Patent US4559909A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4559909A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Valve mechanism for an internal combustion engine
Assignee: Honda Motor Co Ltd
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Filing: 1984-08-06
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Granted: 1985-12-24
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Expires: 2004-08-06
Abstract
Abstract A valve mechanism for a poppet valve of an internal combustion engine having a conventional cam and rocker arm control mechanism. Valve springs are positioned and compressed between the poppet valve and a valve spring retainer. The valve spring retainer moves relative to the engine head responsive to engine speed to further compress the valve springs with increased engine speed. A hydraulic controller operates through linkage employing a detent mechanism such that step-wise advancement of the valve spring retainer results to approximate an ideal engine speed versus valve spring force curve.
Inventors
- 👤 Shoich Honda
- 👤 Osamu Muto
- 👤 Masaru Shirakura
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 06:40
CPC Classifications
F; F01; F01L; F01L13/00; F01L13/0015; F01L1/00; F01L1/46; F01L1/462; F01L2820/00; F01L2820/03; F01L2820/033
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
69 words
A valve mechanism for an engine, comprising a poppet valve; a valve spring retainer adjustably positioned on the engine at said poppet valve; a valve spring effectively compressed between said poppet valve and said valve spring retainer; and means for adjusting the position of said valve spring retainer responsive to preselected engine conditions, said adjusting means including a stepping mechanism providing step-wise adjustment of said second valve spring retainer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
69 words
A valve mechanism for an engine, comprising a poppet valve; a valve spring retainer adjustably positioned on the engine at said poppet valve; a valve spring effectively compressed between said poppet valve and said valve spring retainer; and means for adjusting the position of said valve spring retainer responsive to preselected engine conditions, said adjusting means including a stepping mechanism providing step-wise adjustment of said second valve spring retainer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The valve mechanism of claim 1 further comprising a valve guide through which said poppet valve extends, said valve guide including a collar extending from the engine, said valve spring retainer being positioned on said collar.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The valve mechanism of claim 1 wherein said means for adjusting the position of said retainer is responsive to engine speed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The valve mechanism of claim 3 wherein said means positions said retainer progressively toward said first end of said spring responsive to increasing engine speed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
92 words
A valve mechanism for an engine, comprising a poppet valve; a valve spring retainer adjustably positioned on the engine at said poppet valve; a valve spring effectively compressed between said poppet valve and said valve spring retainer; and a position control mechanism including a controller and linkage between said controller and said valve spring retainer, said position control mechanism being constructed and arranged to adjust the position of said valve spring retainer responsive to increasing engine speed, said linkage including a stepping mechanism providing stepwise adjustment of said second valve spring retainer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
92 words
A valve mechanism for an engine, comprising a poppet valve; a valve spring retainer adjustably positioned on the engine at said poppet valve; a valve spring effectively compressed between said poppet valve and said valve spring retainer; and a position control mechanism including a controller and linkage between said controller and said valve spring retainer, said position control mechanism being constructed and arranged to adjust the position of said valve spring retainer responsive to increasing engine speed, said linkage including a stepping mechanism providing stepwise adjustment of said second valve spring retainer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
The valve mechanism of claim 5 wherein said controller includes a piston and hydraulic cylinder, a source of hydraulic pressure to said hydraulic cylinder, and a control valve controlling pressure to said hydraulic cylinder from said source of pressure responsive to engine speed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
149 words
A valve mechanism for an engine, comprising a poppet valve; a valve spring retainer adjustably positioned on the engine at said poppet valve; a valve spring effectively compressed between said poppet valve and said valve spring retainer; and a position control mechanism including a hydraulic cylinder having a piston therein and a resilient member biasing said piston toward a first end of said cylinder, a source of hydraulic pressure extending to said hydraulic cylinder to oppose said resilient member, a control valve controlling pressure to said hydraulic cylinder from said source of hydraulic pressure and linkage extending from said piston to said valve spring retainer constructed and arranged to adjust the position of said retainer responsive to movement of said piston against said resilient member and a detent mechanism on the engine including a plurality of stops on said linkage to provide step-wise advancement of said valve spring retainer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
149 words
A valve mechanism for an engine, comprising a poppet valve; a valve spring retainer adjustably positioned on the engine at said poppet valve; a valve spring effectively compressed between said poppet valve and said valve spring retainer; and a position control mechanism including a hydraulic cylinder having a piston therein and a resilient member biasing said piston toward a first end of said cylinder, a source of hydraulic pressure extending to said hydraulic cylinder to oppose said resilient member, a control valve controlling pressure to said hydraulic cylinder from said source of hydraulic pressure and linkage extending from said piston to said valve spring retainer constructed and arranged to adjust the position of said retainer responsive to movement of said piston against said resilient member and a detent mechanism on the engine including a plurality of stops on said linkage to provide step-wise advancement of said valve spring retainer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The valve mechanism of claim 7 wherein said control valve is constructed and arranged to increase pressure to said hydraulic cylinder with increasing engine speed.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
106 words
A valve mechanism for an engine, comprising a poppet valve; a valve spring retainer adjustably positioned on the engine at said poppet valve; a valve spring effectively compressed between said poppet valve and said valve spring retainer; and a position control mechanism including a controller and linkage between said controller and said valve spring retainer, said position control mechanism being constructed and arranged to adjust the position of said valve spring retainer reponsive to increasing engine speed, said linkage including a plurality of stops and a member resiliently and selectively engaging said stops, one of said member and said stops being fixed relative to the engine.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
106 words
A valve mechanism for an engine, comprising a poppet valve; a valve spring retainer adjustably positioned on the engine at said poppet valve; a valve spring effectively compressed between said poppet valve and said valve spring retainer; and a position control mechanism including a controller and linkage between said controller and said valve spring retainer, said position control mechanism being constructed and arranged to adjust the position of said valve spring retainer reponsive to increasing engine speed, said linkage including a plurality of stops and a member resiliently and selectively engaging said stops, one of said member and said stops being fixed relative to the engine.
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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) | 1988-12-23 | 1989-06-24 | 1989-12-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-12-23 | 1993-06-24 | 1993-12-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-12-23 | 1997-06-24 | 1997-12-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |