EP1268986A1 - Valve rotating device - Google Patents

Valve rotating device

Info

Publication number
EP1268986A1
EP1268986A1 EP01927826A EP01927826A EP1268986A1 EP 1268986 A1 EP1268986 A1 EP 1268986A1 EP 01927826 A EP01927826 A EP 01927826A EP 01927826 A EP01927826 A EP 01927826A EP 1268986 A1 EP1268986 A1 EP 1268986A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
ball
cover
base body
valve
balls
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP01927826A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1268986B1 (en
Inventor
Michael Engesser
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of EP1268986A1 publication Critical patent/EP1268986A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1268986B1 publication Critical patent/EP1268986B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01L—CYCLICALLY OPERATING VALVES FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES
    • F01L1/00—Valve-gear or valve arrangements, e.g. lift-valve gear
    • F01L1/32—Valve-gear or valve arrangements, e.g. lift-valve gear characterised by the provision of means for rotating lift valves, e.g. to diminish wear

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a valve rotating device according to the preamble of claim 1.
  • valve seat and the valve stem are subject to heavy wear.
  • a valve rotating device is usually provided. The rotation also cleans the valve seat of oil carbon.
  • a generic valve rotating device is shown in US Pat. No. 2,624,323.
  • a plate spring is arranged at a distance from balls, which generate the twisting movement.
  • a three-point support with inserted balls is provided on one side of the plate spring.
  • the cover which is also the lower valve spring plate, is over a disc-shaped plate spring rotatably mounted, which rests directly on the balls of the base body.
  • the balls are held by the tangential springs at the upper point of the inclined ball track.
  • the disc spring presses onto the balls and these roll to the lowest point of the inclined ball track in the body. They turn the disc spring and press the tangential springs together.
  • the rotary movement of the plate spring is transmitted to the valve via the cover, the valve spring, the upper spring plate and the clamping pieces. If the valve closes, the diaphragm spring is relieved. The balls are pushed back into the starting position by the tangential springs without rolling.
  • the invention is based on the object of providing a valve turning device which has a simple structure and a good turning function and at the same time is particularly low-wear.
  • a basic idea of the invention is to consistently separate the rotation principle and the necessary force introduction and force transmission principle from one another. If the valve rotating device is compressed under the initiation of a valve spring force, the axial spring device absorbs the essential forces. Due to the power transmission package pivot bearing / axial spring device / cover, the upper part of the valve rotating device is non-positively connected to each other under the valve spring force. With a vertical movement - reducing the distance between the cover and the base body - the outer surface of the cover now rotates the base body via the roller bearing. This rotation takes place relative to the cover via a frictional connection between the components cover - balls - base body.
  • the axial spring device is arranged separately and at a distance from the balls, the balls and the ball raceways are hardly loaded axially. The so-called pitting on the balls and in the ball pockets and thus the wear on the valve rotating device is largely eliminated. Furthermore, the axial spring device is also no longer exposed to the bending, deformation and flexing forces which in the generic valve turning device on the occur in the generic valve rotating device on the known plate spring. The associated signs of wear on the plate spring are thus basically avoided in the valve rotating device according to the invention.
  • the valve turning device according to the invention drastically improves the service life, which represents an enormous economic advantage, particularly in the case of long-life internal combustion engines.
  • the rolling bearing has two races as a standard component, between which rolling elements are arranged in a cage.
  • the cover is mounted and guided relative to the base body by the roller bearing about the axis of rotation.
  • the rotational movement generated is guided radially exclusively by the needle bearing.
  • the axial needle bearing has conically arranged races or lateral edge shoulders on the two races, between which the cylindrical needle-shaped rolling elements are arranged with their cages.
  • the base body it is preferred that three to six, preferably four, ball pockets are provided, which are evenly distributed along the circumference of the base body.
  • a significantly reduced number of balls can be provided according to the invention, since the individual balls are hardly loaded. If the number of balls remains the same, for example from eight to ten, the ball diameter can also be halved so that the ball diameter is between 3 mm and 10 mm. This means less effort in the production of the base body and the ball raceways arranged therein.
  • the inclination of the ball raceways is relatively small in the generic valve rotating device, it is preferred according to the invention that the inclination of the ball raceway of the ball pockets is uniform and is between 6 and 15 degrees. Due to the low load on the individual balls in the valve rotating device according to the invention, the prerequisite for a greater inclination of the ball raceway is created, which improves the twisting movement.
  • a preferred embodiment of the invention further consists in the axial spring device comprising at least one plate spring, preferably a plate spring package.
  • Disc springs are a particularly cost-effective way of axially pressing apart the cover and the base body. When using a disc spring assembly, the desired axial forces can be set inexpensively and at the same time with high accuracy.
  • the pivot bearing which is arranged on an axial side of the axial spring device, can either lie on the cover or on the base body, the latter being the preferred embodiment.
  • the pivot bearing can be a simple sliding surface. According to the invention, however, it is preferred that the pivot bearing is a needle bearing.
  • this rolling bearing variant a particularly low-friction rotation is achieved between the plate spring, which is non-positively supported on the base body, and the cover, on the other hand, in a small installation space. Overpressure of the valve rotating device is prevented according to the invention in that the balls are completely accommodated in the ball pocket at the lower point of the ball track and in that the base body rests against the cover in this position against the stop.
  • the base body is firmly connected to the cylinder head, while the cover serves as the lower valve spring plate and is non-rotatably connected to it.
  • the cover serves as the lower valve spring plate and is non-rotatably connected to it.
  • Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view through a valve rotating device according to the invention.
  • FIG. 2 shows a schematic plan view of the main body of the valve rotating device from FIG. 1;
  • Fig. 3 shows the detailed sectional view of section AA of Figure 1 in the rest position with the valve closed.
  • Fig. 4 shows the detailed sectional view according to section AA of Fig. 1 when a valve spring force is applied with the valve open and
  • Fig. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a further embodiment of the valve rotating device according to the invention.
  • a valve rotating device 10 comprises an annular base body 12 which has a central opening with a conical seat 34 for receiving a valve stem.
  • a needle bearing is arranged as a roller bearing 24 in its radial ring area.
  • a ball pocket base is designed as an inclined ball raceway 18, on which the ball 16 is held in a rest position by means of a tangential spring 20 at an upper dead center.
  • a single disc spring 32 is arranged on the roller bearing 24 as an axial spring device 30.
  • the axial spring device 30 is non-positively supported on a disk-shaped cover 22 which rests on the balls 16.
  • the axial position of the cover 22 relative to the base body 12 is defined by a snap ring 26, the cover 22 being rotatable relative to the base body 12 and also axially displaceable to a certain extent in the direction of the base body 12. Only in this idle state there is static friction between the cover 22 and the base body 12 via the snap ring 26.
  • guidance and thus a defined change in position occurs exclusively via the roller bearing 24. This additionally prevents frictional wear.
  • the function of the valve rotating device 10 according to the invention can be seen clearly from FIGS. 3 and 4.
  • a valve spring is compressed, which exerts an axial force on the cover 22.
  • the cover 22 is axially displaced to the base body 12, the balls 16 being pressed into the ball pockets 14 against the spring action of the tangential springs 20. While the balls 16 have a defined projection over the base body 12 in a rest position, as can be seen from FIG. 3, the ball 16 is pressed completely into the ball pocket 14 when the spring force is applied according to FIG. 4.
  • the ball 16 rolls on a ball raceway 18 provided with an inclination between 8 to 15 degrees, which leads to a defined rotation of the cover 22 relative to the base body 12.
  • the cover 22 moves onto the base body 12 in a block, as can be seen from FIG. 4. This limits the maximum travel path of the cover 22. A so-called overpressing and thus damage to the balls 16 or the ball raceways 18 is thus ruled out.
  • FIG. 5 A further preferred embodiment of a valve rotating device 10 ′ according to the invention can be seen in FIG. 5.
  • the essential components of this embodiment correspond to those of the valve turning device 10 described above, so that the correspondingly designated components are not further explained.
  • an axial spring device 30 ' is a plate spring assembly comprising a plurality of plate springs 32', by means of which a defined, high axial force can be set.
  • the valve rotating device according to the invention with a separate arrangement of the balls 16 and the axial spring device 30 drastically relieves the balls 16 and the ball raceways 18 compared to the conventional devices, so that undesired deformations on these rotating components, the so-called pitting formation, are largely prevented.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Rolling Contact Bearings (AREA)
  • Valve-Gear Or Valve Arrangements (AREA)
  • Control Of Throttle Valves Provided In The Intake System Or In The Exhaust System (AREA)
  • Taps Or Cocks (AREA)

Abstract

The device has a ring-shaped body (12) with ball pockets containing balls (16), a relatively moveable cover (22), and an axial spring unit (30) between ring and cover. The spring unit is located at a distance to the balls, and carries a pivot bearing (24) on an axial side. The balls are in contact with the cover. The ring-shaped body has been three and six, pref. four evenly distributed pockets. The axial spring unit has at least one plate spring (32), pref. a spring assembly. The pivot bearing is a needle bearing.

Description

VentildrehvorrichtungValve rotator
Die Erfindung betrifft eine Ventildrehvorrichtung gemäß dem Oberbegriff des Anspruchs 1.The invention relates to a valve rotating device according to the preamble of claim 1.
Bei Verbrennungsmotoren, insbesondere großen Dieselmotoren, unterliegen der Ventilsitz und der Ventilschaft einem starken Verschleiß. Um eine gleichmäßige thermische Belastung und Abnutzung zu erreichen, wird üblicherweise eine Ventildrehvorrichtung vorgesehen. Die Drehung sorgt zusätzlich für eine Reinigung des Ventilsitzes von Ölkohle.In internal combustion engines, especially large diesel engines, the valve seat and the valve stem are subject to heavy wear. In order to achieve a uniform thermal load and wear, a valve rotating device is usually provided. The rotation also cleans the valve seat of oil carbon.
Eine gattungsgemäße Ventildrehvorrichtung geht aus der US-PS 2,624,323 hervor. Dabei ist eine Tellerfeder beabstandet zu Kugeln angeordnet, welche die Verdrehbewegung erzeugen. Um Reibkräfte zwischen der Axialfedereinrichtung und einem Deckel zu reduzieren, ist eine Dreipunktauflage mit eingelegten Kugeln an einer Seite der Tellerfeder vorgesehen.A generic valve rotating device is shown in US Pat. No. 2,624,323. A plate spring is arranged at a distance from balls, which generate the twisting movement. In order to reduce frictional forces between the axial spring device and a cover, a three-point support with inserted balls is provided on one side of the plate spring.
Bei anderen herkömmlichen Ventildrehvorrichtungen, wie sie etwa aus der DE-AS 1 293 789, US-PS 2,827,886, DE-OS 27 57 455 oder DE-OS 30 04 320 bekannt sind, ist der Deckel, welcher gleichzeitig der untere Ventilfederteller ist, über eine scheibenförmige Tellerfeder drehbar gelagert, welche unmittelbar auf den Kugeln des Grundkörpers aufliegt. Bei geschlossenem Ventil werden die Kugeln von den Tangential- federn an dem oberen Punkt der geneigten Kugellaufbahn gehalten. Wird das Ventil geöffnet, so drückt die Tellerfeder auf die Kugeln und diese rollen bis zum tiefsten Punkt der geneigten Kugellaufbahn im Grundkörper. Dabei drehen sie die Tellerfeder und drücken die Tangentialfedern zusammen. Die Drehbewegung der Tellerfeder wird über den Deckel, die Ventilfeder, den oberen Federteller und die Klemmstücke auf das Ventil übertragen. Schließt das Ventil, wird die Tellerfeder entlastet. Die Kugeln werden von den Tangentialfe- dern ohne zu rollen wieder in die Ausgangslage zurückgeschoben.In other conventional valve turning devices, such as are known from DE-AS 1 293 789, US Pat. No. 2,827,886, DE-OS 27 57 455 or DE-OS 30 04 320, the cover, which is also the lower valve spring plate, is over a disc-shaped plate spring rotatably mounted, which rests directly on the balls of the base body. When the valve is closed, the balls are held by the tangential springs at the upper point of the inclined ball track. If the valve is opened, the disc spring presses onto the balls and these roll to the lowest point of the inclined ball track in the body. They turn the disc spring and press the tangential springs together. The rotary movement of the plate spring is transmitted to the valve via the cover, the valve spring, the upper spring plate and the clamping pieces. If the valve closes, the diaphragm spring is relieved. The balls are pushed back into the starting position by the tangential springs without rolling.
Bei dieser bekannten Ventildrehvorrichtung wird zwar eine gute Verdrehung erreicht. Allerdings ist die Standzeit dieser bekannten Ventildrehvorrichtung begrenzt. Denn die Krafteinleitung der Ventilfederkraft erfolgt bei der bekannten Ventildrehvorrichtung über die Tellerfeder und die Kugeln in den Grundkörper. Hierbei entsteht sowohl an den Kugeln als auch an den Kugellaufbahnen in den Kugeltaschen ein erheblicher Verschleiß, welcher als Pitting- Bildung bezeichnet wird. Funktionsbedingt tritt weiterhin eine starke Verbiegung, ein Verformen und Verwalken der Tellerfeder auf, insbesondere wenn es bei einer nicht exakten Ventileinstellung zu einem sogenannten Überdrücken komm .In this known valve rotation device, good rotation is achieved. However, the service life of this known valve rotating device is limited. Because the force introduction of the valve spring force takes place in the known valve rotating device via the plate spring and the balls in the base body. This results in considerable wear on both the balls and the ball raceways in the ball pockets, which is referred to as pitting. Due to the function, there is still a strong bending, deformation and warping of the plate spring, especially if there is a so-called overpressure when the valve setting is not exact.
Der Erfindung liegt die A u f g a b e zugrunde, eine Ventildrehvorrichtung zu schaffen, welche einen einfachen Aufbau und eine gute Verdrehfunktion besitzt und zugleich besonders verschleißarm ist.The invention is based on the object of providing a valve turning device which has a simple structure and a good turning function and at the same time is particularly low-wear.
Die Aufgabe wird erfindungsgemäß durch eine Ventildrehvorrichtung mit den Merkmalen des Patentanspruchs 1 gelöst . Bevorzugte Weiterbildungen der Erfindung sind in den abhängigen Ansprüchen angegeben. Ein Grundgedanke der Erfindung besteht darin, das Rotationsprinzip sowie das notwendige Krafteinleitungs- und Kraftübertragungsprinzip konsequent voneinander zu trennen. Wird die Ventildrehvorrichtung unter Einleitung einer Ventilfederkraft zusammengedrückt, nimmt die Axialfedereinrichtung die wesentlichen Kräfte auf. Durch das Kraftübertragungspaket Drehlager/Axialfedereinrichtung/Deckel ist der obere Teil der Ventildrehvorrichtung unter der Ventilfederkraft kraftschlüssig miteinander verbunden. Die Außenfläche des Deckels verdreht nun bei einer vertikalen Bewegung - Verringerung des Abstandes zwischen Deckel und Grundkörper - den Grundkörper über das Wälzlager. Diese Verdrehung erfolgt relativ zum Deckel über Reibschluss zwischen den Bauelementen Deckel - Kugeln - Grundkörper. Bei einer Entlastung werden diese Elemente voneinander getrennt - Vergrößerung des vertikalen Abstandes -, wobei die Kugeln aufgrund der Federkraft der Tangentialfedern wieder ihre Ausgangslage einnehmen. Dadurch kann eine weitere Drehung des Grundkörpers beim nächsten Hub eingeleitet werden. Das Wälzlager vermindert dabei Reibung und Verschleiß. Durch die außenliegende Anordnung der Kugeln erzeugen deren Abrollkräfte in Umfangsrichtung aufgrund des relativ großen Abstandes zur Drehachse ein hohes Drehmoment , was die Verdrehung verbessert .The object is achieved by a valve turning device with the features of claim 1. Preferred developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims. A basic idea of the invention is to consistently separate the rotation principle and the necessary force introduction and force transmission principle from one another. If the valve rotating device is compressed under the initiation of a valve spring force, the axial spring device absorbs the essential forces. Due to the power transmission package pivot bearing / axial spring device / cover, the upper part of the valve rotating device is non-positively connected to each other under the valve spring force. With a vertical movement - reducing the distance between the cover and the base body - the outer surface of the cover now rotates the base body via the roller bearing. This rotation takes place relative to the cover via a frictional connection between the components cover - balls - base body. When the load is released, these elements are separated from each other - increasing the vertical distance - with the balls returning to their starting position due to the spring force of the tangential springs. This allows further rotation of the base body to be initiated at the next stroke. The rolling bearing reduces friction and wear. Due to the external arrangement of the balls, their rolling forces in the circumferential direction generate a high torque due to the relatively large distance from the axis of rotation, which improves the rotation.
Wesentlich ist, dass die Federwirkung und die Verdrehung der Drehvorrichtung entkoppelt sind. Da die Axialfedereinrichtung separat und beabstandet von den Kugeln angeordnet ist, werden die Kugeln und die Kugellaufbahnen kaum noch axial belastet. Die sogenannte Pitting-Bildung an den Kugeln und in den Kugeltaschen und damit der Verschleiß an der Ventildrehvorrichtung ist so weitestgehend eliminiert. Des Weiteren ist auch die Axialfedereinrichtung nicht mehr dem Biege-, Verformungs- und Walkkräften ausgesetzt, welche bei der gattungsgemäßen Ventildrehvorrichtung an der be- bei der gattungsgemäßen Ventildrehvorrichtung an der bekannten Tellerfeder auftreten. Die damit verbundenen Verschleißerscheinungen an der Tellerfeder sind somit bei der erfindungsgemäßen Ventildrehvorrichtung grundsätzlich vermieden. Gegenüber der herkömmlichen Ventildrehvorrichtung wird mit der erfindungsgemäßen Ventildrehvorrichtung eine drastische Verbesserung der Standzeit erreicht, was einen enormen wirtschaftlichen Vorteil besonders bei langlebigen Verbrennungsmotoren darstellt. Das Wälzlager weist als Standardbauteil zwei Laufringe auf, zwischen denen Wälzkörper in einem Käfig angeordnet sind.It is essential that the spring action and the rotation of the rotating device are decoupled. Since the axial spring device is arranged separately and at a distance from the balls, the balls and the ball raceways are hardly loaded axially. The so-called pitting on the balls and in the ball pockets and thus the wear on the valve rotating device is largely eliminated. Furthermore, the axial spring device is also no longer exposed to the bending, deformation and flexing forces which in the generic valve turning device on the occur in the generic valve rotating device on the known plate spring. The associated signs of wear on the plate spring are thus basically avoided in the valve rotating device according to the invention. Compared to the conventional valve turning device, the valve turning device according to the invention drastically improves the service life, which represents an enormous economic advantage, particularly in the case of long-life internal combustion engines. The rolling bearing has two races as a standard component, between which rolling elements are arranged in a cage.
Es ist erfindungsgemäß, dass der Deckel relativ zum Grundkörper durch das Wälzlager um die Drehachse gelagert und geführt ist. Beim axialen Verschieben des Deckels relativ zum Grundkörper wird die dabei erzeugte Verdrehbewegung ausschließlich durch das Nadellager radial geführt. Ein Kontakt zwischen Deckel und Grundkörper besteht dabei nicht. Für diese radiale Führung weist das axiale Nadellager konisch angeordnete Laufringe oder seitliche Randabsätze an den beiden Laufringen auf, zwischen denen die zylindrischen nadeiförmigen Wälzkörper mit ihrem Käfig angeordnet sind.It is according to the invention that the cover is mounted and guided relative to the base body by the roller bearing about the axis of rotation. When the cover is axially displaced relative to the base body, the rotational movement generated is guided radially exclusively by the needle bearing. There is no contact between the cover and the base body. For this radial guidance, the axial needle bearing has conically arranged races or lateral edge shoulders on the two races, between which the cylindrical needle-shaped rolling elements are arranged with their cages.
Gemäß einer Weiterbildung der Erfindung ist es bevorzugt, dass drei bis sechs, vorzugsweise vier Kugeltaschen vorgesehen sind, die gleichmäßig entlang des Umfangs des Grundkörpers verteilt sind. Im Vergleich zu herkömmlichen Ventildrehvorrichtungen kann gemäß der Erfindung eine deutlich verringerte Anzahl von Kugeln vorgesehen werden, da die einzelnen Kugeln kaum belastet sind. Bei gleichbleibender Kugelanzahl, etwa von acht bis zehn, kann auch der Kugel- durchmesser etwa halbiert werden, so dass der Kugeldurchmesser zwischen 3 mm und 10 mm liegt. Dies bedeutet weniger Aufwand bei der Herstellung des Grundkörpers und den darin angeordneten Kugellaufbahnen.According to a development of the invention, it is preferred that three to six, preferably four, ball pockets are provided, which are evenly distributed along the circumference of the base body. Compared to conventional valve turning devices, a significantly reduced number of balls can be provided according to the invention, since the individual balls are hardly loaded. If the number of balls remains the same, for example from eight to ten, the ball diameter can also be halved so that the ball diameter is between 3 mm and 10 mm. This means less effort in the production of the base body and the ball raceways arranged therein.
Während bei der gattungsgemäßen Ventildrehvorrichtung die Neigung der Kugellaufbahnen relativ klein ist, ist es nach der Erfindung bevorzugt, dass die Neigung der Kugellaufbahn der Kugeltaschen einheitlich ist und zwischen 6 bis 15 Grad beträgt. Aufgrund der geringen Belastung der einzelnen Kugeln bei der erfindungsgemäßen Ventildrehvorrichtung ist die Voraussetzung für eine größere Neigung der Kugellaufbahn geschaffen, wodurch sich die Verdrehbewegung verbessert.While the inclination of the ball raceways is relatively small in the generic valve rotating device, it is preferred according to the invention that the inclination of the ball raceway of the ball pockets is uniform and is between 6 and 15 degrees. Due to the low load on the individual balls in the valve rotating device according to the invention, the prerequisite for a greater inclination of the ball raceway is created, which improves the twisting movement.
Eine bevorzugte Ausführungsform der Erfindung besteht weiter darin, dass die Axialfedereinrichtung mindestens eine Tellerfeder, vorzugsweise ein Tellerfederpaket umfasst. Tellerfedern stellen eine besonders kostengünstige Möglichkeit dar, den Deckel und den Grundkörper axial auseinanderzudrücken. Bei Verwendung eines Tellerfederpaketes lassen sich die gewünschten Axialkräfte kostengünstig und zugleich mit hoher Genauigkeit einstellen.A preferred embodiment of the invention further consists in the axial spring device comprising at least one plate spring, preferably a plate spring package. Disc springs are a particularly cost-effective way of axially pressing apart the cover and the base body. When using a disc spring assembly, the desired axial forces can be set inexpensively and at the same time with high accuracy.
Das Drehlager, welches an einer axialen Seite der Axial- federeinrichtung angeordnet ist, kann entweder am Deckel oder an dem Grundkörper liegen, wobei Letztgenanntes die bevorzugte Ausführungsform ist. Das Drehlager kann eine einfache Gleitfläche sein. Nach der Erfindung ist es jedoch bevorzugt, dass das Drehlager ein Nadellager ist. Bei dieser Wälzlagervariante wird auf kleinem Bauraum eine besonders reibungsarme Verdrehung zwischen der sich einerseits kraftschlüssig auf den Grundkörper abstützenden Tellerfeder und andererseits dem Deckel erreicht. Ein Überdrücken der Ventildrehvorrichtung wird erfindungsgemäß dadurch verhindert, dass die Kugeln an dem unteren Punkt der Kugellaufbahn in der Kugeltasche vollständig aufgenommen sind und dass der Grundkörper in dieser Stellung an dem Deckel auf Anschlag anliegt. Bei Erreichen des maximalen axialen Verfahrweges fährt sozusagen der Deckel auf Block, so dass der Kraf fluss vom Deckel direkt in den Grundkörper geleitet wird. Eine Überbeanspruchung der Kugeln oder der Axialfedereinrichtung ist damit ausgeschlossen, was sich ebenfalls positiv auf die Standzeit der Ventildrehvorrichtung auswirkt.The pivot bearing, which is arranged on an axial side of the axial spring device, can either lie on the cover or on the base body, the latter being the preferred embodiment. The pivot bearing can be a simple sliding surface. According to the invention, however, it is preferred that the pivot bearing is a needle bearing. In this rolling bearing variant, a particularly low-friction rotation is achieved between the plate spring, which is non-positively supported on the base body, and the cover, on the other hand, in a small installation space. Overpressure of the valve rotating device is prevented according to the invention in that the balls are completely accommodated in the ball pocket at the lower point of the ball track and in that the base body rests against the cover in this position against the stop. When the maximum axial travel path is reached, the cover moves onto a block, so that the power flow from the cover is directed directly into the body. Overloading of the balls or the axial spring device is therefore excluded, which also has a positive effect on the service life of the valve rotating device.
Grundsätzlich ist der Grundkörper fest mit dem Zylinderkopf verbunden, während der Deckel als unterer Ventilfederteller dient und drehfest mit dieser verbunden ist. Es kann jedoch auch eine umgekehrte Anordnung der erfindungsgemäßen Ventildrehvorrichtung oder eine sogenannte obenliegende Anordnung erfolgen, bei der der Deckel den oberen Ventilfederteller bildet.Basically, the base body is firmly connected to the cylinder head, while the cover serves as the lower valve spring plate and is non-rotatably connected to it. However, there can also be an inverted arrangement of the valve rotating device according to the invention or a so-called overhead arrangement in which the cover forms the upper valve spring plate.
Die Erfindung wird nachfolgend weiter anhand von bevorzugten Ausführungsbeispielen erläutert, welche schematisch in den beigefügten Zeichnungen dargestellt sind. In den Zeichnungen zeigen:The invention is further explained below on the basis of preferred exemplary embodiments, which are shown schematically in the accompanying drawings. The drawings show:
Fig. 1 eine schematische Querschnittsansicht durch eine erfindungsgemäße Ventildrehvorrichtung;Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view through a valve rotating device according to the invention.
Fig. 2 eine schematische Draufsicht auf den Grundkörper der Ventildrehvorrichtung von Fig. 1;FIG. 2 shows a schematic plan view of the main body of the valve rotating device from FIG. 1;
Fig. 3 die Detail-Schnittdarstellung des Schnittes A-A von Fig. 1 in Ruhestellung bei geschlossenem Ventil; Fig. 4 die Detail-Schnittansicht gemäß dem Schnitt A-A von Fig. 1 bei Beaufschlagung einer Ventilfederkraft bei geöffnetem Ventil undFig. 3 shows the detailed sectional view of section AA of Figure 1 in the rest position with the valve closed. Fig. 4 shows the detailed sectional view according to section AA of Fig. 1 when a valve spring force is applied with the valve open and
Fig. 5 eine schematische Querschnittsansicht einer weiteren Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Ventildrehvorrichtung .Fig. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a further embodiment of the valve rotating device according to the invention.
Gemäß den Figuren 1 und 2 umfasst eine erfindungsgemäße Ventildrehvorrichtung 10 einen ringförmigen Grundkörper 12, welcher eine Mittenöffnung mit Kegelsitz 34 zur Aufnahme eines Ventilschaftes aufweist. In seinem radialen Ringbereich ist als Wälzlager 24 ein Nadellager angeordnet. An einem dem Wälzlager 24 axial vorstehenden, umlaufenden Absatz sind gleichmäßig am Umfang verteilt drei Kugeltaschen 14 eingeprägt, in welchem jeweils eine Kugel 16 vorgesehen ist. Ein Kugeltaschengrund ist als eine geneigte Kugellaufbahn 18 ausgebildet, auf welcher die Kugel 16 mittels einer Tangentialfeder 20 an einem oberen Totpunkt in einer Ruhestellung gehalten wird.According to FIGS. 1 and 2, a valve rotating device 10 according to the invention comprises an annular base body 12 which has a central opening with a conical seat 34 for receiving a valve stem. A needle bearing is arranged as a roller bearing 24 in its radial ring area. On a circumferential shoulder axially protruding from the rolling bearing 24, three ball pockets 14 are stamped uniformly distributed over the circumference, in each of which a ball 16 is provided. A ball pocket base is designed as an inclined ball raceway 18, on which the ball 16 is held in a rest position by means of a tangential spring 20 at an upper dead center.
Auf dem Wälzlager 24 ist eine einzelne Tellerfeder 32 als eine Axialfedereinrichtung 30 angeordnet. Die Axialfedereinrichtung 30 stützt sich kraftschlüssig auf einem scheibenförmigen Deckel 22 ab, welcher auf den Kugeln 16 aufliegt. Die axiale Lage des Deckels 22 gegenüber dem Grundkörper 12 ist durch einen Sprengring 26 definiert, wobei der Deckel 22 relativ zu dem Grundkörper 12 drehbar und auch in Richtung auf den Grundkörper 12 zu in einem gewissen Umfang axial verschiebbar ist. Nur in diesem Ruhezustand besteht über den Sprengring 26 eine Haftreibung zwischen dem Deckel 22 und dem Grundkörper 12. Während des axialen Verschiebens und des gleichzeitigen Verdrehens erfolgt eine Führung und damit eine definierte Lageänderung ausschließlich über das Wälzlager 24. Dies verhindert zusätzlich Reibungsverschleiß. Die Funktion der erfindungsgemäßen Ventildrehvorrichtung 10 geht anschaulich aus den Figuren 3 und 4 hervor. Zum Öffnen eines nicht dargestellten Zylinderkopfventiles wird eine Ventilfeder zusammengedrückt, welche eine Axialkraft auf den Deckel 22 ausübt. Der Deckel 22 wird dabei axial zu dem Grundkörper 12 verschoben, wobei die Kugeln 16 entgegen der Federwirkung der Tangentialfedern 20 in die Kugeltaschen 14 hineingedrückt werden. Während die Kugeln 16 in einer Ruhestellung einen definierten Überstand gegenüber dem Grundkörper 12 aufweisen, wie aus Fig. 3 zu ersehen ist, wird gemäß Fig. 4 bei Beaufschlagung der Federkraft die Kugel 16 vollständig in die Kugeltasche 14 hineingedrückt. Dabei rollt die Kugel 16 auf einer mit einer Neigung zwischen 8 bis 15 Grad versehenen Kugellaufbahn 18 ab, was zu einer definierten Verdrehung des Deckels 22 relativ gegenüber dem Grundkörper 12 führt.A single disc spring 32 is arranged on the roller bearing 24 as an axial spring device 30. The axial spring device 30 is non-positively supported on a disk-shaped cover 22 which rests on the balls 16. The axial position of the cover 22 relative to the base body 12 is defined by a snap ring 26, the cover 22 being rotatable relative to the base body 12 and also axially displaceable to a certain extent in the direction of the base body 12. Only in this idle state there is static friction between the cover 22 and the base body 12 via the snap ring 26. During the axial displacement and the simultaneous rotation, guidance and thus a defined change in position occurs exclusively via the roller bearing 24. This additionally prevents frictional wear. The function of the valve rotating device 10 according to the invention can be seen clearly from FIGS. 3 and 4. To open a cylinder head valve, not shown, a valve spring is compressed, which exerts an axial force on the cover 22. The cover 22 is axially displaced to the base body 12, the balls 16 being pressed into the ball pockets 14 against the spring action of the tangential springs 20. While the balls 16 have a defined projection over the base body 12 in a rest position, as can be seen from FIG. 3, the ball 16 is pressed completely into the ball pocket 14 when the spring force is applied according to FIG. 4. The ball 16 rolls on a ball raceway 18 provided with an inclination between 8 to 15 degrees, which leads to a defined rotation of the cover 22 relative to the base body 12.
Bei der erfindungsgemäßen Ventildrehvorrichtung 10 fährt der Deckel 22 auf Block auf den Grundkörper 12 auf, wie aus Fig. 4 zu ersehen ist. Hierdurch ist der maximale Verfahr- weg des Deckels 22 begrenzt. Ein sogenanntes Überdrücken und damit einer Beschädigung der Kugeln 16 oder der Kugel- laufbahnen 18 ist damit ausgeschlossen.In the valve turning device 10 according to the invention, the cover 22 moves onto the base body 12 in a block, as can be seen from FIG. 4. This limits the maximum travel path of the cover 22. A so-called overpressing and thus damage to the balls 16 or the ball raceways 18 is thus ruled out.
Eine weitere bevorzugte Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Ventildrehvorrichtung 10' ist Fig. 5 zu entnehmen. Die wesentlichen Bestandteile dieser Ausführungsform entsprechend denen der vorbeschriebenen Ventildrehvorrichtung 10, so dass die entsprechend bezeichneten Bauteile nicht weiter erläutert werden. Im Gegensatz zu der vorbeschriebenen Ausführungsform ist als eine Axialfedereinrichtung 30' ein Tellerfederpaket aus mehreren Tellerfedern 32 ' vorgesehen, durch welche eine definierte, hohe Axialkraft einstellbar ist. Durch die erfindungsgemäße Ventildrehvorrichtung mit einer getrennten Anordnung der Kugeln 16 und der Axialfederein- richtung 30 werden gegenüber den herkömmlichen Vorrichtungen die Kugeln 16 und die Kugellaufbahnen 18 drastisch entlastet, so dass unerwünschte Verformungen an diesen Drehbauteilen, die sogenannte Pitting-Bildung, weitestgehend verhindert werden. A further preferred embodiment of a valve rotating device 10 ′ according to the invention can be seen in FIG. 5. The essential components of this embodiment correspond to those of the valve turning device 10 described above, so that the correspondingly designated components are not further explained. In contrast to the embodiment described above, an axial spring device 30 'is a plate spring assembly comprising a plurality of plate springs 32', by means of which a defined, high axial force can be set. The valve rotating device according to the invention with a separate arrangement of the balls 16 and the axial spring device 30 drastically relieves the balls 16 and the ball raceways 18 compared to the conventional devices, so that undesired deformations on these rotating components, the so-called pitting formation, are largely prevented.

Claims

Patentansprüche claims
1. Ventildrehvorrichtung mit1. Valve turning device with
- einem ringförmigen Grundkörper (12), in welchem in Umfangsrichtung mehrere, mit geneigten Kugellaufbahnen (18) versehene Kugeltaschen (14) eingebracht sind, in welchen jeweils eine Kugel (16) und eine Tangentialfeder (20) angeordnet sind, wobei die Tangentialfeder (20) in einer Ruhestellung die Kugel (16) an einem oberen Punkt der geneigten Kugellaufbahn (18) hält,- An annular base body (12), in which a plurality of ball pockets (14) provided with inclined ball raceways (18) are introduced in the circumferential direction, in each of which a ball (16) and a tangential spring (20) are arranged, the tangential spring (20 ) holds the ball (16) in an inoperative position at an upper point of the inclined ball raceway (18),
- einem ringförmigen Deckel ( 22 ) , welcher relativ zu dem Grundkörper (12) um eine Drehachse verdrehbar und axial verschiebbar ist, und- An annular cover (22), which is rotatable relative to the base body (12) about an axis of rotation and axially displaceable, and
- einer Axialfedereinrichtung (30), welche zwischen dem Grundkörper (12) und dem Deckel (22) angeordnet ist und diese in der Ruhestellung axial auseinanderdrückt, wobei bei Beaufschlagung einer Ventilfederkraft der Grundkörper (12) und der Deckel (22) axial gegeneinandergedrückt werden und dabei die Kugeln (16) entlang der Kugellaufbahnen (18) zu einem unteren Punkt rollen, wobei eine definierte Drehung zwischen dem Grundkörper (12) und dem Deckel (22) erfolgt, - wobei die Kugeln (16) unmittelbar mit dem Deckel (22) in Berührung stehen und von der Axialfedereinrichtung (30) in radialer Richtung zur Drehachse beabstandet sind, dadurch g e k e n n z e i c h n e t,- An axial spring device (30) which is arranged between the base body (12) and the cover (22) and axially pushes them apart in the rest position, the base body (12) and the cover (22) being axially pressed against one another when a valve spring force is applied and the balls (16) roll along the ball tracks (18) to a lower point, a defined rotation taking place between the base body (12) and the cover (22), the balls (16) are in direct contact with the cover (22) and are spaced from the axial spring device (30) in the radial direction from the axis of rotation, characterized in that
- dass zwischen der Axialfedereinrichtung (30) einerseits und dem Grundkörper (12) oder dem Deckel (22) andererseits ein Wälzlager (24) angeordnet ist, auf welchem sich eine axiale Seite der Axialfedereinrichtung (30) abstützt, und- That between the axial spring device (30) on the one hand and the base body (12) or the cover (22) on the other hand, a roller bearing (24) is arranged on which an axial side of the axial spring device (30) is supported, and
- dass in radialer Richtung die Axialfedereinrichtung (30) innenliegend und die Kugeln (16) außenliegend angeordnet und beabstandet sind.- That in the radial direction, the axial spring device (30) on the inside and the balls (16) on the outside are arranged and spaced.
2. Ventildrehvorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch g e k e n n z e i c h n e t, dass der Deckel ( 22 ) relativ zum Grundkörper ( 12 ) durch das Wälzlager (24) um die Drehachse drehbar gelagert und geführt ist.2. Valve rotating device according to claim 1, characterized in that the cover (22) is rotatably supported and guided relative to the base body (12) by the roller bearing (24) about the axis of rotation.
3. Ventildrehvorrichtung nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch g e k e n n z e i c h n e t, dass drei bis sechs, vorzugsweise vier Kugeltaschen (14) vorgesehen sind, die gleichmäßig entlang des Umfangs des Grundkörpers (12) verteilt sind.3. Valve turning device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that three to six, preferably four ball pockets (14) are provided, which are distributed uniformly along the circumference of the base body (12).
4. Ventildrehvorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3, dadurch g e k e n n z e i c h n e t, dass die Neigung der Kugellaufbahn (18) der Kugeltaschen (14) einheitlich ist und zwischen 6 bis 15 Grad beträgt. 4. Valve rotating device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the inclination of the ball track (18) of the ball pockets (14) is uniform and is between 6 to 15 degrees.
5. Ventildrehvorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4, dadurch g e k e n n z e i c h n e t, dass die Axialfedereinrichtung (30) mindestens eine Tellerfeder (32), vorzugsweise ein Tellerfederpaket, umfasst .5. Valve turning device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the axial spring device (30) comprises at least one plate spring (32), preferably a plate spring package.
6. Ventildrehvorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 5, dadurch g e k e n n z e i c h n e t, dass das Wälzlager (24) ein Nadellager ist.6. Valve rotating device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the roller bearing (24) is a needle bearing.
7. Ventildrehvorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 6, dadurch g e k e n n z e i c h n e t, dass die Kugeln (16) an dem unteren Punkt der Kugellaufbahn (18) in der Kugeltasche (14) vollständig aufgenommen ist und dass der Grundkörper (12) in dieser Stellung an dem Deckel (22) auf Anschlag anliegt. 7. Valve rotating device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the balls (16) at the lower point of the ball track (18) in the ball pocket (14) is completely accommodated and that the base body (12) in this position on the Cover (22) rests against the stop.
EP01927826A 2000-03-28 2001-03-28 Valve rotating device Expired - Lifetime EP1268986B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE10015417 2000-03-28
DE10015417A DE10015417A1 (en) 2000-03-28 2000-03-28 Valve turning device for IC engines, esp. Diesel engines has axial spring unit at a distance to balls, and needle bearing on spring unit side
PCT/EP2001/003545 WO2001073270A1 (en) 2000-03-28 2001-03-28 Valve rotating device

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1268986A1 true EP1268986A1 (en) 2003-01-02
EP1268986B1 EP1268986B1 (en) 2003-07-30

Family

ID=7636717

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP01927826A Expired - Lifetime EP1268986B1 (en) 2000-03-28 2001-03-28 Valve rotating device

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US6662770B2 (en)
EP (1) EP1268986B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE246310T1 (en)
AU (1) AU2001254752A1 (en)
DE (2) DE10015417A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2001073270A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7892974B2 (en) 2000-04-11 2011-02-22 Cree, Inc. Method of forming vias in silicon carbide and resulting devices and circuits
DE10315493B4 (en) 2003-04-04 2005-03-17 Engesser, Michael, Dr. Valve rotator
US7902398B2 (en) 2007-04-25 2011-03-08 Celanese International Corporation Method and apparatus for carbonylation with reduced catalyst loss
US7997243B2 (en) * 2008-04-30 2011-08-16 Florek Bronislaw B Ball type valve rotator
CN101975097B (en) * 2010-10-15 2012-10-03 章升谊 Valve rotation mechanism of internal combustion engine
US8714184B1 (en) 2011-02-17 2014-05-06 Bronislaw B. Florek Caged ball and spring valve rotator
DE102017126541B3 (en) * 2017-11-13 2018-11-22 Federal-Mogul Valvetrain Gmbh Valve turning device for internal combustion engines
DE102020111090A1 (en) * 2020-04-23 2021-10-28 Federal-Mogul Valvetrain Gmbh LID BODY FOR VALVE ROTATING DEVICE, RELATED VALVE ROTATING DEVICE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE LID BODY
CN112112702B (en) * 2020-09-17 2021-12-21 潍柴动力股份有限公司 Valve rotating mechanism and engine
DE102021122847A1 (en) 2021-09-03 2023-03-09 Federal-Mogul Valvetrain Gmbh Valve rotation device and composite component therefor

Family Cites Families (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2624323A (en) 1950-07-22 1953-01-06 Thompson Prod Inc Valve rotating assembly
US2775232A (en) 1953-06-19 1956-12-25 Julius E Witzky Valve rotator
US2855913A (en) 1954-10-22 1958-10-14 Gen Motors Corp Valve rotator
US2827886A (en) * 1956-01-19 1958-03-25 Gen Motors Corp Valve rotator
CH476203A (en) 1967-07-19 1969-07-31 Sulzer Ag Valve of a piston internal combustion engine
DE1955820B1 (en) * 1969-11-06 1971-08-26 Teves Thompson Gmbh Device for rotating a poppet valve for internal combustion engines
US4075987A (en) 1975-04-23 1978-02-28 Trw Inc. Valve rotator
US4141325A (en) 1976-12-23 1979-02-27 Trw Inc. Valve rotator
US4227493A (en) * 1979-02-07 1980-10-14 Trw Inc. Valve rotator
US5148779A (en) * 1990-05-09 1992-09-22 Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd. Valve rotating apparatus of internal-combustion engine

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO0173270A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1268986B1 (en) 2003-07-30
AU2001254752A1 (en) 2001-10-08
ATE246310T1 (en) 2003-08-15
WO2001073270A1 (en) 2001-10-04
DE50100444D1 (en) 2003-09-04
DE10015417A1 (en) 2001-01-25
US6662770B2 (en) 2003-12-16
US20030037742A1 (en) 2003-02-27

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
DE19711422C2 (en) Roller nut arrangement and linear displacement device with such a roller nut arrangement
DE3049090A1 (en) ROLLER BEARING
DE3702635A1 (en) SWIVELING
EP1268986B1 (en) Valve rotating device
DE3025947C2 (en) Mechanical seal
EP0222692B1 (en) Rolling bearing
DE3004320C2 (en) Rotating device for a lift valve that can be rotated about its longitudinal axis
EP0274682B1 (en) Guiding roller
DE69115348T2 (en) Valve turning device for an internal combustion engine
DE3211096A1 (en) BALL-BEARING
DE2610489C3 (en) Device for converting an axial movement into a progressive rotary movement
EP3947994B1 (en) Method for assembling a ball bearing
DE2434810A1 (en) Arrangement of bearing and spring - for machine parts which convert rotary into reciprocating motion
DE2628677C2 (en) Rotary indexing device
DE1264306B (en) Spinning or twisting spindle
WO2008077675A1 (en) Rolling bearing for a radial piston pump
EP3901427B1 (en) Cover body for valve rotary device, corresponding valve rotary device and method for manufacturing the cover body
DE2821414C2 (en) Impeller for an axial compressor
DE2821415A1 (en) AXIAL COMPRESSORS
DE10315493B4 (en) Valve rotator
DE3220492A1 (en) HYDRAULIC ENGINE
DE3729319C2 (en) Scroll compressor
DE19712588A1 (en) High-speed electric motor
DE2152346A1 (en) DEVICE FOR ROTATING A VALVE
DE3149815A1 (en) DEVICE FOR TURNING A VALVE FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20020822

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Free format text: AL;LT;LV;MK;RO;SI

GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

AK Designated contracting states

Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT;WARNING: LAPSES OF ITALIAN PATENTS WITH EFFECTIVE DATE BEFORE 2007 MAY HAVE OCCURRED AT ANY TIME BEFORE 2007. THE CORRECT EFFECTIVE DATE MAY BE DIFFERENT FROM THE ONE RECORDED.

Effective date: 20030730

Ref country code: CY

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20030730

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20030730

Ref country code: IE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20030730

Ref country code: TR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20030730

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: NOT ENGLISH

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: GERMAN

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 50100444

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20030904

Kind code of ref document: P

GBT Gb: translation of ep patent filed (gb section 77(6)(a)/1977)
PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20031030

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20031030

Ref country code: DK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20031030

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20031110

NLV1 Nl: lapsed or annulled due to failure to fulfill the requirements of art. 29p and 29m of the patents act
PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: PT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20031230

LTIE Lt: invalidation of european patent or patent extension

Effective date: 20030730

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FD4D

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20040328

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20040328

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20040330

Year of fee payment: 4

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20040331

Ref country code: MC

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20040331

ET Fr: translation filed
PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20040504

BERE Be: lapsed

Owner name: *ENGESSER MICHAEL

Effective date: 20040331

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20050328

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CH

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20050331

Ref country code: LI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20050331

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20050328

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20051130

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

Effective date: 20051130

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FI

Payment date: 20070328

Year of fee payment: 7

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20080331

Year of fee payment: 8

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20080328

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20091001