Patent US1726090A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US3878822A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3878822A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multiple cam mechanism for internal combustion engines
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1974-01-07
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Granted: 1975-04-22
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Expires: 1994-01-07
Abstract
Abstract In an internal combustion engine, a plurality of valve cams associated with each intake and each exhaust valve of the engine, a cam follower associated with each valve and movable to engage and follow any one of the associated cams selectively, the cam follower moving mechanism including a mechanical device operable to bias the follower resiliently to a position to engage the desired cam, and a latch operable to secure the cam follower against movement except when the associated valve is fully closed and there is no direct operative connection between the cam and valve.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert G Beal
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 23:13
CPC Classifications
F; F01; F01L; F01L1/00; F01L1/12; F01L1/18; F01L1/181; F01L13/00; F01L13/0015; F01L13/0036; F01L1/20; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/21; Y10T74/2101; Y10T74/2107
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
254 words
In an internal combustion engine including a series of cylinders each provided with an intake valve and an exhaust valve, and a crankshaft rotated by pistons movable in said cylinders: a. a cam shaft rotatable by a driving connection thereof to said crankshaft, b. a plurality of sets of cams, each cam constituting an eccentric formation on said cam shaft, said cams being spaced longitudinally along said cam shaft, said sets each including a series of cams associated respectively with each of said intake and exhaust valves, and the cams of each set being designed for best engine performance and efficiency under a different set of operating conditions, c. a cam follower associated with each of said intake and exhaust valves, said cam followers being engageable respectively with the individual cams of any one of said sets of cams and each operable to open and close one of said valves in response to movement of its associated cam, each of said cam followers constituting a rocker arm pivoted on a rocker shaft extending parallel to an adjacent said cam shaft, and including a follower portion engaging one of said cams to be rocked thereby to control the associated valve, said rocker shaft being longitudinally movable and said rocker arms being movable therewith, and d. operating means operable to move said cam followers to engage any one of said sets of cams selectively, said operating means constituting mechanical means operable to move said rocker shaft longitudinally to move all of the rocker arms carried thereby.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
254 words
In an internal combustion engine including a series of cylinders each provided with an intake valve and an exhaust valve, and a crankshaft rotated by pistons movable in said cylinders: a. a cam shaft rotatable by a driving connection thereof to said crankshaft, b. a plurality of sets of cams, each cam constituting an eccentric formation on said cam shaft, said cams being spaced longitudinally along said cam shaft, said sets each including a series of cams associated respectively with each of said intake and exhaust valves, and the cams of each set being designed for best engine performance and efficiency under a different set of operating conditions, c. a cam follower associated with each of said intake and exhaust valves, said cam followers being engageable respectively with the individual cams of any one of said sets of cams and each operable to open and close one of said valves in response to movement of its associated cam, each of said cam followers constituting a rocker arm pivoted on a rocker shaft extending parallel to an adjacent said cam shaft, and including a follower portion engaging one of said cams to be rocked thereby to control the associated valve, said rocker shaft being longitudinally movable and said rocker arms being movable therewith, and d. operating means operable to move said cam followers to engage any one of said sets of cams selectively, said operating means constituting mechanical means operable to move said rocker shaft longitudinally to move all of the rocker arms carried thereby.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
254 words
In an internal combustion engine including a series of cylinders each provided with an intake valve and an exhaust valve, and a crankshaft rotated by pistons movable in said cylinders: a. a cam shaft rotatable by a driving connection thereof to said crankshaft, b. a plurality of sets of cams, each cam constituting an eccentric formation on said cam shaft, said cams being spaced longitudinally along said cam shaft, said sets each including a series of cams associated respectively with each of said intake and exhaust valves, and the cams of each set being designed for best engine performance and efficiency under a different set of operating conditions, c. a cam follower associated with each of said intake and exhaust valves, said cam followers being engageable respectively with the individual cams of any one of said sets of cams and each operable to open and close one of said valves in response to movement of its associated cam, each of said cam followers constituting a rocker arm pivoted on a rocker shaft extending parallel to an adjacent said cam shaft, and including a follower portion engaging one of said cams to be rocked thereby to control the associated valve, said rocker shaft being longitudinally movable and said rocker arms being movable therewith, and d. operating means operable to move said cam followers to engage any one of said sets of cams selectively, said operating means constituting mechanical means operable to move said rocker shaft longitudinally to move all of the rocker arms carried thereby.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
254 words
In an internal combustion engine including a series of cylinders each provided with an intake valve and an exhaust valve, and a crankshaft rotated by pistons movable in said cylinders: a. a cam shaft rotatable by a driving connection thereof to said crankshaft, b. a plurality of sets of cams, each cam constituting an eccentric formation on said cam shaft, said cams being spaced longitudinally along said cam shaft, said sets each including a series of cams associated respectively with each of said intake and exhaust valves, and the cams of each set being designed for best engine performance and efficiency under a different set of operating conditions, c. a cam follower associated with each of said intake and exhaust valves, said cam followers being engageable respectively with the individual cams of any one of said sets of cams and each operable to open and close one of said valves in response to movement of its associated cam, each of said cam followers constituting a rocker arm pivoted on a rocker shaft extending parallel to an adjacent said cam shaft, and including a follower portion engaging one of said cams to be rocked thereby to control the associated valve, said rocker shaft being longitudinally movable and said rocker arms being movable therewith, and d. operating means operable to move said cam followers to engage any one of said sets of cams selectively, said operating means constituting mechanical means operable to move said rocker shaft longitudinally to move all of the rocker arms carried thereby.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
115 words
The structure as recited in claim 1 wherein each of said rocker arms is carried on said rocker shaft for rocking movement coaxially therewith and for limited sliding movement longitudinally therealong, and with the addition of: a. resilient means biasing each of said rocker arms yieldably to the central position of its limited movement longitudinally of said rocker shaft, b. detent means associated with each of said rocker arms and operable when engaged to secure said rocker arm against movement with said rocker shaft when the associated valve is open, and c. release means associated with each of said rocker arms and operable to disengage the associated detent means when the associated valve is closed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
58 words
The structure as recited in claim 2 wherein said biasing means associated with each of said rocker arms constitutes a pair of compression springs carried on said rocker shaft respectively at opposite sides of said rocker arm, bearing at their proximate ends against said rocker arm and at their distal ends against stops fixed in said rocker shaft.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
97 words
The structure as recited in claim 2 wherein said detent means comprises a leaf spring fixed at one end in said engine and having at its free end a plurality of fingers each positioned to engage in a notch formed in the associated rocker arm in one position of said rocker arm longitudinally of said cam shaft, when said spring is relaxed, whereby to prevent movement of said rocker arm longitudinally of said rocker shaft, said release means being operable to deflect said detent finger from said notch at a time the associated engine valve is closed.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-04-21 | 1978-10-21 | 1979-04-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-21 | 1982-10-21 | 1983-04-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-21 | 1986-10-21 | 1987-04-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |