Eaton Corporation

Eaton Intelligent Power Limited

Eaton Coroporation

Brian Karl Vandeusen

Austin Robert Zurface

James Edward McCarthy, Jr

Dale Arden Stretch

Robert Philip Benjey

Anthony Leon Spoor

Eric Yankovic

Thomas Michael Tembreull

Michael J Campbell

Petr Liskar

Nicholas Peter Gillette

Jiri Cecrle

Tomas Drabek

Michael James Stanton

Robert John Boychuk

Douglas John Nielsen

Andrei Dan Radulescu

James Roy Sheren

David Gerard Genise

Tony Eric Gordon

Mark William Hildebrandt

Daniel Bennett Trudell

Otto Jerome Schultheis

A system for monitoring operation of an internal combustion engine having a rocker arm assembly for actuating an engine valve is disclosed. The rocker arm assembly includes a first arm with a first end, a second arm also having a first end pivotally connected near the first end of the first arm along a pivot axle, at least one torsion spring coiled around an end of the pivot axle, a latch that when latched secures the first arm relative to the second arm in a latched mode, and when unlatched allows the first arm to move relative to the second arm in an unlatched mode. The system also employs a sensor attached to one of the first and second arms that can detect when the arms are moving relative to each other, and adapted to provide a signal indicating the sensed movement.

Systems, methods, and devices for rocker arm position sensing

In an electromagnetic latch assembly of a type that includes an armature, an electromagnet operative to actuate the armature, a latch pin, and a rigid metal structure that supports both the electromagnet and the latch pin, the latch pin is attached to the armature through a bendable connection. The electromagnet may be mounted to or housed within the metal structure. The latch pin may protrude from the rigid metal structure and may be guided by the metal structure. The bendable connection couples translation of the armature to translation of the latch pin while allowing the two parts to move independently to some degree. The bendable connection may reduce forces on the armature that could cause the armature to bend or stick. Those forces may result from misalignment between the latch pin and the armature or from the latch pin being driven off axis under load.

Electromagnetic latch assembly with flexible latch pin coupling

A system for monitoring operation of an internal combustion engine having a rocker arm assembly for actuating an engine valve is disclosed. The rocker arm assembly includes a first arm with a first end, a second arm also having a first end pivotally connected near the first end of the first arm, a latch that when latched secures the first arm relative to the second arm in a latched mode, and when unlatched allows the first arm to move relative to the second arm in an unlatched mode. The system also employing a sensor attached to one of the first and second arms that can detect when the arms are moving relative to each other, and adapted to provide a signal indicating the sensed movement.

Systems, methods and devices for rocker arm position sensing

A valvetrain for an internal combustion engine of the type that has a combustion chamber, a moveable valve having a seat formed in the combustion chamber, and a camshaft includes a rocker arm assembly, a pivot providing a fulcrum for a rocker arm of the rocker arm assembly, and a latch assembly. An electrical device mounted to the rocker arm assembly receives power or communicates through a circuit that includes an electrical connection formed by abutment between surfaces of two distinct parts. The rocker arm assembly is operative to move one of the two abutting surfaces relative to the other in response to actuation of the cam follower. Forming an electrical connection through abutting surfaces that are free to undergo relative motion may reduce or eliminate the need to run wires to a mobile portion of the rocker arm assembly.

Sliding contact for electrically actuated rocker arm

Removable shim

A system and method for diagnosing malfunctions in a variable valve actuation device. The method uses a rocker arm assembly with a hydraulically operated latch for latching together first and second arms of the rocker arm assembly when latched. The rocker arm assembly includes a source of pressurized fluid connected to a hydraulic valve that provides fluid high or low pressure fluid to the hydraulically-operated latch. A control gallery connects the hydraulic valve to the latch. A pressure transducer is positioned within the gallery and is adapted to create a signal indicating the pressure in the gallery. A control unit is coupled to the hydraulic valve and the pressure transducer. The control unit is adapted to sense engine operation parameters, actuate the hydraulic valve, read the signal from the pressure transducer; and identify malfunctions of the rocker arm assembly based upon the signal from the transducer.

Method for diagnosing variable valve actuation malfunctions by monitoring fluid pressure in a control gallery

System, method and device for rocker arm position sensing

A system for controlling variable valve actuation in an automobile engine. A first cam has a first lift profile and a second cam has a second lift profile. A rocker arm assembly engages the cams having a first arm for riding on the first cam, and a second arm for riding on the second cam. The second arm has an activatable latch capable of securing the second arm to the first arm when latched. When the first arm is secured to the second arm, the rocker arm assembly achieves a first lift profile and when the first arm is not secured to the second arm, the rocker arm assembly achieves a second lift profile. A non-contact sensor mounted adjacent the rocker arm assembly is adapted to monitor and create data indicative of whether the first arm is secured to the second arm.

Sensing and control of a variable valve actuation system

A system for diagnosing malfunctions in a variable valve actuation device. The system has a rocker arm assembly with first and second arms attached at a first end and a hydraulically operated latch assembly to secure the first arm to the second arm when latched. The rocker arm assembly pivots upon a hydraulic lash adjuster and includes a source of pressurized fluid connected to a hydraulic valve providing high or low pressure fluid to the hydraulically-operated latch. The latch may be operated by a remote device. A pressure transducer positioned within the hydraulic lash adjuster (HLA) is adapted to create a signal indicating fluid pressure in the HLA. A control unit coupled to the hydraulic valve and the pressure transducer is adapted to sense engine operating parameters, actuate the hydraulic valve, read the signal from the pressure transducer and identify malfunctions of the rocker arm assembly based upon the signal.

System to diagnose variable valve actuation malfunctions by monitoring fluid pressure in a hydraulic lash adjuster gallery

A system for diagnosing malfunctions in a variable valve actuation device is disclosed. The system has a rocker arm assembly that includes: a first arm, a second arm with the first and second arms attached at a first end, a hydraulically operated latch assembly that functions to secure the first arm to the second arm when latched. It also includes a source of pressurized fluid connected to a hydraulic valve that provided fluid high or low pressure fluid to the hydraulically-operated latch. The latch may be operated by a remote device. A control gallery connects the hydraulic valve to the latch. A pressure transducer is positioned within the gallery and is adapted to create a signal indicating the pressure in the gallery. A control unit is coupled to the hydraulic valve and the pressure transducer, and is adapted to sense engine operation parameters, actuate the hydraulic valve, read the signal from the pressure transducer; and identify malfunctions of the rocker arm assembly based upon the signal from the transducer.

System to diagnose variable valve actuation malfunctions by monitoring fluid pressure in a control gallery

A reciprocating lever for a valve train assembly is provided, including a receiving portion and at least one retaining feature. The receiving portion is for selectively receiving a member that is actuated by the reciprocating lever. An actuation direction is also included and is defined by an actuation axis, wherein the reciprocating lever selectively actuates the member. The at least one retaining feature is located at the receiving portion of the reciprocating lever. The at least one retaining feature is configured to selectively engage with and limit relative movement of the member with respect to the reciprocating lever along the actuation axis.

Rocker arm retention

Growing community of inventors

Augusta, MI, United States of America

Brian Karl Vandeusen