Vertical sliding valve arm

Improvements in a vertical sliding valve arm has been disclosed with systems and methods related to eliminating the common pivot-type rocker arm and reversing the use of the valve spring in internal combustion engines. More specifically, the camshaft lobes activate a sliding valve arm to close the engine valve instead of opening it and the valve spring is used to push open the valve instead of closing it.

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THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to improvements in an engine valve. In More particularly, the present vertical sliding valve arm is activated by the camshaft to close the corresponding valve and a valve spring to open the valve.

The current way to close an engine valve is to use a spring. This is not desirable because of the dynamic motion in engines, which may cause spring wear and various valve train problems that lead to poor power transmission and poor fuel consumption rates. Valve float is one of the valve train problems and refers to the inability of the valve lifter to properly follow the contour of the camshaft when the engine is operating at high speeds. Since the valve actuation is not aligned with the shape of the camshaft lobe, this may result in catastrophic failure or engine damage if the closing valve makes contact with the piston. The other consequences are valve spring harmonics and vibrations that cause the valve to bounce on its seat while trying to open and close. Pivoting rocker arm and valve spring failure is another common malady in high-performance racing engines. Therefore, it is advantageous to employ engine valve actuation that does not require pivoting rocker arms and valve springs for valve closure.

This present invention eliminates or minimizes these problems by using the camshaft lobe at its peak to close the engine valve with positive linkage through the pushrod. Valve float is minimized along with the chance of a piston hitting the engine valve as a result of an engine valve staying open for too long due to weak or malfunctioning valve springs. Another benefit of this invention is more precise valve timing events with custom ground valve float refers to a scenario where the valve actuation is not aligned with the shape of the camshaft lobe and may result in catastrophic failure if the closing valve makes contact with the piston. Pivoting rocker arm and valve spring failure is another common malady in high-performance racing engines. Therefore, it is advantageous to employ valve actuation that does not require pivoting rocker arms and valve springs for valve closure

One approach is to use springless valves known as desmodromic valves. Desmodromic valve systems use extra cam lobes on the camshaft to close the valves via pivoting rocker arms. Springs are thereby eliminated and the potential for valve float or broken springs is removed. However, desmodromic valves are costly, labor-intensive, and difficult to mass produce.

One such desmodromic design is U.S. Pat. No. 8,033,261. The lifter in this patent provides additional support and is offset. This requires the lifter for the rocker arm to be at a 90-degree angle, which in turn requires extensive modification to an existing cylinder block to position the lifter at a 90-degree angle to the camshaft. The intermediate rocker is caused to oscillate on its free-turning support shaft.

The present invention uses a vertical sliding valve arm activated by the camshaft to close the corresponding valve and a valve spring to open the valve. This is in contrast to conventional engines, which use the camshaft lobes to open a valve and the valve spring to close it. The present invention comprises in part a retrofitting system requiring little machine work on an existing engine.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The vertical sliding valve arm relates to cylinder valve actuation occurring within internal combustion engines or motors whereby valve springs and pivot rocker arms are the standard for causing, in part, cylinder valve closing. The vertical sliding valve arm eliminates the common pivot-type rocker arm and reverses the use of the valve spring whereas the camshaft lobes activate a sliding valve arm to close the engine valve instead of opening it and the valve spring is used to push open the valve instead of closing it.

It is therefore an object of the vertical sliding valve arm to eliminate the conventional pivot rocker arm to achieve valve actuation and relatedly, to eliminate the problems associated with valve float in high rpm motors.

It is another object of the vertical sliding valve arm to reduce or eliminate stress valve train components.

It is another object of the vertical sliding valve arm to reduce friction on engine components.

It is another object of the vertical sliding valve arm to improve fuel consumption rates.

It is another object of the vertical sliding valve arm to decrease the reciprocation weight off the camshaft and drive gears, and valve train.

It is another object of the vertical sliding valve arm to decrease valve spring pressures resulting in less wear on engine components.

It is another object of the vertical sliding valve arm to use more precise valve timing on the camshaft lobe profiles.

It is another object of the vertical sliding valve arm to reduce or eliminate valve train parts breakage due to valve float.

It is another object of the vertical sliding valve arm to introduce a new camshaft profile that will upon it, apex or peak close the engine valves instead of opening them.

The characteristics and utilities of the vertical sliding valve arm described in this summary and the detailed description below are not all inclusive. Many additional features and advantages will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art given the following detailed description.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may be utilized as a basis for the design of other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the description be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The vertical sliding valve arm uses a vertical sliding valve arm activated by the camshaft to close an engine valve and a valve spring to open the valve. In one non-limiting example, the invention may be configured as illustrated inFIG. 1, which shows the preferred embodiment with the sliding arm mounted on the cylinder head6with a conventional-type valve spring13located above the sliding arm2. The spring is held in place by a valve retainer12. The valve retainer12is held in place by body and housing27, which is attached to threaded stein28of sliding arm post3. The operation is described as follows. As camshaft9turns, it pushes up on lifter8and also pushes up on pushrod7that is guided by a pushrod guide plate4. The end of pushrod7fits into the socket of pushrod piston20, which slides in bore22. As the pushrod7rises, pushrod piston20contacts compressible material21, which can be a compressible material21such as rubber. The compressible material21dampens the closing of the engine valve10as it closes on its seat in cylinder head6. It also serves to dampen the camshaft lift and provide temporary dwell to aid in the camshaft duration.

Sliding arm2is connected to engine valve10by valve locks35housed in cavity25of sliding arm2. Therefore, as sliding arm2rises, it closes engine valve10and compresses valve spring13. As the camshaft9continues to rotate, it moves to the base or the lowest point of its lobe, allowing pushrod7to lower and allowing the compressed valve spring13to expand, pushing down on the sliding arm2and lowering the attached valve10to an open position. As the camshaft9continues to rotate, it repeats the cycle again. The engine's oil passing through the pushrod flows through passage5to lubricate the bushing18on the sliding arm post3. This arrangement makes it practically impossible to float engine valves at high rpm, and impossible for the engine valve10to strike and damage the engine pistons as a result of the valve float. Thus, the spring no longer closes the valve the way it does in a conventional type valve train engine. Instead, it is closed through the positive force of the pushrod7to the sliding arm2in this invention.

FIG. 2shows an alternative method of the embodiment. The sliding arm2on an overhead valve type engine operates as follows. As camshaft9turns, the lobes contact and pushed up sliding arm2. At the same time, the camshaft9pushes up attached engine valve10that is attached by valve locks35and is housed in cavity25of the sliding arm2. The engine valve10can be adjusted to secure a tight proper valve closure by turning pushrod adjustment screw body50. Inside the body is a cavity25and valve locks35that the body50screws into sliding arm2which is secured by fastener(s).

As the sliding arm2rises, the sliding arm2closes valve10and compresses valve spring13. As the camshaft continues to rotate, the camshaft moves to the base or lowest point of the lobe, allowing the sliding arm2to lower and allowing compressed valve spring13to expand, and push down on the sliding arm2and lower the attached valve10to an open position. As the camshaft9continues to rotate it repeats the cycle again.

FIG. 3shows a third alternative method of the embodiment. It is a variation ofFIG. 1with the valve spring13mounted below the sliding arm2when used in a spring expansion arrangement. The operation is described as follows. As camshaft9turns, it pushes up lifter8and also pushes up on pushrod7. The end of pushrod7fits into the socket of pushrod piston20, which slides in bore22. As the pushrod7rises, pushrod piston20contacts compressible material21, such as rubber. The compressible material21dampens the closing of the engine valve10. As the engine valve10closes on its seat in cylinder head6, it also serves to dampen the camshaft9lift and provide temporary dwell to aid in the camshaft9duration. Sliding arm2is connected to engine valve10by valves locks35housed in cavity25of sliding arm2. Therefore, as the sliding arm2rises, it closes engine valve10and expands valve spring13.

As the camshaft9continues to rotate, it moves to the base or the lowest point of its lobe, allowing pushrod7to lower and allowing the compressed valve spring13to retract, pulling down on the sliding arm2and lowering the attached valve10to an open position. As the camshaft9continues to rotate it, repeats the cycle again. The engine's oil passing through the pushrod7via the valve lifter8flows through passage5and into bushing18to lubricate it. This arrangement makes it practically impossible to “float” at high engine rpm, and impossible for the valve to strike and damage the engines pistons. “Valve float” or valves staying open for too long due to valve spring oscillations or weak valve spring function. Because the engine valves10are no longer opened by the camshaft and closed by the valve springs as in a conventional engine, valve float is avoided. Instead, the valves with this invention are closed by the positive force of the pushrod to the sliding arm.

FIG. 4shows the sliding arm2with an air cushion cylinder38replacing the valve spring depicted in other embodiments. As camshaft9turns, it pushes up lifter8while pushing on pushrod7, which fits into pushrod piston bore22of siding arm2, causing the pushrod7piston to push against the pushrod piston cushion which is a compressible material21such as rubber. As the pushrod7rises, the pushrod7lifts piston rod41, which is attached to sliding arm2with fasteners19. As the sliding arm piston rod rises it pushes on piston40, which is housed in cylinder38, thereby compressing the air above it to create an air spring. As camshaft9continues to rotate to the high point of its lobe, it lifts sliding arm2and also lifts valve10attached on the other end of the arm2and is attached by valve locks35and housed in cavity25of sliding arm2.

As sliding arm2rises, it lifts attached valve10and closes valve10on valve seat in cylinder head6. As the camshaft continues to rotate, it moves to the low point of its lobe and the lifter8descends and lifter8is lowered and compressed air in cylinder38begins to decompress, thus putting pressure on piston rod41. The pressure forces sliding arm2down. Lowering pushrod7and lifter8while staying in contact with the lobes on camshaft9while the engine lowers to the open position in cylinder head6.

The air in the cylinder38over time may lose air due to air leakage so an auxiliary air supply via an air pump may be required for replenishing the air that would enter supply line37. Pressure is regulated by regulator/relief valve39and air may be drawn in through supply line37and check valve36.

FIG. 5illustrates the pivot connection between the valve10and sliding arm2, which appear on some embodiments. Sliding arm2is attached to pivot valve holder31, secured by fasteners19inside the holder. Valve adapter and trunnion adapter32are supported by trunnion bearings33. The engine valve stein is secured by valve locks35housed in pivot valve holder31, thus creating the ability for pivot of engine valve10as sliding arm2moves or pivots.

FIG. 6illustrates a pivoting lever with a sliding roller arm under it and operates as follows. As camshaft9turns, it pushes up lifter8while pushing on pushrod7, which fits into pushrod piston socket of sliding arm roller51. This causes the pushrod piston to push against the pushrod piston cushion, which is a compressible material such as rubber. As pushrod7rises, it lifts sliding arm roller51, which slides on sliding arm post3, causing the attached pivot roller45to contact and lift sliding arm2, which rises. Sliding arm2is attached to pivot roller45, which is anchored to sliding arm post3. As the pivot arm pivots moves up, it lifts the attached pivot valve holder31and attached engine valve10, which is connected through pivot valve holder31. This holder is held by trunnion adapter32.

As sliding arm2rises, it causes engine valve10to close on its seat in cylinder head6. As the camshaft continues to rotate to the base or the lowest point of its lobe, pushrod7starts to descend down and the valve spring13begins to decompress, forcing pivot arm2and roller slide arm pivot roller45to cause pushrod7to lower on lifter8while lowering engine valve10to an open position in cylinder head6. The different lengths between the pivot roller45and trunnion roller33could be varied. This ratio of leverage can be varied to give a mechanical advantage to the amount of lift to engine valve10, similar to the pivot rocker arm rations commonly used on conventional engines. As the camshaft continues to rotate, the above-mentioned cycle occurs again.

FIG. 7illustrates a pivoting lever type arm and operates as follows. As camshaft9turns, it pushes up lifter8and pushes on pushrod7, which fits into pushrod socket pushrod piston20. This piston slides in bore22as the pushrod7rises. Pushrod piston20contacts compressible material21, such as rubber. The compressible material21dampens the closing of the engine valve10. As it closes on its seat in cylinder head6, it also servers to dampen the camshaft lift and provide temporary dwell to aid in the camshaft duration. Sliding arm2rises and is connected to pivot valve holder31and it pivots on trunnion33. This trunnion33is held by trunnion adapter32, which is attached to cylinder head6with fasteners19of the lever in sliding arm2.

As the camshaft9continues to rotate to the base or the lowest point of its lobe, pushrod7starts to descend down and valve spring13begins to decompress, forcing pushrod7to lower on lifter8while also lowering engine valve10to an open position in the cylinder head6. The length between the pushrod contact point of sliding arm2and the pivot roller45on the pivot arm2could be varied. This ratio of leverage can be varied to give a mechanical advantage to the movement engine valve10, similar to the pivot rocker arm ratios commonly used on engines. As the camshaft continues to rotate, it repeats the above-mentioned cycle again.

FIG. 8illustrates a pivoting lever type arm and operates as follows. As camshaft9turns, the camshaft9pushes up lifter8on pushrod7which fits into pushrod cap of adjusting screw46and is secured by fastener47. The pushrod7pushes up on the extended part of sliding arm2. As sliding arm2rises, the sliding arm2is connected to pivot valve holder31that pivots on trunnion33. This trunnion33is held with fasteners19of the lever in sliding arm2.

As the camshaft9continues to rotate to the base or the lowest point of the its lobe, pushrod7starts to descend down and valve spring13begins to decompress, forcing pushrod7to lower on lifter8while also lowering engine valve10to an open position in the cylinder head6. The length between the pushrod contact of sliding arm2and the pivot roller43on the pivot arm42could be varied. This ratio of leverage can be varied to give a mechanical advantage to the movement of engine valve10, similar to the pivot rocker arm ratios commonly used on engines. As the camshaft continues to rotate, the above-mentioned cycle repeats again.

The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, has been described with reference to specific embodiments. However, the illustrative discussions above are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings without departing from the spirit and the scope of the description. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Alternate embodiments are also included within the scope of the disclosure. In these alternate embodiments, functions may be executed out of order from that shown or discussed, including substantially concurrently or in reverse order, depending on the functionality involved. Not all steps are required in all embodiments.

Thus, specific embodiments of a vertical sliding valve arm have been disclosed. It should be apparent, however, to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims.