Schaeffler Technologies Ag & Co .kg

Kevin Sittner

Donald A Dixon

Béla Hofer

Todd Simcina

Hermann Neubeck

A variable valve lift (VVL) system for an internal combustion engine is provided that utilizes hydraulic fluid supply pressure feedback to provide noise free operation. The VVL system includes a high pressure pump, a solenoid valve, a pressure translating device, a one-way valve, and a hydraulic fluid pressure sensor. The high pressure pump is fluidly connected to the solenoid valve and pressure translating device by at least one fluid gallery that forms a high pressure chamber. The solenoid valve selectively fluidly connects the high pressure chamber to a middle pressure chamber formed by at least one fluid gallery that fluidly connects the one-way valve to the solenoid valve. The hydraulic fluid pressure sensor is arranged to detect a hydraulic fluid supply pressure of the one-way valve and provides feedback to an electronic controller that determines a proper fluid intake opening timing of the solenoid valve.

Solenoid valve control for noise reduction in a variable valve lift system

A variable valve train module has a valve control block positioned on a cylinder head of the engine. The valve control block has a first block and a second block and variable valve train components. These components include at least one valve, a rocker arm, a brake, and a pump configured to receive input from a camshaft. The components are positioned with respect to the blocks such that the first block receives a first portion of the pump and the second block receives a second portion of the pump.

Two-piece block for variable valve train system

A piston assembly for pressurizing a hydraulic chamber is provided. The piston assembly has a cylinder and a piston configured to reciprocate within the cylinder. The piston has a first end in the cylinder and a second end adapted to be acted on by a drive element. The piston assembly also has a spring configured to bias the piston. The piston assembly further has a retainer mounted to an exterior of the cylinder and including a seat surface. The spring is seated on the seat surface. The outer diameter of the spring is less than the outer diameter of the cylinder.

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West Bloomfield, MI, United States of America

Kevin Sittner