Methods and systems are provided for a valve spring retainer of a valvetrain assembly. In one example, valve spring retainer may be at least partially hollowed and include inner cavities forming channels within a material of the valve spring retainer. Air inside the inner cavities may be fluidly coupled to air surrounding the valve spring retainer through channels. A mass of the valve spring retainer may be decreased and a cost and speed of fabrication of the valve spring retainer may be reduced by additive manufacturing.

Methods and systems are provided for a valve spring retainer of a valvetrain assembly. In one example, valve spring retainer may be at least partially hollowed and include inner cavities forming channels within a material of the valve spring retainer. Air inside the inner cavities may be fluidly coupled to air surrounding the valve spring retainer through channels. A mass of the valve spring retainer may be decreased and a cost and speed of fabrication of the valve spring retainer may be reduced by additive manufacturing.

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.

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.

A biasing assembly used with a VCT device includes a torsional biasing element that is elongated and configured to engage and receive rotational motion from one of a rotor or stator of the VCT device; a rigid element that is configured to engage the other of the rotor of the stator of the VCT device and be inserted within a cavity of a camshaft with the torsional biasing element; a receiving feature that couples the rigid element to the torsional biasing element and inhibits angular movement of the rotor and the stator away from a default angular position, wherein the torsional biasing element and the rigid element are angularly displaced from a resting position to a pre-loaded position when the torsional biasing element and the rigid element engage the rotor and the stator.

A biasing assembly used with a VCT device includes a torsional biasing element that is elongated and configured to engage and receive rotational motion from one of a rotor or stator of the VCT device; a rigid element that is configured to engage the other of the rotor of the stator of the VCT device and be inserted within a cavity of a camshaft with the torsional biasing element; a receiving feature that couples the rigid element to the torsional biasing element and inhibits angular movement of the rotor and the stator away from a default angular position, wherein the torsional biasing element and the rigid element are angularly displaced from a resting position to a pre-loaded position when the torsional biasing element and the rigid element engage the rotor and the stator.

A valve bridge system comprises a valve bridge configured to extend between at least two engine valves of an internal combustion engine. In one embodiment, a valve bridge guide is operatively connected to the valve bridge and configured to extend between at least two valve springs respectively corresponding to the at least two engine valves, the valve bridge guide defining a surface conforming to a valve spring of the at least two valve springs. In another embodiment, the valve bridge guide may comprise at least a first member maintained in a first fixed position relative to and at a predetermined distance from the valve bridge. In both embodiments, the valve bridge guide is configured to avoid contact with the valve bridge in a controlled state, but to permit contact with valve bridge to resist uncontrolled movement of the valve bridge.

A valve bridge system comprises a valve bridge configured to extend between at least two engine valves of an internal combustion engine. In one embodiment, a valve bridge guide is operatively connected to the valve bridge and configured to extend between at least two valve springs respectively corresponding to the at least two engine valves, the valve bridge guide defining a surface conforming to a valve spring of the at least two valve springs. In another embodiment, the valve bridge guide may comprise at least a first member maintained in a first fixed position relative to and at a predetermined distance from the valve bridge. In both embodiments, the valve bridge guide is configured to avoid contact with the valve bridge in a controlled state, but to permit contact with valve bridge to resist uncontrolled movement of the valve bridge.

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.

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.