Austin R Zurface

US Patent:

7089899, Aug 15, 2006

Filed:

Jul 11, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/178266

Inventors:

David G. Genise - Marshall MI, US
Austin R. Zurface - Hastings MI, US

Assignee:

Eaton Corporation - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

F01L 1/18

US Classification:

123 9039, 123 9044, 298882

Abstract:

A rocker arm () adapted to engage a pair of cam lobes (), the rocker arm having first () and second () sidewall portions, and being formed from a flat sheet metal blank (B) having a nominal thickness (T). The sidewall portions () define fold regions () whereby, after each is folded over upon itself, and the rocker arm is formed to have the sidewall portions generally parallel to each other, the fold regions provide first () and second () cam contact surfaces, each having a width (W) substantially greater than the nominal thickness of the blank.

US Patent:

7484487, Feb 3, 2009

Filed:

Nov 21, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/284269

Inventors:

Austin R. Zurface - Hastings MI, US
Andrew P. Harman - Battle Creek MI, US
Kynan L. Church - Battle Creek MI, US

Assignee:

Eaton Corporation - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

F01L 1/18

US Classification:

123 9039, 123 902, 123 9044, 74559

Abstract:

A valve control system including a camshaft having first and second cam profiles, the valve control system comprising a rocker arm assembly () including a first rocker arm () having a first cam follower () in engagement with the first cam profile, and a second rocker arm () having a second cam follower () in engagement with the second cam profile. The engine includes a fulcrum location (P) operable to provide a source of pressurized fluid, and the first rocker arm includes a latch member () moveable between latched (FIG. ) and unlatched conditions. The latch member is biased toward the latched condition by a fluid pressure in a chamber (), and the first rocker arm defines a fluid passage () having a first end () in open fluid communication with the pressure source, and a second end () in open fluid communication with the pressure chamber ().

US Patent:

7798112, Sep 21, 2010

Filed:

Jun 29, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/771088

Inventors:

Austin R. Zurface - Hastings MI, US
Andrew P. Harman - Battle Creek MI, US
Kynan L. Church - Battle Creek MI, US

Assignee:

Eaton Corporation - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

F01L 1/18

US Classification:

123 9039, 123 9044, 74559

Abstract:

A rocker arm assembly includes first and second rocker arms defining a pivot location. The first rocker arm includes, toward a first axial end thereof adjacent the pivot location, a fulcrum surface and, toward a second axial end thereof, a latch assembly including a latch member moveable between latched and unlatched conditions relative to a latch surface defined by an adjacent portion of the second rocker arm. The latch assembly further including a spring biasing the latch member toward one of the latched and unlatched conditions, and a pressure chamber operable to bias the latch member toward the other of the latched and unlatched conditions. The first rocker arm further includes a fluid passage having a first end in open fluid communication with the fulcrum surface and a second end in open fluid communication with the pressure chamber of the latch assembly.

US Patent:

20020014217, Feb 7, 2002

Filed:

May 9, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/851954

Inventors:

Kynan Church - Ceresco MI, US
Austin Zurface - Hastings MI, US
Keith Hampton - Ann Arbor MI, US
Gary Janowiak - Saginaw MI, US

International Classification:

F01L001/18
F01L001/34

US Classification:

123/19800F, 123/090160, 123/090430

Abstract:

The invention is a valve deactivator assembly () for use in connection with a valve train of an internal combustion engine. In application, a pre-selected number of the engine cylinders would each be equipped with a deactivator connected to its intake engine valve. Upon driver selection or predetermined road conditions, sufficient lost motion would be introduced into the valve train so that the valve would remain closed and the cylinder deactivated as the engine is in operation. The deactivator has in its inner body () a latch assembly that is in a latched condition for normal operation of the valve train. When it is desired to retain the valve in the closed position and deactivate a cylinder, the latch assembly is caused to be moved to the unlatched condition by increase in the pressure of the engine oil. When the latch assembly is unlatched, significant lost motion is introduced into the valve train causing the valve to remain closed and the cylinder is deactivated.

US Patent:

20110226208, Sep 22, 2011

Filed:

Mar 18, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/051839

Inventors:

Austin Zurface - Hastings MI, US
Andrei Dan Radulescu - Marshall MI, US
Majo Cecur - Rivarolo Canavese, IT
Philip M. Kline - Tekonsha MI, US
Tony Gordon - South Boston VA, US
James R. Sheren - Grand Ledge MI, US

Assignee:

Eaton Corporation - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

F01L 1/18

US Classification:

123 9044

Abstract:

A rocker arm for engaging a cam is disclosed. An outer arm and inner arm are configured to transfer motion to a valve of an internal combustion engine. A latching mechanism includes a latch, sleeve and orientation member. The sleeve engages the latch and a bore in the inner arm, and also provides an opening for an orientation member used in providing the correct orientation for the latch with respect to the sleeve and the inner arm. The sleeve, latch and inner arm have reference marks used to determine the optimal orientation for the latch.

US Patent:

20110226209, Sep 22, 2011

Filed:

Mar 18, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/051848

Inventors:

Austin Zurface - Hastings MI, US
Andrei Dan Radulescu - Marshall MI, US
Majo Cecur - Rivarolo Canavese, IT
Philip M. Kline - Tekonsha MI, US
Tony Gordon - South Boston VA, US
James R. Sheren - Grand Ledge MI, US

Assignee:

Eaton Corporation - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

F01L 1/18

US Classification:

123 9044, 123 901

Abstract:

A rocker arm for engaging a cam is disclosed. An outer arm and inner arm are configured to transfer motion to a valve of an internal combustion engine. A latching mechanism includes a latch, sleeve and orientation member. The sleeve engages the latch and a bore in the inner arm, and also provides an opening for an orientation member used in providing the correct orientation for the latch with respect to the sleeve and the inner arm. The sleeve, latch and inner arm have reference marks used to determine the optimal orientation for the latch.

US Patent:

20140041608, Feb 13, 2014

Filed:

Oct 9, 2013

Appl. No.:

14/049460

Inventors:

Austin Zurface - Hastings MI, US

Assignee:

EATON CORPORATION - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

F01L 1/18

US Classification:

123 9045, 123 9039

Abstract:

A switching rocker arm assembly can include an outer arm, an inner arm and a latch assembly. The outer arm can have one or more high lift lobe contacting surfaces, where each of the high lift lobe contacting surfaces has an uppermost point that defines an outer arm tangent plane. The inner arm can be pivotably secured to the outer arm and have a low lift lobe contacting surface. The low lift lobe contacting surface can have an uppermost point that defines an inner arm tangent plane that is parallel to the outer arm tangent plane. The inner arm tangent plane can be spaced from the outer arm tangent plane by a minimum distance. The latch assembly can be movable between a first configuration in which the outer arm rotates with the inner arm, and a second configuration in which the outer arm rotates independently from the inner arm.

US Patent:

6321704, Nov 27, 2001

Filed:

Mar 23, 2000

Appl. No.:

9/533832

Inventors:

Kynan L. Church - Ceresco MI
Austin R. Zurface - Ceresco MI
Keith Hampton - Ann Arbor MI

Assignee:

Eaton Corporation - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

F01L 1300
F02D 1302

US Classification:

123 9016

Abstract:

The invention is a valve deactivator assembly (15) for use in connection with a valve train of an internal combustion engine. In application, a pre-selected number of the engine cylinders would each be equipped with a deactivator connected to its intake engine valve. Upon driver selection or predetermined road conditions, sufficient lost motion would be introduced into the valve train so that the valve would remain closed and the cylinder deactivated as the engine is in operation. The deactivator has in its inner body (19) a latch assembly that is in a latched condition for normal operation of the valve train. When it is desired to retain the valve in the closed position and deactivate a cylinder, the latch assembly is caused to be moved to the unlatched condition by increase in the pressure of the engine oil. When the latch assembly is unlatched, significant lost motion is introduced into the valve train causing the valve to remain closed and the cylinder is deactivated.