlling a device for changing the control times of gas exchange valves of an internal combustion engine is provided. The device includes a hydraulic pressure cylinder with an axially movable piston the setting motions of which are transformed into relative rotation of a drive part of the pressure cylinder connected to the crankshaft in relation to a drive part of the pressure cylinder connected to the camshaft. the hydraulic pressure cylinder is subdivided by the piston into two pressure chambers (3, 4), with each being provided with a pressure medium connection (5, 6) to which a hydraulic pump (7) is connected upstream and a pressure medium reservoir (8) is connected downstream, and whose pressure medium inflow or pressure medium outflow is controlled by a hydraulic valve arrangement controlled by a motor controller (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: INA Walzlager Schaeffler oHG
    Inventors: Jens Schafer, Bernd Reuter, Martin Scheidt, Dirk Heintzen
  • Patent number: 6053138
    Abstract: A device for hydraulic rotational angle adjustment of a shaft to a drive wheel, especially the camshaft of an internal combustion engine, has ribs or vanes that are nonrotatably connected with the shaft, said ribs or vanes being located in the compartments of a compartmented wheel. The compartments of the compartmented wheel and the ribs and/or vanes produce pressure chambers by whose hydraulic pressurization the two structural elements can be rotated relative to one another. In order to secure the two structural elements against undesired rotation when an insufficient adjusting or retaining pressure is present, a common end face of the compartmented wheel and of the ribs and/or vanes cooperates with an annular piston that exerts a releasable clamping action on the parts that are rotatable relative to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignees: Hydraulik Ring GmbH, Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche AG
    Inventors: Alfred Trzmiel, Wolfgang Stephan, Axel-Willi Jochim
  • Patent number: 6024061
    Abstract: A valve timing adjusting apparatus that selectively controls a restraint mechanism for restraining relative rotation between a housing member and a vane member to increase the operational life thereof. When a vane rotor is held at a most lagging angular position, an end holding mode is executed to pull out a stopper piston from a stopper hole by fluid pressures of both a leading angle side and a lagging angle side. As a result, when the vane rotor rotates from the most lagging angular position to the leading angle side, torsional forces on the stopper piston and the stopper hole can be minimized as the vane member direction of rotation changes. Since a fluid pressure has already been applied to each of leading angle fluid pressure chambers in the end holding mode, the vane rotor can be rotated from the most lagging angular position to the leading angle side quickly by increasing fluid pressure applied to each of the leading angle fluid pressure chambers without the need to switch a fluid path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Michio Adachi, Kenji Ueda
  • Patent number: 6012419
    Abstract: In a rotational phase adjusting apparatus used for adjusting opening/closing timings of an intake valve or an exhaust valve of an internal combustion engine, a shoe housing driven by a driving shaft has a circumferential wall and a front plate which are integrally formed by aluminum die-casting. Each shoe has a distortion-absorbing hole, and a fan-shaped chamber for accommodating a vane for driving a driven shaft is formed between adjacent two of the shoes. The outer circumferential wall of each shoe has a recess which has an arch shape in section and extends in an axial direction. A clamp seat is formed on a front plate side. When the clamp seat is pressed by a draw claw, a portion of each shoe on the outer circumferential side of the distortion-absorbing hole is resiliently deformed, but a portion of each shoe on the inner circumferential side of the distortion-absorbing hole is deformed less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Kazutoshi Iwasaki, Yoshio Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 6006709
    Abstract: A shoe housing 3 is connected to and rotatable together with an input shaft. A vane rotor 9 is connected to an output shaft and accommodated in shoe housing 3 so as to cause a rotation within a predetermined angles with respect to shoe housing 3. Vane rotor 9 and shoe housing 3 cooperatively define hydraulic chambers 10, 11, 12 and 13 whose volumes are variable in accordance with a rotational position of vane rotor 9 with respect to shoe housing 3. A locking member 7 is accommodated in vane rotor 9 and shiftable in a direction parallel to a rotational axis common to shoe housing 3 and vane rotor 9. And, an engaging bore 20, formed on a front plate 4 secured to shoe housing 3, receives locking member 7 through a tapered surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Nippondenso Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masayasu Ushida
  • Patent number: 5960757
    Abstract: A shoe housing 3 is connected to and rotatable together with an input shaft. A vane rotor 9 is connected to an output shaft and accommodated in shoe housing 3 so as to cause a rotation within a predetermined angle with respect to shoe housing 3. Vane rotor 9 and shoe housing 3 cooperatively define hydraulic chambers 10, 11, 12 and 13 whose volumes are variable in accordance with a rotational position of vane rotor 9 with respect to shoe housing 3. A locking member 7 is accommodated in vane rotor 9 and shiftable in a direction parallel to a rotational axis common to shoe housing 3 and vane rotor 9. And, an engaging bore 20, formed on a front plate 4 secured to shoe housing 3, receives locking member 7 through a tapered surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Nippondenso Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masayasu Ushida
  • Patent number: 5941203
    Abstract: A valve timing control device for controlling the opening/closing timing of the intake valve or exhaust valve of an internal combustion engine comprises: a valve opening/closing rotary shaft rotatably assembled with the cylinder head of the internal combustion engine; a rotor integrally provided on the rotary shaft; a rotation transmitting member including a first mounting portion which is mounted around the peripheral surface of the rotor and a second mounting portion which is mounted around the peripheral surface of the rotary shaft, so as to rotate relative thereto within a predetermined range for transmitting a rotating power from a crank pulley; a plurality of vanes provided on the rotor or the rotation transmitting member; a fluid chamber formed between the rotor and the rotation transmitting member and separated into advancing chambers and delaying chambers by the vanes; first fluid passages for feeding and discharging a fluid to and from the advancing chambers; and second fluid passages for feeding an
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Atsushi Sato
  • Patent number: 5934233
    Abstract: Apparatus for adjusting the basic position of a camshaft adjustment unit of an internal combustion engine, includes a first structure secured to a crankshaft and a second structure secured to a camshaft and having a camshaft-distant end surface formed with one or more form-fitting and/or force-locking force-transmitting elements. A piston reciprocates between two end positions and is so operatively connected with the first and second structures that a displacement of the piston results in a rotation of the first and second structures relative to one another. In order to position the adjustment unit in the basic position and to prevent the adjustment unit from executing a rotation relative to the camshaft after occupying the basic position, a tool is attachable to the adjustment unit which tool is formed with counterelements which complement the force-transmitting elements to effect a non-rotatable connection between the tool and the adjustment unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: INA Walzlager Schaeffler OHG
    Inventors: Jochen Auchter, Andreas Strauss, Eduard Golovatai-Schmidt
  • Patent number: 5901674
    Abstract: A variable valve timing device includes a rotation shaft and a rotation transmitting member rotatably mounted thereon. The device operates between a locked condition and an unlocked condition, wherein a locking pin is in and out of a receiving bore formed in the rotation shaft, respectively. For transferring the locking condition to the unlocking condition, oil is supplied to a bottom of the receiving bore via an independent fluid passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kenji Fujiwaki
  • Patent number: 5896836
    Abstract: A valve control device for an internal combustion piston engine adjusts positions of rotation of a camshaft relative to a crankshaft. This device comprises a hydraulic cylinder (1) comprising a piston (2) and at least one first feed duct (4). Between the cylinder (1) and a hydraulic pump (8), there is disposed a hydraulic valve arrangement (6) by which a hydraulic connection can be established between the first feed duct (4) and a first outlet duct. To assure a reliable prevention of rattling noises during the starting operation, it is proposed that the first outlet duct (10) open into a fluid reservoir (7) below the level of liquid therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Assignee: Ina Walzlager Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Andreas Strauss, Eduard Golovatal-Schmidt, Martin Scheidt
  • Patent number: 5875750
    Abstract: In a rotational phase adjusting apparatus which may be used for controlling opening/closing timings of intake and exhaust valves of an internal combustion engine, one side wall of a housing is fixed to one of a driving member and a driven member, while the other side wall of the housing is made integrally with a circumferential wall of the housing. A seal made of a material less harder than the housing is provided between the housing and a vane. The housing is made of an aluminum while the seal is made of a PPS resin mixed with an inorganic filler. The inorganic filler is harder than the PPS resin but less harder than the housing to reduce wear of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Kazutoshi Iwasaki, Hiroyuki Yamazaki, Michio Adachi, Masayasu Ushida, Hisashi Kayano, Isamu Inai
  • Patent number: 5865151
    Abstract: A valve timing control apparatus which regulates the movement of an abutting portion in a constraint-free state and prevents the collision between the abutting portion and other members to thereby suppress the generation of hammering sounds. A stopper piston constrains relative rotation between a shoe housing and a vane rotor by being fitted into a taper hole at its most lagged position. Oil pressure chambers apply an oil pressure to the stopper piston in a constraint release direction between the stopper piston and the taper hole. At the most lagged position, a back pressure chamber communicates with an oil lubrication space through communication passages. When the vane rotor is rotated from the most lagged position to an advanced side relative to the shoe housing, the pressure receiving area of a forward end portion of the stopper piston in contact with the oil pressure chamber decreases. On the other hand, communication between the communication passages is interrupted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Shunsuke Fukaya, Kenji Ueda, Michio Adachi
  • Patent number: 5845615
    Abstract: A valve timing control device includes a rotational shaft for opening and closing a valve, a rotational transmitting member rotatably mounted on the rotational shaft, a vane connected to one of the rotational shaft and the rotational transmitting member, a chamber defined between the rotational shaft and the rotational transmitting member and divided into a first pressure chamber and a second pressure chamber by the vane being extended into the chamber, a fluid supply device for supplying fluid under pressure to at least a selected one of the first pressure chamber and the second pressure chamber, a locking mechanism for connecting the rotational shaft and the rotational transmitting member when the relative phase between the rotational shaft and the rotational transmitting member is in a predetermined phase and a damping mechanism for damping the locking operation of the locking means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Motoo Nakamura, Naoki Kira, Kazumi Ogawa
  • Patent number: 5836279
    Abstract: A device for varying the opening and closing times of gas exchange valves of an internal combustion engine, comprising a driven unit (2) rotationally fixed to an intake or exhaust camshaft, a drive unit (8) which is in driving relationship with a crankshaft through a traction element, and an adjusting piston (19) axially displaceable within a housing (10) and axially delimits two pressure chambers (22, 23) while being connected to a sliding sleeve (24) which is provided with two oppositely oriented helical gear sections (26, 28) which cooperate with complementary helical gearings (5, 16) on the driven unit (2) and the drive unit (8), said pressure chambers (22, 23) being sealed from each other by a piston sealing ring (21) and a sealing disc (31) arranged between the end faces (6, 17) of the driven unit (2) and the drive unit (8), a second sealing disc (36) being arranged next to the first sealing disc (31), the inner peripheral clearance of the second sealing disc (36) to the hub (3) is smaller than the moun
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: INA Walzlager Schaeffler oHG
    Inventor: Andreas Strauss
  • Patent number: 5836277
    Abstract: A valve timing control device includes a rotation shaft for opening and closing a valve, a rotation transmitting member rotatably mounted on the rotation shaft, a vane connected to one of the rotation shaft and the rotation transmitting member, a chamber defined between the rotation shaft and the rotation transmitting member and divided into a first pressure chamber and a second pressure chamber by the vane extending into the chamber, a first fluid passage in fluid communication with the first pressure chamber for supplying and discharging the fluid therein and therefrom, respectively, a second fluid passage in fluid communication with the second pressure chamber for supplying and discharging the fluid therein and therefrom, a retracting hole formed on one of the rotation shaft and the rotation transmitting member, a locking pin slidably fitted in the retracting hole and urged toward the other of the rotation shaft and the rotation transmitting member, a receiving hole formed on the other of the rotation shaf
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naoki Kira, Katsuhiko Eguchi, Kazumi Ogawa, Motoo Nakamura
  • Patent number: 5836275
    Abstract: A valve timing control device has a first pressure chamber and a second pressure chamber to rotate vanes mounted on a rotor and a fluid supplying means for supplying fluid under pressure to at least a selected one of the first pressure chamber and the second pressure chamber in order to control valve timing. The device further includes a locking means for connecting a housing member and the rotor and a canceling means for canceling the operation of the locking means. The canceling means cancels the locking means before the fluid supplying means supplies fluid under pressure to the first pressure chamber or the second pressure chamber, so that the locking means is canceled completely before the vanes rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Atsushi Sato
  • Patent number: 5836276
    Abstract: In a vane-type rotational phase adjusting apparatus used for adjusting opening/closing timings of an intake valve or an exhaust valve of an engine, a housing unit driven by a driving shaft has a fan-shaped accommodating chamber between adjacent two of a plurality of shoes arranged circumferentially. A vane unit for driving a driven shaft is disposed in the housing unit with its vanes being disposed in the corresponding one of the accommodating chamber so that the rotational phase of the driven shaft is adjusted by the pressure of fluid in the accommodating chamber. Recesses are formed as fluid reservoirs in a cross-sectionally half circle shape on the circumferential end walls of the shoes to hold the operating fluid therein when the housing unit and the vane unit are at rest because of engine stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Kazutoshi Iwasaki, Michio Adachi, Masayasu Ushida, Yoshio Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 5832887
    Abstract: In a rotational phase adjusting apparatus which may be used for adjusting valve timing of an engine, a stopper piston is set engageably into and disengageably from a tapered hole of a shoe housing so that relative pivotal motion between the shoe housing and a vane rotor is constrained at the most retarted position. A hydraulic pressure chamber communicates with a retard-side hydraulic pressure chamber while a hydraulic pressure chamber communicates with an advance-side hydraulic pressure chamber. A pressurized area of the stopper piston receiving hydraulic pressure from the hydraulic pressure chamber in a direction of releasing constraint is set to be larger than a pressurized area of the stopper piston receiving hydraulic pressure from the hydraulic pressure chamber in the direction of releasing constraint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignees: Denso Corporation, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Michio Adachi, Teruki Kataoka
  • Patent number: 5829398
    Abstract: A valve timing control device (1) for varying opening and closing times of gas exchange valves of an internal combustion engine, characterized in that, in at least one of the pressure chambers (5, 6), there is arranged at least one spring means (13) whose spring force acts on the adjusting piston (4) to counteract an undesired adjusting direction (delayed opening and closing times t.sub.N+) of the adjusting piston (4) caused by a drag and frictional torque M.sub.S of the camshaft (2) during operation of the internal combustion engine, whereby the drag and frictional torque M.sub.S in a low-speed, low-load range of the internal combustion engine is substantially counteracted by an oppositely directed torque M.sub.F obtained from the spring force of the spring means (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: INA Walzlager Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Andreas Strauss, Eduard Golovatai-Schmidt, Martin Scheidt
  • Patent number: 5826552
    Abstract: A variable valve timing device includes a rotation shaft and a rotation transmitting member rotatably mounted thereon so as to define a pressure chamber between the shaft and the member. The pressure chamber is divided by a vane extending from the shaft into an advance angle space and a delay angle space. Differentiating pressures in both spaces establishes rotation of the shaft, which enables an adjustment of the phase angle between the shaft and the member. A retracting bore and a receiving bore are formed in the member and the shaft, respectively. A locking valve and a piston are fitted in the retracting bore and the receiving bore, respectively. A fluid passage is formed which extends to a boundary portion between the piston and the locking valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuji Noguchi, Kongo Aoki, Katsuhiko Eguchi
  • Patent number: 5823152
    Abstract: A shoe housing 3 is connected to and rotatable together with an input shaft. A vane rotor 9 is connected to an output shaft and accommodated in shoe housing 3 so as to cause a rotation within a predetermined angle with respect to shoe housing 3. Vane rotor 9 and shoe housing 3 cooperatively define hydraulic chambers 10, 11, 12 and 13 whose volumes are variable in accordance with a rotational position of vane rotor 9 with respect to shoe housing 3. A locking member 7 is accommodated in vane rotor 9 and shiftable in a direction parallel to a rotational axis common to shoe housing 3 and vane rotor 9. And, an engaging bore 20, formed on a front plate 4 secured to shoe housing 3, receives locking member 7 through a tapered surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Nippondenso Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masayasu Ushida
  • Patent number: 5813378
    Abstract: A valve timing control device includes a rotor fixed on a cam shaft and having a circular groove opposite an end surface of the cam shaft. The circular groove communicates with a passage formed in the cam shaft. A housing member is disposed so as to surround the rotor. An angular phase converting mechanism is disposed between the rotor and the housing member so as to be able to transmit the rotational torque from the housing member to the rotor and so as to be able to give the angular phase difference between the rotor and the housing member. A fluid supplying device supplies fluid under pressure to the angular phase converting mechanism through the passage and the circular groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Atsushi Sato
  • Patent number: 5797361
    Abstract: A variable valve timing mechanism of an internal combustion engine varies the rotational phase of a driven shaft with respect to a drive shaft to vary the timing of the valve. The mechanism includes a first rotary member for a rotation in synchronism with the drive shaft and a second rotary member for a rotation in synchronism with the driven shaft. The second rotary member has a vane. The movement of the vane rotates the second rotary member with respect to the first rotary member to change the rotational phase of the driven shaft with respect to the drive shaft. Hydraulic pressure is supplied to one of the first hydraulic chamber and the second hydraulic chamber to move the vane. A lock member locks the second rotary member to the first rotary member to fix the rotational phase of the driven shaft with respect to the drive shaft. The lock member is held in a locked position when the engine is not running.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuhisa Mikame, Tatsuo Iida
  • Patent number: 5794577
    Abstract: A valve timing control device has a rotor fixed on a cam shaft of an engine and a housing member ratably mounted on the cam shaft. The housing member surrounds the rotor. A chamber defined between the housing member and the rotor has a pair of circumferentially opposed walls. A vane is mounted on the rotor and extends outwardly therefrom in the radial direction into the chamber so as to divide the chamber into a first pressure chamber and a second pressure chamber. A plate spring is inserted between the rotor and the vane and a fluid supplying device supplies fluid under pressure to at least a selected one of the first pressure chamber and the second pressure chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Naoki Kira
  • Patent number: 5785018
    Abstract: An adjustment device for a cam-controlled valve operation in a piston-type internal combustion engine includes a camshaft adapted for actuating intake or exhaust valves of the piston-type internal combustion engine. The camshaft has a camshaft axis and includes an end having a guide surface. A transmission element constituting a magnetic armature is arranged for being moved back and forth in a direction of the camshaft axis. The transmission element includes an inner guide element opposite from and corresponding to the guide surface and a carrier element at a radial distance from the inner guide element that meshes with a corresponding carrier surface on a drive wheel, and is positioned for being twisted coaxially and relative to the camshaft. At least one of the guide surface on the camshaft and the carrier surface on the drive wheel is aligned in a helical shape relative to the camshaft axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: FEV Motorentechnik GmbH & Co KG
    Inventor: Michael Schebitz
  • Patent number: 5738056
    Abstract: A variable valve timing mechanism of an internal combustion engine varies the valve timing by varying the rotation phase of the camshaft with respect to a reference rotation phase of the drive shaft of the engine. The mechanism has a first rotation member and a second rotation member. The first rotation member rotates in fixed synchronism with the drive shaft and has at least one recess therein. The second rotation member is located within the first rotation member and rotates integrally with the camshaft. The second rotation member has a vane within the recess. The vane is movable between two walls of the recess and divides the recess into first and second pressure chambers. Hydraulic fluid pressure causes relative rotation of the second rotation member with respect to the first rotation member by applying pressure to the first and second pressure chambers to move the vane. The mechanism further has a lock device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuhisa Mikame, Tatsuo Iida