Apparatus and method for maintaining controlled orientation of a roller lifter follower used in conjunction with a variable phased lifter
AssigneeMotive Engineering Co.
InventorMichael Bernard Riley
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In a variable phased valve lifter of an internal combustion engine, a roller lifter is allowed to move along a constraining face of a constraining mechanism in a first direction, and the constraining mechanism is allowed to move freely in a second direction. As the roller lifter moves through its arcuate path, the flat surface(s) of the roller lifter will slide across the constraining face(s) of the constraining mechanism, and end members of the constraining mechanism slide fore-and-aft in at least one stationary block. The roller lifter is thus prevented from rotating about its longitudinal axis as it moves in arcuate fashion in cooperation with the constraining mechanism.
Claims34
An apparatus in an internal combustion engine having a rotatable element that eccentrically moves at least one roller lifter to alter the phasing of the at least one roller lifter engaging with a cam, the apparatus comprising:
- a constraining mechanism having at least one end member and at least two interior members connected to said at least one end member;
- and
- at least one stationary block which slidably receives a one of said at least one end member allowing fore-and-aft movement of said constraining mechanism in cooperation with a first roller lifter in a first direction;
- wherein said at least two interior members engage said first roller lifter to allow movement of said first roller lifter in a second direction to said first direction such that when the rotatable element eccentrically moves said first roller lifter, said first roller lifter is prevented from rotating about a longitudinal axis of said first roller lifter.
An apparatus in an internal combustion engine having a rotatable element that eccentrically moves at least one roller lifter to alter the phasing of the at least one roller lifter engaging with a cam, the apparatus comprising:
- a constraining mechanism having at least one end member and at least one interior member connected to said at least one end member;
- at least one stationary block which slidably receives a one of said at least one end member allowing fore-and-aft movement of said constraining mechanism in cooperation with a first roller lifter in a first direction;
- and
- a spring biased against said at least one interior member;
- wherein said spring and said at least one interior member engage said first roller lifter to allow movement in a second direction to said first direction such that when the rotatable element eccentrically moves said first roller lifter, said first roller lifter is prevented from rotating about a longitudinal axis of said first roller lifter.
A method for controlling the orientation of at least one roller lifter in an internal combustion engine having a rotatable element that eccentrically moves the at least one roller lifter to alter the phasing of the at least one roller lifter engaging with a cam, the method comprising:
- (a) slidably receiving a constraining mechanism in at least one stationary block, wherein said constraining mechanism in cooperation with a first roller lifter is only allowed to move fore-and-aft in a first direction;
- (b) engaging at least two interior members of said constraining mechanism with said first roller lifter, wherein said first roller lifter is allowed to move in cooperation with said constraining mechanism in a second direction to said first direction;
- (c) eccentrically moving in said first and second directions said first roller lifter with the rotatable element engaged with said first roller lifter;
- and
- (d) preventing said first roller lifter from rotating about a longitudinal axis of said first roller lifter through the cooperation of said first roller lifter with said constraining mechanism.
A method for controlling the orientation of at least one roller lifter in an internal combustion engine having a rotatable element that eccentrically moves the at least one roller lifter to alter the phasing of the at least one roller lifter engaging with a cam, the method comprising:
- (a) slidably receiving a constraining mechanism in at least one stationary block, wherein said constraining mechanism in cooperation with a first roller lifter is only allowed to move fore-and-aft in a first direction;
- (b) engaging at least one interior member of said constraining mechanism with said first roller lifter;
- (c) biasing a spring against said at least one interior member, wherein said first roller lifter is allowed to move in cooperation with said constraining mechanism in a second direction to said first direction;
- (d) eccentrically moving in said first and second direction said first roller lifter with a rotatable element engaged with said first roller lifter;
- and
- (e) preventing said first roller lifter from rotating about a longitudinal axis of said first roller lifter through the cooperation of said first roller lifter with said constraining mechanism.
An apparatus in an internal combustion engine having a rotatable element that eccentrically moves at least one roller lifter to alter the phasing of the at least one roller lifter engaging with a cam, the apparatus comprising:
- a first constraining mechanism having a deformable member, said deformable member further comprising:
- a first end which pushes against a flat surface of a first roller lifter;
- wherein said constraining mechanism allows fore-and-aft movement of said first roller lifter in a first direction coincident with the deflection of said deformable member, and allows movement of said first roller lifter in a second direction to said first direction such that when the rotatable element eccentrically moves said first roller lifter, said first roller lifter is prevented from rotating about a longitudinal axis of said first roller lifter.
A method for controlling the orientation of at least one roller lifter in an internal combustion engine having a rotatable element that eccentrically moves the at least one roller lifter to alter the phasing of the at least one roller lifter engaging with a cam, the method comprising:
- (a) attaching a first constraining mechanism to the internal combustion engine;
- (b) engaging a first end of a deformable member of said first constraining mechanism with a flat surface of a first roller lifter, wherein said first roller lifter, in cooperation with said first constraining mechanism is allowed to move fore-and-aft in a first direction coincident with the deflection of said deformable member, and is allowed to move in a second direction to said first direction;
- (c) eccentrically moving in said first and second directions said first roller lifter with the rotatable element engaged with said first roller lifter;
- and
- (d) preventing said first roller lifter from rotating about a longitudinal axis of said first roller lifter through the cooperation of said first roller lifter with said first constraining mechanism.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.