Valve disabling mechanism

A device for changing the fulcrum of an engine valve rocker arm to selectively disable and enable a valve biased closed by a valve spring and normally opened in response to valve drive train forces acting through the rocker arm, said device comprising:

• elongated support means adapted for fixed attachment to the engine;
• fulcrum means mounted for sliding movement along the longitudinal axis of said support means, said fulcrum means defining a pivot surface adapted to contact the rocker arm;
• first means mounted for sliding movement with said fulcrum means and retained against rotation about the longitudinal axis of said support means, said first means defining a first abutting surface;
• second means mounted for rotation about the longitudinal axis of said support means and retained against sliding movement along the longitudinal axis of said support member, said second means defining a second abutting surface for contacting said first abutting surface and adapted to react periodic valve drive train forces which effect normal opening of the engine valve;
• and
• positioning means operative to rotate said second means to a valve enabling position drivingly connecting said abutting surfaces for preventing sliding movement of said fulcrum and effecting normal opening of the valve in response to the periodic valve drive train forces and operative to rotate said second means to a valve disabling position drivingly disconnecting said abutting surfaces for allowing sliding movement of said fulcrum and preventing normal opening of the valve in response to the periodic valve drive train forces.

In an expansible combustion chamber engine of the type including at least one valve controlling fluid flow to or from the chamber, a valve drivetrain effecting normal opening of the valve in response to periodic forces, and a device for enabling and disabling the normal opening while the engine is running, an improved device comprising:

• means slaved for movement with portions of the drivetrain;
• latch means moveable between enabling and disabling positions while the engine is running, said latch means operative in the enabling position to effect a driving connection between said means slaved and the valve, whereby normal valve opening is effected, and said latch means operative in said disabling position to effect a lost motion connection between the means slaved and the valve, whereby the valve is disabled;
• resilient means biasing said means slaved with a force inferior to said periodic forces and operative to prevent clashing of said means slaved when said latch means is in the disabling position;
• and
• stop means limiting the distance said resilient means biases said means slaved for preventing transmittal of the biasing force to the valve train when the periodic forces are relaxed.

In a machine having improved means varying the amount of valve opening in a valve actuating drivetrain of the type having a rocker arm, and a valve biased to the closed position by a spring force and operatively associated with one end of the rocker arm and normally moved a predetermined opening distance in response to a drive means applying a periodic force which normally effects pivotal movement about the fulcrum of the rocker arm by moving the other end of the rocker arm a given distance, the improved varying means comprising;

• resilient means for biasing at least a portion of said rocker arm in a direction counter to said drive means force with a force inferior to said periodic drive means force and said valve spring force;
• and
• stop means for limiting the distance said resilient means biases said at least a portion of said rocker arm in a direction counter to said drive means force;
• and
• means associated with said rocker arm and moveable between first and second positions, said means associated operative when in said first position to prevent yielding of said resilient means under the force of said drive means to effect normal pivotal movement of the rocker arm in response to said drive means moving said other end of said rocker arm said given distance, and said means associated operative when in said second position to allow yielding of said resilient means under the force of said drive means for effecting a change in said pivotal movement when said drive means moves said other end of said rocker arm said given distance and for providing a force in said drivetrain to maintain driving contact between said drive means and said other end of said rocker arm.

In a machine having improved means varying the amount of valve opening in a valve actuating drivetrain of the type having a rocker arm, and a valve biased to the closed position by a spring force and operatively associated with one end of the rocker arm and normally moved a predetermined opening distance in response to a drive means applying a periodic force which normally effects a pivotal movement about the fulcrum of the rocker arm by moving the other end of the rocker arm a given distance, the drive means including a hydraulic lifter and a camshaft driven cam having a lift portion and a dwell portion, the improved varying means comprising:

• resilient means for biasing at least a portion of said rocker arm in a direction counter to said drive means force with a force inferior to said periodic drive means force and said valve spring force;
• means associated with said rocker arm and moveable between first and second positions, said means associated operative when in said first position to prevent yielding of said resilient means under the force of said drive means to effect normal pivotal movement of the rocker arm in response to said drive means moving said other end of said rocker arm said given distance, and said means associated operative when in said second position to allow yielding of said resilient means under the force of said drive means for effecting a change in said pivotal movement when said drive means moves said other end of said rocker arm said given distance and for providing a force in said drivetrain to maintain driving contact between said drive means and said other end of said rocker arm;
• and
• stop means for limiting the distance said resilient means biases said at least a portion of said rocker arm in a direction counter to said drive means force, thereby preventing collapse of said hydraulic lifter during the dwell period of said cam.

In a machine having improved means varying the amount of valve opening in a valve actuating drivetrain of the type having a rocker arm, and a valve biased to the closed position by a spring force and operatively associated with one end of the rocker arm and normally moved a predetermined opening distance in response to a drive means applying a periodic force which normally effects a pivotal movement about the fulcrum of the rocker arm by moving the other end of the rocker arm a given distance, the improved varying means comprising:

• a shaft providing a rigid pivotal support for said rocker arm;
• first and second members respectively defining said one end and said other end of said rocker arm and said members supported by said shaft for limited rotation relative to each other;
• resilient means for biasing at least a portion of said rocker arm in a direction counter to said drive means force with a force inferior to said periodic drive means force and said valve spring force;
• and
• means associated with said first and second members and moveable between first and second positions, said means associated operative when in said first position to prevent said relative rotation and yielding of said resilient means under the force of said drive means to effect normal pivotal movement of the rocker arm in response to said drive means moving said other end of said rocker arm said given distance, and said means associated operative when in said second position to allow said relative rotation and yielding of said resilient means under the force of said drive means for effecting a change in said pivotal movement when said drive means moves said other end of said rocker arm said given distance and for providing a force in said drivetrain to maintain driving contact between said drive means and said other end of said rocker arm.

In a machine having improved means varying the amount of valve opening in a valve actuating drivetrain of the type including a rocker arm having an opening extending therethrough, a valve biased to the closed position by a spring force and operatively associated with one end of the rocker arm and normally moved a predetermined opening distance in response to a drive means applying a force which moves the other end of the rocker arm a given distance, the improved varying means comprising:

• a support member fixed at one end to a support structure and extending through the opening transverse to the normal fulcrum of the rocker arm;
• fulcrum means slideably disposed about said support member on the thrust side of said rocker arm and presenting a curved surface for the normal pivoting of the rocker arm;
• and
• latch means including first and second sets of circumferentially spaced abutting surfaces, said first set of surfaces moveable between first and second positions and operative when in said first position to abut said second set of abutting surfaces and to prevent sliding movement of said fulcrum means, whereby said valve is moved said predetermined opening distance in response to the other end of the rocker arm being moved said given distance, and said first set of surfaces operative when in said second position to mesh with spaces between said second set of abutting surfaces to allow sliding movement of said fulcrum means, whereby said predetermined opening distance is varied.

In a machine having improved means varying the amount of valve opening in a valve actuating drivetrain of the type including a rocker arm having an opening extending therethrough, a valve biased to the closed position by a spring force and operatively associated with one end of the rocker arm and normally moved a predetermined opening distance in response to a drive means applying a force which moves the other end of the rocker arm a given distance from an inactive position during nonmovement of the rocker arm by the drive means, the improved varying means comprising:

• a support member fixed at one end to a support structure and extending through the opening transverse to the normal fulcrum of the rocker arm;
• fulcrum means slideably disposed about said support member on the thrust side of said rocker arm and presenting a curved surface for the normal pivoting of the rocker arm;
• latch means including means moveable between first and second positions, said latch means operative when in said first position to prevent sliding movement of said fulcrum means, whereby said valve is moved said predetermined opening distance in response to the other end of the rocker arm being moved said given distance, and said latch means operative when in said second position to allow sliding movement of said fulcrum means, whereby said predetermined opening distance is varied;
• resilient means biasing said fulcrum means into engagement with said rocker arm with a force inferior to the forces of said spring and drive means and operative when said moveable means is in said second position to provide a force for maintaining driving contact between said drive means and said other end of said rocker arm;
• and
• stop means for limiting the distance said resilient means biases said fulcrum means toward said rocker arm to prevent the force of said resilient means being transmitted to said drive means and to establish the position of said fulcrum means when the rocker arm is inactive.

In a machine having improved means varying the amount of valve opening in a valve actuating drivetrain of the type including a rocker arm having an opening extending therethrough, a valve biased to the closed position by a spring force and operatively associated with one end of the rocker arm and normally moved a predetermined opening distance in response to drive means applying a force which moves the other end of the rocker arm a given distance, the drive means including a hydraulic lifter and a camshaft driven cam having a lift portion and a dwell portion, the improved varying means comprising:

• a support member fixed at one end to a support structure and extending through the opening transverse to the normal fulcrum of the rocker arm;
• fulcrum means slideably disposed about said support member on the thrust side of said rocker arm and presenting a curved surface for the normal pivoting of the rocker arm;
• latch means including means moveable between first and second positions, said latch means operative when in said first position to prevent sliding movement of said fulcrum means, whereby said valve is moved said predetermined opening distance in response to the other end of the rocker arm being moved said given distance, and said latch means operative when in said second position to allow sliding movement of said fulcrum means, whereby said predetermined opening distance is varied;
• resilient means biasing said fulcrum means into engagement with said rocker arm with a force inferior to the forces of said spring and cam lift portion and operative when said moveable means is in said second position to provide a force for maintaining driving contact between said drive means and said other end of said rocker arm;
• and
• stop means for limiting the distance said resilient means biases said fulcrum means toward said rocker arm to prevent collapse of said hydraulic lifter by the force of said resilient means and to establish the position of said fulcrum means during the dwell period of said cam.

In a multicylinder internal combustion engine having improved valve disabling means associated with at least the inlet valve of every other cylinder in the engine firing order;

• the engine being of the type including an inlet and an exhaust valve for each cylinder, a spring for biasing each valve ot the closed position, and a valve drivetrain for operating each valve;
• each drivetrain including an independently pivoted rocker arm having one end in driving contact with the respective valve and the other end in driving contact with a drive means which includes a cam driven by a camshaft;
• the improved valve diabling means comprising:
• a support member fixed at one end to a support structure;
• fulcrum means slideably disposed about said support member on the thrust side of the pivot surface of the rocker arm and presenting a curved surface thereto;
• latch means including moveable means operative when in a first position to prevent sliding movement of said fulcrum means, thereby effecting normal pivoting of said rocker arm and opening of the respective valve in response to said drive means moving said other end of the rocker arm, and operative when in a second position to allow sliding movement of said fulcrum means, thereby varying the pivoting of the rocker arm and disabling the respective valve;
• resilient means for biasing said slideable fulcrum means toward engagement with said rocker arm with a force inferior to the lifting force of said drive means and inferior to the bias force of said valve spring, said resilient means and operative when said moveable means is in said second position to provide a force for maintaining driving contact between said drive means and said other end of said rocker arm;
• and
• stop means for limiting the distance said resilient means biases said fulcrum means toward said rocker arm to prevent the force of said resilient means being transmitted to said drive means when said cam is in a dwell position.

In a multicylinder internal combustion engine having improved valve disabling means associated with at least the inlet valve of every other cylinder in the engine firing order;

• the engine being of the type including an inlet and an exhaust valve for each cylinder, a spring for biasing each valve to the closed position, and a valve drivetrain for operating each valve;
• each drivetrain including an independently pivoted rocker arm having one end in driving contact with the respective valve and the other end in driving contract with a drive means which includes a cam driven by a camshaft;
• the improved valve disabling means comprising:
• a support member fixed at one end to a support structure;
• fulcrum means slideably disposed about said support member on the thrust side of the pivot surface of the rocker arm and presenting a curved surface thereto;
• latch means including first and second sets of circumferentially spaced abutting surfaces relatively moveable between first and second positions, said first set of surfaces operative when in said first relative position to abut said second set of surfaces and prevent sliding movement of said fulcrum means, thereby effecting normal pivoting of said rocker arm and opening of the respective valve in response to said drive means moving said other end of the rocker arm, and said first set of surfaces operative when in said second relative position to mesh with spaces between said second set of surfaces and allow sliding movement of said fulcrum means, thereby varying the pivoting of the rocker arm and disabling the respective valve;
• and
• resilient means for biasing said slideable fulcrum means toward engagement with said rocker arm with a force inferior to the lifting force of said drive means and inferior to the bias force of said valve spring, said resilient means operative when said moveable means is in said second position to provide a force for maintaining driving contact between said drive means and said other end of said rocker arm.

A device for changing the fulcrum of an engine valve actuator to selectively disable and enable the engine valve, said device comprising;

• support means adapted for attachment to the engine;
• fulcrum means slideably and nonrotatably mounted on said support means, said fulcrum means defining a pivot surface for contacting the engine valve actuator;
• actuator means rotatably received on said support means;
• positioning means registrable with said actuator means and operative to latch said fulcrum mans in first second rotational position on said support means in response to selected rotational movement of said actuator means;
• means biasing said fulcrum positioning means away from contact with said actuator means;
• and
• means retaining said actuator means on said support means, wherein said fulcrum means in said first latched position is adapted for enabling the engine valve actuator and in said second position is adapted for disabling the engine valve actuator.

A device for selectively disabling and enabling normal opening of valves of an internal combustion engine while the engine is running, said device comprising:

• a support member adapted for attachment to the engine;
• first and second means adapted for incorporation into the engine valve drivetrain, said first means including fulcrum means slidably mounted on said support member and defining a pivot surface adapted for contacting a pivot portion of a rocker arm of the valve drivetrain, said fulcrum means including first abutting means mounted for sliding movement with said fulcrum means and retained against rotation relative to said support member, and said second means rotatably mounted on said support member and retained thereon against sliding movement relative to said support member and including second abutting means for contacting said first abutting means and adapted to react valve train driving forces which effect normal opening of the engine valves;
• actuation means connected to said second means and selectively operative to apply a force directly to said second means to rotate said second abutting means into driving interconnection with said first abutting means to effect normal valve opening and closing and selectively operative to apply a force directly to said second means to rotate said second abutting means out of driving interconnection with said first abutting means to effect a disabling of the valves by allowing relative movement of said abutting means in response to said valve train driving forces;
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• means for biasing said first abutting means counter to said valve train driving forces and operative when said actuation means moves said second abutting means out of driving interconnection to resiliently absorb said relative movement of said abutting means for preventing clashing of components in said valve drivetrain.