Eaton Corporation

William C Dumphy

David M Preston

Kynan L Church

Keith Hampton

Richard L Madden

A compression release engine brake assembly adapted for use with an internal combustion engine, and an exhaust valve ( ) operable to open in a normal exhaust lift event (FIG. ) and in a brake lift event (FIG. ). The engine includes an exhaust valve actuating mechanism ( ) for imparting reciprocal movement to said exhaust valve ( ) in response to rotation of a cam shaft ( ) including a cam profile ( ), a normal lift portion ( ) and a brake lift portion ( ). The assembly includes a lost motion device ( ) moveable between a normal lost motion condition (FIG. ) and an actuated condition (FIG. ) in response to movement of an input member ( ). An energy storage spring ( ) is operable, after being compressed to an energy storage condition (FIG. ) to be able to bias the input member ( ) toward a second position, effecting the actuated condition of the lost motion device ( ). A latching mechanism ( ) is operable to first displace the energy storage spring ( ) to a compressed condition, and then release it just before the cam follower ( ) traverses the brake lift portion ( ), in response to the pivotal movement of the rocker arm assembly ( ) which comprises part of the exhaust valve actuating mechanism.

Electro-mechanical latching rocker arm engine brake

A valve deactivator assembly (13) for an internal combustion engine, the assembly including a drive rocker arm (39) receiving cyclical motion from an engine push rod (23), and a driven rocker arm (41) which engages the engine poppet valve (29). The rocker arms are biased by a lost motion spring (49) to a position in which the rocker arms align to define a latching chamber (63), having a moveable latch member (65) disposed therein and biased by a spring (67) toward a latched position (FIG. 1). An electromagnetic actuator assembly (81) is disposed adjacent the rocker arms (39,41) and in response to an input signal (88), exerts a force on an actuation shaft (93) and an actuation beam (97) to move the latch member (65) toward its unlatched position (FIG. 3). The invention provides an effective, compact valve deactivator which can change quickly between the latched and unlatched conditions.

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Williamsburg, VA, United States of America

William C Dumphy