Adjustable Patents (Class 74/568R)
  • 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: 6155220
    Abstract: A compact cam phaser has a flexible spline deformed into a nonround shape and engaging a mating ring gear or circular member at angularly spaced locations for transferring camshaft drive torque between them. The spline has projecting lobes with teeth or friction surfaces which engage like surfaces formed on the mating gear or member. The spline and ring gear have a differential length or number of teeth. The phaser includes a plurality of angularly spaced radial piezo actuators, which expand and contract to cause the projecting lobes (but not the flexible spline itself) to travel around the circular ring gear in rotating waves. Thus, each point of the flexible spline is moved sequentially into and out of contact with the ring gear as the contact points (lobes) rotate in waves. Since the number of spline teeth differs from the ring gear, one revolution of the waves causes the spline to move relative to the ring gear a number of teeth equal to the differential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Craig D. Marriott
  • 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: 6155219
    Abstract: The valve timing adjusting apparatus comprises a bias means that generates an urging force between the casing and the rotor, and the thus generated urging force is set to the level equal to or below the average inertia torque of the camshaft within the time period until the spark ignition is generated after one rotation of the crank shaft at the starting time of the combustion engine, so that by the varied torque at the time of starting of the combustion engine and the urging force, the rotor can be rapidly shifted toward the advance side or retard side with a relatively small force, improving thereby the response characteristic of the valve opening/closing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsuyuki Fukuhara, Mutsuo Sekiya
  • 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: 6041746
    Abstract: A variable valve actuation (VVA) apparatus comprises a supporting arm to support a pivot center of a rocker arm. The rocker arm operates a valve operating (VO) cam in response to operation of a drive cam on an engine driven drive shaft. The supporting arm is mounted for angular motion about an axis of rotation of the drive shaft to move the pivot center of the rocker arm along a circle about the drive shaft axis. The VO cam is mounted for pivot motion about the drive shaft axis. A supporting arm (SA) actuator is provided to position the pivot center of the rocker arm to any angular position to shift mode of operation of the VVA apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignees: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Unisia Jecs Corporation
    Inventors: Shinichi Takemura, Seinosuke Hara, Makoto Nakamura, Yoshihiko Yamada, Keisuke Takeda, Tetsuro Goto
  • 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: 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: 6000368
    Abstract: A camshaft assembly has a shaft and a cam that are formed independently and then assembled together. The cam includes an inclined section and a parallel section. The radius of the inclined section varies in the axial direction in at least one angular section of the cam, and the cross section of the parallel section is constant in the axial direction. The parallel section is adjacent to the inclined section and not contacted by the cam follower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuhisa Mikame
  • 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: 5924334
    Abstract: A device for moving a hollow cam relative to a driving shaft includes an intermediate member between a drive member fixed to the driving shaft and a driven member fixe to the hollow cam. A cam ring in the form of an eccentric cam is disposed between the driving shaft and the intermediate member to maintain eccentric rotation of the intermediate member relative to the driving shaft. A driver mechanism controls the angular position of the cam ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Unisia Jecs Corporation
    Inventors: Seinosuke Hara, Akira Hidaka, Yoshihiko Yamada, Shinichi Takemura
  • 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: 5887557
    Abstract: The camshaft is formed with two or more central rods. The rods are parallel to one another. Camshaft elements are mounted on the rods. The camshaft elements include a drive element for rotatingly driving the camshaft, bearing elements, and cam elements mounted on the rods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Inventor: Stefan Battlogg
  • Patent number: 5884592
    Abstract: A valve gear mechanism for an internal combustion engine includes a variable valve control mechanism comprising a shaft (1) having an axis of rotation (D) and serving to transmit the rotary motion to the valve gear mechanism; a rotating body (10) being rotatably supported on said shaft (1); and an intermediate member (20) surrounding said shaft (1) and being disposed adjacent to said rotatable rotating body (10) in an axial direction and being rotatable with respect to said shaft (1) and having a drive connection to said shaft (1) via a first sliding guide (15) and a first transmission element (40, 50) and to said rotating body (10) via a second sliding guide (16) and a second transmission element (70), wherein said first transmission element (40, 50) comprises a radial pin (40) being inserted in said shaft (1) in a direction substantially vertical to said axis of rotation (D).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Inventors: Erwin Korostenski, Reiner Walter, Armin Bertsch
  • Patent number: 5881690
    Abstract: A valve control system for variably controlling operation, including the valve lift, of a valve for an internal combustion engine having a crankshaft based on a driving condition of a vehicle. The valve control system includes a camshaft assembly baving a cam for operating the valve while driven by the crankshaft, the camshaft having a longitudinal axis, a hydraulic control device for selectively applying hydraulic fluid to first and second ends of the camshaft assembly in response to a driving condition of a vehicle, whereby the camshaft assembly reciprocates along the longitudinal axis; and a valve operation controller for variably controlling the operation of the valve while the camshaft reciprocates by hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Deokkyu Park
  • 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: 5862783
    Abstract: A new variable angle camshaft for providing improved fuel economy and better performance for motorists. The inventive device includes a cylindrical housing having a partially hollow interior. The thick rear wall has a channel running therethrough. A forward end of the housing has a threaded collar opening into the partially hollow interior. The threaded collar is coupled with a line from an oil pump. A piston is slidably disposed within the partially hollow interior of the housing. A spring is disposed between the piston and an interior surface of the thick rear wall of the housing. The piston has a shaft extending outwardly therefrom into the channel of the housing. A cam shaft is provided including an outer housing and a movable interior segment. The cam shaft has an outer end extending inwardly of the channel of the cylindrical housing in a proximate relationship to the shaft of the piston. An inner end of the movable interior segment has a spring disposed thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Inventor: Henry E. Lewis
  • Patent number: 5860328
    Abstract: A camshaft timing device includes a camshaft 10 and a drive gear 20 rotatably mounted thereon. An interconnecting shifting shaft 30 has spline 31 and 33 that interconnect with respective splines 16 and 41 on the camshaft and a hub of a drive gear 20. Axial movement of the shaft 30 causes the shaft to rotate the camshaft 30 with respect to the drive gear 20 due to the helical nature of the splines 33 and 41. The axial movement of the shaft 30 is caused by a drive sleeve 50 connected to a pinion gear that is driven through a worm gear 63 by an electric motor 67.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Assignee: Chrysler Corporation
    Inventor: Jose F. Regueiro
  • Patent number: 5855190
    Abstract: A valve-actuating variable cam for a reciprocating machine is disclosed. The cam comprises a camshaft journalled for rotation by said machine and driven in timed relationship with said machine, a first cam fixed upon said camshaft and rotatable with the camshaft, and a second cam fixed for rotation with the camshaft and moveable relative to the first said cam in a direction radial to the axis of rotation of the camshaft. A shift rod is slidably mounted within the cam shaft, the shift rod having a drive surface thereon driving a key element. The key element is at least partially positioned within and engages at least the second cam. The shift rod is moveable between a first position in which the first cam engages a valve or similar element, and second position in which the key pushes the second cam radially outwardly and the valve engages the second cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Nobuhiko Matsunaga
  • Patent number: 5850812
    Abstract: An engine includes a crankshaft, a camshaft being driven by the crankshaft for opening and closing intake valves, a variable valve timing mechanism (VVT) attached to one end of the camshaft, which applies torque to the camshaft so as to change the valve timing. The camshaft has an increased outside diameter at a portion adjacent to the VVT as compared to other portions that are more distant from the VVT.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1998
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toshiharu Noguchi
  • 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: 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: 5836278
    Abstract: The invention relates in particular to a camshaft setting mechanism according to the vane cell principle, which has a drive gear (1) joined with the crankshaft through a toothed belt or a control chain. The drive gear includes a hollow space (8), and an impeller (11) is installed in the hollow space (8). The impeller is fixedly connected to and rotates with the camshaft (14). The drive gear (1) has at least one working chamber (4) on the interior of its circumferential wall (2), and each vane (12) of the impeller (11) subdivides the working chambers (4) into two pressure areas (9, 10) in each case. To avoid leakage through the slits (13) between impeller (11) and the drive gear (1) at high oil temperatures, the impeller (11) is made of a material which has a higher thermal expansion coefficient than the material of the drive gear (1), and that the pressure areas (9, 10) in the hollow space (7) of the drive gear (1) are sealed off by thermal expansion of the impeller (11) when the motor is in operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Ina Walzlager Schaeffler OHG
    Inventor: Martin Scheidt
  • 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: 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: 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: 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: 5813377
    Abstract: A number of embodiments of valve-actuating mechanisms for reciprocating machines, such as internal combustion engines, are presented wherein the lift of the valve may be controlled. This is done by providing a pair of cams on the camshaft each of which cooperate with the same follower for commonly actuating the valve. One of the cams is radially shiftable relative to the axis of the camshaft so that it can either be brought into operative position wherein the lift is controlled by the second cam or an inoperative position where the lift of the valve is controlled by the first cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Nobuhiko Matsunaga
  • Patent number: 5803030
    Abstract: A cam phase adjustor for an internal combustion engine includes a drive gear, an index gear, an actuator and a camshaft. Actuator is rotated and moves linearly to reciprocate the index gear in response to engine rpm changes. Linear movement of the index gear, which serves as the drive link between the drive gear and the camshaft, causes relative rotational motion between the spinning index gear and camshaft, thus changing the angular phase of the camshaft relative to the drive gear. This is used to advance or retard the opening and closing of the intake and/or exhaust valves of an internal combustion engine to improve engine performance over a wide range of operative engine speeds. Linear and rotational movements of the components are facilitated by cooperating grooves and balls in the respective components so there is rolling rather than sliding motion between the components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Inventor: Kenneth Wade Cole
  • Patent number: 5797362
    Abstract: A combustion engine with adjustable cam and lubrication mechanism including a cam shaft with a plurality of threads formed therein. At least one cam has a threaded bore formed therein for allowing the cam to be adjustably coupled with the threads of the cam shaft. Further included is a lubrication mechanism attached to the cam shaft for agitating oil within the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Inventor: Myron S. Taller
  • 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: 5743155
    Abstract: In a mechanical device for changing the phase relationship between the engine shaft and a camshaft of an internal combustion engine, in which the phase change is achieved by a change in the angular position of a body kinematically connected to the engine shaft relative to that of a shaft kinematically connected to the camshaft by the movement of a piston and of an auxiliary annular element which are spaced apart axially and are interposed between the body and the shaft to which they are coupled by intermeshing teeth, a stop is provided for limiting the axial travel of the auxiliary annular element, advantageously stopping the piston owing to engagement in the teeth of the shaft and of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: Carraro S. p. A.
    Inventor: Renzo Tortul
  • Patent number: 5738055
    Abstract: Apparatus especially useful in internal combustion engines for adjusting the timing and including a shaft having a longitudinal axis and mounted for rotation about said axis with a circular drive member carried by the shaft. An adjustable key assembly is located between the shaft and the drive member for conducting drive forces therebetween while permitting selective relative angular adjustment. The adjustable key assembly includes a key member having a first end pivotally engaged with one of the shaft and drive member and a second end slidably engaged with the other of the shaft and drive member. The second end of the key member and the other of the shaft and drive member include cooperating inclined surfaces for producing relative angular movement between the shaft and the drive member when the key member is selectively pivoted about the first end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Cloyes Gear and Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy R. Allen