Follower Patents (Class 74/569)
  • Patent number: 11946517
    Abstract: A heavy vehicle drum brake shoe guide and an assembly comprising the brake shoe guide are described. In one aspect, there is provided a brake shoe guide for attachment to a drum brake shoe by a pin fastener, to prevent brake shoe misalignment. There is also provided a brake shoe guide assembly including at least a brake shoe guide and a pin fastener for securing the brake shoe guide to a drum brake shoe. The brake shoe guide described herein is simple to fit to a standard, off the shelf brake shoe, and can be retrofitable to a brake shoe and/or brake assembly. Moreover, the brake shoe guide assembly described herein can retain the cam follower roller to the brake shoe, and act as an axle for the cam follower roller, eliminating the need for a separate retainer clip. Further still, the guide and the assembly of which it forms a part can be used with drums of various sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Inventor: Ken Pitt
  • Patent number: 11913415
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a tappet for acting on a pump piston of a high-pressure fuel pump of an internal combustion engine. The tappet includes a tubular housing, and at the upper annular end face of the tubular housing, two surfaces which are indented relative to the outer casing of the housing and comprise a pin that supports a cam roller, lie diametrically opposite each other. An upper end face of a transverse beam lies against axial inner end faces of the two surfaces. A transverse beam lower end face, which faces a lower annular end face of the housing, is provided with a pin, which protrudes from the housing and is surrounded by a spring plate supported against the inner casing of the housing. A sleeve-like inner collar of the spring plate guides the unstepped pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Norbert Geyer
  • Patent number: 11898525
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a roller tappet for a high-pressure fuel pump. The roller tappet includes a housing that accommodates a cam contact roller next to a drive-side annular face of the housing. A bridge piece sits on an inner lateral surface of the housing, after the cam contact roller, as viewed from the drive-side annular face. An outer end face of the bridge piece has a rest for a pump piston. A separate adapter bolt protrudes from the rest beyond the output-side annular face of the housing; an end face of the adapter bolt, remote from the bridge piece, serves as a direct rest for the pump piston. An annular disc sits next to the output-side annular face of the housing, and the bore of said annular disc surrounds and retains the adapter bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Norbert Geyer, Marco Junker
  • Patent number: 11879510
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a camshaft for a drum brake includes designing a tubular camshaft and thereafter forming the camshaft as a unitary body through, for example, an additive manufacturing process. The camshaft is designed with a first end portion configured for coupling to a brake actuator, a second end portion defining a cam configured to engage cam followers coupled to first and second brake shoes, rotation of the cam causing the first and second brake shoes to move between positions of engagement and disengagement with an associated braking surface, and an intermediate portion disposed between the first and second end portions. A wall thickness of at least one of the end portions and the intermediate portion is configured to achieve at least one of a predetermined torsional stiffness in the camshaft and vibration damping in the camshaft at a selected frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
    Inventor: Daniel E. Banks
  • Patent number: 11791115
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for operating a switch having an operating lever for moving the switch between the open and closed position and an operating pin arranged to a moving part of the switch, wherein the device comprises a primary shaft, a secondary shaft arranged coaxially with the primary shaft, a coupling arranged between the primary shaft and the secondary shaft, a spring, a control lever extending in a radial direction from the primary shaft, a latch having a disengage lever extending in a radial direction from the primary shaft and a roller movable into the path of the disengage lever to limit rotation of the primary shaft in the first rotational direction; and, a reset lever extending in a radial direction from the secondary shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Bert Knol, Albert Postmus
  • Patent number: 11628585
    Abstract: Disclosed are a telescopic assembly and an occlusion mechanism. The telescopic assembly includes a rotating shaft, a telescopic piece, and a connecting piece; two spiral orbits extending in an axis direction are disposed on the circumferential side of the rotating shaft, and the spiral orbits are rotatably intersected with each other and communicate on tail ends to form a closed orbit; the telescopic piece sleeves around the rotating shaft; the connecting piece is movably connected to the telescopic piece, and the other end of the connecting piece moves in a spiral orbit groove all the time during movement; and with the rotation of the rotating shaft, the connecting piece drives the telescopic piece to do reciprocating movement along an axis so that the automatic telescopic movement of the telescopic piece is achieved. The telescopic assembly pushes a first rocking bar and a second rocking bar to achieve an occlusion action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Dongguan Mi Mao Electronic Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Qinling Wang
  • Patent number: 11578791
    Abstract: A cam follower includes a shaft and a hub rotatable with respect to the shaft via at least one bearing. A flanged tire is affixed to the outer peripheral surface of the hub, the flanged tire having a main body portion and a flange portion extending radially outwardly therefrom. The main body portion and the flange portion are integrally formed from a polymeric material, and the hub, the main body portion and the flange portion are disposed so as to define a generally planar outer surface. A flange support plate, having a support plate outer diameter that is generally equal to or greater than the flange diameter, is positioned abutting the generally planar outer surface and is rigidly affixed to the hub, the flange support plate being formed from a metal material, thereby providing structural support to the flange portion for axial forces applied to the flange portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Intech Powercore Corporation
    Inventor: Georg Bartosch
  • Patent number: 11333233
    Abstract: A roller tappet for a fuel pump is provided that has a guide housing which includes a drive-side and output-side section of the same external diameter, and a separate support body extending longitudinally through the guide housing. An upper face on the drive-side section carries a pin with a roller thereon. A lower face of the output-side section interacts at least indirectly with an arrangement for a pump piston. The drive-side section and the output-side section are axially spaced rings connected to one another via the support body. The support body has a first ring area with the upper face and a second ring area with the lower face. The first ring area is connected to an inner jacket of the drive-side section and the second ring area is connected to an inner jacket of the output-side section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Norbert Geyer
  • Patent number: 11231000
    Abstract: A roller tappet, in particular for a high-pressure fuel pump, is provided that is guided in the direction of the longitudinal axis thereof in a housing receptacle and is driven translatably in the longitudinal direction by cams of a camshaft. The roller tappet has a tappet body. This tappet body has a tappet skirt, a pump piston contact point (9), and a rotatably mounted roller (4), by which the roller tappet is supported on the camshaft. The tappet body has a guide cylinder (1), which is mounted in the housing receptacle and on which the roller (4) is supported, and a cup-shaped sleeve (7) having the pump piston contact point (9), which cup-shaped sleeve is supported in the guide cylinder (1) by a radial ring (8). A cylindrical constriction (5) is formed in the guide cylinder (1) in the region of the radial ring support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Norbert Geyer
  • Patent number: 11198932
    Abstract: A method for producing a reduced friction sliding surface on a machine element includes applying a coating comprising amorphous carbon to a surface of the machine element and locally heating the coating with a laser. The coating is heated to a temperature below an evaporation temperature of the coating to achieve a local volumetric increase in the coating and a local increase in a layer thickness of the coating. A surface structure of the coating includes a multiplicity of elevations resulting from a local phase transformation of the coating from amorphous carbon into graphite due to the locally heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Oliver Witter, Klaus Feldner, Stefan Dupke, Holger Pätzold, Frank Schlerege, Serge Kursawe
  • Patent number: 11149593
    Abstract: A tappet assembly including an outer cup having a substantially cylindrical side wall, an annular lip portion disposed at a first end of the side wall, and an annular ledge disposed on the side wall, the annular ledge being disposed in a plane that is transverse to a longitudinal center axis of the tappet assembly. An inner cup includes an annular lip extending outwardly therefrom and a pair of shaft apertures, and is disposed in the outer cup so that the lip abuts the annular ledge of the outer cup and is non-rotatably fixed thereto by the annular lip of the outer cup which abuts the lip of the inner cup. A shaft is received in the shaft apertures, and a roller tappet is rotatably received on the shaft such that a portion of the roller tappet extends axially outwardly beyond the annular lip portion of the outer cup, and an alignment device formed in the outer cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Koyo Bearings North America LLC
    Inventors: Scott Abrahamson, Josh Ferguson
  • Patent number: 11142226
    Abstract: A powered gap mitigation device for transit vehicles allows a gap mitigation plate to move outboard from its stowed position, be locked in the deployed position, move inboard from a deployed position to a stowed position, be locked in the stowed position, and be manually stowed and cut-out in case of malfunction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Laurent Dagenais, Luc Vachon, Martin Nicole, Pierre Le Vérone, Daniel Filion
  • Patent number: 11118550
    Abstract: A roller tappet for a high-pressure fuel pump or for a valve drive of an internal combustion engine is provided. The tappet can be guided in a direction of a longitudinal axis thereof in a housing receptacle and can be driven displaceably by a cam shaft of the internal combustion engine. The tappet includes a tappet body which has a guide cylinder, and a cup-shaped sleeve supported axially and radially on the guide cylinder. The sleeve includes a bearing surface for the pump piston or a valve drive element, and the guide cylinder includes a rotatable roller mounted on support flanks, by means of which roller the roller tappet can be supported on the internal combustion engine camshaft. The sleeve has, at its end region facing away from the bearing surface, a ring-shaped shoulder for radial support and an end ring for axial support on the guide cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Hußenether, Norbert Geyer
  • Patent number: 10774692
    Abstract: A tappet is proposed, for a fuel pump or for a valve timing gear, in each case of an internal combustion engine, comprising a hollow-cylindrical housing, which includes two separate portions lying in line one after the other, which are fitted together in a region of their facing inner faces and are permanently connected to one another by way of a joint. The tappet has a roller on its driving side and an abutment for a follower part on its driven side, which abutment is formed on a separate insert. The abutment is radially supported on the housing in the fitted-together region of the two portions, wherein the insert has a middle annular collar, from which on the one hand a sleeve portion protrudes in the direction of the driving side and on the other hand a dome-like attachment protrudes towards the driven side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Norbert Geyer, Alexander Fichtner, Georg Backert, Michael Dotterweich, Matthias Reichel
  • Patent number: 10697413
    Abstract: A tappet assembly for use in translating force between a camshaft lobe and a fuel pump assembly via reciprocal movement within a tappet cylinder having a guide slot. The tappet assembly comprises a tappet body defining a pair of apertures and at least one seat, and a follower assembly. The follower assembly has a shaft, a first bearing, and a second bearing, each supported on the shaft for engaging the camshaft lobe. An intermediate element is further supported on the shaft between the first and second bearings and has a platform for engaging the fuel pump assembly. The intermediate element is at least partially disposed in the at least one seat of the tappet body and the shaft is disposed in the pair of apertures of the tappet body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: GT TECHNOLOGIES
    Inventors: John E. Brune, Luke Gossman, Dennis Landis
  • Patent number: 10378635
    Abstract: A cam follower roller assembly has a shaft insertable into a roller. The shaft has a zerk in communication with the channel wherein lubricant can be added to the assembly. The design of the assembly in one embodiment is such that a larger shoulder to shaft radius stabilizes the shaft and limits the shaft from rocking or elongating within a mounting hole. When utilized in the application of a loading mechanism and carriage assembly for trash collection vehicles, one embodiment of the cam follower roller assembly provides greater life and easier serviceability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Kann Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Jared Rowland, Kenneth D. Goedken, Marlin Johnson, Roger Taake
  • Patent number: 10113449
    Abstract: The cam follower roller device provides a tappet body 12, an insert 18 mounted in the tappet body and provided with a central core 24 and with at least two side tabs 26, 28, a pin 14 mounted at least on the tabs of the insert, and a roller 16 mounted on the pin. The insert 18 further provides at least one stiffener 44, 46 disposed between the core 24 and each tab 26, 28.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventors: Samuel Viault, Benoît Hauvespre, Thomas Perrotin
  • Patent number: 10066516
    Abstract: The invention relates to a bucket tappet for an internal combustion engine, having a tappet housing with a hollow cylindrical bucket skirt and a bucket base which closes one side of the bucket skirt and on which the bucket skirt is formed by cold forming a steel blank without cutting. The outside of the bucket base is used as a contact surface for an internal combustion engine cam which transfer a stroke movement to the bucket tappet, and the outside of the bucket skirt is used as a contact surface for an internal combustion engine guide bore which supports the bucket tappet in the stroke direction. The aim of the invention is to develop a bucket tappet of the aforementioned type and a method for producing same with respect to reduced production costs. This is achieved in that the unmachined and uncoated cam contact surface of the bucket base is machined using a brushing tool and no additional mechanical machining of the cam contact surface is carried out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Gunter Eisenhardt, Manfred Stratz
  • Patent number: 10060400
    Abstract: A tappet assembly for use in translating force between a camshaft lobe and a fuel pump assembly via reciprocal movement within a tappet cylinder having a guide slot. The tappet assembly includes a bearing assembly having a shaft and a bearing rotatably supported by the shaft for engaging the lobe. An intermediate element has a shelf for engaging the fuel pump assembly, and a pair of arc-shaped bearing surfaces rotatably engaging the shaft when the bearing engages the lobe and the shelf engages the fuel pump assembly. The intermediate element includes a pair of lock apertures. The bearing assembly further includes a pair of shields supported on the shaft of the bearing assembly with the bearing interposed between the shields.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: GT Technologies
    Inventors: John E. Brune, Scott P. Smith
  • Patent number: 10024201
    Abstract: The cam follower roller device provides a tappet body extending along an axis, an insert mounted in the tappet body, a pin mounted at least on the insert and a roller mounted on the pin. The device further provides a spacer having a body mounted axially against the insert and with retaining means, cooperating with the insert for fixing the spacer to the insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventors: Samuel Viault, Benoît Hauvespre, Thomas Perrotin
  • Patent number: 9863382
    Abstract: A high-pressure oil pump roller tappet, used for automobile fuel injection system, mounted between the driving cam and the tappet. The roller tappet includes a shell, a holder, a roller, and a pin. Planes A are arranged on both sides of the seam on lateral sides of the shell. Holes I are arranged at symmetrical positions on two planes A. Holes II are arranged on symmetrical positions on vertical plates. The roller is located in the middle of the pin. Welding has no requirement on the thickness of the plate. The weight can be controlled effectively, reducing inertia force, friction, and wear, improving engine efficiency. The shell and holder are designed as being separate, ensuring that the shell subjects to lateral force as little as possible when the holder subjects to a force, such that the shell is less likely to vibrate. Thus, the shell avoids the abrasion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Hangzhou XZB Tech Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Na Xu, Haijun Ren
  • Patent number: 9644729
    Abstract: A mechanical system forms a cam follower or a rocker arm and includes a support element, a pin extending between two opposite ends along a first axis and supported by the support element, and a roller mounted on the pin, movable in rotation relative to the pin around the first axis and adapted to roll on a cam. The support element includes a first axial abutment feature blocking the translation of a pin assembly including at least the pin, in a first direction parallel to a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. The mechanical system additionally includes an insert inserted in the support element and supporting the pin opposite the first axial abutment feature, wherein the first axial abutment feature protrudes outside a cavity delimited by the support element and receiving the pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventors: Nicolas Berruet, François Champalou, Benoît Hauvespre, Guillaume Jouanno, Samuel Viault
  • Patent number: 9551408
    Abstract: A mechanical system comprising: a tappet, including a body; an insert mounted in the body; a pin extending along a first axis; and a roller element movable in rotation relative to the pin around the first axis. The insert supports the pin, while the body supports the insert, along at least one first direction parallel to a second axis which is perpendicular to the first axis. The mechanical system can be integrated into an injection pump and/or a valve actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventors: Nicolas Berruet, Charles Chambonneau, Benoît Hauvespre, Samuel Viault
  • Patent number: 9415661
    Abstract: A control element of a vehicle ventilation and/or air conditioning unit, in particular for controlling air distribution flaps, has a rotational axis and a circumferential surface encircling around the rotational axis. On the encircling circumferential surface the control element has at least one guiding rib which protrudes in the radial direction in relation to the circumferential surface. The guiding rib divides the control element into an axially front region and an axially rear region. A control assembly of at least one air distribution flap of a vehicle ventilation and/or air conditioning unit comprises a control element of this type and an output element which is coupled to the guiding rib of the control element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: VALEO KLIMASYSTEME GMBH
    Inventor: Peter Koch
  • Patent number: 9410518
    Abstract: A tappet including a housing having a drive-side annular end face at which two flat sections, recessed in relation to an outer shell of the housing, lie diametrically opposite one another, and a bolt supporting a roller mounted in said sections is provided. A bridge section protrudes through an inner shell of the housing, and the output-side end face of said bridge section acts as a contact point for a tappet follower part, the bridge section lying against undersides of said flat sections and being held by a ring that is arranged in the inner shell, and sits in a groove of the inner shell so as not to protrude radially out of said groove, at least two tabs projecting radially inwards from an upper side of the ring, and the bridge section fixed thereupon in the direction of the output-side annular end face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Norbert Geyer, Stefan Dorn
  • Publication number: 20150143947
    Abstract: The cam follower roller device comprises a body, a shaft mounted on the body, a roller mounted on the shaft and able to rotate, and a plain bearing interposed radially between the shaft and the roller. An outer surface and/or an inner surface of the plain bearing comprise a plurality of cavities. The ratio of the sum of the surfaces areas of the cavities to the total surface area of the outer surface, or of the inner surface, in which the cavities are formed is between 2% and 40%. The cavities have a depth between 0.5 ?m and 5 ?m.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventors: Aurelien GHILBERT-SIMON, Benoît HAUVESPRE
  • Publication number: 20150143948
    Abstract: The cam follower roller device comprises a body 12, a roller 14, and a shaft 16 mounted on the body 12 and comprising an outer seat for mounting the roller to rotate. The roller comprises an inner surface 14a radially surrounding the seat and is mounted able to rotate with respect to the shaft. The outer seat of the shaft and/or the inner surface 14a of the roller comprise a plurality of cavities. The ratio of the sum of the surfaces areas of the cavities to the total surface area of the outer seat, or of the inner surface, in which the cavities are formed is between 2% and 40%. The cavities have a depth between 0.5 ?m and 5 ?m.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventors: Benoît Hauvespre, Aurelien Ghilbert-Simon
  • Patent number: 9038586
    Abstract: A durable system is disclosed for controlling variable valve actuation of an engine valve corresponding to a cylinder of an automobile engine. The system is designed to have a durability that exceeds the expected life of a conventional automobile engine. The system includes first crowned cam having a first lift profile, a second crowned cam having a second lift profile, and a rocker arm assembly. The rocker assembly includes a first arm having an end connected to said engine valve, having a high impact roller following the first crowned cam operating the engine valves according to a first lift profile. The rocker arm assembly also includes a second arm having slider pads riding on the second crowned cam to operate said engine valve according to a second lift profile. The slider pads have a sliding surface covered with an impact-resistant multilayer coating with its outermost coating being a wear-resistant coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Otto Jerome Schultheis, Tony Eric Gordon, Mark Joseph Birler, Philip Michael Kline
  • Publication number: 20150135893
    Abstract: A switching roller finger follower including: a housing including first and second walls; a first secondary arm pivotably connected to the housing and including a first groove; a second secondary arm pivotably connected to the housing and including a second groove; and a roller disposed between the first and second walls and including an axle passing through the walls and having a first end disposed in the first groove and a second end disposed in the second groove. A method of fabricating a switching roller finger follower, including: disposing a roller between first and second walls for a housing; passing an axle through the roller and the walls; pivotably connecting first and second secondary arms to the housing; disposing a first end of the axle in a first groove in the first arm; and disposing a second end of the axle in a second groove in the second arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventor: Matthew Evans
  • Publication number: 20150101387
    Abstract: A cam follower for a ram assembly. The cam follower includes a bearing positioned on a shaft. The bearing includes an outer ring having an exterior surface and an inner ring coaxially disposed in the outer ring. A plurality of rolling elements is disposed between the outer ring and the inner ring. A tire manufactured from a composite material is positioned on the exterior surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Applicant: ROLLER BEARING COMPANY OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Robert A. Pallini
  • Publication number: 20150101449
    Abstract: A cam follower for a rocker arm includes a cylindrical outer ring (11) having an outer circumference surface abutting on a cam, a support shaft (6) to support the outer ring (11), a plurality of rollers (12) arranged in an annular region between the support shaft (6) and the outer ring (11), and a side plate (16) composed of a ring-shaped disk penetrated by the support shaft (6), opposed to an end face (15) of the roller (12), and having an outer diameter Ds smaller than an inner diameter Dr of the outer ring (11). The side plate (16) is arranged at each end of the roller (12), and a relationship Lr<Lk+2t is satisfied in which Lk represents a shaft length of the roller (12), Lr represents a shaft length of the outer ring (11), and t represents a thickness of the side plate (16).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: Akihiko KATAYAMA, Katsufumi ABE, Hisataka HASEGAWA, Masaru KURODA
  • Publication number: 20150096515
    Abstract: A mechanical system, comprising a support element, a pin extending along a first axis and comprising two opposite ends, each adapted to be fitted in the support element for radial retention of the pin relative to the first axis, and a roller element movable in rotation relative to the pin around the first axis. The mechanical system includes two ribs resting on either side of the ends for axial retention of the pin along the first axis. The mechanical system can be integrated into either an injection pump or a valve actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventors: Nicolas BERRUET, Charles CHAMBONNEAU, François CHAMPALOU, Benoît HAUVESPRE, Samuel VIAULT
  • Publication number: 20150090211
    Abstract: A mechanical system, comprising a support element having an outer surface adapted to slide in a housing receiving the mechanical system, a pin extending along a first axis and comprising two opposite ends, each adapted to be fitted in the support element for radial and/or axial retention of the pin relative to the first axis, and a roller element movable in rotation relative to the pin around the first axis. The mechanical system comprises at least one outer insert positioned at the outer surface of the support element. The mechanical system can be integrated into either an injection pump or a valve actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Applicant: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventors: François CHAMPALOU, Richard CORBETT, Benoît HAUVESPRE
  • Publication number: 20150090070
    Abstract: A device for securing a support element to an actuating lever of a valvetrain of an internal combustion. The actuating lever having a socket dome to accept a socket end of the support element and a roller pocket, with the securing device seated on the socket dome, extending through the roller pocket and splitting into two arms that extend on opposite ends of a circumferential groove below the socket end of the support element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Ljupco Trpcevski, Vanessa Woodiwiss, Rainer Schwinn
  • Publication number: 20150090205
    Abstract: A mechanical system, comprising a tappet including a body, a support element defining two bores centered on a first axis, a pin comprising two opposite ends each adapted to be fitted in one of the two bores, and a roller element positioned between the two bores along the first axis and movable in rotation relative to the pin around the first axis. The support element is distinct from the body and fixed thereto, and the support element also comprises at least one antirotation device integrally formed thereto. The mechanical system can be integrated into an injection pump and/or a valve actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Applicant: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventors: Benoît HAUVESPRE, Nicolas BERRUET, Charles CHAMBONNEAU, François CHAMPALOU, Samuel VIAULT
  • Patent number: 8991351
    Abstract: A roller assembly for a diesel engine used in a high mileage vehicle includes a roller having an exterior roller surface and an interior surface that defines a bore extending therethrough. A pin is positioned in the bore and defines an exterior pin surface. A plurality of rolling elements is positioned between the exterior pin surface and the roller interior surface. Each of the rolling elements rollingly engages the exterior pin surface and the roller interior surface. The roller assembly defines a clearance of between about 0.01 mm to about 0.03 mm between the rolling elements, the exterior pin surface and the interior surface. The roller assembly is configured to achieve extended life criteria wherein the clearance does not increase to more than 0.02 mm to 0.06 mm after 500,000 miles of travel of a vehicle powered by a diesel engine having the roller assembly installed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Roller Bearing Company of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Kelvin Smith, Brett Blauner
  • Publication number: 20150082938
    Abstract: A follower mechanism movable along an axis within a bore including an alignment groove. The follower mechanism includes a bucket with a cylindrical inner surface and a cylindrical outer surface, and a yoke positioned at least partially within the bucket, the yoke including a bottom wall and two opposed sidewalls depending upwardly therefrom, each sidewall defining a shaft aperture. A shaft with first and second ends is received in the shaft apertures, and a roller follower is rotatably received on the shaft such that a portion of the roller follower extends axially outwardly beyond the bucket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: Koyo Bearings North America LLC
    Inventor: Gary Schick
  • Publication number: 20150059520
    Abstract: A transmission element according to the invention for an actuating system integrated into an internal combustion engine provides a cam follower including a roller articulated on a shaft mounted on a piston suitable for sliding in a bore formed in a body of the transmission element is provided. The shaft having a body extending around a longitudinal axis, and includes at least one sacrificial tip attached on one of the ends of the body of the shaft. The sacrificial tip is made from a material having a hardness below the hardness of the material of the body defining the bore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventors: Charles Chambonneau, Benoît Hauvespre
  • Patent number: 8960144
    Abstract: The present invention provides a variable valve mechanism of an internal combustion engine, which includes a main arm having at a rear end thereof a supported portion that is continuously supported swingably by a support member without floating upward, a sub arm which has a tip end to which a roller contacting a cam is rotatably attached, in which a center of the roller is located rearward of the pressing portion and forward of a swing center of the supported portion, which has a rear end that is swingably supported with respect to the main arm by a support pin, and in which a center of the support pin is located rearward of the center of the roller and forward of the swing center of the supported portion, and a switch pin that is inserted in a central portion of the roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Otics Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki Hiramatsu, Koki Yamaguchi, Akira Sugiura, Takayuki Maezako
  • Patent number: 8955481
    Abstract: A switchable roller finger follower is provided having an inner lever and two separate outer arms mounted at one end to a swing pivot axle that extends through the inner lever. A roller is mounted in the inner lever. The outer arms extend longitudinally along sides of the inner lever and include high lift cam contact surfaces. The inner lever includes a compression spring support extending out from each of the sides. The outer arms each include a corresponding spring support facing the respective spring support of the inner lever. A compression spring is located on each of the sides of the inner lever between the corresponding spring supports. A coupling arrangement is located between the inner lever and the outer arms which in a locked position, locks the outer arms in position on the inner lever, and in an unlocked position, allows the outer arms to pivot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Debora Manther
  • Publication number: 20150027271
    Abstract: A rocker shaft for a valve train of an internal combustion engine, including: a substantially cylindrical outer circumferential surface; and a layer of amorphous hydrocarbon deposited on the substantially cylindrical outer circumferential surface. The rocker shaft is arranged to engage a rocker arm such that the rocker arm is at least partially rotatable about the rocker shaft. A method of forming rocker shaft for a valve train of an internal combustion engine, including: forming a substantially cylindrical outer circumferential surface; and depositing a layer of amorphous hydrocarbon on the substantially cylindrical outer circumferential surface. The rocker shaft is arranged to engage a rocker arm such that the rocker arm is at least partially rotatable about the rocker shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Matthew Evans, Eric Berndt
  • Patent number: 8925419
    Abstract: A compliant cam system includes a one-piece cam including: a cam body rotatable with respect to a cam rotational axis and a having a cam body center spaced from the cam rotational axis and an outer surface; and a deflecting arm freely extending from the cam body having a free end elastically deflected toward the cam body in an arm deflected condition. A follower has at least one follower surface in direct contact with the cam outer surface at the deflecting arm. An arm non-deflected condition is defined when the outer surface is in direct contact with the cam follower surface prior to deflection of the deflecting arm. The cam when thereafter rotated with respect to the cam rotational axis acts to move the cam body center toward the follower thereby deflecting the deflecting arm to the deflected condition creating a biasing force acting toward the follower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Donald Ball, Christopher Corey, Patrick Waters
  • Publication number: 20140374227
    Abstract: Circuit breakers with a cam follower having an upper post with the cam follower held by a cross bar to prevent cam/arm misalignment during high interruption shot on the breaker. Related cam followers have an upwardly extending post located on one side edge portion and cooperates with a shunt to provide shunt separation during high interruption breaker shots.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2013
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventor: William G. Eberts
  • Patent number: 8915232
    Abstract: A tappet support member includes at least two slide surfaces and at least two press-fitting projections. The at least two slide surfaces, are planar and extend in an axial direction of a plunger. The at least two slide surfaces are substantially parallel to each other and are opposed to each other, and a shoe of a tappet is axially reciprocatably supported by the at least two slide surfaces. Each of the at least two press-fitting projections projects from a corresponding side of the tappet support member that is opposite from a corresponding one of the at least two slide surfaces, and each of the at least two press-fitting projections is press-fitted into a pump housing, which is stationary relative to the tappet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Naoya Tamai, Tadaaki Makino
  • Patent number: 8915225
    Abstract: A system for preloading a latch used in a variable valve actuation system for internal combustion engines is disclosed. It includes a rocker arm assembly having a first arm for operatively engaging the first cam for a first desired lift profile, and a second arm for operatively engaging the second cam for a second desired lift profile. A selectively-activatable latch to operatively latch the second arm with the first arm. An electronic control unit (ECU) communicates with an oil control valve that changes oil pressure to the latch to cause it to secure the arms together, or allow them to move independently. Due to the short time period required to operate the latch, the ECU provides a signal for the oil control valve to supply oil pressure or release oil pressure prior to the rocker arms being engaged with the base circle of the cams. This effectively preloads the latch causing it to react quickly and within the small time period allowed to latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Austin Robert Zurface, David Gerard Genise
  • Publication number: 20140352489
    Abstract: A roller assembly for application to a roller rocker arm is disclosed. The roller assembly includes a pin mountable to the roller rocker arm. The pin consists of a carbon steel. An inner race assembly operably connectable to the pin is provided, which includes an inner race member and an outer race member. The inner race member includes carbon steel and the outer race member includes a bronze material. The outer race member is fused to the inner race member, defining a contiguous and unitary inner race assembly. Moreover, a roller member is structured and arranged to be in rotatable engagement with the inner race assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: Electro-Motive Diesel Inc.
    Inventor: Laura Elise Rasmussen
  • Patent number: 8863615
    Abstract: A roller lifter including a roller that is rotatably supported and a body that supports the roller, the body including: a base portion in the form of a flat plate; a roller holding portion in the form of a pair of opposing plate-shaped portions that are formed by bending towards one of plate surfaces of the base portion, the roller holding portion being configured to hold the roller between the plate-shaped portions; and a guide portion in the form of a plate-shaped portion formed by bending towards the other one of the plate surfaces of the base portion and also formed by curving so that the plate-shaped portion follows a cylindrical surface shape in which a direction perpendicular to the plate surface of the base portion is the axial direction of the cylinder, the guide portion being configured to form a guide surface in a shape that follows the cylindrical surface shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takeyuki Yabuuchi, Takashi Usui
  • Patent number: 8859078
    Abstract: Friction part in a lubricated medium working at contact pressures above 200 MPa and having a contact surface that is textured and subjected, before or after texturizing, to a case hardening treatment for a tribological function, wherein the surface is subjected to operations for producing a periodic network of micrometric cavities having predefined shapes and sizes and a period adapted to the width of the contact surface in order to promote passage to elastohydrodynamic lubrication regime.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignees: H.E.F., Universite Jean Monet, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Ecole Central de Lyon
    Inventors: Philippe Maurin-Perrier, Florent Ledrappier, Louis Mourier, Christophe Donnet, Eric Audouard, Denis Mazuyer
  • Publication number: 20140298950
    Abstract: Apparatus, and a corresponding method for its operation, for precisely moving a movable rotor by urging a motor, such as a piezoelectric motor, into operative engagement with a circumferential rim-like portion of the rotor, with a radial preload force great enough to produce tangential motion in the rim-like portion and thereby to move the rotor in any desired manner and with very high precision. Possible damaging effects of the radial preload force are canceled by the introduction of an oppositely directed radial resistive force, such as by means of one or more pinch rollers positioned opposite the motor and also engaging the rim-like member. The motor is mounted in an assembly that permits limited sliding and pivoting movements of the motor and thereby allows the motor to adapt to any physical irregularities in the driven rim-like member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: Microcosm, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrei Szilagyi
  • Patent number: 8844488
    Abstract: A lubrication structure for a rocker arm includes a lash adjuster mounted in an accommodating portion located in an end of the rocker arm and a pushrod abutting against a lower end of the lash adjuster. The rocker arm is formed with an arm-inside oil supply passage for supplying lubrication oil to the lash adjuster. The lubrication oil guided into the accommodating portion is further guided through a through guide hole of the accommodating portion to an outer peripheral surface of the accommodating portion. The lubrication oil is further guided from an outer oil supply passage formed downwardly in the outer surface of the accommodating portion to the abutment between the lash adjuster and the pushrod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Otics Corporation
    Inventor: Kazunori Kawahara