MONITORING AND DIAGNOSIS OF VARIABLE VALVE ACTUATION SYSTEMS

• Main Authors: ZURFACE AUSTIN ROBERT, VANDEUSEN BRIAN KARL, NIELSEN DOUGLAS JOHN, HILDEBRANDT MARK WILLIAM, BOYCHUK ROBERT, TRUDELL DANIEL BENNETT
• Format: Patent
• Language: Chinese; English
• Published: 15.02.2019
• Subjects: BLASTING; COMBUSTION ENGINES; CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES; CYCLICALLY OPERATING VALVES FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; HEATING; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS; LIGHTING; MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; STEAM ENGINES; WEAPONS

A system for monitoring operation and diagnosing malfunctions in a variable valve actuation device is disclosed. The system has a rocker arm assembly that includes a first arm, a second arm with the first and second arms attached at a first end, a hydraulically operated latch assembly that functions to secure the first arm to the second arm when latched. The latch may be operated by a remote device. The rocker assembly pivots on a hydraulic lash adjuster (HLA). A control gallery connects the hydraulic valve to the latch. A pressure transducer is positioned either in the control gallery or theHLA and creates a signal indicating the sensed pressure. A control unit reads the signal from the pressure transducer and identifies malfunctions of the rocker arm assembly. The system may also employa non-contact transducer that monitors the state of the rocker arm assembly. The system may also employ a valve stem position sensor that monitors the engine valve position to determine malfunctionsof the rocker arm assembly.