Variable camshaft timing phaser having a housing and a driving element of two different materials

Abstract

A variable cam timing phaser for an internal combustion engine having at least one camshaft comprising a housing, a rotor, and a driving element. The housing is has an outer circumference for accepting drive force, a circular notched groove, and is made of a first material. The notched groove may be axially centered between the leading and trailing edges of the housing or adjacent to either of the leading or trailing edges of the housing. The rotor connects to a camshaft coaxially located within the housing. The driving element is made of a second material and is coaxially located around the outer circumference of the housing. The first material is aluminum or magnesium and the second material is steel. The driving element may be a gear or a sprocket. The driving element may be axially centered on the housing.

1 . A variable cam timing phaser for an internal combustion engine having at least one camshaft comprising: 
 a housing of a first material having an outer circumference for accepting drive force;    a rotor for connection to a camshaft coaxially located within the housing; and    a drive element of a second material coaxially located around the outer circumference of the housing.    
   
   
       2 . The phaser of  claim 1 , wherein the rotor is made of the first material.  
   
   
       3 . The phaser of  claim 1 , wherein the first material is aluminum or magnesium.  
   
   
       4 . The phaser of  claim 1 , wherein the second material is steel.  
   
   
       5 . The phaser of  claim 1 , wherein the driving element is a sprocket.  
   
   
       6 . The phaser of  claim 1 , wherein the driving element is a gear.  
   
   
       7 . The phaser of  claim 1 , further comprising a first cover plate and a second cover plate.  
   
   
       8 . The phaser of  claim 1 , wherein the driving element is axially centered on the housing.  
   
   
       9 . The phaser of  claim 1 , wherein the housing has a circular notched groove.  
   
   
       10 . The phaser of  claim 9 , wherein the driving element is inset in the notched groove.  
   
   
       11 . The phaser of  claim 9 , wherein the notched groove is axially centered between a leading and a trailing edge of the housing.  
   
   
       12 . The phaser of  claim 9 , wherein the notched groove is adjacent to either the leading edge of the housing or the trailing edge of the housing.