Valve timing control apparatus and method

US8640662B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Hilite Germany GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Joe S. Cole · Mesquite, US
• Jack D. Hutcheson · Garland, US
• Kenneth J. Parker · Lake Orion, US
• Wes Gerszewski · Coppell, US
• Steve Nance · Suwanee, US
• Daniel Viertler · Bad Urach, DE
• Markus Todt · Jeffery Road, DE
• Holger Bergemann · Ratingen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 4, 2012
• Grant date: Feb 4, 2014
• Expiry date: Jun 30, 2032

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F01L2001/34469
• WIPO field: Engines, pumps, turbines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A valve timing control apparatus for a combustion engine according to which a rotational member, such as a sprocket, is driven by said combustion engine, a rotor is mechanically coupled with a camshaft for controlling opening and closing of cylinder valves of said combustion engine, a first configuration is provided in which the rotor is locked to the rotational member; and a second configuration is provided in which the rotor is unlocked from said rotational member. In another aspect an operating method of said valve timing control apparatus for adjusting a valve timing of a combustion engine is provided. The apparatus controls a relative rotation between a camshaft and an output shaft, which can either be prevented or permitted.