If an engine coolant temperature is equal to or lower than a first low-temperature determination value and a battery temperature is equal to or lower than a second low-temperature determination value when a request to start up an engine is made, the advancement driving of a variable valve operating mechanism is first started. Then, when an advancement amount of the variable valve operating mechanism later becomes equal to or larger than a prescribed startup start determination value, is started.

If an engine coolant temperature is equal to or lower than a first low-temperature determination value and a battery temperature is equal to or lower than a second low-temperature determination value when a request to start up an engine is made, the advancement driving of a variable valve operating mechanism is first started. Then, when an advancement amount of the variable valve operating mechanism later becomes equal to or larger than a prescribed startup start determination value, is started.

A fully variable electro-hydraulic valve system having a buffering function, comprising: a camshaft (101), a valve assembly (106), a sliding sleeve (103), a spiral shaft (102), a piston (105), and a position restoring spring (104); the sliding sleeve (103) is fixed relative to an engine; the piston (105) abuts against the valve assembly (106); the spiral shaft (102) is controlled by a cam surface of the camshaft (101) in the axial direction; a spiral surface (102E) is provided at a first end of the spiral shaft (102), and a control gear (102A) is provided at a second end thereof; the sliding sleeve (103) is provided with a buffering oil hole (123) that communicates with a buffering cavity (R), and the buffering oil hole (123) communicates with a low-pressure oil circuit of the engine by means of a throttling device (124). When a valve is going to be seated, the piston (105) firstly collides with a buffering ring (121); due to the effect of the throttling device (124), engine oil within the buffering cavity (R) has a damping effect on the movement of the buffering ring (121), such that the valve is slowly seated, thus reducing the impact damage caused to the valve and a sealing surface of a valve seat, thereby effectively prolonging the service life of a valve system.

A fully variable electro-hydraulic valve system having a buffering function, comprising: a camshaft (101), a valve assembly (106), a sliding sleeve (103), a spiral shaft (102), a piston (105), and a position restoring spring (104); the sliding sleeve (103) is fixed relative to an engine; the piston (105) abuts against the valve assembly (106); the spiral shaft (102) is controlled by a cam surface of the camshaft (101) in the axial direction; a spiral surface (102E) is provided at a first end of the spiral shaft (102), and a control gear (102A) is provided at a second end thereof; the sliding sleeve (103) is provided with a buffering oil hole (123) that communicates with a buffering cavity (R), and the buffering oil hole (123) communicates with a low-pressure oil circuit of the engine by means of a throttling device (124). When a valve is going to be seated, the piston (105) firstly collides with a buffering ring (121); due to the effect of the throttling device (124), engine oil within the buffering cavity (R) has a damping effect on the movement of the buffering ring (121), such that the valve is slowly seated, thus reducing the impact damage caused to the valve and a sealing surface of a valve seat, thereby effectively prolonging the service life of a valve system.

An exhaust valve rocker arm assembly operable in a combustion engine mode and an engine decompression mode, the exhaust valve rocker arm assembly selectively opening first and second exhaust valves and including a rocker shaft, exhaust valve rocker arm assembly and a ball engine decompression mechanism. The exhaust valve rocker arm assembly has an exhaust rocker arm that receives the rocker shaft and is configured to rotate around the rocker shaft. The ball engine decompression mechanism is configured on the exhaust rocker arm and selectively actuates a valve plunger causing an exhaust valve to perform engine decompression. The ball engine decompression mechanism includes a capsule assembly having a capsule, a biasing member and a ball. The capsule has a cylindrical body that extends between a first end having an actuation face and a second end having a spring return face.

An exhaust valve rocker arm assembly operable in a combustion engine mode and an engine decompression mode, the exhaust valve rocker arm assembly selectively opening first and second exhaust valves and including a rocker shaft, exhaust valve rocker arm assembly and a ball engine decompression mechanism. The exhaust valve rocker arm assembly has an exhaust rocker arm that receives the rocker shaft and is configured to rotate around the rocker shaft. The ball engine decompression mechanism is configured on the exhaust rocker arm and selectively actuates a valve plunger causing an exhaust valve to perform engine decompression. The ball engine decompression mechanism includes a capsule assembly having a capsule, a biasing member and a ball. The capsule has a cylindrical body that extends between a first end having an actuation face and a second end having a spring return face.

An apparatus is provided to test valves. The apparatus includes a sensor and a driving mechanism. The driving mechanism is configured to control an external camshaft that is coupled to a valve train of an engine head. The apparatus controls the driving mechanism to control a rotation of the external camshaft that further controls an activation of each valve of the valve train associated with the engine head. The apparatus further controls the sensor to acquire information associated with the activation of each valve of the valve train based on the rotation of the external camshaft. The apparatus further compares the acquired information with pre-stored information, to determine an abnormality in each valve of the valve train, and generates a notification based on the comparison.

An apparatus is provided to test valves. The apparatus includes a sensor and a driving mechanism. The driving mechanism is configured to control an external camshaft that is coupled to a valve train of an engine head. The apparatus controls the driving mechanism to control a rotation of the external camshaft that further controls an activation of each valve of the valve train associated with the engine head. The apparatus further controls the sensor to acquire information associated with the activation of each valve of the valve train based on the rotation of the external camshaft. The apparatus further compares the acquired information with pre-stored information, to determine an abnormality in each valve of the valve train, and generates a notification based on the comparison.

An electrically-actuated variable camshaft timing (VCT) device, comprising: an input configured to receive rotational force from an electric motor; an output configured to couple with a camshaft of an internal combustion engine; a planet gear having radially outwardly extending gear teeth configured to engage ring gears and a radially-inwardly-facing surface; a planet pin, supporting the planet gear, having an outer surface and an axis of rotation about which the planet gear rotates; and a spring applying force in a substantially axial direction along the axis of rotation that moves the planet gear in a radial direction.

An electrically-actuated variable camshaft timing (VCT) device, comprising: an input configured to receive rotational force from an electric motor; an output configured to couple with a camshaft of an internal combustion engine; a planet gear having radially outwardly extending gear teeth configured to engage ring gears and a radially-inwardly-facing surface; a planet pin, supporting the planet gear, having an outer surface and an axis of rotation about which the planet gear rotates; and a spring applying force in a substantially axial direction along the axis of rotation that moves the planet gear in a radial direction.