Hydraulic Phaser Actuation Assembly for Direct Gear Phasing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing engine technologies face challenges in efficiently varying the compression ratio without the need for intermediate reductions, gears, or levers, which limits direct and significant force application for phasing adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A phaser system with a hydraulic fluid actuator assembly that includes an advance chamber and a retard chamber, controlled by a valve to axially displace a piston plate, allowing for direct force application between gears without intermediate components, utilizing a motor-pump assembly to supply hydraulic fluid and maintain phasing between a crankshaft and an eccentric shaft.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If intermediate reductions, gears, or levers are used to effectuate phasing, then mechanical advantage is provided, but device complexity increases and direct force application is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical actuation system (gears, levers, intermediate reductions) with a hydraulic actuation system. The hydraulic piston directly applies axial force to the piston plate, eliminating the need for intermediate mechanical components while maintaining force application capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a hydraulic fluid actuator assembly with advance and retard chambers that use hydraulic pressure to directly displace the piston plate axially. This hydraulic mechanism provides direct force application without requiring mechanical intermediaries such as gears or levers.
2Reliability
If a separate hydraulic fluid circuit is used for the phaser assembly, then reliable fluid supply is ensured, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the hydraulic system into two independent circuits: a motor-pump assembly that provides primary hydraulic fluid supply, and an engine pump that serves as a backup. This segmentation ensures that if one circuit fails, the other can maintain phaser operation, thereby improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates a backup engine pump circuit that stands ready to provide hydraulic fluid if the primary motor-pump assembly fails. This redundant configuration provides beforehand protection against fluid supply failure, ensuring continuous phaser operation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables precise and efficient adjustment of the phase between engine components, enhancing engine efficiency and reducing fuel consumption by eliminating the need for additional mechanical components, while ensuring continuous operation through redundant fluid supply systems.
Implementation Method 1
A valve is configured to selectively pressurize either the advance chamber or the retard chamber via at least a first control line connected to the advance chamber and at least a second control line connected to the retard chamber such that the at least one piston plate is axially displaced
Implementation Method 2
In one aspect, a motor pump is configured to provide fluid to the phaser assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A phaser system is provided. The system includes a first gear connected to a first plate, and a second gear connected to a second plate. A phaser assembly includes at least one piston plate, and axial displacement of the at least one piston plate is configured to adjust a phase between the first gear and the second gear. A hydraulic fluid actuator assembly is also provided that includes a hydraulic fluid circuit including an advance chamber defined on a first side of the at least one piston plate and a retard chamber defined on a second side of the at least one piston plate. A valve selectively pressurizes the advance chamber or the retard chamber such that the at least one piston plate is axially displaced.