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 variable valve train module selectively controls the opening and closing of a valve of an engine. The variable valve train module includes a drive element configured to be driven by a cam which rotates on a camshaft, a pump which is driven by the drive element, and a hydraulic control unit. The hydraulic control unit is configured to control the engine valve. The hydraulic control unit has a high pressure chamber containing hydraulic fluid which is selectively pressurized by the pump. The hydraulic control unit also has a control valve which is configured to depressurize the high pressure chamber, and a damper which is configured to increase an effective volume of the high pressure chamber when a pressure in the high pressure chamber exceeds a threshold value.

An internal combustion engine includes a cam-actuated rocker arm assembly with a solenoid-actuated latch that provides for cylinder deactivation or variable valve actuation. The solenoid is in a position where its inductance varies significantly in relation to the position of a latch pin as it translates between latching and non-latching configurations. A sensor is positioned to monitor a current or a voltage in a circuit that includes the solenoid. The sensor data is analyzed to provide diagnostic information relating to the operation of the rocker arm assembly.

An attachment structure for a vehicle motor is applied for the purpose of attaching a vehicle motor to in-vehicle equipment. The attachment structure for a vehicle motor is provided with an axial gap motor that includes a rotor and a stator facing each other in the axial direction. The motor is attached to the in-vehicle equipment in a mode in which the axial direction is perpendicular to the vertical direction.

A variable cam phaser system including a variable cam phaser and a vibration damper fixed to the variable cam phaser is disclosed. A method for damping vibration for a variable cam phaser is also disclosed. The method includes providing a variable cam phaser, providing a vibration damper, and fixing the vibration damper to the variable cam phaser.

A motor drive device for valve timing control of an internal combustion engine includes: a motor drive unit that controls a phase of a camshaft to drive a motor for controlling opening and closing operation of a valve; and a determination unit that determines whether a timing is to start up the motor or to normally drive the motor. The motor drive unit drives the motor with an advance angle when it is determined that the timing is to normally drive the motor by the determination unit, and the motor drive unit normally drives the motor without the advance angle when it is determined that the timing is to start up the motor.

An overhead valve actuation mechanism for an engine includes a camshaft that is rotatably supported by the cylinder head and includes one or a plurality of valve cams. The camshaft operates opening and closing of an intake valve and an exhaust valve via the valve cam. The only one camshaft is disposed within the one cylinder head. The camshaft has an axis center biased to a side of the exhaust valve with respect to a cylinder axis line as viewed from an axial direction of the camshaft.

A camshaft housing includes two longitudinal frame bars and lateral frame bars. The longitudinal frame bars extend in the axial direction of a camshaft. The lateral frame bars extend between the longitudinal frame bars. A bearing portion is arranged in each of the lateral frame bars to rotationally support the camshaft. Each lateral frame bar has a bolt hole to receive a bolt that is inserted through the bolt hole to fix the camshaft housing to a cylinder head body. The bolt hole extends through the lateral frame bar and is arranged on the outer side of the bearing portion in the longitudinal direction of the lateral frame bar. Each longitudinal frame bar has a vibration reducing portion. The cross-sectional area of the longitudinal frame bar gradually changes in the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal frame bar.

A spring holder supporting a torsion spring applying an urging force in a valve opening/closing timing control apparatus is configured to be able to be attached to an appropriate position relative to a driven side rotary body and rotatable in unison. The spring holder includes a seat portion that is connected and fixed to the driven side rotary body, a guide portion that extends along a rotational axis, an alignment portion fitted into an engaging portion of the driven side rotary body and a restricted portion fitted into a restricting portion of the driven side rotary body. A support portion holding an end of the torsion spring is formed in the guide portion.

A combined-cycle combustion control type three-cylinder engine includes: a cylinder block; and cylinders arranged in a row in the cylinder block and consisting of first, second, and third cylinders so that four-cycle combustion is performed in two of the first, second, and third cylinders and two-cycle combustion is performed in the remaining cylinder. A crankshaft is provided in first, second, and third pistons and converting reciprocating motions of the respective first, second, and third cylinders into rotational motions. A camshaft receives a rotational force from the crankshaft to control intake and exhaust timings for each of the first, second, and third cylinders.