Patent ID: 7228829
Filing Date: 2007-06-12
Classification: F01L

Abstract:
1. A mechanism for continuously varying valve timing in a reciprocating, internal combustion engine having a crankshaft, at least one intake valve controlled by an intake valve camshaft, and at least one exhaust valve controlled by an exhaust valve camshaft, comprising: a. a crankshaft sprocket wheel connected to said engine's crankshaft, b. a camshaft sprocket wheel connected to one of said engine's valve camshafts, c. a deformable linkage connecting said crankshaft sprocket wheel to said camshaft sprocket wheel so that when said crankshaft rotates it will cause said camshaft to rotate, said deformable linkage extending around said crankshaft sprocket wheel and said camshaft sprocket wheel and having one side or leg that is in tension when said crankshaft rotates and another side or leg that is not intension when said crankshaft rotates, d. a displacement device for displacing a displacement member in response to a change in said engine's speed, e. a lever arm, one location on said lever arm connected to a fixed pivot, f. an idler wheel connected said lever arm at another location spaced from said one location so that said lever arm and said other location on said lever arm can pivot with respect to said one location, g. said displacement member being connected to a location on said lever arm spaced from said one location so that said displacement member will displace said lever arm and hence said idler wheel in response to said change in said engine's speed, h. said idler wheel arranged to engage said one side or leg of said deformable linkage so as to change the shape of said deformable linkage and cause the angular orientation of said one of said engine's valve camshafts to change with respect to said crankshaft in response to said change in said displacement of said idler wheel and said engine's speed, and i. a tensioner for maintaining tension in said deformable linkage, whereby the relative angular positions of said crankshaft and camshaft sprocket wheels will change in response to changes in said engine's speed and the timing of the opening of said intake and exhaust valves can be more optimized for a range of engine speeds.