Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Hong Wai Nguyen

Ronald Jay Pierik

Sanjeev Manubhai Naik

Craig D Marriott

Yilun Luo

Timothy L Neal

Khorshed Mohammed Alam

Benjamin S Ngu

Michael Z Pieszala

Adrian E Towns

James B Lewis

Zhenrong Wang

A variable current gate driver for a transistor includes a first current control device having a first controllable output current. The first current control device is electrically connected between a first bus and an activator of the transistor, and a second current control device having a second controllable output current. The second current control device is electrically connected between the activator of the transistor and a second bus. A controller is operatively connected to the first and second current control devices to control the first and second controllable output currents to control the first and second current control devices to control activation of the transistor via the activator. The controller is operative to control the first and second current control devices to control a slew rate of the transistor.

Variable current gate driver and system

A valve for an engine cylinder includes a head. The valve is selectively moveable between a closed position in which the head blocks a port and an open position in which the head unblocks the port. A lower stem is formed as one-piece with the head, and a thermal cavity formed within the lower stem. The thermal cavity is at least partially filled with a heat transfer medium. An upper stem is attached to the lower stem opposite the head. A thermal barrier is located adjacent a junction of the lower stem and the upper stem.

Valve system

An engine assembly includes an engine structure, a camshaft supported on the engine structure, a first cam phaser coupled to a first axial end of the camshaft, and a locating pin. The camshaft includes a first shaft, a second shaft, a first cam lobe and a second cam lobe. The first shaft defines a first opening. The second shaft is supported within the first shaft and defines a second opening. The first cam lobe is located on and fixed for rotation with the first shaft. The second cam lobe may be located on the first shaft and fixed for rotation with the second shaft. During assembly, the first cam phaser is located on the camshaft and the locating pin may be inserted through the first and second openings to rotationally fix the first and second shafts. The first cam phaser is then secured to the camshaft.

Engine assembly including cam phaser assembly aid pin

An engine assembly may include an engine structure supporting a camshaft and a valve lift mechanism. The camshaft may include a cam lobe and may define a longitudinally extending rotational axis. The valve lift mechanism may define a longitudinally extending cam engagement surface and a first side wall. The cam engagement surface may be engaged with the cam lobe at a first location. The first side wall may be fixed to the cam engagement surface and may include first and second portions. The first portion may extend from the cam engagement surface. The second portion may extend continuously inward from an end of the first portion. The inward extent of the second portion may be greater than or equal to a first height at the first location defined from the cam engagement surface to the end of the first portion.

Engine including valve lift mechanism with stress reduction features

A camshaft assembly may include a first shaft adapted to be rotationally driven, a first lobe member fixed for rotation with the first shaft, and a torsional damper fixed to the first shaft. The torsional damper may include a mass structure fixed to the first shaft and an elastic member disposed between and coupling the mass structure and the first shaft. The elastic member may have a spring constant providing a first sideband natural frequency and a second sideband natural frequency for the camshaft assembly.

Camshaft having a tuned mass damper

A stake punch for securing a pin in a gearset is provided. The stake punch includes a body defining an axis and a punch extending from the body along the axis. The punch includes a pair of opposing top and bottom surfaces, an end face, and a pair of stake faces each connected to the end face. The stake faces each have a curved surface extending between the top surface and bottom surface. The curved surface has a constant radius of curvature along a length of the stake face. The pair of stake faces are at an angle with respect to the axis.

Stake punch

A planet carrier assembly has staking pockets for retention of the pinion pins. The staking pockets are substantially rectangular when viewed from the top view but display a ramp angle when viewed from the side view. The shape of the pocket provides for improved pinion pin retention within the planet carrier side plate while reducing the required staking forces.

Growing community of inventors

Troy, MI, United States of America

Hong Wai Nguyen