Jacobs Vehicle Systems, Inc.

Cummins Inc.

Gabriel Scott Roberts

Justin D Baltrucki

John Mandell

Matei Alexandru

Robb Janak

Austen P Metsack

G Michael Gron, Jr

Bruce A Swanbon

Dong Yang

Marc B Silva

Tyler Hines

David Ferreira

Steven Benn

David M Barnes

Adam C Cecil

Neil E Fuchs

Kevin J Audibert

John Jerl Purcell, Iii

Eric James Hodgkinson

Ryan Lilly

P Douglas Aubin

Scott Nelson

Dominick Guarna

Thomas Benner

Nathaniel P Hassall

Jr G Michael Gron

A valve actuation system comprises a first arm having a first arm contact surface and operatively connected to a valve actuation motion. A second arm having a second arm contact surface is operatively connected to the at least one engine valve. A discrete lost motion device is provided that is controllable between a first, motion conveying state and a second, motion absorbing state. The discrete lost motion devices comprises a plunger contact surface and a housing contact surface. The housing contact surface is configured to engage one of the first or second arm contact surfaces, and the plunger contact surface is configured to engage another of the first and the second arm contact surfaces. The first and second arm contact surfaces, the housing contact surface and the first plunger contact surface are configured to support the discrete lost motion device between the first arm and the second arm.

Valve actuation system comprising a discrete lost motion device

A rocker arm comprises an actuator piston slidably disposed in an actuator piston bore formed in a motion imparting end thereof. A lash adjustment assembly is disposed in the motion imparting end and comprises an internal bore. A hydraulic passage is in fluid communication with the actuator piston bore and the internal bore. A resetting assembly is disposed in the lash adjustment assembly and comprises a reset slider and a checking element in fluid communication with the internal bore. The reset slider is slidably disposed in the internal bore and has a first end configured to engage a valve train component or engine valve, and has a second end with a resetting pin disposed thereon configured to contact and place the checking element in an unchecked state in response to positioning of the rocker arm when the first end contacts the valve train component or engine valve.

Rocker arm with a reset slider disposed in a lash adjustment assembly

A valve actuation system for actuating at least one of two or more engine valves in an internal combustion engine comprises at least one motion source including a first motion source configured to provide an exhaust main valve event. A valve train for conveying valve events from the at least one motion source to the two or more engine valves comprises a lost motion component for selectively conveying valve events to the at least one of the two or more engine valves. A phasing assembly is configured to advance a phase of at least the first motion source and the exhaust main valve event. The at least one motion source is configured to provide a recompression relief valve event to the at least one of the two or more engine valves when the phase of the exhaust main valve event is advanced.

System and method for actuating engine valves including a recompression relief valve event

A valve actuation system comprises a first rocker assembly operatively connected to a first valve actuation motion source and to a first engine valve, with a first lost motion component arranged in series between a first input rocker and a first output rocker. A second rocker assembly is operatively connected to a second valve actuation motion source and to a second engine valve, with a second lost motion component arranged in series between a second input rocker and a second output rocker. A one-way coupling mechanism is disposed such that the second valve actuation motions are transferred to the first output rocker, but the first valve actuation motions are not transferred to the second output rocker. Furthermore, a primary hydraulic lash adjuster is configured in the second rocker assembly such that the primary hydraulic lash adjuster operates upon the first output rocker via the one-way coupling mechanism.

Valve actuation system comprising hydraulic lash adjuster operating via a one-way coupling mechanism

A system for actuating at least one engine valve comprises an output rocker operatively connected to the at least one engine valve. A first rocker assembly is operatively connected to a first valve actuation motion source. The first rocker assembly comprises a first input rocker arranged in series with a first lost motion component, wherein the first input receives first valve actuation motions from the first valve actuation motion source and the first lost motion component is operatively connected to the output rocker. A second rocker assembly is operatively connected to a second valve actuation motion source. The second rocker assembly comprises a second input rocker arranged in series with a second lost motion component, wherein the second input rocker receives second valve actuation motions from the second valve actuation motion source and the second lost motion component is operatively connected to the output rocker.

Valve actuation system comprising rocker assemblies sharing an output rocker

Systems for valve actuation in internal combustion engines provide rocker control components in the form of biasing mechanisms for biasing the valve side of a lost motion rocker toward the engine valves. This may prevent gaps in the valvetrain, particularly when used with cams having sub-base circle auxiliary motion event profiles. Valvetrain components, such as an e-foot engaging a valve bridge, may be provided with a biasing mechanism and stroke limiting and retaining components to maintain engagement between the e-foot and valve bridge, to control stability of the valve bridge, and to make assembly/disassembly easier.

Rocker control in lost motion engine valve actuation systems

A system for actuating at least two engine valves comprises a first rocker assembly operatively connected to a first valve actuation motion source and to a first engine valve. The first rocker assembly comprises a first lost motion component arranged in series with a first input rocker and a first output rocker. A second rocker assembly is operatively connected to a second valve actuation motion source and to a second engine valve. The second rocker assembly comprises at least one second rocker. The system further comprises a one-way coupling mechanism disposed between the first output rocker and the at least one second rocker such that second valve actuation motions are transferred from the at least one second rocker to the first output rocker, and first valve actuation motions are not transferred from the first output rocker to the at least one second rocker.

Valve actuation system comprising rocker assemblies with one-way coupling therebetween

A valve actuation system comprising a valve actuation motion source configured to provide a main event valve actuation motion to at least one engine valve via a main motion load path that comprises at least one valve train component. The valve actuation system further includes a lost motion component arranged within a first valve train component in the main motion load path, the lost motion component being controllable to operate in a motion conveying state or a motion absorbing state. The valve actuation system also comprises a high lift transfer component arranged in the main motion load path, with the high lift transfer component being configured to permit the main motion load path to convey at least a high lift portion of the main event valve actuation motion when the lost motion component is in the motion absorbing state.

Valve actuation system comprising lost motion and high lift transfer components in a main motion load path

A switching finger follower for an engine valve train utilizes an adjustable support assembly that eliminates potential for partial engagement during operation. A lever engagement member or latch is disposed for movement on the follower body and interacts with a lever to provide a constant contact geometry. The finger follower may be configured as a lost motion device and may include a biasing assembly and a travel limiter. The latch may support the lever in at least one precise position and may support the lever in a second position for partial lost motion, or permit the lever to pivot free of the latch for complete lost motion, as in cylinder deactivation applications.

Valve actuation system comprising finger follower for lobe switching and single source lost motion

Systems for valve actuation in internal combustion engines provide configurations for hydraulic lash adjusters and valve actuation valvetrain components that are particularly suitable for prevention of HLA jacking in dedicated cam environments including Type II valvetrain architectures. In one implementation, a lash adjuster loading component, which may comprise a stroke-limited spring biased piston associated with the main event valvetrain keeps the lash adjuster under a constant compressive force to prevent jacking.

Lash adjuster control in engine valve actuation systems

A switching finger may operate in two or three states or positions and cooperate with a single motion source to achieve methods of operating an engine in corresponding two or three modes. The modes may include cylinder deactivation, main event or auxiliary modes, including lost motion braking, LIVC and EEVO. A follower for an engine valve train utilizes an adjustable support assembly that eliminates potential for partial engagement during operation. A lever engagement member or latch is disposed for movement on the follower body and interacts with a lever to provide a constant contact geometry. The latch may support the lever in one or more precise positions, or permit the lever to pivot free of the latch for complete lost motion, as in cylinder deactivation applications.

Finger follower for lobe switching and single source lost motion

A valve actuation system for actuating at least one engine valve comprises a first half-rocker arm configured to receive main valve actuation motions from a main valve actuation motion source and a second rocker arm configured to actuate the at least one engine valve. A collapsing mechanism is also provided and configured relative to the first half-rocker arm and the second rocker arm, in a first collapsing mechanism state, to convey the main valve actuation motions from the first half-rocker arm to the second rocker arm and, in a second collapsing mechanism state, to prevent conveyance of the main valve actuation motions from the first half-rocker arm to the second rocker arm. The collapsing mechanism may be disposed in the first half-rocker arm or the second rocker arm, where the rocker arm not including the collapsing mechanism is provided with a collapsing mechanism contact surface.

Valve actuation system comprising two rocker arms and a collapsing mechanism

A valve bridge system comprises a valve bridge configured to extend between at least two engine valves of an internal combustion engine. In one embodiment, a valve bridge guide is operatively connected to the valve bridge and configured to extend between at least two valve springs respectively corresponding to the at least two engine valves, the valve bridge guide defining a surface conforming to a valve spring of the at least two valve springs. In another embodiment, the valve bridge guide may comprise at least a first member maintained in a first fixed position relative to and at a predetermined distance from the valve bridge. In both embodiments, the valve bridge guide is configured to avoid contact with the valve bridge in a controlled state, but to permit contact with valve bridge to resist uncontrolled movement of the valve bridge.

Valve bridge systems comprising valve bridge guide

Systems and methods for managing excessive intake flow path pressure and counter flow are implemented to support enhanced engine braking applications, such as 2-stroke or 1.5-stroke engine braking implementations where the intake flow path may be exposed to excessive transient pressures in the combustion chamber during activation or deactivation of an engine brake. Intake throttle, exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve, intake manifold blow-off valve, compressor bypass valve, exhaust throttle, turbocharger geometry or turbocharger waste gate may be controlled to effectuate counter flow management separately or in combination. Excessive transient conditions may also be prevented or managed by sequential valve motion in which brake motion activation occurs first and then exhaust valve main event deactivation occurs second. Delay between brake activation and main event deactivation may be facilitated using mechanical and/or hydraulic implements as well as electronically.

Systems and methods for counter flow management and valve motion sequencing in enhanced engine braking

Systems for valve actuation in internal combustion engines with a dedicated rocker for actuating the at least one of two or more engine valves in a braking operation may include a biasing component, such as a compression spring, tension spring, spring catch, hydraulic actuator, pneumatic actuator for biasing the dedicated rocker in a biased direction away from the motion source, and a limiting component, such as a physical stop including a set screw or a stop integrated in the biasing component, for limiting the motion of the dedicated rocker in the biased direction. The biasing component and limiting component maintain the dedicated rocker in a controlled state and a positive, neutral position during operation.

Growing community of inventors

Wallingford, CT, United States of America

Gabriel Scott Roberts