Claims
- 1. A camshaft, comprising:
a. a plurality of bearing means, wherein each of said bearing means has a corresponding lubrication supply conduit; b. a hollow camshaft having a single internal lubrication passage rotatably journaled in said plurality of bearing means; and c. a plurality of camshaft lubrication supply ducts, wherein each said camshaft lubrication supply duct traverses between a journal surface of said hollow camshaft and said single internal lubrication passage, and wherein each said camshaft lubrication supply duct rotatably aligns with said corresponding lubrication supply conduit, whereby lubricant transfers from said corresponding lubrication supply conduit to said single internal lubrication passage of said hollow camshaft.
- 2. A camshaft as described in claim 1, further comprising a first cam lobe having a cam surface, wherein said first cam lobe has a location on said hollow camshaft adjacent to said journal surface on said hollow camshaft.
- 3. A camshaft as described in claim 2, further comprising a first cam surface lubrication supply duct traversing said cam surface of said first cam lobe and said interior surface of said hollow camshaft.
- 4. A camshaft as described in claim 3, wherein said first cam surface lubrication supply duct has an aperture located on said cam surface of said first cam lobe, and wherein said camshaft lubrication supply duct has an aperture located on said journal surface of said hollow camshaft, and wherein said aperture located on said cam surface of said first cam lobe and said aperture located on said journal surface of said hollow camshaft have an angular displacement about the rotation axis of said hollow camshaft of between zero degrees and about thirty degrees.
- 5. A camshaft as described in claim 4, further comprising a second cam lobe having a cam surface, wherein said second cam lobe has a location on said hollow camshaft adjacent to said journal surface on said hollow camshaft.
- 6. A camshaft as described in claim 5, further comprising a first cam surface lubrication supply duct traversing said cam surface of said second cam lobe and said interior surface of said hollow camshaft.
- 7. A camshaft as described in claim 6, wherein said first cam surface lubrication supply duct traversing said first cam lobe has an aperture located on said cam surface of said first cam lobe, and wherein said first cam surface lubrication supply duct traversing said second cam lobe has an aperture located on said cam surface of said second cam lobe, and wherein said camshaft lubrication supply duct has an aperture located on said journal of said hollow camshaft, and wherein said aperture located on said cam surface of said first cam lobe and said aperture located on said cam surface of said second cam lobe have an angular displacement about the rotation axis of said hollow camshaft approximately bisected by said aperture located on said journal of said hollow camshaft.
- 8. A camshaft as described in claim 7, further comprising:
a. a second cam surface lubrication supply duct traversing said cam surface of said first cam lobe and said interior surface of said hollow camshaft; and b. a second cam surface lubrication supply duct traversing said cam surface of said second cam lobe and said interior surface of said hollow camshaft.
- 9. A camshaft as described in claim 8, wherein said first cam surface lubrication supply duct has a first aperture location on said cam surface, and wherein said second cam surface lubrication supply duct has a second aperture location on said cam surface, and wherein the circumference of said aperture having said first aperture location and the circumference of said aperture having said second aperture location are separated by a distance of not less than about one aperture diameter.
- 10. A camshaft as described in claim 9, further comprising a plurality of said camshaft lubrication supply ducts on at least one of said journal surface.
- 11. A camshaft as described in claim 10, wherein each said cam surface lubrication supply duct is differentially configured to supply an amount of lubricant to substantially equalize wear of a plurality of cam surfaces.
- 12. A camshaft as described in claim 11, further comprising a seal element coupled to an end of said hollow camshaft, wherein said seal element has a vent hole communicating between the interior surface and the exterior surface of said seal element.
- 13. A camshaft as described in claim 12, wherein said vent hole has a location along the longitudinal axis of said hollow camshaft.
- 14. A camshaft as described in claim 13, further comprising a lubrication pressurization element coupled to said lubrication supply conduit.
- 15. A camshaft as described in claim 14, further comprising a lubricant responsive to said lubrication pressurization element.
- 16. A camshaft as described in claims 1, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9 or 10, further comprising:
a. a block having a least one cylinder; b. a reciprocal means slidingly engaged to the surface of said cylinder; c. a reciprocal movement to rotational movement conversion element rotatably responsive to said reciprocal means and rotatably journal led in bearings; d. a cylinder head coupled to said block; e. at least two conduits communicating with each of said at least one cylinder; and f. at least one valve coupled to each of said at least two conduits, wherein said at least one valve is operationally responsive to said cam surface of said cam lobe of said hollow camshaft.
- 17. A camshaft as described in claim 16, wherein said engine comprises an automobile engine.
- 18. A camshaft as described in claim 16, wherein said engine comprises an aircraft engine.
- 19. A camshaft as described in claim 18, wherein said engine operates at a pitch.
- 20. A camshaft as described in claim 18, wherein said engine operates at a yaw.
- 21. A camshaft as described in claim 18, wherein said engine operates at a roll.
- 22. A camshaft as described in claim 17, wherein said hollow camshaft comprises an overhead camshaft.
- 23. A method of lubricating a camshaft, comprising the steps of:
a. supplying lubricant to a plurality of bearing means each having a corresponding lubrication supply conduit; b. rotating a hollow camshaft having single internal lubrication passage journaled to said bearing means to align at least one camshaft lubrication supply duct with each said lubrication supply conduit, wherein said at least one camshaft lubrication supply duct traverses between a journal surface and an interior surface of said hollow camshaft; and c. supplying lubricant to said single internal lubrication passage of said hollow camshaft through each of said at least one lubrication supply duct.
- 24. A method of lubricating a camshaft as described in claim 23, further comprising the step of rotationally displacing said camshaft lubrication supply duct and a cam surface lubrication supply duct between about zero degrees and thirty degrees about the rotation axis of said hollow camshaft, wherein said cam surface lubrication supply duct traverses a cam surface of a first cam lobe adjacent to said journalled surface of said hollow camshaft.
- 25. A method of lubricating a camshaft as described in claim 24, further comprising the step of approximately bisecting the rotational displacement of said cam surface lubrication supply duct on said first cam lobe adjacent to said journal led surface of said hollow camshaft and a cam surface lubrication supply duct on a second cam lobe adjacent to said journal led surface of said hollow camshaft with the location of said camshaft lubrication supply duct.
- 26. A method of lubricating a camshaft as described in claim 25, further comprising the steps of traversing said first cam lobe with a second cam surface lubrication supply duct.
- 27. A method of lubricating a camshaft as described in claim 26, further comprising the step of angularly displacing said cam surface lubrication supply duct and said second cam surface lubrication supply duct about the rotation axis of said camshaft an equal to about one aperture diameter of said cam surface lubrication supply duct.
- 28. A method of lubricating a camshaft as described in claim 27, further comprising the step of differentially configuring each said cam surface lubrication duct to supply an amount of lubricant sufficient to equalize wear of a plurality of cam surfaces.
- 29. A method of lubricating a camshaft as described in claim 28, further comprising the step of sealing each end of said hollow camshaft.
- 30. A method of lubricating a camshaft as described in claim 29, further comprising the step of ventilating said hollow camshaft, wherein ventilating said hollow camshaft comprises the step of traversing the exterior surface and said interior surface of a camshaft end seal with a hole.
- 31. A method of lubricating a camshaft as described in claims 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 or 28, further comprising the step of utilizing said hollow camshaft in an engine.
- 32. A method of lubricating a camshaft as described in claim 31, further comprising the step of operating said camshaft in said engine from horizontal.
- 33. A method of lubricating a camshaft as described in claim 32, wherein said step of operating said camshaft in said engine from horizontal comprises operating said camshaft at a pitch selected from the group consisting of 5 degrees, 10 degrees, 15, degrees, and 20 degrees.
- 34. A camshaft, comprising:
a. a bearing means having at least one lubrication supply conduit; b. a hollow camshaft rotatably journalled to said bearing means; c. at least one camshaft lubrication supply duct traversing a joumal surface and an interior surface of said hollow camshaft, wherein said at least one camshaft lubrication supply duct rotatably aligns with said at least one lubrication supply conduit; d. a first cam lobe having a cam surface, wherein said first cam lobe has a location adjacent to said journal surface having said camshaft lubrication supply duct; and e. a cam surface lubrication supply duct traversing said cam surface and said interior surface of said hollow camshaft, wherein said cam surface lubrication supply duct has an aperture located on said cam surface of said first cam lobe, and wherein said camshaft lubrication supply duct has an aperture located on said journal surface, and wherein said aperture located on said cam surface and said aperture located on said journal surface have an angular displacement about the rotation axis of said hollow camshaft of between zero degrees and about thirty degrees.
- 35. A camshaft as described in claim 34, further comprising a second cam lobe having a cam surface, wherein said second cam lobe has a location on said hollow camshaft adjacent to said journal surface having said camshaft lubrication supply duct.
- 36. A camshaft as described in claim 35, further comprising a cam surface lubrication supply duct traversing said cam surface of said second cam lobe and said interior surface of said hollow camshaft.
- 37. A camshaft as described in claim 36, wherein said first cam surface lubrication supply duct located on said cam surface of said second cam lobe has an aperture, and wherein said aperture located on said cam surface of said first cam lobe and said aperture located on said cam surface of said second cam lobe have an angular displacement approximately bisected by the location of said camshaft lubrication supply duct located on said journal surface.
- 38. A camshaft as described in claim 37, further comprising:
a. a second cam surface lubrication supply duct traversing said cam surface of said first cam lobe and said interior surface of said hollow camshaft; and b. a second cam surface lubrication supply duct traversing said cam surface of said second cam lobe and said interior surface of said hollow camshaft.
- 39. A camshaft as described in claim 38, wherein said first cam surface lubrication supply duct has an aperture on said cam surface having a first location, and wherein said second cam surface lubrication supply duct has an aperture on said cam surface having a second location, and wherein the circumference of said aperture having said first location and the circumference of said aperture having said second location are separated by a distance of not less than about one aperture diameter.
- 40. A camshaft as described in claim 39, wherein said at least one camshaft lubrication supply duct traversing a journal surface and an interior surface of said hollow camshaft comprises a camshaft lubrication supply duct traversing each journal surface and the interior surface of said hollow camshaft, wherein each said camshaft lubrication supply duct rotatably aligns with a corresponding said lubrication supply conduit.
- 41. A camshaft as described in claim 40, wherein each said cam surface lubrication supply duct is differentially configured to supply an amount of lubricant to substantially equalize wear of a plurality of cam surfaces.
- 42. A camshaft as described in claim 41, further comprising an seal element coupled to at least one end of said hollow camshaft, wherein seal element has a vent hole that communicates between the interior and exterior of said hollow camshaft.
- 43. A camshaft as described in claim 42, wherein said vent hole has a location on the longitudinal axis of said hollow camshaft.
- 44. A camshaft as described in claim 43, further comprising a lubrication pressurization element coupled to said lubrication supply conduit.
- 45. A camshaft as described in claim 44, further comprising a lubricant responsive to said lubrication pressurization element.
- 46. A camshaft as described in claims 34, 37, 38, 39 or 40, further comprising:
a. a block having a least one cylinder; b. a reciprocal means slidingly engaged to the surface of said cylinder; c. a reciprocal movement to rotational movement conversion element rotatably responsive to said reciprocal means and rotatably journalled in bearings; d. a cylinder head coupled to said block; e. at least two conduits communicating with each of said at least one cylinder; and f. at least one valve coupled to each of said at least two conduits, wherein said at least one valve is operationally responsive to said cam surface of said cam lobe of said hollow camshaft.
- 47. A camshaft as described in claim 46, wherein said engine comprises an aircraft engine.
- 48. A camshaft as described in claim 46, wherein said engine comprises an automobile engine.
- 49. A camshaft as described in claim 47, wherein said engine operates at a pitch.
- 50. A camshaft as described in claim 47, wherein said engine operates at a yaw.
- 51. A camshaft as described in claim 47, wherein said engine operates at a roll.
- 52. A camshaft as described in claim 48, wherein said hollow camshaft comprises an overhead camshaft.
- 53. A method of lubricating a camshaft, comprising the steps of:
a. supplying lubricant to at least one of a plurality of bearing means through a corresponding lubrication supply conduit; b. rotating a hollow camshaft joumaled to said bearing means to align at least one camshaft lubrication supply duct with said corresponding camshaft lubrication supply conduit, wherein said at least one said lubrication supply duct traverses a journal surface and an interior surface of said hollow camshaft; c. supplying lubricant to said interior surface of said hollow camshaft through said at least one lubrication supply duct; and d. supplying lubricant to at least one cam surface through a corresponding each cam surface lubrication supply duct traversing said cam surface and said interior or said hollow camshaft, wherein said corresponding each cam surface lubrication supply duct has an angular displacement relative to said camshaft lubrication supply duct between zero degrees and about 30 degrees.
- 54. A method of lubricating a camshaft as described in claim 53, further comprising the steps of:
a. providing a first cam lobe adjacent to said journal surface; b. providing a second cam lobe adjacent to said journal surface; a. supplying lubricant to said first cam lobe surface and said second cam lobe surface through a corresponding each cam surface lubrication duct; and b. approximately bisecting the rotational displacement of said corresponding each cam surface lubrication supply duct with the location of said camshaft lubrication supply duct.
- 55. A method of lubricating a camshaft as described in claim 54, further comprising the step of traversing said first cam lobe with a second cam surface lubrication supply duct.
- 56. A method of lubricating a camshaft as described in claim 55, further comprising the step of angularly displacing said cam surface lubrication supply duct and said second cam surface lubrication supply duct about the rotation axis of said camshaft an amount equal to about one aperture diameter of said cam surface lubrication supply duct.
- 57. A method of lubricating a camshaft as described in claim 56, further comprising the step of differentially configuring each said cam surface lubrication duct to supply an amount of lubricant sufficient to equalize wear of a plurality of cam surfaces.
- 58. A method of lubricating a camshaft as described in claim 57, further comprising the steps of:
a. supplying lubricant to a plurality of bearing means each having a corresponding lubrication supply conduit; b. rotating said hollow camshaft journalled to said bearing means to align at least one camshaft lubrication supply duct with each said lubrication supply conduit, wherein said at least one camshaft lubrication supply duct traverses a journal surface and an interior surface of said hollow camshaft; and c. supplying lubricant to said interior surface of said hollow camshaft through each of said at least one lubrication supply duct.
- 59. A method of lubricating a camshaft as described in claim 58, further comprising the step of sealing each end of said hollow camshaft.
- 60. A method of lubricating a camshaft as described in claim 59, further comprising the step of ventilating said hollow camshaft, wherein ventilating said hollow camshaft comprises the step of traversing the exterior surface and said interior surface of a camshaft end seal with a hole.
- 61. A method of lubricating a camshaft as described in claims 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59 or 60, further comprising the step of utilizing said hollow camshaft in an engine.
- 62. A method of lubricating a camshaft as described in claim 61, further comprising the step of operating said camshaft in said engine from horizontal.
- 63. A method of lubricating a camshaft as described in claim 62, wherein said step of operating said camshaft in said engine from horizontal comprises operating said camshaft at a pitch selected from the group consisting of 5 degrees, 10 degrees, 15, degrees, and 20 degrees.
- 64. A camshaft, comprising:
a. a bearing means having a lubrication supply conduit; b. a hollow camshaft rotatably journalled to said bearing means; c. a camshaft lubrication supply duct traversing a journal surface and an interior surface of said hollow camshaft, wherein said camshaft lubrication supply duct rotatably aligns with said lubrication supply conduit; d. a first cam surface lubrication supply duct traversing a cam surface and an interior surface of said hollow camshaft; and e. a second cam surface lubrication supply duct traversing said cam surface and said interior surface of said hollow camshaft.
- 65. A camshaft as described in claim 64, wherein said first cam surface lubrication supply duct has an aperture on said cam surface having a first location, and wherein said second cam surface lubrication supply duct has an aperture on said cam surface having a second location, and wherein the circumference of said aperture having said first location and the circumference of said aperture having said second location are separated by a distance of not less than about one aperture diameter.
- 66. A camshaft as described in claim 65, further comprising a first cam lobe having a cam surface, wherein said first cam lobe has a location on said hollow camshaft adjacent to said journal surface having said camshaft lubrication supply duct.
- 67. A camshaft as described in claim 66, further comprising a first cam surface lubrication supply duct traversing said cam surface of said first cam lobe and said interior surface of said hollow camshaft
- 68. A camshaft as described in claim 67, wherein said first cam surface lubrication supply duct has an aperture located on said cam surface of said first cam lobe, and wherein said camshaft lubrication supply duct has an aperture located on said journal surface, and wherein said aperture located on said cam surface and said aperture located on said journal surface have an angular displacement of between zero degrees and about thirty degrees.
- 69. A camshaft as described in claim 68, further comprising a second cam lobe having a cam surface, wherein said second cam lobe has a location on said hollow camshaft adjacent to said journal surface having said camshaft lubrication supply duct.
- 70. A camshaft as described in claim 69, further comprising a first cam surface lubrication supply duct traversing said cam surface of said second cam lobe and said interior surface of said hollow camshaft.
- 71. A camshaft as described in claim 70, wherein said first cam surface lubrication supply duct located on said cam surface of said second cam lobe has an aperture, and wherein said aperture located on said cam surface of said first cam lobe and said aperture located on said cam surface of said second cam lobe have an angular displacement approximately bisected by the location of said camshaft lubrication supply duct located on said journal surface.
- 72. A camshaft as described in claim 71, wherein said camshaft lubrication supply duct traversing said journal surface and said interior surface of said hollow camshaft, wherein said camshaft lubrication supply duct rotatably aligns with said lubrication supply conduit further comprises a camshaft lubrication supply duct traversing each journal surface and said interior surface of said hollow camshaft, wherein each said camshaft lubrication supply duct rotatably aligns with a corresponding one said lubrication supply conduit.
- 73. A camshaft as described in claim 72, wherein each said cam surface lubrication supply duct is differentially configured to supply an amount of lubricant to substantially equalize wear of a plurality of cam surfaces.
- 74. A camshaft as described in claim 73, further comprising an seal element coupled to at least one end of said hollow camshaft, wherein seal element has a vent hole that communicates between the interior and exterior of said hollow camshaft.
- 75. A camshaft as described in claim 74, wherein said vent hole has a location on the longitudinal axis of said hollow camshaft.
- 76. A camshaft as described in claim 75, further comprising a lubrication pressurization element coupled to said lubrication supply conduit.
- 77. A camshaft as described in claim 76, further comprising a lubricant responsive to said lubrication pressurization element.
- 78. A camshaft as described in claims 64, 65, 68, 71, 72 or 73, further comprising:
a. a block having a least one cylinder; b. a reciprocal means slidingly engaged to the surface of said cylinder; c. a reciprocal movement to rotational movement conversion element rotatably responsive to said reciprocal means and rotatably journal led in bearings; d. a cylinder head coupled to said block; e. at least two conduits communicating with each of said at least one cylinder; and f. at least one valve coupled to each of said at least two conduits, wherein said at least one valve is operationally responsive to said cam surface of said cam lobe of said hollow camshaft.
- 79. A camshaft as described in claim 77, wherein said engine comprises an aircraft engine.
- 80. A camshaft as described in claim 77, wherein said engine comprises an automobile engine.
- 81. A camshaft as described in claim 79, wherein said engine operates at a pitch.
- 82. A camshaft as described in claim 79, wherein said engine operates at a yaw.
- 83. A camshaft as described in claim 79, wherein said engine operates at a roll.
- 84. A camshaft as described in claim 80, wherein said hollow camshaft comprises an overhead camshaft.
- 85. A method of lubricating a camshaft, comprising the steps of:
a. supplying lubricant to at least one of a plurality of bearing means through a corresponding lubrication supply conduit; b. rotating a hollow camshaft journalled to said bearing means to align a camshaft lubrication supply duct with said corresponding camshaft lubrication supply conduit, wherein said at least one said lubrication supply duct traverses a journal surface and an interior surface of said hollow camshaft; c. supplying lubricant to said interior surface of said hollow camshaft through said at least one lubrication supply duct; d. supplying lubricant to a first cam surface lubrication supply duct traversing a cam surface and an interior surface of said hollow camshaft; and e. supplying lubricant to a second cam surface lubrication supply duct traversing said cam surface and said interior surface of said hollow camshaft.
- 86. A method of lubricating a camshaft as described in claim 85, further comprising the step of differentially configuring each said cam surface lubrication duct to supply an amount of lubricant sufficient to equalize wear of a plurality of cam surfaces.
- 87. A method of lubricating a camshaft as described in claim 86, further comprising the step of angularly displacing said first cam surface lubrication supply duct and said second cam surface lubrication supply duct about the rotation axis of said camshaft an amount equal to about one aperture diameter of said first cam surface lubrication supply duct.
- 88. A method of lubricating a camshaft as described in claim 87, further comprising the step of angularly displacing said first cam surface lubrication duct and said camshaft lubrication duct between zero degrees and about 30 degrees.
- 89. A method of lubricating a camshaft as described in claim 88, further comprising the steps of:
a. providing a first cam lobe adjacent to said journal surface; b. providing a second cam lobe adjacent to said journal surface; a. supplying lubricant to said first cam lobe surface and said second cam lobe surface through a corresponding said first cam surface lubrication supply duct and said a second cam surface lubrication supply duct; and b. approximately bisecting the rotational displacement of said corresponding each said first cam surface lubrication supply duct and said a second cam surface lubrication supply duct with the location of said camshaft lubrication supply duct.
- 90. A method of lubricating a camshaft as described in claim 89, further comprising the steps of:
b. aligning a corresponding camshaft lubrication supply duct with each said lubrication supply conduit, wherein each said corresponding camshaft lubrication supply duct traverses said journal surface and an interior surface of said hollow camshaft; and c. supplying lubricant to said interior surface of said hollow camshaft through each of said lubrication supply duct.
- 91. A method of lubricating a camshaft as described in claim 90, further comprising the step of sealing each end of said hollow camshaft.
- 92. A method of lubricating a camshaft as described in claim 91, further comprising the step of ventilating said hollow camshaft, wherein ventilating said hollow camshaft comprises the step of traversing the exterior surface and said interior surface of a camshaft end seal with a hole.
- 93. A method of lubricating a camshaft as described in claims 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91 or 92, further comprising the step of utilizing said hollow camshaft in an engine.7
- 94. A method of lubricating a camshaft as described in claim 93, further comprising the step of operating said camshaft in said engine from horizontal.
- 95. A method of lubricating a camshaft as described in claim 94, wherein said step of operating said camshaft in said engine from horizontal comprises operating said camshaft at a pitch selected from the group consisting of 5 degrees, 10 degrees, 15, degrees, and 20 degrees.
- 96. A camshaft, comprising:
a. a plurality of bearing means each having a lubrication supply conduit; b. a hollow camshaft rotatably journalled to each of said plurality of bearing means; c. at least one camshaft lubrication supply duct traversing a journal surface and an interior surface of said hollow camshaft, wherein said at least one camshaft lubrication supply duct rotatably aligns with a corresponding one said lubrication supply conduit; and d. a plurality of cam surfaces each having a lubrication supply duct traversing a corresponding one each of said plurality of cam surfaces and said interior surface of said hollow camshaft, and wherein each said cam surface lubrication supply duct is differentially configured to supply an amount of lubricant to substantially equalize wear of said plurality of cam surfaces.
- 97. A camshaft as described in claim 96, further comprising a second cam surface lubrication supply duct traversing said cam surface and said interior surface of said hollow camshaft.
- 98. A camshaft as described in claim 97, wherein said first cam surface lubrication supply duct has an aperture on said cam surface having a first location, and wherein said second cam surface lubrication supply duct has an aperture on said cam surface having a second location, and wherein the circumference of said aperture having said first location and the circumference of said aperture having said second location are separated by a distance of not less than about one aperture diameter.
- 99. A camshaft as described in claim 98, a camshaft lubrication supply duct traversing each journal surface and the interior surface of said hollow camshaft, wherein said camshaft lubrication supply duct rotatably aligns with a corresponding said lubrication supply conduit, whereby lubricant transfers from said lubrication supply conduit to the interior of said hollow camshaft.
- 100. A camshaft as described in claim 99, further comprising a first cam lobe having a cam surface, wherein said first cam lobe has a location on said hollow camshaft adjacent to said journal surface having said camshaft lubrication supply duct.
- 101. A camshaft as described in claim 100, further comprising a first cam surface lubrication supply duct traversing said cam surface of said first cam lobe and said interior surface of said hollow camshaft
- 102. A camshaft as described in claim 101, wherein said first cam surface lubrication supply duct has an aperture located on said cam surface of said first cam lobe, and wherein said camshaft lubrication supply duct has an aperture located on said journal surface, and wherein said aperture located on said cam surface and said aperture located on said journal surface have an angular displacement of between zero degrees and about thirty degrees.
- 103. A camshaft as described in claim 102, further comprising a second cam lobe having a cam surface, wherein said second cam lobe has a location on said hollow camshaft adjacent to said journal surface having said camshaft lubrication supply duct.
- 104. A camshaft as described in claim 103, further comprising a first cam surface lubrication supply duct traversing said cam surface of said second cam lobe and said interior surface of said hollow camshaft.
- 105. A camshaft as described in claim 104, wherein said first cam surface lubrication supply duct located on said cam surface of said second cam lobe has an aperture, and wherein said aperture located on said cam surface of said first cam lobe and said aperture located on said cam surface of said second cam lobe have an angular displacement approximately bisected by the location of said camshaft lubrication supply duct located on said journal surface.
- 106. A camshaft as described in claim 105, further comprising an seal element coupled to at least one end of said hollow camshaft, wherein seal element has a vent hole that communicates between the interior and exterior of said hollow camshaft.
- 107. A camshaft as described in claim 106, wherein said vent hole has a location on the longitudinal axis of said hollow camshaft.
- 108. A camshaft as described in claim 107, further comprising a lubrication pressurization element coupled to said lubrication supply conduit.
- 109. A camshaft as described in claim 108, further comprising a lubricant responsive to said lubrication pressurization element.
- 110. A camshaft as described in claims 96, 97, 98, 99, 102 or 105, further comprising:
a. a block having a least one cylinder; b. a reciprocal means slidingly engaged to the surface of said cylinder; c. a reciprocal movement to rotational movement conversion element rotatably responsive to said reciprocal means and rotatably journal led in bearings; d. a cylinder head coupled to said block; e. at least two conduits communicating with each of said at least one cylinder; and f. at least one valve coupled to each of said at least two conduits, wherein said at least one valve is operationally responsive to said cam surface of said cam lobe of said hollow camshaft.
- 111. A camshaft as described in claim 110, wherein said engine comprises an aircraft engine.
- 112. A camshaft as described in claim 110, wherein said engine comprises an automobile engine.
- 113. A camshaft as described in claim 111, wherein said engine operates at a pitch.
- 114. A camshaft as described in claim 111, wherein said engine operates at a yaw.
- 115. A camshaft as described in claim 111, wherein said engine operates at a roll.
- 116. A camshaft as described in claim 112, wherein said hollow camshaft comprises an overhead camshaft.
- 117. A method of lubricating a camshaft, comprising the steps of:
a. supplying lubricant to at least one of a plurality of bearing means through a corresponding lubrication supply conduit; b. rotating a hollow camshaft journalled to said bearing means to align at least one camshaft lubrication supply duct with said corresponding camshaft lubrication supply conduit, wherein said at least one said lubrication supply duct traverses a journal surface and an interior surface of said hollow camshaft; c. supplying lubricant to said interior surface of said hollow camshaft through said at least one cam shaft lubrication supply duct; and d. supplying a differential amount of lubricant to each of a plurality of camshaft surfaces through differentially configured lubrication supply ducts one each traversing a corresponding one cam surface and said interior surface of said hollow camshaft, whereby wear to said plurality of camshaft surfaces is substantially equalized.
- 118. A method of lubricating a camshaft as described in claim 117, wherein said step of supplying lubricant to said interior surface of said hollow camshaft through said at least one cam shaft lubrication supply duct comprises supplying lubricant to said interior surface of said hollow camshaft through a camshaft lubrication supply duct corresponding to each of said journal surfaces.
- 119. A method of lubricating a camshaft as described in claim 118, further comprising the step of rotationally displacing said camshaft lubrication supply duct and a cam surface lubrication supply duct between about zero degrees and thirty degrees about the rotation axis of said hollow camshaft, wherein said cam surface lubrication supply duct traverses a cam surface of a first cam lobe adjacent to said journal led surface of said hollow camshaft.
- 120. A method of lubricating a camshaft as described in claim 119, further comprising the step of approximately bisecting the rotational displacement of said cam surface lubrication supply duct on said first cam lobe adjacent to said journal led surface of said hollow camshaft and a cam surface lubrication supply duct on a second cam lobe adjacent to said journal led surface of said hollow camshaft with the location of said camshaft lubrication supply duct.
- 121. A method of lubricating a camshaft as described in claim 120, further comprising the steps of traversing said first cam lobe with a second cam surface lubrication supply duct.
- 122. A method of lubricating a camshaft as described in claim 121, further comprising the step of angularly displacing said cam surface lubrication supply duct and said second cam surface lubrication supply duct about the rotation axis of said camshaft an amount equal to about one aperture diameter of said cam surface lubrication supply duct.
- 123. A method of lubricating a camshaft as described in claim 122, further comprising the step of differentially configuring each said cam surface lubrication duct to supply an amount of lubricant sufficient to equalize wear of a plurality of cam surfaces.
- 124. A method of lubricating a camshaft as described in claim 123, further comprising the step of sealing each end of said hollow camshaft.
- 125. A method of lubricating a camshaft as described in claim 124, further comprising the step of ventilating said hollow camshaft, wherein ventilating said hollow camshaft comprises the step of traversing the exterior surface and said interior surface of a camshaft end seal with a hole.
- 126. A method of lubricating a camshaft as described in claims 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 123, 124 or 125, further comprising the step of utilizing said hollow camshaft in an engine.
- 127. A method of lubricating a camshaft as described in claim 126, further comprising the step of operating said camshaft in said engine from horizontal.
- 128. A method of lubricating a camshaft as described in claim 127, wherein said step of operating said camshaft in said engine from horizontal comprises operating said camshaft at a pitch selected from the group consisting of 5 degrees, 10 degrees, 15, degrees, and 20 degrees.
- 129. An internal combustion engine, comprising:
a. a block having a least one cylinder; b. a reciprocal means slidingly engaged to the surface of said cylinder; c. a reciprocal movement to rotational movement conversion element rotatably coupled to said reciprocal means and rotationally journal led to said block; d. a cylinder head coupled to said block; e. at least two conduits coupled to said cylinder; f. at least one valve coupled to each of said at least two conduits; g. a hollow camshaft responsive to said at least one valve coupled to each of said at least two conduits, wherein said camshaft is rotatably journal led to a plurality of bearing means each having a lubrication supply conduit, and wherein a camshaft lubrication supply ducts traverses each journal surface and the interior surface of said hollow camshaft, and wherein said camshaft lubrication supply duct rotatably aligns with a corresponding said lubrication supply conduit.
- 130. A camshaft as described in claim 129, further comprising a first cam lobe having a cam surface, wherein said first cam lobe has a location on said hollow camshaft adjacent to said journal surface having said camshaft lubrication supply duct.
- 131. A camshaft as described in claim 130, further comprising a first cam surface lubrication supply duct traversing said cam surface of said first cam lobe and said interior surface of said hollow camshaft
- 132. A camshaft as described in claim 131, wherein said first cam surface lubrication supply duct has an aperture located on said cam surface of said first cam lobe, and wherein said camshaft lubrication supply duct has an aperture located on said journal surface, and wherein said aperture located on said cam surface and said aperture located on said journal surface have an angular displacement of between zero degrees and about thirty degrees.
- 133. A camshaft as described in claim 132, further comprising a second cam lobe having a cam surface, wherein said second cam lobe has a location on said hollow camshaft adjacent to said journal surface having said camshaft lubrication supply duct.
- 134. A camshaft as described in claim 133, further comprising a first cam surface lubrication supply duct traversing said cam surface of said second cam lobe and said interior surface of said hollow camshaft.
- 135. A camshaft as described in claim 134, wherein said first cam surface lubrication supply duct located on said cam surface of said second cam lobe has an aperture, and wherein said aperture located on said cam surface of said first cam lobe and said aperture located on said cam surface of said second cam lobe have an angular displacement approximately bisected by the location of said camshaft lubrication supply duct located on said journal surface.
- 136. A camshaft as described in claim 135, further comprising a second cam surface lubrication supply duct traversing said cam surface and said interior surface of said hollow camshaft.
- 137. A camshaft as described in claim 136, wherein said first cam surface lubrication supply duct has an aperture on said cam surface having a first location, and wherein said second cam surface lubrication supply duct has an aperture on said cam surface having a second location, and wherein the circumference of said aperture having said first location and the circumference of said aperture having said second location are separated by a distance of not less than about one aperture diameter
- 138. A camshaft as described in claim 137, wherein each said cam surface lubrication supply duct is differentially configured to supply an amount of lubricant to substantially equalize wear of a plurality of cam surfaces.
- 139. A camshaft as described in claim 138, further comprising an seal element coupled to at least one end of said hollow camshaft, wherein seal element has a vent hole that communicates between the interior and exterior of said hollow camshaft.
- 140. A camshaft as described in claim 139, wherein said vent hole has a location on the longitudinal axis of said hollow camshaft.
- 141. A camshaft as described in claim 140, further comprising a lubrication pressurization element coupled to said lubrication supply conduit.
- 142. A camshaft as described in claim 141, further comprising a lubricant responsive to said lubrication pressurization element.
- 143. A camshaft as described in claim 129, wherein said engine comprises an aircraft engine.
- 144. A camshaft as described in claim 129, wherein said engine comprises an automobile engine.
- 145. A camshaft as described in claim 143, wherein said engine operates at a pitch.
- 146. A camshaft as described in claim 143, wherein said engine operates at a yaw.
- 147. A camshaft as described in claim 143, wherein said engine operates at a roll.
- 148. A camshaft as described in claim 144, wherein said hollow camshaft comprises an overhead camshaft.
Parent Case Info
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/222,277 filed on Jul. 31, 2000, hereby incorporated by reference herein.
PCT Information
Filing Document |
Filing Date |
Country |
Kind |
PCT/US01/23977 |
7/31/2001 |
WO |
|