Valve assembly for controlling a camshaft timing apparatus

Abstract

A valve assembly for controlling an apparatus for camshaft timing adjustment being driven by a hydraulic pump, having a valve body with a first control port, a second control port, a high pressure port and a low pressure port, the valve assembly having a first state for enabling a flow of a hydraulic fluid from the high pressure port to the first control port and from the second control port to the low pressure port, respectively, and a second state for enabling a flow of the hydraulic fluid from the high pressure port to the second control port and from the first control port to the low pressure port, respectively. The valve body has central actuating through-hole extending axially through the valve body defining an axial direction.

Claims

1. A valve assembly for controlling an apparatus for camshaft timing adjustment being driven by a hydraulic pump, the valve assembly comprising: a valve body with a first control port, a second control port, a high pressure port and a low pressure port; a first state for enabling a flow of a hydraulic fluid from the high pressure port to the first control port and from the second control port to the low pressure port, respectively, a second state for enabling a flow of the hydraulic fluid from the high pressure port to the second control port and from the first control port to the low pressure port, respectively; a central actuating through-hole formed in the valve body extending axially through the valve body defining an axial direction, and the valve body having a first end surface and a second end surface, the second end surface being provided on an opposite end of the valve body as the first end surface in the axial direction, wherein the first control port is arranged at the first end surface and the second control port is arranged at the second end surface and the first and second control ports are connected to each other by the central actuating through-hole; and a valve actuator having a pin-like valve needle with an actuating section arranged central and axially displaceable in the central actuating through-hole of the valve body, the valve actuator being in a first axial position in the first state of the valve assembly and in a different second axial position in the second state of the valve assembly.

2. The valve assembly according to claim 1, wherein the valve body comprises a high pressure channel extending from the high pressure port for fluidly connecting the high pressure port towards the hydraulic pump and a low pressure channel extending from the low pressure port for fluidly connecting the low pressure port towards the hydraulic pump.

3. The valve assembly according to claim 2, wherein the high pressure port is configured as a first internal valve chamber of the valve body and the low pressure port is configured as a second internal valve chamber of the valve body, and wherein the first and second internal valve chambers are juxtaposed in the axial direction.

4. The valve assembly according to claim 3, wherein the first internal valve chamber has at least one elongate section extending radially, wherein the high pressure channel opens into an end region of the elongate section of the first internal valve chamber and/or the second internal valve chamber has at least one elongate section extending radially, and wherein the low pressure channel opens into an end region of the elongate section of the second internal valve chamber.

5. The valve assembly according to claim 4, wherein the first internal valve chamber has a plurality of elongate sections of the at least one elongate section each associated with the high pressure channel and the second internal valve chamber has a plurality of elongate sections of the at least one elongate section each associated with the low pressure channel.

6. The valve assembly according to claim 5, wherein the first internal valve chamber has exactly two elongate sections of the at least one elongate section being arranged collinear and the high pressure channel opens into radially opposite end regions of the two elongate sections and/or the second internal valve chamber has exactly two elongate sections of the at least one elongate section being arranged collinear and the low pressure channel opens into radially opposite end regions of the two elongate sections.

7. The valve assembly according to claim 6, wherein the two elongate sections of the first internal valve chamber and the two elongate sections of the second internal valve chamber extend parallel, wherein particularly the high pressure channel and the low pressure channel open from opposite sides into the two elongate sections of the associated internal first and second internal valve chambers, respectively.

8. The valve assembly according to claim 4, wherein the valve assembly further comprises a second high pressure port and a second low pressure port, wherein the first and second internal valve chambers are arranged in a first pair and a second pair each comprising the first internal valve chamber and the second internal valve chamber being separated by a separation wall, wherein the first and second pairs are juxtaposed in the axial direction, and wherein an axial sequence of the first and second internal valve chambers is different between the first and second pairs.

9. The valve assembly according to claim 8, wherein the valve body comprises a first annular channel surrounding the first pair and a second annular channel surrounding the second pair of the first and second internal valve chambers, each having two axial channel sections, and two radial channel sections connecting corresponding axial ends of the two axial channel sections, wherein each of the two axial channel sections is configured as a groove extending in a corresponding axial surface of the valve body, the grooves being the first and second control ports, respectively.

10. The valve assembly according to claim 9, wherein the central actuating through-hole is fluidly connected with the first internal valve chambers, the second internal valve chambers and the radial channel sections of the first and second annular channels.

11. The valve assembly according to claim 10, wherein the actuating section comprises a plurality of annular protrusions being juxtaposed in the axial direction and defining axial clearances between each of the plurality of annular protrusions, the plurality of annular protrusions being arranged and configured to selectively and exclusively open, in the first axial position of the valve actuator, fluid connections between the first internal valve chamber of the first pair and the first annular channel as well as the second internal valve chamber of the second pair and the second annular channel, respectively, and in the second axial position of the valve actuator, fluid connections between the first internal valve chamber of the second pair and the second annular channel as well as the second internal valve chamber of the first pair and the first annular channel, respectively.

12. The valve assembly according to claim 11, wherein the valve assembly has a third state for enabling a flow of the hydraulic fluid from the first internal valve chambers to the second internal valve chambers and fluidly separating the first control port and the second control port from the first and second internal valve chambers, wherein, in the third state of the valve assembly, the valve actuator is in a third axial position different from the first and second positions opening a connection between the first internal valve chambers and the second internal valve chambers while closing the first and second annular channels.

13. A hydraulic pump comprising the valve assembly according to claim 9, wherein the valve assembly is arranged within the hydraulic pump.

14. The hydraulic pump according to claim 13, wherein the hydraulic pump comprises: a stator; a rotor defining a common rotational axis extending in the axial direction; at least one low pressure pump chamber; and at least one high pressure pump chamber, wherein a high pressure channel opens into each of the at least one high pressure pump chamber and a low pressure channel opens into each of the at least one low pressure pump chamber.

15. The hydraulic pump according to claim 14, wherein the hydraulic pump comprises pumps for pumping the hydraulic fluid from the at least one low pressure pump chamber to the at least one high pressure pump chamber, wherein the pumps are supported by the stator or the rotor and configured for pumping the hydraulic fluid from the at least one low pressure pump chamber to the at least one high pressure pump chamber due to a rotation of the rotor relative to the stator about the common rotational axis.

16. The hydraulic pump according to claim 15, wherein the stator comprises an internal gear and the rotor comprises a rotor body disposed within the internal gear, the rotor body integrally comprising the valve body and being supported rotationally about the common rotational axis such that teeth of the internal gear and peripheral surface sections of the rotor body abut to form a radial bearing.

17. The hydraulic pump according to claim 16, wherein each of the pumps is a gear wheel being supported by the rotor body and/or engaged with the internal gear and having a rotational axis parallel to the common rotational axis.

18. The hydraulic pump according to claim 16, wherein the rotor body comprises two separating arms and two pumping arms extending in a radial direction and alternating in a circumferential direction and separating from each other two high pressure pump chambers and two low pressure pump chambers alternating in a circumferential direction, the two pumping arms each supporting a bearing pin rotationally supporting one of the pumps and defining a fluid passage between one of the two high pressure pump chambers and an adjacent one of the two low pressure pump chambers, wherein the two separating arms integrally comprise the valve body, wherein the elongate sections of the first and second internal valve chambers are arranged in the two separating arms, and wherein the two axial channel sections of the first and second annular channels are disposed spaced apart in the two separating arms.

19. An apparatus for camshaft timing adjustment, comprising: a drive disc and a hub rotationally supported relative to each other, the hub being arranged within the drive disc; at least one vane being accommodated in an adjusting chamber defined by the drive disc and/or the hub and separating the adjusting chamber into a first sub-chamber and a second sub-chamber, the vane being attached to the hub or the drive disc; the hydraulic pump according to claim 15 and arranged within the hub, wherein the first control port is fluidly connected to the first sub-chamber and the second control port is fluidly connected to the second sub-chamber.

20. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the drive disc has a casing accommodating the hub, the casing comprising a casing wall and a casing lid axially closing the casing.

21. The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the drive disc comprises a plurality of separators configured as protrusions extending radially inward from the casing wall and separating a plurality of adjusting chambers from each other in a circumferential direction, and the at least one vane being attached to the hub and extending radially outward from the hub into an associated adjusting chamber of the plurality of adjusting chambers.

22. The apparatus according to claim 21, wherein exactly two vanes of the at least one vane and two adjusting chambers of the plurality of adjusting chambers are provided and disposed on opposite sides of the common rotational axis, respectively.

23. The apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the first sub-chamber and the second sub-chamber of a first one of the two adjusting chambers and the first sub-chamber and the second sub-chamber of a second one of the two adjusting chambers alternate in a circumferential direction.

24. The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the hub defines a central through-hole accommodating the hydraulic pump.

25. The apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the hub comprises a first hub lid and a second hub lid axially closing the central through-hole on opposite sides of the hub, the second hub lid comprising a coupler configured to provide a torque-proof connection with a camshaft, wherein the coupler and/or the camshaft extends through a central camshaft through-hole of the drive disc.

26. The apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the hub comprises two first adjusting channels being configured as grooves in a first axial surface of the hub each extending radially outward from a central through-hole of the first hub lid to the at least one vane and each bending into a first peripheral direction to open into the first sub-chamber, and two second adjusting channels being configured as grooves in a second axial surface of the hub each extending radially outward from a central through-hole of the second hub lid to the at least one vane and each bending into a second peripheral direction to open into the second sub-chamber, and wherein the two first and second adjusting channels have straight sections formed in the first and second hub lids.

27. The apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the stator of the hydraulic pump is integral with and/or torque-proof connected to the hub and/or the pumps are supported by the rotor.

28. The apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the valve actuator has an operating section extending through the central through-hole of the first hub lid, and a head at an outer free end of the valve actuator.

29. The apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the apparatus comprises a torque transmission extending through a central torque transmitting trough-hole of a casing lid and being torque-proof connected to the rotor for establishing a relative rotation between the rotor and the stator.

30. The apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the torque transmission defines a central operating through-hole extending axially which is penetrated by the operating section of the valve actuator.

31. The apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the torque transmission extends through the central torque transmitting through-hole of the casing lid and the central through-hole of the first hub lid, wherein the torque transmission has a coupler disposed at an outer end and a connector disposed at an opposite inner end, the connector being configured to establish the torque-proof connection between the torque transmission and the rotor.

32. The apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the connector is configured as at least one pin-like protrusion being disposed eccentrically and extending axially from an inner free end, and wherein the rotor comprises at least one complementary recess formed in an axial surface of the rotor and being engaged by the connector.

33. The apparatus according to claim 32, wherein the connector is configured as a plurality of protrusions of the at least one pin-like protrusion being disposed around the central operating through-hole, and wherein two protrusions of the plurality of protrusions are disposed on opposite sides of the central operating through-hole, and wherein the rotor comprises corresponding recesses of the at least one complementary recess.

34. The apparatus according claim 30, wherein the coupler is configured as a hexagonal head.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus, are not limitive of the present invention, and wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 shows an exploded perspective view of a camshaft timing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

(3) FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the drive disc of the camshaft timing apparatus according to the embodiment shown FIG. 1.

(4) FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the casing lid of the camshaft timing apparatus according to the embodiment shown FIG. 1.

(5) FIG. 4 shows an axial front view of the partially assembled camshaft timing apparatus according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

(6) FIG. 5a shows a schematic axial front view of the partially assembled camshaft timing apparatus according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

(7) FIG. 5b shows the view of FIG. 5a with indications of rotational directions and pressure situation during operation.

(8) FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the hub of the camshaft timing apparatus according to the embodiment shown FIG. 1.

(9) FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a gear wheel of the camshaft timing apparatus according to the embodiment shown FIG. 1.

(10) FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the rotor body of the camshaft timing apparatus according to the embodiment shown FIG. 1.

(11) FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of a bearing pin of the camshaft timing apparatus according to the embodiment shown FIG. 1.

(12) FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of a first hub lid of the camshaft timing apparatus according to the embodiment shown FIG. 1.

(13) FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of second hub lid of the camshaft timing apparatus according to the embodiment shown FIG. 1.

(14) FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of the valve actuator of the camshaft timing apparatus according to the embodiment shown FIG. 1.

(15) FIG. 13 shows a circuit diagram of the valve assembly of the camshaft timing apparatus according to the embodiment shown FIG. 1.

(16) FIG. 14 shows a perspective cross-sectional view of the rotor body shown in FIG. 8 with the valve actuator shown in FIG. 12 in a first position.

(17) FIG. 15 shows a perspective cross-sectional view of the rotor body shown in FIG. 8 with the valve actuator shown in FIG. 12 in a second position.

(18) FIG. 16 shows a perspective cross-sectional view of the rotor body shown in FIG. 8 with the valve actuator shown in FIG. 12 in a third position.

(19) FIG. 17 shows a perspective view of the torque transmission of the camshaft timing apparatus according to the embodiment shown FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(20) FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of the components of an apparatus for camshaft timing adjustment, as well referred to as camshaft timing apparatus 1. The apparatus 1 comprises a drive disc 10 and a hub 50. The drive disc 10 is configured to be connected to a crankshaft of a combustion engine. The hub 50 is configured to be torque-proof coupled to a camshaft of the combustion engine. The drive disc 10 and the hub 50 define a common rotational axis 2 and are rotationally supported relative to each other allowing for a rotating, i.e. for a swivelling movement of the hub 50 relative to the drive disc 10 about the common rotational axis 2. Correspondingly, an angular relation between the crankshaft and the camshaft of the combustion engine can be adjusted by swivelling the hub 50 relative to the drive disc 10.

(21) As can be seen best from FIGS. 2 and 3, the drive disc 10 has a circular base disc 11, a cylindrical casing wall 21 and a circular casing lid 22 which form a casing 20. The base disc 11 has a plurality of teeth 13 forming a peripheral external gear for engaging with a corresponding toothed drive belt or, alternatively, a drive chain and/or a cog wheel, all of which may be used to couple the apparatus 1 to the crankshaft of the combustion engine.

(22) The casing wall 21 is integral with the base disc 11, centered with respect to the common rotational axis 2 and axially protrudes from the base disc 11. The casing lid 22 is secured to the casing wall 21 axially opposite to the base disc 11 and closes the casing 20 axially.

(23) The hub 50 is arranged within the drive disc 10 and accommodated in the casing 20. The drive disc 20 and the hub 50 are rotationally supported relative to each other axially and radially via axial and radial bearings enabling the hub 50 to swivel relative to the drive disc 10. On the one hand, outer axial surface sections of the hub 50 abut on corresponding inner axial surface sections both of the base disc 11 and the casing lid 22 forming axial bearings, respectively. On the other hand, outer peripheral surface sections 58 of the hub 50 abut on inner peripheral surface sections of the casing wall 21 forming a radial bearing.

(24) The apparatus 1 further comprises two adjusting chambers 30 being defined by the drive disc 10 and the hub 50, as can be best seen from FIG. 4. The drive disc 10 comprises a plurality of separator 33 being protrusions being formed by the drive disk 10. The separator 33 extend radially inward from the casing wall 21 and provide a radially extending barrier between the two adjusting chambers 30 and separating the two adjusting chambers 30 from each other in a circumferential direction. The separator 33 have straight side surfaces 34 providing circumferential boundaries of the adjusting chambers 30.

(25) The apparatus 1 further comprises two vanes 57. The vanes 57 are attached to the hub 50 and extend radially outward from the hub 50. The vanes 57 are accommodated in an adjusting chamber 30 each and separate the associated adjusting chambers 30 into a first sub-chamber 31 and a second sub-chamber 32, respectively. The first sub-chambers 31 and the second sub-chambers 32 alternate in a circumferential direction.

(26) Each vane 57 is in touch both with the axial boundaries of the associated adjusting chamber 30 and with one of the radially outer boundary and the radially inner boundary of the associated adjusting chamber 30, to thereby seal the sub-chambers 31, 32 from each other. Thus, each vane 57 limits a free (i.e. uncontrolled) flow of a hydraulic fluid between the first sub-chambers 31 and the second sub-chambers 32 of the associated adjusting chamber 30. Accordingly, by pumping a fluid from the first sub-chamber 31 into the second sub-chamber 32, each vane 57 can be swivelled relative to the associated adjusting chamber 30.

(27) Both adjusting chambers 30 and vanes 57 are disposed on opposite sides of the common rotational axis 2, respectively. The depicted number of vanes 57 and corresponding adjusting chambers 30 is a preferred number, but only an example. Other numbers of vanes 57 and adjusting chambers 30 may be realized as well.

(28) The apparatus 1 further comprises a hydraulic pump 100, which is an internal gear pump shown best in FIGS. 4 and 5a, 5b. The hydraulic pump 100 is accommodated in the hub 50, i.e. arranged in a central cylindrical through-hole 51 defined by the hub 50. The hydraulic pump 100 has two high pressure pump chambers 101 and two low pressure pump chambers 102. The high pressure pump chambers 101 and the low pressure pump chambers 102 alternate in a circumferential direction. Each pump chamber 101, 102 is fluidly connected to each first sub-chamber 31 and each second sub-chamber 32.

(29) The hydraulic pump 100 comprises a stator 104, a rotor 105 and two pump 103 for pumping the hydraulic fluid from the low pressure pump chambers 102 to the high pressure pump chambers 101. The stator 104 comprises an internal gear 106 which is integral with and, thus, torque-proof connected to the hub 50, see FIG. 6. The rotor 105 comprises a rotor body 110 being disposed within the internal gear 106. The rotor body 110 is supported rotationally about the common rotational axis 2 e.g. such that teeth 107 of the internal gear 106 and peripheral surface sections 111 of the rotor body 110 abut to form a radial bearing. The tips of the teeth 107 are configured to provide small peripheral surface sections which are complementary to the peripheral surface sections 111 of the rotor body 110.

(30) The pump 103 are configured for pumping the hydraulic fluid from the low pressure pump chamber 102 to the high pressure pump chamber 101 due to a rotation of the rotor 105 relative to the stator 104. The pump 103 are gear wheels (see FIG. 7) being supported by the rotor body 110. The pump 103 are engaged with the internal gear 106 and have rotational axes 115 essentially parallel to the common rotational axis 2. The pump 103 have a circular cylindrical envelope. This means that the tips of the teeth of the gear wheel define a circular cylindrical surface being centered on the rotational axis of the gear wheels.

(31) When the rotor body 110 rotates relative to the internal gear 106, the pump 103 rotate relative to the rotor body 110 due to their engaging teeth. Thereby, the pump 103 and the rotor body 110 are counter-rotating, i.e. the pump 103 rotate in the counterclockwise direction when the rotor body 110 rotates in the clockwise direction or vice versa.

(32) As can be best seen from FIG. 8, the rotor body 110 may comprise e.g. two separating arms 112 and e.g. two pumping arms 113 extending in a radial direction. The arms 112, 113 alternate in a circumferential direction and separate from each other the high pressure pump chambers 101 and the low pressure pump chambers 102. The two pumping arms 113 each support a bearing pin 114 shown in FIG. 9. The bearing pin rotationally supports a pump 103 and defining a fluid passage between a high pressure pump chamber 101 and an adjacent low pressure pump chamber 102. The pump 103 have at least essentially parallel rotational axes 115. As well the rotational axes 115 of the pump 103 are evenly spaced to the common rotational axis 2.

(33) The hub 50 comprises a first hub lid 52 and a second hub lid 53. The first and second hub lids 52, 53 are shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, respectively. The first and second hub lids 52, 53 are axially and rotationally secured to the hub 50 and axially close the through-hole 51 on opposite sides of the hub 50. The first and second hub lids 52, 53 have multiple functions. On the one hand, they provide inner surface sections for forming an axial bearing with complementary surface sections of the hydraulic pump 100. On the other hand, they axially close the high pressure pump chambers 101 and the low pressure pump chambers 102 of the hydraulic pump 100. Apart from that, the second hub lid allows for the camshaft of the combustion engine to be coupled to the hub 50. The second hub lid 53 comprises a coupler 56 configured to provide a torque-proof connection with the camshaft wherein the coupler 56 and/or the camshaft extends through a central camshaft through-hole 12 defined in the base disc 11 of the drive disc 10.

(34) The hub 50 comprises two first adjusting channels 92. The two first adjusting channels 92 are configured as grooves in a first axial surface 90 of the hub 50 each extending radially outward from a central through-hole 54 of the first hub lid to a vane 50 and each bending into a first peripheral direction to open into a first sub-chamber 31. The hub 50 further comprises two second adjusting channels 93. The two second adjusting channels 93 are configured as grooves in a second axial surface 91 of the hub 50 each extending radially outward from a central through-hole 55 of the second hub lid 53 to a vane 50 and each bending into a second peripheral direction to open into a second sub-chamber 32 wherein the first and second adjusting channels 92, 93 have straight sections 94 formed in the first and second hub lids 52, 53, respectively. In other words, the first and second sub-chambers 31, 32 of the apparatus 1 are fluidly connected to the hydraulic pump 100 via the central through-hole 54, 55 in the first and second hub lids 52, 53 and via the first and second adjusting channels 92, 93 configured in the first and second hub lids 52, 53 as well as in the axial surfaces 90, 91 of the vanes 50, respectively.

(35) The apparatus 1 for controlling the camshaft timing adjustment further comprises a valve assembly 120 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 12 to 16 which is arranged within the hydraulic pump 100 and, hence, within the hub 50. The valve assembly 120 is configured to establish fluid connections between the high pressure pump chambers 101 and the low pressure pump chambers 102 of the hydraulic pump 100 on the one hand and the first and second sub-chambers 31, 32 of the camshaft timing apparatus 1 on the other hand. The valve assembly 120 comprises a valve body 135 and a valve actuator 140.

(36) The valve body 135 is integrally comprised by the separating arms 112 of the rotor body 110. In other words, the rotor body 110 has a double function. On the one hand, the rotor body 110 allows for pumping the hydraulic fluid from the low pressure pump chambers 102 to the high pressure pump chambers 101 of the hydraulic pump 100. On the other hand, the rotor body 110 is an essential component of the valve assembly 120.

(37) The valve body 135 has a central cylindrical actuating through-hole 132 extending axially through the valve body 135 defining an axial direction 136 parallel to the common rotational axis 2. Further, the valve body 135 comprises two first internal valve chambers 121 and two second internal valve chambers 123. The central actuating through-hole 132 is fluidly connected to the first internal valve chambers 121, the second internal valve chambers 123 and the radial channel sections 131 of the first and second annular channels 128, 129.

(38) The first and second internal valve chambers 121, 123 are juxtaposed in the axial direction 136 and arranged in a first pair 125 and a second pair 126 each comprising a first internal valve chamber 121 and a second internal valve chamber 123. The first and second valve chambers 121, 123 of a pair 125, 126 are separated by a separation wall 127, wherein the first and second pairs 125, 126 are juxtaposed in an axial direction and wherein the axial sequence of the first and second internal valve chambers 121, 123 is different between the pairs 125, 126. This pairwise configuration of the first and second internal valve chambers 121, 123 corresponds to the configuration of the first and second adjusting channels 92, 93 of the hub 50.

(39) The valve body 135 comprises a first annular channel 128 associated to the first pair 125 and a second annular channel 129 associated to the second pair 126 each annular channel 128, 129 surrounding the corresponding first or second pair 125, 126 of internal valve chambers 121, 123. Each annular channel 128, 129 has two axial channel sections 130 being disposed spaced apart in the separating arms 112, and two radial channel sections 131. The radial channel sections 131 connect corresponding axial ends of the axial channel sections 130 wherein each outer axial channel section 130 is configured as a groove extending in the corresponding axial surface 116 of the valve body 135.

(40) The grooves form a first control port 133 and a second control port 134 of the valve assembly 120. The first and second control ports 133, 134 are arranged on axially opposite sites of the valve body 135 and are connected to each other by the central actuating through-hole 132.

(41) Each first internal valve chamber 121 has two elongate sections being arranged collinear and extending radially. The first internal valve chamber 121 has an associated high pressure channel 122 which opens into an end region of the elongate section and fluidly connects the first internal valve chamber 121 with a high pressure pump chamber 101 of the hydraulic pump 100. Accordingly, each second internal valve chamber 123 has two elongate sections being arranged collinear and extending radially. The second internal valve chamber 123 has an associated low pressure channel 124 which opens into an end region of the elongate section and fluidly connects the second internal valve chamber 123 with a low pressure pump chamber 102 of the hydraulic pump 100. The elongate sections of the first internal valve chambers 121 and the second internal valve chambers 123 extend parallel, and the high pressure channels 122 and the low pressure channels 124 open from opposite sides into the first and second internal valve chambers 121, 123, respectively. Each of the high pressure channels 122 and low pressure channels 124 is configured as a through-hole extending from the associated internal first or second valve chamber 121, 123 to the respective high or low pressure pump chamber 101, 102 of the hydraulic pump 100.

(42) The pressure of the hydraulic fluid in the internal valve chambers 121, 123, thus, is identical to the connected high pressure pump chambers 101 or low pressure pump chambers 102, respectively. Therefore, the first internal valve chambers 121 each represent a high pressure port of the valve assembly 120 and the second internal valve chambers 123 each represent a low pressure port of the valve assembly 120. The first and second annular channels 128, 129 are, via the central through-holes 54, 55 of the first and second hub lids 52, 53, in a permanent fluid connection with the first and second adjusting channels 92, 93 and, indirectly, with the first and second sub-chambers 31, 32, respectively. Thus, the first control port 133 is fluidly connected to the first sub-chambers 31 and the second control port 134 is fluidly connected to the second sub-chambers 32.

(43) The valve actuator 140 comprises a pin-like valve needle having an operating section 144 and an actuating section 141 wherein the actuating section 141 is arranged central and axially displaceable in the actuating through-hole 132 of the valve body 135 and wherein the operating section 144 extends through the central through-hole 54 of the first hub lid 52 and a central torque transmitting through-hole 23 of the casing lid 22 and has a head 145 at its outer free end. The valve actuator 140 may be axially coupled to a valve control unit via the head 145. Thereby, the head 145 provides axial and radial bearing surface sections for allowing the valve actuator 140 to rotate at a different angular speed than an interface of the valve control unit providing complementary surface sections.

(44) The actuating section 141 is configured to open and close the first and second internal valve chambers 121, 123 as well as the angular channels 128, 129 at different axial positions of the valve actuator 140. The actuating section 141 comprises a plurality of annular protrusions 142 being juxtaposed in the axial direction 136 and defining axial clearances 143 between each other. The annular protrusions 142 are arranged and configured to selectively and exclusively open fluid connections between the first and second internal valve chambers 121, 123 and the first and second annular channels 128, 129. Accordingly, the axial length and the radial width of the annular protrusions 142 as well as the axial length of the clearances 143 correspond to the axial configuration of the first and second pairs 125, 126 with the first and second internal valve chambers 121, 123 therein, of the first and second annular channels 128, 129 and the axial distances between these elements.

(45) The valve assembly 120, thus, works as a three-state switching valve shown schematically in FIG. 13. The valve assembly 120 is connected to the hydraulic pump 100 and a hydraulic motor formed by the drive disc 10, the adjusting chambers 30, the hub 50, and the vanes 57. The hydraulic motor is driven by the hydraulic pump 100 by means of the valve assembly 120.

(46) The valve assembly 120 has a first state for enabling a flow of the hydraulic fluid from the high pressure ports, i.e. the first internal valve chambers 121, to the first control port 133 and from the second control port 134 to the low pressure ports, i.e. the second internal valve chambers 123. In the first state the high pressure pump chambers 101 are fluidly connected to the first sub-chambers 31 as well as the low pressure pump chambers 102 are fluidly connected to the second sub-chambers 32, respectively. In the first state, the valve actuator 140 is in a first axial position, which may be referred to as a forward position, providing a fluid communication between the high pressure pump chambers 101 and the first sub-chambers 31 as well as between the low pressure pump chambers 102 and the second sub-chambers 32, see FIG. 14. In the first axial position of the valve actuator 140 fluid connections between the first internal valve chamber 121 of the first pair 125 and the first annular channel 128 as well as the second internal valve chamber 123 of the second pair 126 and the second annular channel 129 are opened, respectively.

(47) The valve assembly 120 has a second state for enabling a flow of the hydraulic fluid from the high pressure ports, i.e. the first internal valve chambers 121, to the second control port 134 and from the second control port 133 to the low pressure ports, i.e. the second internal valve chambers 123. In the second state the high pressure pump chambers 101 are fluidly connected to the second sub-chamber 32 as well as the low pressure pump chambers 102 are fluidly connected to the first sub-chambers 31, respectively. In the second state, the valve actuator 140 is in a second axial position different from the first axial position, which may be referred to as a backward position, providing a fluid communication between the high pressure pump chambers 101 and the second sub-chambers 32 as well as between the low pressure pump chambers 102 and the first sub-chambers 31, see FIG. 15. In the second position of the valve actuator 140 fluid connections between the first internal valve chamber 121 of the second pair 126 and the second annular channel 129 as well as the second internal valve chamber 123 of the first pair 125 and the first annular channel 128 are opened, respectively.

(48) The valve assembly 120 has a third state for enabling a flow of the hydraulic fluid from the high pressure ports, i.e. the first internal valve chambers 121, to the low pressure ports, i.e. the second internal valve chambers 123, and for closing the first control port 133 and the second control port 134. In this state the high pressure pump chambers 101 are fluidly connected to the low pressure pump chambers 102 while the first sub-chamber 31 and the second sub-chamber 32 are separated from the high pressure pump chambers 101 and the low pressure pump chambers 102. In the third state, the valve actuator 140 is in a third axial position different from both the first and second axial positions, which may be referred to as a neutral position, providing a short circuit fluid connection between the high pressure pump chambers 101 and the low pressure pump chambers 102 and closing the first sub-chambers 31 and the second sub-chambers 32, see FIG. 16.

(49) By selecting one of the first, second and third positions of the valve actuator 140, the hydraulic fluid is either pumped from the second sub-chamber 32 to the first sub-chamber 31 to swivel the hub 50 relative to the drive disc 10 in a forward direction or pumped from the first sub-chamber 31 to the second sub-chamber 32 to swivel the hub 50 relative to the drive disc 10 in a backward direction or not pumped between the first and second sub-chambers 31, 32 to not swivel the hub 50 relative to the drive disc 10.

(50) The apparatus 1 further comprises a torque transmission 60 which is shown in FIG. 17. The torque transmission 60 is configured as a cylindrical bolt being torque-proof connected to the rotor 105 for establishing a relative rotation between the rotor 105 and the stator 104. Thus, by securing the torque transmission 60 to a static part, i.e. a non-rotating part of the combustion engine, the hydraulic pump 100 is exclusively and immediately driven by a rotation of the hub 50 or the drive disc 10 relative to the torque transmission 60.

(51) The torque transmission 60 extends through the torque transmission through-hole 23 of the casing lid 22 and the central through-hole 54 of the first hub lid 52. The torque transmission 60 has a coupler 62. The coupler 62 is configured as a hexagonal head and disposed at an outer end. The torque transmission 60 has a connector 61 disposed at an opposite inner end. The connector 61 are configured to establish the torque-proof connection between the torque transmission 60 and the rotor body 110.

(52) The torque transmission 60 defines a central cylindrical operating through-hole 63. The operating through-hole 63 extends axially and has a diameter which, at the same time, rotationally supports the operating section 144 of the valve actuator 140 and seals the casing 20 of the drive disc 10 against loss of the hydraulic fluid. The operating through-hole 63 is penetrated by the operating section 144 of the valve actuator 140.

(53) The connector 61 is configured as two pin-like protrusions being disposed eccentrically and extending axially from the inner free end of the torque transmission 60. The pin-like protrusions are disposed on opposite sides of the operating through-hole 63. The pin-like protrusions engage with complementary recesses 117 formed in an axial surface of the rotor body 110 and are thus an example of a torque-transmitting coupling between the torque transmission 60 and the rotor body 110.

(54) After assembly, the apparatus 1 is preferably completely filled with a hydraulic fluid. The drive disc 10 is may be connected to the crankshaft of the combustion engine. The hub 50 may be coupled to the camshaft of the combustion engine. The torque transmission 60 may be coupled to a static part of the combustion engine. The valve actuator 140 may be coupled with a valve control unit.

(55) During operation, the crankshaft rotationally drives the drive disc 10 together with the enclosed hub 50. Assuming no fluid flow between the sub-chambers 31, 32 the drive disc 10 drives the hub 50 and thus the camshaft. The rotation of the internal gear 106 which rotates with the hub 50 relative to the rotor body 110 (which does not rotate due to the torque transmission 60) drives the hydraulic pump 100. The hydraulic pump 100 generates a pressure gradient between its pump chambers 101, 102 which, consequently, act as high pressure pump chambers 101 and low pressure chambers 102. The valve control unit may control the valve assembly 120 by axially displacing the valve actuator 140 on demand into one of three axial positions. Depending on the axial position of the valve actuator 140 the hydraulic fluid is pumped or not pumped between the first and second sub-chambers 31, 32. Correspondingly, the hub 50 is swivelled forth or back or not swivelled relative to the disc drive 10 in order to adjust or maintain a required angular relation between the drive disc 10 and the hub 50 or the crankshaft and the camshaft of the combustion engine, respectively.

(56) The apparatus 1, hence, is very compact due to integrating the valve assembly 120 into the hydraulic pump 100 and, at the same time, integrating the hydraulic pump 100 into the hub 50. Apart from that, the hydraulic pump 100 can immediately be driven by the camshaft without imposing any immediate load on the crankshaft.

(57) The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are to be included within the scope of the following claims.