Oil control valve system for valve actuation switching
OwnerAustin Robert Zurfaceinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An oil control valve system according to one example of the present disclosure incorporates a common or interchangeable oil control valve at distinct locations of an engine to direct operation of switching mechanisms over sets of three cylinders. In another aspect of the present disclosure, four interchangeable oil control valves are used in a six-cylinder engine. Utilizing interchangeable oil control valves minimizes design costs, reduces assembly time, lessens repair or replacement burdens, and allows for enhanced engine performance.
Claims20
An oil control valve system for an engine having first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth engine cylinders, each engine cylinder having a first and a second intake valve in operable contact with a respective switching rocker arm, the oil control valve system comprising:
- a first oil control valve that actuates a switching rocker arm associated with the first and second cylinders throughout an engine combustion cycle;
- a second oil control valve that actuates a switching rocker arm associated with the second and third cylinders throughout the engine combustion cycle;
- a third oil control valve that actuates a switching rocker arm associated with the fourth and fifth cylinder throughout the engine combustion cycle;
- and
- a fourth oil control valve that actuates a switching rocker arm associated with the fifth and sixth cylinder throughout the engine combustion cycle.
An oil control valve system for an engine having first, second and third engine cylinders, each engine cylinder having a first and a second intake valve in operable contact with a respective switching rocker arm, the oil control valve system comprising:
- a first oil control valve in operable pressure communication with a latch assembly of a first switching rocker arm of the first engine cylinder, and a latch assembly of a first switching rocker arm of the second engine cylinder;
- and
- a second oil control valve in operable pressure communication with a latch assembly of a first switching rocker arm of the third engine cylinder, and a latch assembly of a second switching rocker arm of the second engine cylinder.
A method for operating an oil control valve system fluidly coupled to a plurality of latch assemblies provided in respective rocker arms of an engine, the engine having first, second and third cylinders, each cylinder having a first and a second intake valve that is actuated by respective first and second rocker arms, the method comprising:
- providing a first oil control valve, the first oil control valve in pressure communication with (i) the first rocker arm of the first cylinder;
- and (ii) the first rocker arm of the second cylinder,
- providing a second oil control valve, the second oil control valve in pressure communication with (i) the first rocker arm of the third cylinder;
- and (ii) the second rocker arm of the second cylinder;
- activating the first oil control valve, thereby actuating the first rocker arm of the first cylinder and the first rocker arm of the second cylinder;
- and
- activating the second oil control valve, thereby actuating the first rocker arm of the third cylinder and the second rocker arm of the second cylinder.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.