US 5,345,904 AGranted

Valve control means

AssigneeGroup Lotus PLC

InventorsClive Dopson, Jeffrey Allen

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Abstract

The invention relates to valve control for an internal combustion engine. The valve control includes a valve, a first camshaft having a first cam member and a second cam member having a different profile from the first cam member and a cam follower assembly for transmitting reciprocating movement to the valve from the cam. The cam follower assembly includes a first cam follower member in engagement with the valve and a second cam follower member movably relative to the first cam follower member, and locking means to enable the follower members to be linked to move together. When the follower members are not linked the valve means is controlled by the first cam follower member in engagement with and following the profile of the first cam member and when the follower members are linked the valve is controlled by the second cam follower member in engagement with and following the profile of the second cam member. One of the cam members having a circular axial cross-section to enable valve deactivation.

Claims26

Dependent claims

Valve control means for controlling valve means of an internal combustion engine comprising:

cam means comprising a rotatable camshaft having a first cam member and a lobe of circular axial cross-section,
transmitting means for transmitting reciprocating movement to the valve means from said cam means, said transmitting means comprising a first follower member in engagement with said valve means and a second follower member movable relative to said first follower, and
locking means to enable said follower members to be linked so as to move together, wherein
when the follower members are not linked by the locking means the valve means is controlled by the first follower member in engagement with and following the profile of the lobe of circular cross-section and
when the follower members are linked by the locking means the valve means is controlled by the second follower member in engagement with and following the profile of the first cam member and wherein
the second follower member has a bore therethrough and the first follower member is in the form of an inner member located within the bore, said first follower member being movable in the bore relative to the second follower member when the follower members are not linked to move together.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 08/128,527Filed 29 Sep 1993 · division
Priority: GB 9003603.916 Feb 1990
Granted: 13 Sep 1994
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification12 codes

F01L 1/245
By fluid means, e.g. hydraulically: hydraulic tappets
F01L 1/143
Tappets ; Push rods: for use with overhead camshafts
F01L 1/25
Hydraulic tappets: between cam and valve stem
F01L 1/267
Characterised by the provision of two or more valves operated simultaneously by same transmitting-gear; peculiar to machines or engines with…

Family

Serial920,389Parent of this division · filed 14 Aug 1992
US 5,287,830 AParent of this division
US 5,345,904 AThis patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

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