An endless band drive system having a variable center distance between the drive pulley and the driven pulley also has a rotatable control shaft and an endless band guide, where the guide is positioned by the rotatable control shaft for maintaining a slackless endless band with change of pulley center distance. Rotation of the control shaft pivots the endless band guide thereby maintaining a slackless endless band with change of the pulley center distance. Preferably, the rotatable control shaft also provides means for adjusting the center distance between the drive pulley and the driven pulley. The present invention provides a slackless endless band system for a variable compression ratio engine having a variable center distance between the drive pulley mounted on the crankshaft and the driven pulley mounted on the camshaft. The system provides slackless operation of the endless band at two or more compression ratio values.

An endless band drive system having a variable center distance between the drive pulley and the driven pulley also has a rotatable control shaft and an endless band guide, where the guide is positioned by the rotatable control shaft for maintaining a slackless endless band with change of pulley center distance. Rotation of the control shaft pivots the endless band guide thereby maintaining a slackless endless band with change of the pulley center distance. Preferably, the rotatable control shaft also provides means for adjusting the center distance between the drive pulley and the driven pulley. The present invention provides a slackless endless band system for a variable compression ratio engine having a variable center distance between the drive pulley mounted on the crankshaft and the driven pulley mounted on the camshaft. The system provides slackless operation of the endless band at two or more compression ratio values.

An engine variable camshaft timing phaser (10) includes a sprocket (12) and a planetary gear assembly (14). The sprocket (12) receives rotational drive input from an engine crankshaft. The planetary gear assembly (14) includes two or more ring gears (26, 28), multiple planet gears (24), a sun gear (22), and a wrap spring (76). One of the ring gears (26, 28) receives rotational drive input from the sprocket (12) and one of the ring gears (26, 28) transmits rotational drive output to an engine camshaft. The sun gear (22) engages with the planet gears (24). The wrap spring (76) experiences expansion and contraction exertions to permit advancing and retarding engine valve opening and closing, and to prevent advancing and retarding engine valve opening and closing.

An engine variable camshaft timing phaser (10) includes a sprocket (12) and a planetary gear assembly (14). The sprocket (12) receives rotational drive input from an engine crankshaft. The planetary gear assembly (14) includes two or more ring gears (26, 28), multiple planet gears (24), a sun gear (22), and a wrap spring (76). One of the ring gears (26, 28) receives rotational drive input from the sprocket (12) and one of the ring gears (26, 28) transmits rotational drive output to an engine camshaft. The sun gear (22) engages with the planet gears (24). The wrap spring (76) experiences expansion and contraction exertions to permit advancing and retarding engine valve opening and closing, and to prevent advancing and retarding engine valve opening and closing.

A product for applying tension is disclosed. A block may have a first passage opening into the block. A body may have a first manifold and may be positioned against the block so that the first passage is open to the first manifold. The body may have a flow path for providing fluid from the first manifold to a second manifold and there through to a pressure chamber. The flow path may include a series of channels and may be configured to allow substantially unimpeded flow from the first manifold to the second manifold, and to impede flow from the second manifold to the first manifold. The flow path may be free of movable components.

A product for applying tension is disclosed. A block may have a first passage opening into the block. A body may have a first manifold and may be positioned against the block so that the first passage is open to the first manifold. The body may have a flow path for providing fluid from the first manifold to a second manifold and there through to a pressure chamber. The flow path may include a series of channels and may be configured to allow substantially unimpeded flow from the first manifold to the second manifold, and to impede flow from the second manifold to the first manifold. The flow path may be free of movable components.

A camshaft adjuster (1) for driving and/or adjusting a camshaft (2) of an internal combustion engine, including a stator (3) and a concentric rotor (6) which is arranged within the stator in a rotatable manner. At least the stator (3) has a central receiving area (31) for receiving the camshaft (2), and at least one projection (13) which protrudes radially inwards is provided on a radial inner edge (12) of the central receiving area (31) in order to engage behind a camshaft (2) connecting piece (20) which protrudes radially outwards. A camshaft adjuster/camshaft combination (26) including such a camshaft adjuster (1) and a camshaft (2) which has a connecting piece (20) that projects radially. The projection (13) preferably engages behind the connecting piece (20). A method for assembling the camshaft adjuster/camshaft combination (26) is also provided.

A camshaft adjuster (1) for driving and/or adjusting a camshaft (2) of an internal combustion engine, including a stator (3) and a concentric rotor (6) which is arranged within the stator in a rotatable manner. At least the stator (3) has a central receiving area (31) for receiving the camshaft (2), and at least one projection (13) which protrudes radially inwards is provided on a radial inner edge (12) of the central receiving area (31) in order to engage behind a camshaft (2) connecting piece (20) which protrudes radially outwards. A camshaft adjuster/camshaft combination (26) including such a camshaft adjuster (1) and a camshaft (2) which has a connecting piece (20) that projects radially. The projection (13) preferably engages behind the connecting piece (20). A method for assembling the camshaft adjuster/camshaft combination (26) is also provided.

This invention describes a variable valve timing mechanism which may be fitted to an internal combustion engine to provide precise control over timing of the valve opening and closing events of the camshaft relative to the crankshaft. Various methods for its application are described to provide settable valve timing at either predetermined angle selected by the operator, or automatic variable valve timing as governed by parameters of the operating engine. Said mechanism comprised of oppositely located idler rollers, whereas not bound to a single yoke or carrier, are driven by a cam to achieve independent movement of the rollers, which bear against both tension and slack sides of the belt between the crankshaft and camshaft pulleys causing predictable and repeatable variation in valve timing. Thus, this invention, whereby coordinated but non-uniform movements of the idler rollers is achieved by the mechanical appurtenances described herein, including a specially developed cardioid cam to actuate said idler rollers, produces precise changes in camshaft phase angle.

This invention describes a variable valve timing mechanism which may be fitted to an internal combustion engine to provide precise control over timing of the valve opening and closing events of the camshaft relative to the crankshaft. Various methods for its application are described to provide settable valve timing at either predetermined angle selected by the operator, or automatic variable valve timing as governed by parameters of the operating engine. Said mechanism comprised of oppositely located idler rollers, whereas not bound to a single yoke or carrier, are driven by a cam to achieve independent movement of the rollers, which bear against both tension and slack sides of the belt between the crankshaft and camshaft pulleys causing predictable and repeatable variation in valve timing. Thus, this invention, whereby coordinated but non-uniform movements of the idler rollers is achieved by the mechanical appurtenances described herein, including a specially developed cardioid cam to actuate said idler rollers, produces precise changes in camshaft phase angle.