Systems, methods and devices for rocker arm position sensing
AssigneeEaton Corporation
InventorBrian Karl VanDeusen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for monitoring operation of an internal combustion engine having a rocker arm assembly for actuating an engine valve is disclosed. The rocker arm assembly includes a first arm with a first end, a second arm also having a first end pivotally connected near the first end of the first arm, a latch that when latched secures the first arm relative to the second arm in a latched mode, and when unlatched allows the first arm to move relative to the second arm in an unlatched mode. The system also employing a sensor attached to one of the first and second arms that can detect when the arms are moving relative to each other, and adapted to provide a signal indicating the sensed movement.
Claims19
A system for monitoring operation of an internal combustion engine, comprising:
- a rocker arm assembly having:
- a first arm having a first end;
- a second arm having a first end, the second arm pivotally connected near the first end of the first arm along a pivot having a pivot axis;
- a reference structure comprising magnetic material forming at least a portion of the first end of the first arm;
- and
- a latch that when latched secures the first arm relative to the second arm in a latched mode, and when unlatched allows the first arm to move relative to the second arm in an unlatched mode;
- wherein the rocker assembly is adapted to pivot about the pivot axis to open an engine valve and return to a position in which the engine valve is closed;
- and
- a sensor positioned near the rocker arm assembly adapted to provide a signal indicating proximity of the reference structure to the sensor.
A system for monitoring operation of an internal combustion engine, comprising:
- a rocker arm assembly for actuating an engine valve, the rocker arm assembly comprising:
- a first arm having a first end;
- a second arm having a first end, the second arm pivotally connected near the first end of the first arm along a pivot having a pivot axis;
- a latch that when latched secures the first arm relative to the second arm in a latched mode, and when unlatched allows the first arm to move relative to the second arm in an unlatched mode;
- and
- a sensor attached to at least one of the first and second arms that can detect motion of the arms relative to each other, and adapted to provide a signal indicating the detected motion.
A system for monitoring operation of an internal combustion engine, comprising:
- a rocker arm assembly for actuating an engine valve having:
- a first arm having a first end;
- a second arm having a first end, the second arm pivotally connected near the first end of the first arm along a pivot having a pivot axis;
- a latch that when latched secures the first arm relative to the second arm in a latched mode, and when unlatched allows the first arm to move relative to the second arm in an unlatched mode;
- and
- a sensor for detecting motion of the first arm and second arm relative to each other, the sensor adapted to provide a signal indicating the detected motion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.