Engine with integral actuator

• US 6,868,925 B2
• Filed: 11/05/2001
• Issued: 03/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/18/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Delta Systems Inc.
• Original Assignee: Delta Systems Inc.
• Inventors: Trefz, Harlin J., Wetzel, Ted
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson, Paul N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Spisich, George D
• Application Number:
  US10/008,036
• Publication Number:
  US 20020038731A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,233 Days
• Field of Search: 123/198.R, 123/198.C, 123/195.R, 603/25, 604/77, 180/53.1, 180/53.6, 180/53.7, 180/53.4, 417/364
• US Class Current: 180/53.4
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 25/02 directly from an engine shaft

Abstract

An engine with an integral actuator for a vehicle having an implement needing control. The engine includes a crank shaft, and a pump in a housing and an actuator that extends from the housing. The pump is operably connected to the crank shaft to produce a flow of fluid, such as oil, from the pump to the actuator. A valve is operably connected to the pump or the actuator to selectively move the actuator.

Claims

1. An engine with an integral actuator for a vehicle, comprising:

a) an engine housing;

b) a crank shaft rotatably mounted in said engine housing;

c) a pump mounted in said engine housing operably connected to said crank shaft, wherein rotation of said crank shaft produces a flow of fluid from said pump;

d) an actuator at least partially within said engine housing including an actuator portion that extends outside the engine housing coupled to said pump; and

,

e) a valve operably connected to one of said pump and said actuator for selectively communicating fluid pressure to said actuator to selectively move said actuator portion.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein rotation of said crank shaft produces a flow of motor oil from said pump that is selectively communicated to one of said pump and said actuator by said valve.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a spring operably connected to said actuator that biases said actuator to a first position.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said valve is enclosed in said engine housing.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said valve comprises a solenoid valve.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a spring disposed in a housing of said actuator that biases said actuator to a first position.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said pump is operably connected to a cam shaft that is operably connected to said crank shaft.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said pump is connected directly to said crank shaft.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a gear on said crank shaft coupled to a gear that drives said pump.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a gear on said crank shaft coupled to a gear on a camshaft, said gear on said camshaft coupled to a gear that drives said pump.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a gear on said crank shaft coupled to a gear on a camshaft, said pump being connected directly to said camshaft.

12. A method of selectively extending and retracting an integral actuator contained at least partially within an engine housing comprising:

a) rotating a crank shaft of an engine;

b) coupling said crank shaft of said engine to a pump positioned within a housing of said engine to create fluid pressure in said pump; and

,

c) selectively communicating said fluid pressure from the pump to an integral actuator to selectively extend and retract a portion of said actuator that extends from said housing.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein oil under pressure is selectively communicated from said pump to said integral actuator.

14. The method of claim 12 further comprising biasing said integral actuator to a first position with a spring.

15. The method of claim 12 wherein selectively communicating pressure comprises opening a valve to communicate fluid pressure from said pump to said actuator.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein an electric signal is communicated to said valve to open said valve.

17. The method of claim 12 wherein said integral actuator is extended by communicating fluid pressure to said integral actuator.

18. The method of claim 12 wherein the integral actuator is retracted by communicating fluid pressure to the integral actuator.

19. The method of claim 12 wherein coupling said crank shaft to said pump comprises connecting said pump directly to said crank shaft.

20. The method of claim 12 wherein coupling said crank shaft to said pump comprises coupling a gear on said crank shaft to a gear that drives said pump.

21. The method of claim 12 wherein coupling said crank shaft to said pump comprises coupling a gear on said crank shaft to a gear on said camshaft and coupling said camshaft to said pump.

22. The method of claim 12 wherein coupling said crank shaft to said pump comprises coupling a gear on said crank shaft to a gear on a camshaft and coupling said gear on said camshaft to a gear that drives said pump.

23. An engine with an integral actuator, comprising:

a) an engine housing;

b) a crank shaft in said housing;

c) a pump in said housing operably connected to said crank shaft, wherein rotation of said shaft produces a flow of motor oil from said pump;

d) an actuator supported by said housing coupled to said pump; and

,

e) a valve operably connected to one of said pump and said actuator for selectively communicating motor oil under pressure to said actuator to selectively extend and retract said actuator.

24. An engine with an integral actuator, comprising:

a) an engine housing;

b) a crank shaft rotatably mounted in said housing;

c) a first gear on said crank shaft;

d) a camshaft rotatably mounted in said housing;

e) a second gear on said camshaft coupled to said first gear;

f) a pump mounted in said housing;

g) a drive gear connected to a pump shaft that drives said pump, said drive gear being coupled to one of said first and second gears;

h) an actuator disposed within said housing coupled to said pump, said actuator including an actuator shaft that extends from said housing;

i) a first valve selectively coupling a chamber of said actuator to one of an oil pan portion of said housing and said pump; and

,

j) a second valve selectively coupling said pump to said oil pan.

25. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said first valve is coupled to said oil pan when said second valve is closed.

26. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said first and second valves are included in a 2/3 way valve.