[0001] The present invention relates to a universal bracket design for attachment of solenoids to a variably actuated valve system.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Variable valve hydraulically actuated valve systems are known in the art. An example system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,839,400, wherein a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine has two intake valves for each cylinder which can be uncoupled from the respective tappets by drawing fluid under pressure out of a chamber interposed between each tappet and the respective valve. The system is a fully variable hydraulic valve control module utilizing individual solenoid valves. U.S. Pat. No. 5, 839, 400 is incorporated by reference as though fully set forth herein.

[0003] In hydraulically actuated valve systems, such as that shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,056,136, the solenoid valves are assembled to the external surface of the housing of the system using a cold forming attachment process, such as swaging or clinching. As such cold forming attachment is used, restrictions on type of material that would accommodate for cold forming are needed. Orientation of the solenoid oil galleries within the actuator housing are essential to the proper functioning of the system, as such, precise positioning of the solenoid valves is required during the attachment process. Once installed, the solenoid valves are not removable or replaceable, therefore, in the event of a solenoid failure during assembly or in operation, the entire actuator would need to be replaced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience and descriptive

purposes only, and is not intended to be limiting to the scope of the claims. The terminology includes the words specifically noted, derivatives thereof and words of similar import. [0005] The present invention relates to a universal orientation bracket design for attaching or securing solenoids to a housing of a hydraulically actuated variable valve system. The bracket has at least one attachment flange attached to a cupped or arched main body portion with an upper and lower surface. The main body portion, in turn, is made of at least two side walls connected with an upper cross member and at least one opening or gap between the side walls to allow for orientation of the solenoid valve, and accommodating the solenoid connector. The lower cupped surface of said main body is shaped in such a way as to accept, retain and orient a solenoid valve.

[0006] The particular shape of the bracket and the configuration and orientation of the arched main body, flanges and side walls, as to the associated housing and to each other, will necessarily depend on the needs of any particular application, and will be designed to suit a particular solenoid valve design.

[0007] An additional embodiment of the present invention is that the bracket provides for correct orientation of solenoids in several directions depending on the attachment orientation to the hydraulically actuated valve system housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0010] The above mentioned and other features and advantages of the embodiments described herein, and the manner of attaining them, will become apparent and be better understood by reference to the following description of at least one example embodiment in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. A brief description of those drawings now follows.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the bottom of a hydraulically actuated valve system, including the bracket and associated solenoid attached to the housing according to one embodiment of the invention. [0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the top of an hydraulically actuated valve system, including the bracket and associated solenoid attached to the housing according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0013] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the bottom of the bracket design for a hydraulically actuated valve system according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0014] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the top of the bracket design for a hydraulically actuated valve system according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0015] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the side of the bracket design for a hydraulically actuated valve system according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0016] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the top of a hydraulically actuated valve system, showing a partially exploded assembly view of a solenoid and bracket.

[0017] FIG. 7 is a side view of a hydraulically actuated valve system.

[0018] FIG. 8 is a cross section of a hydraulically actuated valve system taken along line A-A of FIG.

7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Identically labeled elements appearing in different ones of the figures refer to the same

elements but may not be referenced in the description for all figures. The exemplification set out herein illustrates at least one embodiment, in at least one form, and such exemplification is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the claims in any manner.

[0020] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a hydraulic valve actuation system 1. Hydraulic valve actuation system 1 comprises housing 2, pumps 4 slidably mounted along an axis substantially directed at 90 degrees with respect to the axis of a brake or piston 5, in turn, in line with a valve stem (not shown), solenoids 6, and orientation bracket 10. The details of construction and operation of hydraulic valve actuation system 1, pumps 4 and brakes 5 are not described and shown herein. Solenoid 6 is oriented and fixed in position on housing 2 such that solenoid 6 is in line with an oil gallery 20 (see FIG. 8). As seen from this perspective view of the bottom of actuation system 1, bracket 10 comprises mounting flange 11, sidewall 12, second sidewall 13, upper cross member 14 and cupped lower surface 15. Solenoid 6 is seated within lower cupped surface 15, solenoid main body shoulder 9 contacting stepped surface 17 of bracket 10 (see FIG. 3) and oriented by sidewalls 12 and 13. Fasteners 30 are inserted through holes 16 in flange 11 and into housing 2. In this example embodiment, a gap H is maintained between flange 11 and the surface of housing 2, as, in this example embodiment, the surface of housing 2 is curved or angled, making proper seating of flange 11 on surface of housing 2 difficult. Stepped surface 17 of bracket 10 (see FIG. 3) seats on shoulders 9 of solenoid 6, and fasteners 30 extend through flange hole 16 and into housing mounting hole 31, maintaining gap H in this example embodiment. Brackets 10' are identical in shape and configuration to brackets 10, but mounted in a different orientation on housing 2 to accommodate for required solenoid 6 location within housing 2 or to avoid interference of housing fastener hole 31 with oil galleries and mounting surfaces (not shown) of housing 2. See FIG. 7.

[0021] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the top of actuation system 1. Pumps 4 and solenoid connector

7, which is an extension from the main body of solenoid 6, are shown. Brackets 10 are shown, comprising mounting flange 11, sidewall 12, second sidewall 13, upper cross member 14 and cupped lower surface 15.

[0022] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the bottom of bracket 10, comprising mounting flange 11, mounting flange fixation hole 16, sidewall 12, second sidewall 13, upper cross member 14, cupped lower surface 15, and stepped surface 17. Gaps G and G' are shown between sidewalls 12 and 13.

[0023] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the top of bracket 10, comprising mounting flange 11, mounting flange fixation hole 16, sidewall 12, second sidewall 13, upper cross member 14 and cupped lower surface 15. A gap G' is shown between sidewalls 12 and 13.

[0024] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the top of bracket 10, comprising mounting flange 11, mounting flange fixation hole 16, sidewall 12, second sidewall 13, upper cross member 14 and cupped lower surface 15. A gap G is shown between sidewalls 12 and 13. Although at least one gap is needed between sidewalls 12 and 13 to accommodate for solenoid connector 7 (see FIG. 2), a second gap may be designed in order to accommodate a particular solenoid 6 or bracket 10 orientation on housing 2 to allow for multiple retention orientations of bracket 10 and solenoid 6 on housing 2.

[0025] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the top of hydraulically actuated valve system 1, showing a partially exploded assembly view of bracket 10 and solenoid 6. Solenoid 6 in this example embodiment comprises a rounded main body portion 8, shoulder 9 and connector 7. Body 8 of solenoid 6 slides into cupped lower surface 15 of bracket 10, shoulder 9 contacts and seats on stepped surface 17 and is oriented by side walls 12 and 13. Bracket 10 and retained solenoid 6 are fastened to housing 2 using fasteners 30, inserted through flange holes 16 and into retention holes 31 in housing 2. In this example embodiment, gap H (see FIGs 1 and 2) is maintained between flange 11 and housing 2, as the surface of housing 2 is curved and contains multiple porting and mounting features. As can be more clearly seen in FIG. 7, bracket 10 may be oriented in several ways without changing the design of bracket 10, to accommodate for a required orientation of solenoid 6 within housing 2. Retention holes 31 must be moved to accommodate for shifting the orientation of bracket 10. In this example embodiment, bracket 10 is in a shallow "C" configuration and there are gaps G and G' between sidewalls 12 and 13 on opposite ends of bracket 10. This configuration allows for bracket 10 to be reversed into the orientation of bracket 10', maintaining the geometry of bracket 10 and accomplishing multiple orientation configurations and retention of solenoid 6. As bracket 10 is reversed in orientation on housing 2, connector 7 extends through gap G' rather than G, and solenoid 6 is correctly position into housing 2, as per any particular system design requirement.

[0026] FIG. 8 shows a cross section taken along line A-A of FIG. 7, showing solenoid 6 and connector

7 oriented into oil gallery 20 of housing 2, with the aid of bracket 10.

[0027] In the foregoing description, example embodiments are described. The specification and

drawings are accordingly to be regarded in an illustrative rather than in a restrictive sense. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto, without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0028] In addition, it should be understood that the figures illustrated in the attachments, which

highlight the functionality and advantages of the example embodiments, are presented for example purposes only. The architecture or construction of example embodiments described herein is sufficiently flexible and configurable, such that it may be utilized (and navigated) in ways other than that shown in the accompanying figures.

[0029] Although example embodiments have been described herein, many additional modifications and variations would be apparent to those skilled in the art. It is therefore to be understood that this invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described. Thus, the present example embodiments should be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS Hydraulic Valve Actuation System

Housing

Pump

Piston or Brake

Solenoid

Solenoid Connector

Solenoid Body

Solenoid Shoulder

Orientation Bracket

' Orientation Bracket

Mounting Flange

Side Wall

Side Wall

Upper Cross Member

Lower Cupped Surface

Flange Hole

Stepped Surface

Oil Gallery

Fasteners

Housing Fastener Hole