Internal-combustion engines – Poppet valve operating mechanism – Cam
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-04
2001-02-06
Lo, Wellun (Department: 3748)
Internal-combustion engines
Poppet valve operating mechanism
Cam
C123S508000, C074S567000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06182627
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to internal combustion engines, and, more particularly, to a segmented camshaft assembly in an internal combustion engine.
BACKGROUND ART
An internal combustion engine typically includes a crankshaft which drives a camshaft through a gear set disposed on an end of the engine. The camshaft includes a plurality of cam lobes which drive rocker arms used to actuate valves and injectors associated with a plurality of combustion cylinders. In a large internal combustion engine, it is known to provide a segmented camshaft assembly with two camshaft segments which are axially aligned with each other and connected in an end-to-end manner using a connector assembly. The connector assembly typically is in the form of a flange on adjacent ends of the camshafts. Each flange has an axial face, with the axial faces abutting each other. A plurality of bolts are received within bolt holes in the flanges and used to bolt the flanges together.
A problem associated with a conventional segmented camshaft assembly is that the connector assembly only functions as a connector between the two camshaft segments. Thus, additional space must be provided for the connector assembly, which increases the length of the engine. Increasing the length of the engine may be undesirable, and increases manufacturing costs.
The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems as set forth above.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect of the invention, an internal combustion engine includes a housing with a plurality of bearing supports. Each bearing support has a substantially circular interior bearing surface. A segmented camshaft assembly includes at least two camshafts axially adjacent to each other to define at least one adjacent pair of camshafts. Each camshaft is rotatably carried by the housing and includes a plurality of cam lobes. The camshaft assembly also includes at least one connector assembly, with each connector assembly connecting an adjacent pair of camshafts together. Each connector assembly has an exterior bearing surface disposed within and rotatably carried by a corresponding interior bearing surface in the housing.
In another aspect of the invention, an internal combustion engine includes a housing with a plurality of bearing supports. Each bearing support has an interior bearing surface. A segmented camshaft assembly includes at least two camshafts axially adjacent to each other to define at least one adjacent pair of camshafts. Each camshaft is rotatably carried by the housing and includes a plurality of cam lobes. The camshaft assembly also includes at least one connector assembly. Each connector assembly connects an adjacent pair of camshafts together. Each connector assembly includes a first flange on one of the adjacent pair of camshafts and a second flange on an other of the adjacent pair of camshafts. The first flange includes an axially extending recess and the second flange is disposed in the recess. The first flange has an exterior bearing surface disposed within and rotatably carried by a corresponding interior bearing surface in the housing.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4638683 (1987-01-01), Ogawa et al.
patent: 5287840 (1994-02-01), Catanu et al.
patent: 5577420 (1996-11-01), Riemscheid et al.
patent: 5664463 (1997-09-01), Amborn et al.
patent: 5778841 (1998-07-01), Reedy et al.
patent: 5826461 (1998-10-01), Kaywood et al.
patent: 5979386 (1999-11-01), Swars
Caterpillar Inc.
Lo Wellun
Taylor Todd T.
LandOfFree
Segmented camshaft assembly for an internal combustion engine does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Segmented camshaft assembly for an internal combustion engine, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Segmented camshaft assembly for an internal combustion engine will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2597961