Rocker arm device for simultaneous control of valve lift and relative timing in a combustion engine

A valve control system for an internal combustion engine of the type including a cylinder head, an engine poppet valve, and a valve actuating camshaft defining a cam axis having a first cam and a second cam;

• said valve control system comprising a first rocker arm disposed for operable engagement with said first cam;
• a second rocker arm disposed for operable engagement with said second cam;
• and means having a first condition for selectively interconnecting said first and second rocker arms for pivotal movement in unison in response to a force applied by said first cam to said first rocker arm;
• said means for selectively interconnecting having a second condition in which said first and second rocker arms have pivotal movement relative to each other;
• characterized by:
• (a) each of said first and said second rocker arms having a valve end disposed adjacent said engine poppet valve;
• (b) a connector operably associated with said valve ends of said rocker arms whereby the only relative movement permitted between said first and second rocker arms is said relative pivotal movement, said relative pivotal movement being about said connector;
• and
• (c) a cam engagement member in operable engagement with said second cam and with said second rocker arm, and means operable to vary the lateral location of said cam engagement member, relative to said valve end of said second rocker arm, and the resulting valve lift, while said means for selectively interconnecting is in said second condition.

A valve control system for an internal combustion engine of the type including a cylinder head, an engine poppet valve, and a valve actuating camshaft defining a cam axis having a first cam and a second cam;

• said valve control system comprising a first rocker arm disposed for operable engagement with said first cam;
• a second rocker arm disposed for operable engagement with said second cam;
• latch means having a first condition for selectively interconnecting said first and second rocker arms for pivotal movement in unison in response to said operable engagement of said first cam and said first rocker arm to provide a first, fixed relationship of valve opening versus rotational displacement of said camshaft;
• said latch means for selectively interconnecting having a second condition in which said first and second rocker arms have pivotal movement relative to each other;
• characterized by:
• (a) a cam engagement member in operable engagement with, and disposed between, said second cam and said second rocker arm;
• (b) said cam engagement member being fixed for movement with a laterally moveable lever member;
• (c) an actuator operable to vary the lateral location of said lever member and said cam engagement member while said means for selectively interconnecting is in said second condition;
• (d) whereby the valve control system is operable to provide, in said second condition, a series of second, phase-shifted relationships of valve opening versus rotational displacement of said camshaft.