Eaton Corporation

Eaton Intelligent Power Limited

Philip Michael Kline

James Roy Sheren

Tony Eric Gordon

Austin Robert Zurface

Andrei Dan Radulescu

Anthony Leon Spoor

Luigi Lia

Otto Schultheis

Mark Joseph Birler

Majo Cecur

James Edward McCarthy, Jr

Douglas John Nielsen

Michael Lee Killian

David Gerard Genise

Michael John Froehlich

Mark William Hildebrandt

Daniel Bennett Trudell

David L Bonesteel

Leslie L Ecklund

Brian Karl VanDeusen

Otto Jerome Schultheis

Robert Boychuk

A rocker arm includes an outer arm having a first side and a second side, an inner arm positioned between the first side and the second side of the outer arm, a pivot axle pivotally coupling the inner arm to the outer arm at a first end of the inner arm and a first end of the outer arm, and a latch pin having a first position and a second position. The latch pin in the first position pivotally fixes the inner arm to the outer arm at a second end of each of the inner arm and a second end of the outer arm, and in the second position allows the inner arm and the outer arm to pivot independently. Two lost motion springs are respectively secured to mounts provided on the outer arm.

Development of a switching roller finger follower for cylinder deactivation in internal combustion engines

A durable system for controlling variable valve actuation of an engine valve corresponding to a cylinder of an automobile engine. The system includes first and second crowned cams having first and second lift profiles and a rocker arm assembly. The rocker assembly includes a first arm having an end connected to said engine valve, having a high impact roller following the first crowned cam operating the engine valves according to a first lift profile. The rocker arm assembly also includes a second arm having durable slider pads riding on the second crowned cam to operate said engine valve according to a second lift profile. A latch secures the second arm relative to the first arm when in a latched position causing the valve to operate according to a second lift profile. The valve operates according to a first lift profile when the latch is not in the latched position.

Rocker assembly having improved durability

A system includes a rocker arm assembly for operative engagement with a first and second cam. The assembly includes a first arm for operatively engaging the first cam for a first desired lift profile, a second arm for operatively engaging the second cam for a second desired lift profile, where the second arm includes a latch to engage the second arm with the first arm. The latch is responsive to supplied oil pressure and release oil pressure to switch between lift profiles. The system includes the latch coupled to the supplied or released oil pressure to engage the arms before the first and second arms are engaged with the base circle portion of each of the respective first and second cams.

Tools and methods for indenting and assembling a switching rocker arm assembly having an inner arm, an outer arm and a latch. The tools and methods are directed to eliminating requirements for matched sets of components of rocker arm assemblies so that the assembled indented parts have desired latch lash tolerances. The tools used include fixtures and clamps for indenting kidney-bean shaped passages in an outer arm that mount a pivot axle of the outer arm. The tools used may also include a fixture and clamps for indenting a latch shelf of the inner arm. Indenting the inner arm and outer arm using these methods and fixtures results in switching rocker arm assemblies that fit together, and when assembled into a valve, have a desired latch lash.

Valve actuating device and method of making same

A method of assembling a switching rocker arm assembly having an inner arm, an outer arm and a latch. The method includes indenting an outer arm surface on the outer arm, the outer arm surface defining an arcuate aperture. An inner arm surface can be indented on the inner arm at an inner arm latch shelf. A latch can be positioned relative to the inner and outer arms.

A durable system is disclosed for controlling variable valve actuation of an engine valve corresponding to a cylinder of an automobile engine. The system is designed to have a durability that exceeds the expected life of a conventional automobile engine. The system includes first crowned cam having a first lift profile, a second crowned cam having a second lift profile, and a rocker arm assembly. The rocker assembly includes a first arm having an end connected to said engine valve, having a high impact roller following the first crowned cam operating the engine valves according to a first lift profile. The rocker arm assembly also includes a second arm having slider pads riding on the second crowned cam to operate said engine valve according to a second lift profile. The slider pads have a sliding surface covered with an impact-resistant multilayer coating with its outermost coating being a wear-resistant coating. A latch having adjustable latch lash secures the second arm relative to the first arm when in a latched position causing the valve to operate according to a second lift profile when the latch is in a latched position, and the valve is operated according to a first lift profile when the latch is not in a latched position.

A rocker arm for engaging a cam is disclosed. An outer arm and inner arm are configured to transfer motion to a valve of an internal combustion engine. A latching mechanism includes a latch, sleeve and orientation member. The sleeve engages the latch and a bore in the inner arm, and also provides an opening for an orientation member used in providing the correct orientation for the latch with respect to the sleeve and the inner arm. The sleeve, latch and inner arm have reference marks used to determine the optimal orientation for the latch.

Switching rocker arm

A hollow poppet valve (,) is disclosed, in which a stem portion (,) includes a flared fillet portion (,), having a wall thickness (T), and a downwardly-extending cylindrical portion (,), having a cylindrical external surface (,). In the main embodiment, the valve includes a cap member (,) defining a seat face (,), and a cylindrical internal surface (,), the internal and external surfaces (,) being closely spaced apart, defining an interface having an axial length (L), and being consumed by a weld (,). Preferably, the length (L) of the weld (,) is equal to at least 1.1 times the thickness (T). The fillet portion (,) defines an internal fillet radius (R,), greater than 0.3 times the thickness (T), and near the radius (R,) is a transition region (TR). The present invention improves fatigue strength of the poppet valve by separating the transition region (TR) from the weld (,) so that there is overlap for no more than a minor portion of the weld.

Growing community of inventors

Tekonsha, MI, United States of America

Philip Michael Kline