Robert C Heitzman

US Patent:

52729370, Dec 28, 1993

Filed:

May 26, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/888076

Inventors:

Thomas A. Brosowske - Peoria IL
Geoffrey M. Turk - Stanford IL
Jose M. Salazar-Vior - Washington IL
Michael J. Smith - Dunlap IL
Robert C. Heitzman - Washington IL
Nelson A. Jones - Peoria IL
Samuel M. Bishop - Chillicothe IL

Assignee:

Caterpillar Inc. - Peoria IL

International Classification:

F16H 344

US Classification:

74573R

Abstract:

A camshaft in an internal combustion engine encounters various torques during operation which produce torsional vibrations leading to excessive noise and reduced gear life. An active inertia absorbing system includes a camshaft gear integrally formed with a carrier. The carrier has a plurality of bores having a predetermined diameter. A plurality of weights are positioned within the bores and have a predetermined diameter less than the predetermined diameter of the bores so that the weights are free to move within the bores. The mass of the carrier and the weights establish an inertia which acts in opposition to the torques applied to the camshaft for absorbing the torsional vibrations of a camshaft.