Rocker systems with cylinder deactivation and selective valve lift capabilities

Abstract

An internal combustion engine system includes an engine with a plurality of pistons housed in respective ones of a plurality of cylinders. A valve train is provided for opening and closing intake and exhaust valves of the cylinders during nominal engine operations. The valve train is also configured for cylinder deactivation and to provide one or more selected lift profiles for opening and closing of the intake and/or exhaust valves.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A rocker system for an internal combustion engine, the rocker system comprising:
 at least one input rocker lever rotatable about an engine component in response to motion received from at least one camshaft lobe of a camshaft;   at least one output rocker lever rotatable about the engine component, wherein the at least one output rocker lever is configured to control opening and closing of at least one exhaust valve or at least one intake valve associated with a cylinder of the internal combustion engine;   at least one valve lift switch operable to:   connect the at least one input rocker lever and the at least one output rocker lever to one another for transferring motion from the at least one camshaft lobe to the at least one exhaust valve or the at least one intake valve;   disconnect the at least one input rocker lever and the at least one output rocker lever from one another;   a biasing mechanism in contact with the at least one input rocker lever and the at least one output rocker lever and configured to bias the at least one input rocker lever into direct or indirect contact with the at least one camshaft lobe; and   a first stop member and a second stop member configured to contact the first stop member to prevent over-rotation of the at least one input rocker lever under the bias of the biasing mechanism.   
     
     
         2 . The rocker system of  claim 1 , further comprising a lash adjuster that connects the at least one of the exhaust valve or the at least one intake valve to the output rocker lever. 
     
     
         3 . The rocker system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one output rocker lever includes a rocker body with a first arm spaced from a second arm, the first and second arms being configured for placement around the engine component and forming a space therebetween for receipt of the at least one input rocker lever. 
     
     
         4 . The rocker system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one output rocker lever is configured to receive motion from at least one additional camshaft lobe on the camshaft. 
     
     
         5 . The rocker system of  claim 1 , wherein the first stop member comprises a stop pin. 
     
     
         6 . The rocker system of  claim 1 , wherein the second stop member comprises a stop member projection.