William B Michaels

US Patent:

45385580, Sep 3, 1985

Filed:

Dec 9, 1983

Appl. No.:

6/559931

Inventors:

Stanley H. Updike - Painesville OH
William A. Michaels - Seven Hills OH
Frederick L. Kuonen - Mentor OH

Assignee:

TRW Inc. - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

F01L 132

US Classification:

123 903

Abstract:

The valve rotator comprises a body to be attached to and rotatable with the valve. The body has at least one groove therein extending partially around said valve stem. Shiftable means is disposed within the groove. A collar receives the valve spring biasing force and encircles the valve stem adjacent the body. The body and the collar are movable in axial and rotational directions relative to each other. A pair of spring washers encircles the valve stem and is interposed between the collar and the shiftable means. One of the spring washers has a portion bearing on the shiftable means and another portion bearing on the body when the valve is closed. The other of the spring washers acts between the collar and the another portion of the one spring washer and has a first portion which overlies the another portion of the one spring washer when the valve is closed and a second portion spaced at least in part from the one spring washer when the valve is closed. Each of said spring washers has an inner circumference and an outer circumference. The overlying portions of the one and the other of the spring washers cooperate with each other adjacent the inner circumferences thereof to transmit surges of the valve spring from the collar through the overlying portions of the one and the other of the spring washers to the body to thereby isolate surges of the valve spring from the shiftable means.

US Patent:

44258828, Jan 17, 1984

Filed:

Dec 10, 1980

Appl. No.:

6/214800

Inventors:

Stanley H. Updike - Painesville OH
William A. Michaels - Seven Hills OH
Frederick L. Kuonen - Mentor OH

Assignee:

TRW Inc. - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

F01L 132

US Classification:

123 903

Abstract:

A valve rotator rotates a valve in an internal combustion engine about the axis of the stem of the valve. The valve is biased closed by a valve biasing spring. The valve rotator includes a body attached to and rotatable with the valve stem. The body has at least one groove therein extending at least partially around said valve stem. A coil spring element is longitudinally disposed within the groove. A collar receives the valve biasing spring force and encircles the valve stem adjacent the body. A pair of spring washers encircle said valve stem and are interposed between the collar and the coil spring element. One of the spring washers side loads the coils of said coil spring element when the valve is closed. The other of the spring washers acts between the collar and the one spring washer and isolates surges of the valve spring of a predetermined magnitude from the one spring washer and thereby from the coils of the coil spring element.

US Patent:

40759873, Feb 28, 1978

Filed:

Apr 23, 1975

Appl. No.:

5/570749

Inventors:

Max J. Tauschek - South Euclid OH
William A. Michaels - Seven Hills OH

Assignee:

TRW Inc. - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

F01L 132

US Classification:

123 903

Abstract:

An improved valve rotator includes a plurality of biasing springs which are effective to urge associated balls toward the shallow ends of ramps formed between a pair of housing members. The total force applied against the balls by the biasing springs is sufficient to hold the housing members apart against the influence of a valve spring when the valve is in a closed position. Upon movement of the valve toward an open position, the valve spring force increases to a magnitude sufficient to cause the balls to move down the associated ramps against the influence of the biasing springs. As the balls move down the ramps, rotational movement of the balls causes one of the housing members to rotate relative to the other with a resulting rotation of the valve as it opens. As the valve subsequently moves toward the closed position, the valve spring force decreases and the ball biasing springs are effective to move the balls up the ramps to separate the two housing members against the influence of the valve spring. The separating movement between the two housing members is in a direction in which the valve is closed so that the separating movement promotes the closing of the valve.