Ronald J Pierik

6367436, Apr 9, 2002

Feb 23, 2001

09/792734

Ronald J. Pierik - Rochester NY

Delphi Technologies, Inc. - Troy MI

F01L 1300

123 9016, 123 9017, 123 9031, 74568 R

A belt-driven variable valve actuating mechanism includes a rocker having a central rocker axis that is substantially parallel with and spaced apart from a central axis of a rotary input shaft. A frame member has a first end configured for being pivotally mounted upon the input shaft and a second end pivotally carrying the rocker. A connecting rod has a first end configured for engaging an eccentric of the rotary input shaft and a second end pivotally attached to the rocker. The connecting rod transfers rotation of the input shaft to oscillation of the rocker relative to the rocker central axis. An output cam is configured for being pivotally mounted upon the input shaft. A belt engages the rocker and the output cam, and transfers oscillation of the rocker to oscillation of the output cam.

6378474, Apr 30, 2002

Jan 13, 2000

09/482260

Ronald Jay Pierik - Rochester NY

Delphi Technologies, Inc. - Troy MI

F01L 1300

123 9016, 123 9017

A crank driven VVT mechanism includes single or dual cranks for actuating oscillating cam drive mechanisms. The crank drive positively actuates the mechanisms in both valve opening and valve closing directions and thus avoids the need to provide return springs as are generally required in cam driven mechanisms to bias the mechanisms toward a valve closed position. However, the crank driven mechanisms of the invention require the oscillating cams to pivot onto the base circle portion during a dwell period in order to provide periods of valve closed engine operation even when the valves are set for maximum opening stroke. Thus, increased motion of the actuating mechanism or a smaller angular extent of the valve lift portions of the oscillating cams is required as compared to a cam driven mechanism. A variable ratio slide and slot control lever drive as well as a back force limiting worm drive for the control shaft are combined with the crank mechanism to provide additional system advantages comparable to those of cam actuated mechanisms.

6382151, May 7, 2002

Feb 22, 2001

09/791313

Ronald J. Pierik - Rochester NY

Delphi Technologies, Inc. - Troy MI

F01L 1300

123 9016, 123 9017, 123 906

A ring gear variable valve train device is provided for installation on an internal combustion engine having a rotary input crankshaft provided with a cylindrical eccentric journal having a center offset from the rotational axis of the shaft. A connecting rod disposed on the journal is reciprocated by rotary motion of the input shaft. A frame disposed on the input shaft may be controllably varied to vary the lift and timing of the valve. A rocker arm pivotably disposed on the frame is attached to the connecting rod to oscillate a ring gear portion of the rocker arm in response to rotary motion of the input shaft, which ring gear drives a planetary-geared output cam to actuate an engine intake valve to open and close. The teeth of the ring gear and the planetary gear are axially tapered, and a coil spring disposed on the output shaft is operative axially to displace the planetary gear axially of the ring gear to eliminate gear lash therebetween. In a preferred embodiment, some elements are doubled to control the motion of two parallel valves.

6382152, May 7, 2002

Feb 23, 2001

09/792673

Ronald J. Pierik - Rochester NY

Delphi Technologies, Inc. - Troy MI

F01L 1300

123 9016, 123 9017, 123 906

A variable valve actuating mechanism includes a rocker having a central rocker axis that is substantially parallel with and spaced apart from a central axis of a rotary input shaft. A frame member has a first end configured for being pivotally mounted upon the input shaft and a second end pivotally carrying the rocker. A connecting rod has a first end configured for engaging an eccentric of the rotary input shaft and a second end pivotally attached to the rocker. The connecting rod transfers rotation of the input shaft to oscillation of the rocker relative to the rocker central axis. An output cam is configured for being pivotally mounted upon the input shaft. An output cam gear is affixed to the output cam. A crank gear is affixed to the rocker and engages the output cam gear.

6382153, May 7, 2002

Apr 11, 2001

09/832582

Jeffrey D. Rohe - Caledonia NY
Ronald J. Pierik - Rochester NY
Thomas H. Fischer - Rochester NY
William R. Haslett - Hanover NH

Delphi Technologies, Inc. - Troy MI

F01L 1300

123 9016, 123 9017, 123 9065, 123 9067

A variable valve actuating comprising a spring guide for use with a curved spring includes an elongate, curved guide member having a centerline. The centerline has a centerline curvature that is substantially equal to the radius of curvature of the curved spring. The guide member has a first side having a side curvature. The side curvature is substantially equal to a curvature of the curved inside surfaces of the coils of the curved spring. The guide member is configured for being disposed within the curved spring such that the coils thereof substantially surround a periphery of the guide member.

6386161, May 14, 2002

Jan 5, 2001

09/755345

Ronald J. Pierik - Rochester NY

Delphi Technologies, Inc. - Troy MI

F01L 1300

123 9016, 123 9017, 123 9024, 123 906

A variable valve mechanism includes an elongate input shaft having a central axis. An opening cam lobe and a closing cam lobe are disposed upon the input shaft. The opening cam lobe and the closing cam lobe have a predetermined angular relation relative to each other and relative to the central axis. A rocker assembly has a first end and a second end. The rocker assembly carries a roller that engages the opening cam lobe. A first split frame member assembly is pivotally mounted upon the input shaft. The first split frame member assembly is pivotally coupled at a first end thereof to the rocker assembly. The first split frame member assembly is configured for being pivotally coupled at a second end thereof to a control shaft. A first split output cam is pivotally mounted upon the input shaft, and a link pivotally couples the first split output cam to the second end of the rocker assembly.

6401677, Jun 11, 2002

Feb 15, 2001

09/784506

Jeffrey D. Rohe - Caledonia NY
Ronald J. Pierik - Rochester NY

Delphi Technologies, Inc. - Troy MI

F01L 1300

123 9016, 123 9017, 123 9065

A variable valve train device for installation in an internal combustion engine to controllably vary the intake valve lift, open duration, and timing. A rotary camshaft has a cam lobe for rotation in timed relationship to the motion of the pistons of the engine. A close-fitting frame is rotationally disposed on the camshaft and is pivotably connected to a control shaft such that the angular orientation of the frame may be controlled with respect to the camshaft. A rocker arm disposed on the frame is provided with an input roller which follows the lobe of the camshaft to oscillate an output roller in response to rotary motion of the cam. The output roller drives an output cam which cooperates with a cam follower to open an engine intake valve conventionally against a valve spring. A curved return spring disposed between the output cam and the frame returns the output cam as the valve closes. Rotation of the frame about the camshaft alters the timing of the valve opening, the height of the valve lift, and the duration of opening.

6422188, Jul 23, 2002

Jan 12, 2001

09/759869

Ronald J. Pierik - Rochester NY

Delphi Technologies, Inc. - Troy MI

F01L 134

123 9017, 123 9031, 74568 R, 464 2, 464160

An actuator includes a cylinder having a central axis and a side wall. The side wall has an inner surface. A clutch is disposed within the cylinder, and includes a hub and at least one clutch arm. Each clutch arm includes a negative opposing finger, a positive opposing finger, a negative opposing spring and a positive opposing spring. The negative opposing finger has a first end attached to the hub and a fingertip end engaging the inner surface of the side wall. The positive opposing finger has a first end attached to the hub and a fingertip end engaging the inner surface of the side wall. The negative opposing spring has a first end attached to the negative opposing finger. The positive opposing spring has a first end attached to the positive opposing finger. A control input is configured for engaging a second end of a selected one of the negative opposing spring and the positive opposing spring. By selectively reducing one set of opposing spring forces and increasing the other set of spring forces, an oscillating torque imposed on the hub can be converted to controlled hub rotational displacement.