A method for retracting a partially extended pin of a sliding camshaft actuator having first and second pins being selectively actuatable by adjacent first and second magnetic field generating coils includes determining if the first or the second pin is partially extended after engine ignition. A partially extended first pin is retracted with flux linkage created by the second magnetic field generating coil being coupled unto the first magnetic field generating coil, and a partially extended second pin is retracted with flux linkage created by the first magnetic field generating coil being coupled unto the second magnetic field generating coil.

A switchable rocker arm is provided having first and second arms. The first arm has a first outer end and a first inner end and the second arm has a second outer end a second inner end, with the first and second outer ends contacting a respective one of a cam or a valve. One of the first and second inner ends includes an opening with a ring gear and the other includes at least one support for a planet gear that engages the ring gear. A sun gear is located on a rocker shaft and engages the planet gear. A locking mechanism is switchable from a locked position, in which the sun gear is rotationally fixed to the rocker shaft to transfer a cam lift to the valve via the gear ratio provided in the sun, planet, and ring gear arrangement, and a release position, in which the sun gear is rotatable on the rocker shaft so no cam lift is transferred.

An oil supply control device includes: a memory which stores first master data constituted by predetermined control value; a hydraulic controller which outputs the control value to an adjusting device to cause a hydraulic pressure to coincide with a target hydraulic pressure; and a determination portion which determines whether or not a first difference between an output control value and the control value of the first master data lies within a predetermined allowable range, wherein the hydraulic controller starts to control the adjusting device with use of the control value of the first master data, when the first difference lies within the allowable range, and starts to control the adjusting device with use of the control value of second master data, when the first difference does not lie within the allowable range, the control value of the second master data causing the first difference to lie within the allowable range.

A method of operating a cam shaft phaser including a stator including a radially inwardly extending protrusion, a rotor including a radially outwardly extending protrusion and a slot in the radially outwardly extending protrusion, a cover non-rotatably connected to the stator, a chamber circumferentially bounded by the radially inwardly extending protrusion and the radially outwardly extending protrusion, a pin disposed in the slot, and a first channel connecting the chamber with the slot. The method comprises: blocking, with the locking pin, rotation of the rotor with respect to the stator; applying pulse width modulation voltage to a control valve as a non-rectangular wave form; flowing fluid from the control valve to the chamber; flowing the fluid through the first channel to the slot; axially displacing the locking pin with the fluid; disengaging the locking pin from the cover; and rotating the rotor with respect to the stator.

A variable valve actuation mechanism is provided for an internal combustion engine including at least one valve for control of gas admission to a cylinder of the engine and/or gas exhaust from the cylinder. The mechanism includes two concentrically arranged camshafts, a cam set comprising two cams, each fixed to a respective of the camshafts, whereby the camshafts are arranged to be turned in relation to each other, so as to change the combined profile of the cams, and a cam follower adapted to follow the combined profile of the cams and to actuate at least one of the at least one valve in dependence on the combined profile of the cams, wherein the cam follower includes two rollers, each roller being adapted to follow a respective one of the cams.

A method for predicting a future camshaft position includes approximating a regulating circuit or a part of a regulating circuit that includes at least an adjusting device by a transfer function, and ascertaining a future camshaft position on the basis of the transfer function. An engine control unit is also provided.

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.

There is provided an internal combustion engine, provided with a crankshaft and one or several cylinders provided on the wall thereof with exhaust ports and closed at the top by a cylinder head provided with intake ports; each cylinder accommodating an engine piston connected to the crankshaft and a coaxial auxiliary piston opposite the engine piston, defining an intake chamber and a combustion chamber; said auxiliary piston axially determining on the side of the combustion chamber a housing that communicates with the intake chamber via transfer ports, the housing of which includes a secondary piston which opens and closes the transfer ports in a back-and-forth movement between a rear position and a forward position.

A composite structure includes: a cover plate having a countersunk hole and a plate side fitting hole; a bearing plate having a screw hole and a screw side fitting hole located opposite from the plate side fitting hole through the screw hole; and a plate screw component including a screw part engaged with the screw hole, and a plate side fitting part and a screw side fitting part respectively fitted with the plate side fitting hole and the screw side fitting hole to be in alignment with each other. A difference a in diameter between the plate side fitting hole and the plate side fitting part, a difference b in diameter between the screw side fitting hole and the screw side fitting part, and an effective difference c in diameter between the screw hole and the screw part satisfy a dimensional relation of a<c and b<c.

An acting force transmission device for use with a valve mechanism of an engine includes an acting force transmission member that transmits an acting force to a valve to open/close the valve. A support shaft is provided in the acting force transmission member. An annular roller is directly mounted on an outer periphery of the support shaft. The roller is adapted to rotate when subjected to a cam force exerted by a cam and is adapted to transmit the cam force to the acting force transmission member as the acting force. A ratio d/D of an inner diameter d to an outer diameter D of the annular roller is not less than 0.7.