Eaton Corporation

McCarthy E James, Jr

Austin Robert Zurface

Douglas John Nielsen

David Gerard Genise

Mark William Hildebrandt

Brian Karl VanDeusen

A system for controlling variable valve actuation in an automobile engine is disclosed. A first cam has a first lift profile and a second cam has a second lift profile, both profiles having a base circle portion and a lift portion. 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. The latch may only be latched while the arms are riding on the base circle portion of the cams. 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. An engine control unit (ECU) for controlling functioning of at least one aspect of said engine operation receives the signal from the non-contact sensor and control functioning of the at least one aspect of said engine operation based upon the received signal from the non-contact sensor.

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Kalamazoo, MI, United States of America

McCarthy E James, Jr