A valvetrain for an internal combustion engine includes a camshaft, an electromagnetic latch assembly, a rocker shaft, and a rocker arm assembly. The rocker arm assembly may include a cam follower configured to engage a cam mounted on the camshaft as the camshaft rotates and a rocker arm configured to rotate on the rocker shaft. The electromagnetic latch assembly may include a pin translatable between a first position and a second position and an electromagnet that causes the pin to actuate. The movement of the pin may provide mode switching for a switching rocker arm, a cylinder deactivating rocker arm, or an engine brake rocker arm. The electromagnet is powered by a circuit that passes through the rocker shaft. The electromagnet may be mounted to the rocker shaft. Running the circuit through the rocker shaft allows the electromagnet to be powered with wiring that remains stationary.

A valvetrain for an internal combustion engine includes a camshaft, an electromagnetic latch assembly, a rocker shaft, and a rocker arm assembly. The rocker arm assembly may include a cam follower configured to engage a cam mounted on the camshaft as the camshaft rotates and a rocker arm configured to rotate on the rocker shaft. The electromagnetic latch assembly may include a pin translatable between a first position and a second position and an electromagnet that causes the pin to actuate. The movement of the pin may provide mode switching for a switching rocker arm, a cylinder deactivating rocker arm, or an engine brake rocker arm. The electromagnet is powered by a circuit that passes through the rocker shaft. The electromagnet may be mounted to the rocker shaft. Running the circuit through the rocker shaft allows the electromagnet to be powered with wiring that remains stationary.

The object of this invention is to simplify the timing system of all types of internal combustion engine. The system eliminates existing conventional timing trains. The hydraulic, mechanical or electrical/electronic direct timing systems that form the subject of the invention offer minimal resistance and minimal transmission. The piston strokes are given directly by the crankshaft by means of a system fixed thereto which via a mechanical or hydraulic or electrical or electronic system transmits the strokes to the cylinder valves. The system can be connected to all types of indirect transmission and has adjusting systems that allow it to be adapted to suit all types of internal combustion engine.

A valvetrain includes a rocker arm assembly having an electromagnetic latch housed in a chamber formed by a rocker arm. The chamber may be a retrofit hydraulic chamber. A flux shifting bi-stable latch provides a sufficiently compact design. Isolation of the magnetic elements within the rocker arm chamber may provide protection from metal particles carried by oil in an operating environment for the rocker arm assembly. Wiring connections to the rocker arms may be made through spring posts on the rocker arms. Connection to the rocker arms may be made with springs that can endure the rapid motion induced by the rocker arms. A wiring harness for the rocker arms may attach to hydraulic lash adjusters of the rocker arm assemblies. The rocker arm assemblies and their wiring may be formed into a unitary module that facilitates installation.

A valvetrain includes a camshaft (501), a pivot (303), a rocker arm assembly (203) mounted on the pivot (303), a latch assembly (122), a power transfer module (100) a rocker arm (401), a cam follower (301) configured to engage a cam, and two contacts pin (403) protruding to opposite sides of the rocker arm (401). The electromagnetic latch assembly (122) includes a latch pin (405) and an electromagnet (119) that is powered through at least one of the contact pins (403). The power transfer module (100) includes a framework (101) that supports two contact pad each contacting a respective one of the contact pins. The framework (101) has a base that abuts the pivot (303). The contact pads extend upward from the base and terminates at a height that is below a height of the rocker arm assembly (203) above the pivot (303).

A valvetrain includes a camshaft (501), a pivot (303), a rocker arm assembly (203) mounted on the pivot (303), a latch assembly (122), a power transfer module (100) a rocker arm (401), a cam follower (301) configured to engage a cam, and two contacts pin (403) protruding to opposite sides of the rocker arm (401). The electromagnetic latch assembly (122) includes a latch pin (405) and an electromagnet (119) that is powered through at least one of the contact pins (403). The power transfer module (100) includes a framework (101) that supports two contact pad each contacting a respective one of the contact pins. The framework (101) has a base that abuts the pivot (303). The contact pads extend upward from the base and terminates at a height that is below a height of the rocker arm assembly (203) above the pivot (303).

An actuator control system suitable for providing single wire control of electromagnetic latch assemblies providing for cylinder deactivation or variable valve actuation in a valvetrain system. The system is adapted to control electromagnetic latch assemblies that require DC current in a first direction for latching and DC current in a reverse of the first direction for unlatching. The actuator control system includes an inverting DC/DC converter and switching elements. In some embodiments, the inverting DC/DC converter uses capacitors to store energy that drives the inverted current. In some embodiments, the inverting DC/DC converter serves a plurality of distinct groups of the electromagnets.

An actuator control system suitable for providing single wire control of electromagnetic latch assemblies providing for cylinder deactivation or variable valve actuation in a valvetrain system. The system is adapted to control electromagnetic latch assemblies that require DC current in a first direction for latching and DC current in a reverse of the first direction for unlatching. The actuator control system includes an inverting DC/DC converter and switching elements. In some embodiments, the inverting DC/DC converter uses capacitors to store energy that drives the inverted current. In some embodiments, the inverting DC/DC converter serves a plurality of distinct groups of the electromagnets.

An actuator control system suitable for providing single wire control of electromagnetic latch assemblies providing for cylinder deactivation or variable valve actuation in a valvetrain system. The system is adapted to control electromagnetic latch assemblies that require DC current in a first direction for latching and DC current in a reverse of the first direction for unlatching. The actuator control system includes an inverting DC/DC converter and switching elements. In some embodiments, the inverting DC/DC converter uses capacitors to store energy that drives the inverted current. In some embodiments, the inverting DC/DC converter serves a plurality of distinct groups of the electromagnets.

An actuator control system suitable for providing single wire control of electromagnetic latch assemblies providing for cylinder deactivation or variable valve actuation in a valvetrain system. The system is adapted to control electromagnetic latch assemblies that require DC current in a first direction for latching and DC current in a reverse of the first direction for unlatching. The actuator control system includes an inverting DC/DC converter and switching elements. In some embodiments, the inverting DC/DC converter uses capacitors to store energy that drives the inverted current. In some embodiments, the inverting DC/DC converter serves a plurality of distinct groups of the electromagnets.