Rocker arm assembly
11578625 ยท 2023-02-14
Assignee
Inventors
- James E. McCarthy, Jr. (Kalamazoo, MI)
- Douglas J. Nielsen (Marshall, MI, US)
- Kshamta Bishnoi (Pune, IN)
Cpc classification
F01L13/06
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F16K15/1823
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F01L1/181
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F16K15/044
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F01L13/065
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F01L1/267
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F01L1/2411
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F01L2001/0535
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F01L2305/00
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F01L1/24
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F01L1/2405
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
International classification
F01L1/18
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F16K15/18
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F01L1/24
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F01L1/26
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F01L13/06
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F16K15/04
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
Abstract
A combined exhaust and engine brake rocker arm assembly configured to selectively open first and second exhaust valves, includes a rocker arm body, an exhaust rocker arm assembly formed in the rocker arm body, and an engine brake rocker arm assembly formed in the rocker arm body and configured to operate in a collapse mode and a rigid mode. The exhaust rocker arm assembly is configured to selectively engage a valve bridge to open the first and second exhaust valves, and the engine brake rocker arm assembly is configured to selectively engage the valve bridge to open only the first exhaust valve.
Claims
1. A combined exhaust and engine brake rocker arm assembly configured to selectively open first and second exhaust valves, the assembly comprising: a rocker arm body; an exhaust rocker arm assembly formed in the rocker arm body; and an engine brake rocker arm assembly formed in the rocker arm body and configured to operate in a collapse mode and a rigid mode, wherein the exhaust rocker arm assembly includes a hydraulic lash adjuster (HLA) assembly disposed within a first bore formed in the rocker arm body and configured to selectively engage a valve bridge to open the first and second exhaust valves, wherein the engine brake rocker arm assembly is configured to selectively engage the valve bridge to open only the first exhaust valve.
2. The combined rocker arm assembly of claim 1, wherein the HLA assembly comprises a plunger assembly and a stopper, the plunger assembly including a first plunger body and a second plunger body, wherein a chamber is defined between the first and second plunger bodies configured to receive a supply of fluid.
3. The combined rocker arm assembly of claim 2, wherein the stopper includes an annular bore formed therein.
4. The combined rocker arm assembly of claim 3, further comprising a lost motion biasing mechanism at least partially disposed in the annular bore, the lost motion biasing mechanism configured to bias the stopper and the plunger assembly away from an upper wall of the first bore.
5. The combined rocker arm assembly of claim 2, wherein the stopper includes an annular groove formed therein, the annular groove configured to selectively align with a fluid port fluidly coupled to the engine brake rocker arm assembly.
6. The combined rocker arm assembly of claim 1, wherein the engine brake rocker arm assembly comprises a brake capsule assembly disposed in the rocker arm.
7. The combined rocker arm assembly of claim 6, wherein a second bore and a third bore are formed in the rocker arm, the brake capsule assembly comprising a brake plunger assembly disposed in the second bore, and an actuator assembly disposed in the third bore.
8. The combined rocker arm assembly of claim 7, wherein the brake plunger assembly includes a check ball assembly and a first plunger body movable relative to a second plunger body, the first and second plunger bodies defining a chamber therebetween configured to receive a supply of fluid, the check ball assembly disposed in the chamber between the first and second plunger bodies.
9. The combined rocker arm assembly of claim 1, wherein the HLA assembly engages the valve bridge at a location between the first and second exhaust valves.
10. A combined exhaust and engine brake rocker arm assembly configured to selectively open first and second exhaust valves, the assembly comprising: a rocker arm body; an exhaust rocker arm assembly formed in the rocker arm body; and an engine brake rocker arm assembly formed in the rocker arm body and configured to operate in a collapse mode and a rigid mode, wherein the exhaust rocker arm assembly is configured to selectively engage a valve bridge to open the first and second exhaust valves, wherein the engine brake rocker arm assembly is configured to selectively engage the valve bridge to open only the first exhaust valve, wherein the engine brake rocker arm assembly comprises a brake capsule assembly disposed in a bore formed in the rocker arm, wherein the bore comprises a first bore and a second bore formed in the rocker arm, the brake capsule assembly comprising a brake plunger assembly disposed in the first bore, and an actuator assembly disposed in the second bore, wherein the brake plunger assembly includes a check ball assembly and a first plunger body movable relative to a second plunger body, the first and second plunger bodies defining a chamber therebetween configured to receive a supply of fluid, the check ball assembly disposed in the chamber between the first and second plunger bodies, and wherein the actuator assembly comprises a pin disposed in a retainer, the pin operably associated with the check ball assembly, wherein the second bore is configured to receive a supply of fluid such that the retainer is translated upwardly within the bore to draw the pin away from contact with the check ball assembly.
11. A valve train assembly associated with first and second exhaust valves, the assembly comprising: a valve bridge including a main body and a lever rotatably coupled to the main body, the main body configured to engage the first exhaust valve, and the lever configured to engage the second exhaust valve; and a combined exhaust and engine brake rocker arm assembly comprising: a rocker arm body; an exhaust rocker arm assembly formed in the rocker arm body; and an engine brake rocker arm assembly formed in the rocker arm body and configured to operate in a collapse mode and a rigid mode, wherein the exhaust rocker arm assembly is configured to selectively engage the valve bridge main body to open the first and second exhaust valves, wherein the engine brake rocker arm assembly is configured to selectively engage the valve bridge lever to open only the second exhaust valve, wherein the exhaust rocker arm assembly comprises a hydraulic lash adjuster (HLA) assembly disposed in a first bore formed in the rocker arm body, and wherein the HLA assembly comprises a plunger assembly and a stopper, the plunger assembly including a first plunger body and a second plunger body, wherein a chamber is defined between the first and second plunger bodies configured to receive a supply of fluid.
12. The valve train assembly of claim 11, wherein the stopper includes an annular bore formed therein, and a lost motion biasing mechanism is at least partially disposed in the annular bore, the lost motion biasing mechanism configured to bias the stopper and the plunger assembly away from an upper wall of the first bore.
13. The valve train assembly of claim 12, wherein the stopper includes an annular groove formed therein, the annular groove configured to selectively align with a fluid port fluidly coupled to the engine brake rocker arm assembly.
14. The valve train assembly of claim 11, wherein the engine brake rocker arm assembly comprises a brake capsule assembly disposed in the rocker arm, wherein a second bore and a third bore are formed in the rocker arm, the brake capsule assembly comprising a brake plunger assembly disposed in the second bore, and an actuator assembly disposed in the third bore.
15. The valve train assembly of claim 14, wherein the brake plunger assembly includes a check ball assembly and a first plunger body movable relative to a second plunger body, the first and second plunger bodies defining a chamber therebetween configured to receive a supply of fluid, the check ball assembly disposed in the chamber between the first and second plunger bodies.
16. The valve train assembly of claim 15, wherein the actuator assembly comprises a pin disposed in a retainer, the pin operably associated with the check ball assembly, wherein the second bore is configured to receive a supply of fluid such that the retainer is translated upwardly within the second bore to draw the pin away from contact with the check ball assembly and wherein the first plunger body is received by a socket coupled to the valve bridge lever.
17. The valve train assembly of claim 11, wherein the lever is coupled to the main body such that rotation of the lever and engagement of the first exhaust valve occurs without rotation of the main body, wherein the main body includes an aperture, the lever at least partially disposed within the aperture, wherein the lever is rotatably coupled to the main body by a bridge pin extending through the main body.
18. The valve train assembly of claim 17, further comprising a valve shoe rotatably coupled to the lever, the valve shoe configured to engage the first exhaust valve, wherein the valve shoe is rotatably coupled to the lever by a valve shoe pin extending through the lever.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) The present disclosure will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
(8)
(9)
(10)
(11)
(12)
(13)
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
(14) With initial reference to
(15) Specifically, each cylinder includes an intake valve rocker arm assembly 14, an exhaust rocker arm assembly 16, and an engine brake rocker arm assembly 18. However, as illustrated, the exhaust valve rocker arm assembly 16 and the engine brake rocker arm assembly 18 are combined into a single rocker arm and are collectively referred to as a combined exhaust and engine brake rocker arm assembly 20, which cooperates to control opening of the exhaust valves. The intake valve rocker arm assembly 14 is configured to control motion of the intake valves, the exhaust valve rocker arm assembly 16 is configured to control exhaust valve motion in a drive mode, and the engine brake rocker arm assembly 18 is configured to act on one of the two exhaust valves in an engine brake mode, as will be described herein.
(16) A rocker shaft 22 is received by the valve train carrier 12 and supports rotation of the combined exhaust and engine brake rocker arm assembly 20. As described herein in more detail, the rocker shaft 22 can communicate oil to the assemblies 16, 18 during operation. A cam shaft 24 (
(17) With further reference now to
(18) The exhaust valve rocker arm assembly 16 can include exhaust rocker arm portion 46, which defines a bore 54 configured to at least partially receive a hydraulic lash adjuster (HLA) assembly or exhaust capsule 56. When roller 44 is engaged by the exhaust lift profile 30, the exhaust rocker arm portion 46 and exhaust capsule 56 can be rotated downward, causing downward movement of the valve bridge assembly 52, which engages the first and second exhaust valve 26 and 28 (
(19) The exhaust capsule 56 is configured to take up any lash between the exhaust capsule assembly 36 and the valve bridge assembly 52. With additional reference to
(20) The check ball assembly 74 can be configured to hold oil within a chamber 76 between the first and second plunger bodies 54, 56. A biasing mechanism 77 (e.g., a spring) biases second plunger body 64 upward (as shown in
(21) The stopper 66 is disposed within bore 54 above the first and second plunger bodies 62, 64 and generally includes an annular or generally annular bore 78 and an annular or generally annular groove 80. The annular bore 78 is configured to receive and seat at least a portion of a lost motion biasing mechanism 82 (e.g., a spring) such that the biasing mechanism 82 is disposed between the rocker arm body 40 and the lost motion plunger body 66. Biasing mechanism 82 can be configured to bias lost motion plunger body 66 downward (as shown in
(22) With continued reference now to
(23) The brake capsule assembly 88 is configured to selectively move from a collapsing mode (
(24) In the example implementation, the brake plunger assembly 90 can comprise a leak down plunger or first plunger body 94 and a ball plunger or second plunger body 96. The plunger assembly 90 is received by bore 86 defined in rocker arm portion 84, and can have a first closed end defining a spigot 98, which is received in a socket 100 that acts against the valve bridge assembly 52. The second plunger body 96 has an opening that defines a valve seat 102, and a check ball assembly 104 can be positioned between the first and second plunger bodies 94, 96.
(25) The check ball assembly 104 can be configured to hold oil within a chamber 106 between the first and second plunger bodies 94, 96. A biasing mechanism 108 (e.g., a spring) biases second plunger body 96 upward (as shown in
(26) The actuator assembly 92 generally includes a retainer 110 and a pin 112. In the example implementation, actuator assembly 92 is received in a secondary bore 114 defined in rocker arm portion 84 and fluidly coupled to hydraulic fluid port 84. The retainer 110 includes a closed end 116 having an aperture 118 formed therein configured to receive pin 112. A biasing mechanism 120 (e.g., a spring) and a biasing mechanism seat 122 are disposed within a chamber 124 formed within retainer 110 such that biasing mechanism 120 is configured to bias the retainer 110 downward toward the brake plunger assembly 90. Retainer 110 includes a chamfered edge 126 such that hydraulic fluid supplied through port 84 provides an upward force against retainer 110.
(27) The pin 112 extends through retainer 110 and an aperture 128 formed between bores 86 and 114 such that a distal end 130 of pin 112 is disposed proximate a ball 132 of the check ball assembly 104. By supplying high pressure fluid to secondary bore 114 via fluid port 84, actuator assembly 92 can be lifted from a lowered position (
(28) In the lowered position, pin 112 pushes the ball 132 downward and away from valve seat 102 such that low pressure oil is not trapped in chamber 106, thereby enabling plunger assembly 90 to operate in the collapse mode where the first plunger body 94 can slide upwardly around second plunger body 96.
(29) When high pressure oil is supplied to port 84, actuator assembly 92 moves upwardly to the raised position such that pin 112 is raised and the ball 132 is biased against the valve seat 102. As such, oil is trapped in chamber 106 and becomes pressurized when loaded during brake events, thereby enabling plunger assembly 90 to operate in the rigid mode and transmit motion from cam 24 to the brake valve 26 to enable the braking event.
(30) Many known engines with hydraulic valve lash adjustment have a single rocker arm that actuates two valves through a valve bridge across those valves. The engine brake bypasses the bridge and pushes on one of the valves, which cocks or angles the valve bridge, to open a single valve and blow down the cylinder. However, due to the cocked valve bridge, the HLA can react by extending to take up the lash created. This may be undesirable because, after the brake event, the extended HLA assembly can then hold the exhaust valves open with certain loss of compression and possibly piston-to-valve contact.
(31) To overcome this potentially undesirable event, assembly 10 includes valve bridge assembly 52 having a movable lever assembly 140 integrated therein. The lever assembly 140 can pass some of the valve actuation force back to the exhaust capsule assembly 36 (via bridge 52), thereby preventing unintended extension of the exhaust capsule assembly during the braking event. Thus, lever assembly 140 allows the valve 26 to open during the engine braking operation without allowing downward motion of the valve bridge assembly 52. Moreover, lever assembly 140 significantly reduces the actuation force required for the braking event compared to known systems.
(32) With additional reference to
(33) As shown in
(34) The lever 160 includes an engagement surface 168, first opposed openings 170, second opposed openings 172, and a stop flange 174. The engagement surface 168 is configured to be selectively engaged by socket 100 of brake plunger assembly 90. In one example, socket 100 is coupled to lever 160 to maintain constant contact for dynamic stability. First opposed openings 170 can receive the bridge pin 162, and the second opposed openings 172 can receive the valve shoe pin 166. The stop flange 174 can be configured to engage a bar 176 (
(35) The valve shoe 164 includes a main body portion 178 and a connecting portion 180 having an aperture 182 formed therein. The main body portion 178 is configured to receive a portion of the valve 26, and the connecting portion 180 is at least partially disposed within lever 160 such that the connecting portion aperture 182 receives the valve shoe pin 166 to rotatably couple the valve shoe 164 to the lever 160.
(36) Accordingly, lever 160 can be selectively engaged at the engagement surface 168, which can cause rotation about pin 166 and upward movement of an opposed side 174 of the lever that is opposite surface 168. This upward movement of lever end 174 causes upward movement of bridge main body 142 toward exhaust capsule assembly 36 to prevent extension thereof.
(37) As such, during operation of rocker arm assembly 20, the exhaust rocker arm assembly 16 can selectively engage the valve bridge main body 142 to actuate valves 26, 28 and perform a normal exhaust event (combustion mode); whereas, the engine brake rocker arm assembly 18 can selectively engage the lever assembly 140 to only actuate valve 26 and perform a brake event actuation (engine braking mode).
(38) With reference now to
(39)
(40)
(41)
(42)
(43) In this configuration, rocker arm assembly 20 will look similar to that shown in
(44) More specifically, in the example embodiment, when exhaust rocker arm assembly 16 is rotated downward, socket 70 contacts bridge main body 132. This forces plunger assembly 60 upward, which causes upward movement of stopper 66. Lost motion biasing mechanism 82 absorbs the exhaust lift until stopper 66 contacts the upper wall of bore 54 (
(45) Described herein are systems and methods for a single rocker arm assembly configured to selectively perform exhaust and engine braking events on an engine. The system includes a single rocker arm having an exhaust rocker arm assembly and an engine brake rocker arm assembly. The exhaust rocker arm assembly selectively engages a valve bridge to actuate two valves to perform an exhaust event. In one aspect, the valve bridge includes a main body and a lever integrated therein, the internal lever being rotatable relative to a valve bridge main. The engine brake rocker arm assembly includes a brake capsule assembly configured to be moved between a collapse mode and a rigid mode. In the collapse mode, the brake capsule does not transfer motion to the rotatable lever. In the rigid mode, the brake capsule transfers motion to the rotatable lever to actuate one of the two valves to perform an engine brake event.
(46) The foregoing description of the examples has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular example are generally not limited to that particular example, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected example, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.