Mechanically lashed cylinder deactivation roller lifter

Abstract

A cylinder deactivation roller lifter may include an outer body including an inner surface defining an inner cavity and a latching shoulder extending radially outward from the inner surface. A lost motion spring is disposed between the outer body and the inner carriage. The cylinder deactivation roller lifter may include an inner carriage disposed within the inner cavity and defining a latch pin passage. The cylinder deactivation roller lifter may include a latch pin disposed within the latch pin passage, the latch pin including a spring cavity and a pin shoulder. A latch pin spring biases the latch pin toward the latched position. The cylinder deactivation roller lifter is moveable between a cylinder deactivation position where the latch pin is disengaged from the latching shoulder and a latched position where the latch pin is engaged with the latching shoulder.

Description

MECHANICALLY LASHED CYLINDER DEACTIVATION ROLLER LIFTERCROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 626,827 filed on January 30, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.BACKGROUND

[0002] Cylinder deactivation systems are used in internal combustion engines to selectively deactivate one or more of cylinders. For example, a cylinder deactivation system may rely on mechanical, electrical, and / or hydraulic actuation to deactivate one or more cylinders. A need exists for a simple, controllable cylinder deactivation system implementing lost motion capabilities.SUMMARY

[0003] In some aspects, the disclosure relates to a cylinder deactivation roller lifter including: an outer body including an inner surface defining an inner cavity and a latching shoulder extending radially outward from the inner surface; an inner carriage disposed within the inner cavity and defining a latch pin passage; at least one latch pin disposed within the latch pin passage, each of the at least one latch pins including a spring cavity and a pin shoulder that is movable between a cylinder deactivation position with the latch pin disengaged from the latching shoulder, and a latched position with the latch pin engaged with the latching shoulder; a latch pin spring coupled to the spring cavity to bias the at least one latch pin toward the latched position; and a lost motion spring disposed between the outer body and the inner carriage.

[0004] In some aspects, the disclosure relates to a cylinder deactivation roller lifter, wherein the outer body further defines a gallery in fluid communication with the at least one latch pin, and a fluid port in fluid communication with the gallery, and wherein fluid pressure within the gallery overcomes the bias of the latch pin spring to move the at least one latch pin from the latched position to the cylinder deactivation position.

[0005] In some aspects, the disclosure relates to a cylinder deactivation roller lifter, wherein the gallery extends annularly about the inner surface of the outer body.

[0006] In some aspects, the disclosure relates to a cylinder deactivation roller lifter, wherein the at least one latch pin includes a first latch pin and a second latch pin arranged colinear with thefirst latch pin, wherein the latch pin spring extends between the first latch pin and the second latch pin.

[0007] In some aspects, the disclosure relates to a cylinder deactivation roller lifter, wherein the inner carriage further includes a socket configured to couple to a lifter rod.

[0008] In some aspects, the disclosure relates to a cylinder deactivation roller lifter, wherein the outer body further includes a roller configured to engage with a cam.

[0009] In some aspects, the disclosure relates to a cylinder deactivation roller lifter, wherein when the at least one latch pin is arranged in the latched position, motion from the cam is transferred through the outer body to the inner carriage via engagement of the pin shoulder and the latching shoulder.

[0010] In some aspects, the disclosure relates to a cylinder deactivation roller lifter, wherein when the at least one latch pin is arranged in the cylinder deactivation position, motion from the cam is transferred to the outer body and the outer body moves relative to the inner carriage against a bias of the lost motion spring.

[0011] In some aspects, the disclosure relates to a cylinder deactivation roller lifter, wherein the outer body further defines an alignment groove extending parallel to a longitudinal axis of the outer body, and a fluid port being defined within the alignment groove, the cylinder deactivation roller lifter further including an anti-rotation fluid nozzle received within the alignment groove to inhibit rotation of the outer body and arranged in fluid communication with the fluid port to actuate the at least one latch pin between the cylinder deactivation position and the latched position.

[0012] In some aspects, the disclosure relates to a cylinder deactivation roller lifter, wherein the outer body further defines a gallery in fluid communication with the at least one latch pin and the fluid port and extending annularly about the inner surface of the outer body.

[0013] In some aspects, the disclosure relates to a cylinder deactivation roller lifter, wherein the inner carriage further defines an orientation pin slot extending perpendicular to the latch pin passage, and wherein each of the at least one latch pins further defines a flat surface, the cylinder deactivation roller lifter further including an orientation pin disposed within the orientation pin slot and abutting the flat surface of the at least one latch pin.

[0014] In some aspects, the disclosure relates to a cylinder deactivation roller lifter, further including a Seeger clip coupled to a portion of the outer body to retain the inner carriage within the inner cavity of the outer body.

[0015] In some aspects, the disclosure relates to a cylinder deactivation roller lifter including: an outer body defining an inner surface, a circumferential gallery, a circumferential latching shoulder, and a fluid port in fluid communication with the circumferential gallery; an inner carriage movable relative to the outer body and defining a latch pin passage; a first latch pin received in the latch pin passage; a second latch pin received in the latch pin passage; and a latch pin spring biasing the first latch pin linearly away from the second latch pin, wherein the cylinder deactivation roller lifter is moveable between an activated configuration wherein the first latch pin is engaged with the circumferential latching shoulder and the second latch pin is engaged with the circumferential latching shoulder, and a deactivated configuration wherein pressurized fluid within the circumferential gallery acts against the bias of the latch pin spring to move the first latch pin and the second latch pin radially inward such that the outer body is decoupled from the inner carriage.

[0016] In some aspects, the disclosure relates to a cylinder deactivation roller lifter, wherein the first latch pin and the second latch pin each include an angled outer surface facilitating a flow and force from the pressurized fluid.

[0017] In some aspects, the disclosure relates to a cylinder deactivation roller lifter, further including a lost motion spring coupled between the outer body and the inner carriage, wherein the lost motion spring is compressed in the deactivated configuration.

[0018] In some aspects, the disclosure relates to a system including: a cylinder deactivation roller lifter including: an outer body defining an inner surface, a circumferential gallery, a circumferential latching shoulder, and a fluid port in fluid communication with the circumferential gallery; a roller coupled to the outer body; an inner carriage movable relative to the outer body and defining a latch pin passage and a socket; a first latch pin received in the latch pin passage; a second latch pin received in the latch pin passage; and a latch pin spring biasing the first latch pin linearly away from the second latch pin, wherein the cylinder deactivation roller lifter is moveable between an activated configuration wherein the first latch pin is engaged with the circumferential latching shoulder and the second latch pin is engaged with the circumferential latching shoulder, and a deactivated configuration wherein pressurized fluid within the circumferential gallery acts against the bias of the latch pin spring to move the first latch pin and the second latch pin radiallyinward such that the outer body is decoupled from the inner carriage; a cam engaged with the roller; a fluid device coupled to and in fluid communication with the fluid port of the outer body, the fluid device configured to selectively cause the pressurized fluid to flow within the circumferential gallery; and a lifter rod coupled to the socket of the inner carriage.

[0019] In some aspects, the disclosure relates to a system, wherein, in the activated configuration, motion from the cam is transferred through the outer body to the inner carriage and to the lifter rod.

[0020] In some aspects, the disclosure relates to a system, wherein, in the deactivated configuration, motion from the cam is transferred to the outer body which moves relative to the inner carriage such that the lifter rod is not moved.

[0021] In some aspects, the disclosure relates to a system, further including a rocker arm coupled to the lifter rod.

[0022] In some aspects, the disclosure relates to a system, wherein a portion of the fluid device is moveable within an alignment groove defined on an outer surface of the outer body.

[0023] This summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. Other aspects, features, and advantages of the devices or processes described herein will become apparent in the detailed description set forth herein, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0024] The devices, systems, and methods are explained in even greater detail in the following drawings. The drawings are merely exemplary and certain features may be used singularly or in combination with other features. The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0025] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a valve actuation system including two sets of valves each mechanically coupled to a cam via a cylinder deactivation roller lifter that is coupled to a hydraulic control valve, according to some implementations.

[0026] FIG. 2 is a side view of the valve actuation system of FIG. 2.

[0027] FIG. 3 is an perspective view of a cylinder deactivation roller lifter, according to some implementations.

[0028] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the cylinder deactivation roller lifter taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

[0029] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the cylinder deactivation roller lifter of taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 3.

[0030] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the valve actuation system, according to some implementations.

[0031] FIG. 7 is a detailed view of the valve actuation system of FIG. 6, according to some implementations.

[0032] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the cylinder deactivation roller lifter taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 6.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] Following below are more detailed descriptions of concepts related to, and implementations of, methods, apparatuses, and systems for a cylinder deactivation roller lifter. The figures illustrate exemplary implementations in detail and the present disclosure is not limited to the details or methodology set forth in the description or illustrated in the figures. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of description only and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0034] Cylinder deactivation in internal combustion engines (e.g., compression or spark ignition engines) can contribute to improved fuel economy ratings and reduced emissions. In general, cylinder deactivation involves dynamically adjusting the number of active cylinders in an engine during certain operating conditions or based on certain criteria (e.g., based on a start-up condition, an idle condition, power demand, a motoring condition, etc.). In some implementations, a cylinder deactivation system allows an internal combustion engine to temporarily operate on fewer cylinders when the full power of all cylinders is not required, such as during motoring or lightload conditions.

[0035] In some implementations, when a cylinder is deactivated, the intake and exhaust valves are both closed, and fuel injection to that cylinder is stopped. This process inhibits air and fuel from entering the deactivated cylinder. Motion from a cam of a cam shaft normally transfersmovement to a rocker arm to open and close the intake and / or exhaust valves. However, when a cylinder is deactivated, motion from the cam may be lost or redirected via a cylinder deactivation system. In some implementations, advanced electronic controls are used to seamlessly switch between an active mode and a deactivated mode.

[0036] FIGS. 1 and 2 show a valve actuation system 10 including a first intake valve 12 and a second intake valve 14 coupled to each other via a first yoke 16. The first yoke 16 is coupled to a first valve end 22 of a first rocker arm 20. A first rod end 24 of the first rocker arm 20 is coupled to a first lifter rod 30. The first lifter rod 30 is also coupled to a first cylinder deactivation (cylinder deactivation) roller lifter 100. The first cylinder deactivation roller lifter 100 engages with a first cam 32. The valve actuation system 10 also includes a first exhaust valve 42 and a second exhaust valve 44 coupled to each other via a second yoke 46. The second yoke 46 is coupled to a second valve end 52 of a second rocker arm 50. A second rod end 54 of the second rocker arm 50 is coupled to a second lifter rod 60. The second lifter rod 60 is also coupled to a second cylinder deactivation roller lifter 102. The second cylinder deactivation roller lifter 102 engages with a second cam 62. Each of the first cam 60 and the second cam 62 may be disposed on a cam shaft. In some implementations, only one intake valve and one exhaust valve can be included. In some implementations, more than two intake valves and / or more than two exhaust valves can be included.

[0037] The valve actuation system 10 further includes a fluid device in the form of a hydraulic control valve 70 coupled to and in fluid communication with each of the first cylinder deactivation roller lifter 100 and the second cylinder deactivation roller lifter 102. In general, the hydraulic control valve 70 is selectively controllable to activate or deactivate each of the first and second cylinder deactivation roller lifters 100, 102.

[0038] For example, when activated, motion from the first cam 32 is transferred through the first cylinder deactivation roller lifter 100 to the first lifter rod 30 and to the first rocker arm 20 to open and close the valves 12, 14. When deactivated, pressurized fluid is directed from the hydraulic control valve 70 into the first cylinder deactivation roller lifter 100 such that the first cylinder deactivation roller lifter 100 acts as a lost motion component. When deactivated, motion from the first cam 32 is not transferred to the first lifter rod 30 nor the first rocker arm 20. Instead, the motion of the first cam 32 is lost or absorbed within the first cylinder deactivation roller lifter 100 (e.g., a lost motion spring therein).

[0039] The first cylinder deactivation roller lifter 100 and the second cylinder deactivation roller lifter 102 are substantially similar to each other in both structure and function. Thus, while reference is made to the first cylinder deactivation roller lifter 100 and its associated elements, the same can be applied to the second cylinder deactivation roller lifter 102.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 3, the cylinder deactivation roller lifter 100 defines a first end 104 and a second end 106 along a longitudinal axis 101. The cylinder deactivation roller lifter 100 includes an outer body 110 defining an outer surface 112, and a roller 128 coupled to the outer body 110 adjacent the second end 106.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 4, the cylinder deactivation roller lifter 100 further includes an inner carriage 130 that moves relative to the outer body 110 along the longitudinal axis 101. A lost motion spring 150 is positioned between the inner carriage 130 and the outer body 110 to bias the inner carriage 130 toward the first end 104.

[0042] The outer body 110 includes an inner surface 114 defining an inner cavity 108, a latching shoulder 116 that extends annularly or circumferentially about the inner surface 114, an upper shoulder 117 that extends annularly or circumferentially about the inner surface 114 and is spaced from the latching shoulder 116, and a gallery 118 defined between the latching shoulder 116 and the upper shoulder 117. In some implementations, the latching shoulder 116 defines a 90 degree shoulder relative to the inner surface 114. In some implementations, the upper shoulder 117 extends parallel to the latching shoulder 116. In some implementations, the latching shoulder 116, the upper shoulder 117, and the gallery 118 define a consistent depth. In some implementations, the latching shoulder 116 defines a greater depth than the upper shoulder 117. In some implementations, the upper shoulder 117 defines a greater depth than the latching shoulder 116. In some implementations, the gallery 118 is non-linear between the latching shoulder 116 and the upper shoulder 117. The gallery 118 is configured to retain a fluid (e.g., a pressurized oil). The outer body 110 also defines a clip groove 123 sized to receive a seeger clip 124, and a spring retaining surface 126 spaced from the clip groove 123 and sized to retaining the lost motion spring 150.

[0043] The second end 106 of the outer body 110 defines a roller cavity 125 sized to receive the roller 128, and a roller pin aperture 127 that is sized to receive a roller pin 129. The roller pin 129 supports the roller 128 for rotation along the cam 32.

[0044] The inner carriage 130 defines an inner carriage upper end 132, an inner carriage lower end 134 spaced from the inner carriage upper end 132 and shaped to receive the lost motion spring 150, a socket 136 positioned adjacent the first end 132 and shaped to receive the lifter rod 30, a carriage spring cavity 138 sized to receive the lost motion spring 150, a latch pin passage 140 extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 101, and an orientation pin slot 142 extending perpendicular to and intersecting the latch pin passage 140. The orientation pin slot 142 is sized to receive an orientation pin 146.

[0045] The lost motion spring 150 is disposed between the spring retaining surface 126 of the outer body 110 and the carriage spring cavity 138 of the inner carriage 130. The inner carriage 130 is moveable relative to the outer body 110 along the longitudinal axis 101, and the inner carriage 130 is biased away from the second end 106 and toward the first end 104 of the outer body 110 by the lost motion spring 150. The lost motion spring 150 includes two lost motion springs each contributing to the overall force of the lost motion spring 150 in the cylinder deactivation roller lifter 100. In some implementations, a single spring is used as the lost motion spring 150. In other implementations, more than two springs are used as the lost motion spring 150.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 5, a first latch pin 160 is received within the latch pin passage 140 for movement along a latch pin axis 141. A second latch pin 170 is also received within the latch pin passage 140 for movement along the latch pin axis 141. A latch pin spring 180 is positioned between the first latch pin 160 and the second latch pin 170 and biases the first latch pin 160 away from the second latch pin 170 along the latch pin axis 141. Each of the first and second latch pins 160, 170 are substantially similar to each other. In some implementations, the cylinder deactivation roller lifter 100 includes one latch pin. In some implementations, the cylinder deactivation roller lifter 100 include more than two latch pins. When disposed within the latch pin passage 140, each of the first latch pin 160 and the second latch pin 170 are colinear with each other along the latch pin axis 141.

[0047] The first latch pin 160 is a generally cylindrical body and defines a first spring cavity 162 and a first pin shoulder 164 opposite from the first spring cavity 162 along the latch pin axis 141. The first pin shoulder 164 includes a first shoulder surface 166 oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 101. The first shoulder surface 166 is shaped to engage with the latching shoulder 116 of the outer body 110. The first pin shoulder 164 also defines a first shoulder ramp 168 that is arranged at an oblique angle relative to the latch pin axis 141 and the longitudinal axis 101. Theangle of the first shoulder ramp 168 provides space between the gallery 118 and the first shoulder ramp 168 and therefore allows a fluid to flow between the first shoulder ramp 168 of the first latch pin 160 and the gallery 118.

[0048] The second latch pin 170 includes a similar second spring cavity 172 and a second pin shoulder 174 aligned along the latch pin axis 141. Similar to the at first latch pin 160, the second pin shoulder 174 of the second latch pin 170 includes a second shoulder surface 176 and a second shoulder ramp 178.

[0049] The latch pin spring 180 is disposed within the latch pin passage 140 and extends between the first spring cavity 162 and the second spring cavity 172. The latch pin spring 180 biases the first and second latch pins 160, 170 radially outward.

[0050] The outer body 110 further includes an alignment groove 122 defined on the outer surface 112. In some implementations, the alignment groove 122 has an oblong shape that extends parallel to the longitudinal axis 101. The alignment groove 122 is sized to receive a nozzle 72 of the hydraulic control valve 70 (see FIG. 8) and allow the nozzle 72 to move within the alignment groove 122 parallel to the longitudinal axis 101. A fluid port 120 is positioned adjacent an upper end of the alignment groove 122 and provide fluid communication to the gallery 118. In some implementations, the fluid port 120 is positioned adjacent a lower end of the alignment groove 122. In some implementations, the fluid port 120 is positioned in a middle section of the alignment groove 122. The positioning of the fluid port 120 relative to the alignment groove 122 is dependent on the location of desired actuation of the cylinder deactivation roller lifter 100.

[0051] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the nozzle 72 of the hydraulic control valve 70 couples to the alignment groove 122 to provide selective fluid communication between the hydraulic control valve 70 and the fluid port 120. The nozzle 72 is also sized to slide within the alignment groove 122 and inhibit rotation of the cylinder deactivation roller lifter 100 about the longitudinal axis 101 to maintain the orientation of the cylinder deactivation roller lifter 100 during linear movement of the cylinder deactivation roller lifter 100 along the longitudinal axis 101.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 8, the first latch pin 160 includes a first flat orientation surface 169. The second latch pin 170 similarly includes a second flat orientation surface 179. The orientation pin 146 is disposed within the orientation pin slot 142 of the inner carriage 130 and abuts both of the first flat orientation surface 169 and the second flat orientation surface 179 to inhibit rotation of the first latch pin 160 and the second latch pin 170 within the latch pin passage 140. Theorientation pin 146 allows linear movement of the first latch pin 160 and the second latch pin 170 along the latch pin axis 141 within the latch pin passage 140.

[0053] In operation, the first latch pin 160 and the second latch pin 170 are movable between a cylinder deactivation position and a latched position. The position of the first and second latch pins 160, 170 corresponds to a cylinder deactivation position and a latched position of the cylinder deactivation roller lifter 100. The latched position may be referred to as an “active” or “activated” position. The cylinder deactivation position be referred to as a “deactivated” position.

[0054] In the latched position (as shown in FIGS. 5-8), the latch pin spring 180 forces the first pin shoulder 164 of the first latch pin 160 and the second pin shoulder 174 of the second latch pin 170 radially outward and away from each other. Each of the first pin shoulder 164 and the second pin shoulder 174 enter into the gallery 118 of the outer body 110. The first shoulder surface 166 of the first pin shoulder 164 and the second shoulder surface 176 of the second pin shoulder 174 each engage with the latching shoulder 116 of the outer body 110, as shown in FIG. 7. Thus, the outer body 110 is latched to the inner carriage 130 via the first and second latch pins 160, 170.

[0055] In the latched position, motion from the cam 32 is transferred to the roller 128, to the outer body 110, to the first and second latch pins 160, 170, to the inner carriage 130, and to the lifter rod 30. The latched position is the default position such that, in normal operation, motion is transferred from the cam 32 to the lifter rod 30 through the cylinder deactivation roller lifter 100 without interruption. In the latched position, a valve system (e.g., valves 12, 14) open and close in a normal pattern via motion of the first rocker arm 20.

[0056] In the cylinder deactivation position, motion from the cam 32 is lost to the cylinder deactivation roller lifter 100 and not transferred to the lifter rod 30. For example, by removing the mechanical linkage between the cam 32 and the first rocker arm 20, the valves 12, 14 may be closed when the full power of all cylinders is not required.

[0057] To move the cylinder deactivation roller lifter 100 from the latched position to the cylinder deactivation position, pressurized fluid is introduced into the gallery 118 by the hydraulic control valve 70 via the nozzle 72 and the fluid port 120. The pressurized fluid (e.g., oil) enters the outer body 110 and fills the gallery 118. The pressured fluid then applies pressure to the first pin 160 and the second latch pin 170. Specifically, the fluid applies pressure to the first shoulder ramp 168 and the second shoulder ramp 178 to force the first and second latch pins 160, 170 radially inward against the biasing force of the latch pin spring 180. Thus, the pressure of the fluid in the gallery118 overcomes the biasing force of the latch pin spring 180 to move the cylinder deactivation roller lifter 100 to the cylinder deactivation position.

[0058] Once the force of the latch pin spring 180 is overcome, the first pin shoulder 164 of the first latch pin 160 and the second pin shoulder 174 of the second latch pin 170 disengage from the latching shoulder 116 of the outer body 110. The first latch pin 160 and the second latch pin 170 are thus retained entirely within the latch pin passage 140 of the inner carriage 130. Because the latch pins 160, 170 are disengaged from the outer body 110, motion from the cam 32 is transferred to the outer body 110 but not to the inner carriage 130 nor the lifter rod 30. Instead, the outer body 110 moves axially relative to the inner carriage 130, compressing the lost motion spring 150 between the spring retaining surface 126 and the carriage spring cavity 138.

[0059] In some implementations, the systems and devices described herein are implemented into a 9-liter engine having a Type 5 valve train.

[0060] For purposes of this description, certain advantages and novel features of the aspects and configurations of this disclosure are described herein. The described methods, systems, and apparatus should not be construed as limiting in any way. Instead, the present disclosure is directed toward all novel and nonobvious features and aspects of the various disclosed aspects, alone and in various combinations and sub-combinations with one another. The disclosed methods, systems, and apparatus are not limited to any specific aspect, feature, or combination thereof, nor do the disclosed methods, systems, and apparatus require that any one or more specific advantages be present or problems be solved.

[0061] Although the figures and description may illustrate a specific order of method steps, the order of such steps may differ from what is depicted and described, unless specified differently above. Also, two or more steps may be performed concurrently or with partial concurrence, unless specified differently above. Such variation may depend, for example, on the software and hardware systems chosen and on designer choice. All such variations are within the scope of the disclosure.

[0062] Features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings), and / or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and / or steps are mutually exclusive. The claimed features extend to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the featuresdisclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

[0063] As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value, and / or to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another aspect includes from the one particular value and / or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about”, it will be understood that the particular value forms another aspect. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint. The terms “about” and “approximately” are defined as being “close to” as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0064] The terms “coupled”, “connected”, and the like as used herein mean the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary (e.g., permanent) or moveable (e.g., removable or releasable). Such joining may be achieved with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being attached to one another. If “coupled” or variations thereof are modified by an additional term (e.g., directly coupled), the generic definition of “coupled” provided above is modified by the plain language meaning of the additional term (e.g., “directly coupled” means the joining of two members without any separate intervening member), resulting in a narrower definition than the generic definition of “coupled” provided above. Such coupling may be mechanical, electrical, or fluidic.

[0065] Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. The words “right”, “left”, “lower”, and “upper” designate direction in the drawings to which reference is made. The words “inner” and “outer” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the described feature or device. The words “distal” and “proximal” refer to directions taken in context of the item described and, with regard to the instruments herein described, are typically based on the perspective of the practitioner using such instrument, with “proximal” indicating a position closer to the practitioner and “distal” indicating a position further from the practitioner. The terminology includes the above-listed words, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import.

[0066] Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the word “comprise” and variations of the word, such as “comprising” and “comprises”, means “including but not limited to”, and is not intended to exclude, for example, other additives, components, integers or steps. “Exemplary” means “an example of’ and is not intended to convey an indication of a preferred or ideal aspect. “Such as” is not used in a restrictive sense, but for explanatory purposes.

[0067] The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A cylinder deactivation roller lifter comprising: an outer body including an inner surface defining an inner cavity and a latching shoulder extending radially outward from the inner surface; an inner carriage disposed within the inner cavity and defining a latch pin passage; at least one latch pin disposed within the latch pin passage, each of the at least one latch pins including a spring cavity and a pin shoulder that is movable between a cylinder deactivation position with the latch pin disengaged from the latching shoulder, and a latched position with the latch pin engaged with the latching shoulder; a latch pin spring coupled to the spring cavity to bias the at least one latch pin toward the latched position; and a lost motion spring disposed between the outer body and the inner carriage.

2. The cylinder deactivation roller lifter of claim 1, wherein the outer body further defines a gallery in fluid communication with the at least one latch pin, and a fluid port in fluid communication with the gallery, and wherein fluid pressure within the gallery overcomes the bias of the latch pin spring to move the at least one latch pin from the latched position to the cylinder deactivation position.

3. The cylinder deactivation roller lifter of claim 2, wherein the gallery extends annularly about the inner surface of the outer body.

4. The cylinder deactivation roller lifter of claim 1, wherein the at least one latch pin includes a first latch pin and a second latch pin arranged colinear with the first latch pin, wherein the latch pin spring extends between the first latch pin and the second latch pin.

5. The cylinder deactivation roller lifter of claim 1, wherein the inner carriage further includes a socket configured to couple to a lifter rod.

6. The cylinder deactivation roller lifter of claim 1, wherein the outer body further includes a roller configured to engage with a cam.

7. The cylinder deactivation roller lifter of claim 6, wherein when the at least one latch pin is arranged in the latched position, motion from the cam is transferred through the outer body to the inner carriage via engagement of the pin shoulder and the latching shoulder.

8. The cylinder deactivation roller lifter of claim 6, wherein when the at least one latch pin is arranged in the cylinder deactivation position, motion from the cam is transferred to the outer body and the outer body moves relative to the inner carriage against a bias of the lost motion spring.

9. The cylinder deactivation roller lifter of claim 1, wherein the outer body further defines an alignment groove extending parallel to a longitudinal axis of the outer body, and a fluid port being defined within the alignment groove, the cylinder deactivation roller lifter further comprising an anti-rotation fluid nozzle received within the alignment groove to inhibit rotation of the outer body and arranged in fluid communication with the fluid port to actuate the at least one latch pin between the cylinder deactivation position and the latched position.

10. The cylinder deactivation roller lifter of claim 9, wherein the outer body further defines a gallery in fluid communication with the at least one latch pin and the fluid port and extending annularly about the inner surface of the outer body.

11. The cylinder deactivation roller lifter of claim 1, wherein the inner carriage further defines an orientation pin slot extending perpendicular to the latch pin passage, and wherein each of the at least one latch pins further defines a flat surface, the cylinder deactivation roller lifter further comprising an orientation pin disposed within the orientation pin slot and abutting the flat surface of the at least one latch pin.

12. The cylinder deactivation roller lifter of claim 1, further comprising a Seeger clip coupled to a portion of the outer body to retain the inner carriage within the inner cavity of the outer body.

13. A cylinder deactivation roller lifter comprising :an outer body defining an inner surface, a circumferential gallery, a circumferential latching shoulder, and a fluid port in fluid communication with the circumferential gallery; an inner carriage movable relative to the outer body and defining a latch pin passage; a first latch pin received in the latch pin passage; a second latch pin received in the latch pin passage; and a latch pin spring biasing the first latch pin linearly away from the second latch pin, wherein the cylinder deactivation roller lifter is moveable between an activated configuration wherein the first latch pin is engaged with the circumferential latching shoulder and the second latch pin is engaged with the circumferential latching shoulder, and a deactivated configuration wherein pressurized fluid within the circumferential gallery acts against the bias of the latch pin spring to move the first latch pin and the second latch pin radially inward such that the outer body is decoupled from the inner carriage.

14. The cylinder deactivation roller lifter of claim 13, wherein the first latch pin and the second latch pin each include an angled outer surface facilitating a flow and force from the pressurized fluid.

15. The cylinder deactivation roller lifter of claim 13, further comprising a lost motion spring coupled between the outer body and the inner carriage, wherein the lost motion spring is compressed in the deactivated configuration.

16. A system comprising: a cylinder deactivation roller lifter comprising: an outer body defining an inner surface, a circumferential gallery, a circumferential latching shoulder, and a fluid port in fluid communication with the circumferential gallery; a roller coupled to the outer body; an inner carriage movable relative to the outer body and defining a latch pin passage and a socket; a first latch pin received in the latch pin passage; a second latch pin received in the latch pin passage; anda latch pin spring biasing the first latch pin linearly away from the second latch pin, wherein the cylinder deactivation roller lifter is moveable between an activated configuration wherein the first latch pin is engaged with the circumferential latching shoulder and the second latch pin is engaged with the circumferential latching shoulder, and a deactivated configuration wherein pressurized fluid within the circumferential gallery acts against the bias of the latch pin spring to move the first latch pin and the second latch pin radially inward such that the outer body is decoupled from the inner carriage; a cam engaged with the roller; a fluid device coupled to and in fluid communication with the fluid port of the outer body, the fluid device configured to selectively cause the pressurized fluid to flow within the circumferential gallery; and a lifter rod coupled to the socket of the inner carriage.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein, in the activated configuration, motion from the cam is transferred through the outer body to the inner carriage and to the lifter rod.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein, in the deactivated configuration, motion from the cam is transferred to the outer body which moves relative to the inner carriage such that the lifter rod is not moved.

19. The system of claim 16, further comprising a rocker arm coupled to the lifter rod.

20. The system of claim 16, wherein a portion of the fluid device is moveable within an alignment groove defined on an outer surface of the outer body.

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