Jacobs Vehicle Systems, Inc.

Scuderi Group, Inc.

Diesel Engine Retarders, Inc.

John A Schwoerer

Richard E Vanderpoel

Riccardo Meldolesi

Jeffrey E Mossberg

Edward T Leitkowski

Steven N Ernest

Joseph V Paturzo

Guy Paterson

Zhou Yang

Joseph M Vorih

Bruce A Swanbon

Jacob Moore

Thomas P Howell

Justin D Baltrucki

Neil E Fuchs

Brian L Ruggiero

G Michael Gron, Jr

Shengqiang Huang

Gheorghe Cosma

Andrew Jozef Brzoska

Ryan C Noss

Roger T Simpson

Ian Paul Gilbert

Clive B Lacy

Eric Day

Glenn R Wendel

Edward T Leitkowski, Jr

Joesph M Vorih

Alan Steines

Ian P Gilbert

Jeff Mossberg

Ryan Noss

A compact, modular, lost motion variable valve actuation assembly includes a dry start hydraulic circuit to enable quick priming of a lost motion master-slave circuit from a dry start reservoir to the master piston chamber during engine start. Motion of the master piston on engine startup may draw in fluid from the dry start hydraulic circuit. The dry start components may be integrated into a compact modular rocker shaft pedestal package suitable for retrofit on existing engine head assemblies. The master piston may include a push tube interface that includes a deep push tube cavity and lubrication capabilities in the master piston that provides for improved wear, stability, easy installation and alignment. The slave piston may be provided with a valve catch to reduce valve closing velocity during cycles involving lost-motion.

Lost motion variable valve actuation systems and method

Lost motion variable valve actuation systems and methods

Systems and methods for internal exhaust gas recirculation (iEGR) in internal combustion engines may utilize secondary intake valve lift events during an exhaust valve main event in lost motion valve actuation systems. The secondary intake valve lift event may occur at the beginning or end of the exhaust valve main event. Favorable intake valve lift profiles are obtained with the use of a reset component, which may perform a hydraulic reset on the lost motion component in order to ensure that the intake valve secondary lift event occurs optimally near the beginning of an exhaust valve main event. The reset component may be triggered using motion from an exhaust valvetrain, for example, by a triggering component such as a reset pad, on an exhaust rocker. The reset component may also be triggered on the basis of the intake rocker arm position, in which case a reset pad that is fixed to the engine head or fixed relative to the intake rocker motion may be used.

Systems and methods for IEGR using secondary intake valve motion and lost-motion reset

A valve actuation system comprises a first motion transfer mechanism operatively connected to a first valve actuation motion source and to the at least one engine valve, a second motion transfer mechanism operatively connected to a second valve actuation motion source; and a selectable coupling mechanism between the first and second motion transfer mechanisms. The coupling mechanism is operable in a first state where first valve actuation motions are conveyed to the at least one engine valve via the first motion transfer mechanism, and a second state where second valve actuation motions are additionally conveyed to the at least one engine valve via the second motion transfer mechanism, the coupling mechanism and the first motion transfer mechanism. During a handoff between the first and second valve actuation motions or vice versa, a difference in valve actuation velocities of the first and second valve actuation motions does not exceed a threshold.

Engine valve actuation with handoff control between cooperative valve actuation motions

A system that provides adjustable actuation timing of one or more valve(s) () in a piston engine includes a position sensor () and a variable valve actuation assembly (). The valve(s) () can be intake and/or exhaust valves in an internal combustion engine of an automobile. The position sensor () takes position readings of the valve(s) () as the valve(s) () actuate in the piston engine. The variable valve actuation assembly () controls actuation timing of the valve(s) (). Actuation timing of the valve(s) () is adjustable based, in part or more, upon one or more position reading(s) of the position sensor (). The variable valve actuation assembly () can be a lost motion assembly ().

System and method of adjusting actuation timing of valves in a piston engine

Devices and related methods are disclosed that generally involve variable actuation of engine valves. In one embodiment, a valve train for a split-cycle internal combustion engine or an air hybrid split-cycle engine is provided that includes a cam phaser, a dwell cam, an adjustable mechanical element for performing a variable valve actuation function, and/or a valve seating control device. The devices and methods disclosed herein also have application in conventional internal combustion engines and can actuate inwardly-opening and/or outwardly-opening valves.

Lost-motion variable valve actuation system with cam phaser

Valve actuation systems are disclosed herein that allow valve opening timing to be varied using a cam phaser and that allow valve closing timing to be varied using a lost-motion system. In one embodiment, an actuation system is provided that has a locked configuration in which a bearing element is held in place between a cam and a rocker to transmit cam motion to an engine valve. The actuation system also has an unlocked configuration in which the bearing element is permitted to be at least partially ejected from between the cam and rocker, such that cam motion is not transmitted to the engine valve. The actuation system is switched to the unlocked configuration by draining fluid therefrom through a main valve which is piloted by a trigger valve. The actuation system also includes integrated autolash and seating control functionality.

Lost-motion variable valve actuation system

For controlling motion of a movable part, a device comprises a first chamber and a second chamber in fluid communication with each other via a variable orifice that is responsive to pressure within the first chamber. Movement of the movable part is thereby at least partially controlled by flow of a fluid from the first chamber to the second chamber via the variable orifice. An increase in pressure in the first chamber may cause an increase in orifice area, whereas a decrease in pressure may cause a decrease in the orifice area. Pressure-dependent elements that change geometries and/or the pressure-based opening/closing of one or more bypass channels may be used for this purpose. Where bypass channels are used, a valve may be opened/closed based on an operating parameter of a system in which the movable part is a component. Such a system may comprise an internal combustion engine.

Controlling motion of a moveable part

Devices and related methods are disclosed that generally involve the selective deactivation of one or more engine valves. In one embodiment, a split-cycle internal combustion engine is provided in which a high-speed trigger valve is used to fill and drain a hydraulic tappet that forms part of a lost-motion system of an engine valve. A spool valve can be used to selectively disconnect the tappet from the trigger valve, thereby deactivating the associated engine valve (i.e., preventing the engine valve from opening). The devices and methods disclosed herein also have application in conventional internal combustion engines and can be used with inwardly-opening and/or outwardly-opening valves.

Lost-motion variable valve actuation system with valve deactivation

A lost motion engine valve actuation system and method of actuating an engine valve are disclosed. The system may comprise a valve train element, a pivoting lever, a control piston, and a hydraulic circuit. The pivoting lever may include a first end for contacting the control piston, a second end for transmitting motion to a valve stem and a means for contacting a valve train element. The amount of lost motion provided by the system may be selected by varying the position of the control piston relative to the pivoting lever. Variation of the control piston position may be carried out by placing the control piston in hydraulic communication with a control trigger valve and one or more accumulators. Actuation of the trigger valve releases hydraulic fluid allowing for adjustment of the control piston position. Means for limiting valve seating velocity, filling the hydraulic circuit upon engine start up, and mechanically locking the control piston/lever for a fixed level of valve actuation are also disclosed.

Variable lost motion valve actuator and method

Hydraulic lost motion systems and methods for actuating an internal combustion engine valve include a master piston slidably disposed in a housing. One or more master piston fluid passages extend from a bore provided in the master piston and register with a fluid passage extending through the housing. A slave piston is slidably disposed in a lower portion of the master piston bore and a valve catch piston is slidably disposed in an upper portion of the master piston bore. The valve catch piston may have a hollow interior, a lower end orifice extending from the hollow interior through a lower end of the valve catch piston, one or more side passages extending through a side portion of the valve catch piston, and one or more seating passages extending through the valve catch piston wall.

Lost motion variable valve actuation system with valve catch piston

A variable valve actuation system to actuate and control the seating velocity of an internal combustion engine valve is disclosed. The system comprises: a housing having a bore formed therein; an outer piston slidably disposed in the bore, the outer piston having an orifice formed therein; a catch piston slidably disposed in the outer piston; and an cone-shaped extension extending from the inner piston, wherein the cone-shaped extension is adapted to provide a variable flow area through the outer piston orifice to provide improved engine valve seating.

Valve actuation system with valve seating control

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Storrs Mansfield, CT, United States of America

John A Schwoerer