Lifter oil manifold assembly for V-type engines

Abstract

According to the invention, multiple-cylinder internal combustion engines comprise a lifter oil manifold assembly (LOMA) positioned in an improved and beneficial manner. In one embodiment, engines of the invention comprise an engine block comprising a V-valley in which the LOMA is mounted such that longitudinal axes of the plurality of solenoid control valves therein are positioned essentially perpendicular to a vertical axis centrally extending from an angle formed by the V-valley of the engine block. In another embodiment, V-valley of such an engine not only comprises a LOMA but also includes a balance shaft.

1 . A multiple-cylinder internal combustion engine comprising hydraulically-operable deactivation valve lifters, the engine comprising: 
 a lifter oil manifold assembly comprising a plurality of solenoid control valves operable for activation and deactivation of lifters associated with one or more of the cylinders; and    an engine block comprising a V-valley in which the lifter oil manifold assembly is mounted;    wherein longitudinal axes of the plurality of solenoid control valves are positioned essentially perpendicular to a vertical axis centrally extending from an angle formed by the V-valley of the engine block.    
   
   
       2 . The engine of  claim 1 , further comprising a balance shaft positioned within the V-valley.  
   
   
       3 . The engine of  claim 1 , further comprising a balance shaft positioned between the engine block and the lifter oil manifold assembly and surrounded by adequate clearance area.  
   
   
       4 . The engine of  claim 1 , comprising a deactivation valve lifter for each valve to be deactivatable.  
   
   
       5 . The engine of  claim 1 , further comprising an engine control module for controlling the activation and deactivation of the valve lifters.  
   
   
       6 . The engine of  claim 1 , further comprising a source of pressurized oil.  
   
   
       7 . The engine of  claim 1 , wherein the engine is a four-cycle engine.  
   
   
       8 . The engine of  claim 1 , wherein the engine is a six-cylinder engine.  
   
   
       9 . The engine of  claim 1 , wherein the engine is an eight-cylinder engine.  
   
   
       10 . The engine of  claim 1 , wherein the engine is a ten-cylinder engine.  
   
   
       11 . The engine of  claim 1 , wherein the engine is a twelve-cylinder engine.  
   
   
       12 . The engine of  claim 1 , wherein the vertical axis centrally extends from and bisects the angle formed by the V-valley in a symmetrical manner.  
   
   
       13 . The engine of  claim 1 , wherein the vertical axis centrally extends from and bisects the angle formed by the V-valley in an asymmetrical manner.  
   
   
       14 . A method of modifying number of firing cylinders in the multiple-cylinder internal combustion engine of  claim 1 , the method comprising: 
 providing the lifter oil manifold assembly in the V-valley of the engine block for selectively activating and deactivating the hydraulically-operable deactivation valve lifters associated with one or more of the cylinders of the engine;    selectively energizing one or more solenoid control valves of the lifter oil manifold assembly;    distributing pressurized oil to the energized solenoid control valves, whereby the oil is selectively directed to the hydraulically-operable deactivation valve lifters to reduce the number of firing cylinders; and    selectively de-energizing the solenoid control valves to redirect oil from the hydraulically-operable deactivation valve lifters to increase the number of firing cylinders.    
   
   
       15 . A multiple-cylinder internal combustion engine comprising hydraulically-operable deactivation valve lifters, the engine comprising: 
 a lifter oil manifold assembly comprising a plurality of solenoid control valves operable for activation and deactivation of lifters associated with one or more of the cylinders;    an engine block comprising a V-valley in which the lifter oil manifold assembly is mounted; and    a balance shaft positioned within the V-valley between the engine block and the lifter oil manifold assembly.    
   
   
       16 . The engine of  claim 15 , wherein longitudinal axes of the plurality of solenoid control valves are positioned essentially perpendicular to a vertical axis centrally extending from an angle formed by the V-valley of the engine block.  
   
   
       17 . The engine of  claim 16 , wherein the vertical axis centrally extends from and bisects the angle formed by the V-valley in a symmetrical manner.  
   
   
       18 . The engine of  claim 16 , wherein the vertical axis centrally extends from and bisects the angle formed by the V-valley in an asymmetrical manner.  
   
   
       19 . The engine of  claim 15 , further comprising an engine control module for controlling the activation and deactivation of the valve lifters.  
   
   
       20 . The engine of  claim 15 , further comprising a source of pressurized oil.  
   
   
       21 . The engine of  claim 15 , wherein the engine is a four-cycle engine.  
   
   
       22 . The engine of  claim 15 , wherein the engine is a six-cylinder engine.  
   
   
       23 . The engine of  claim 15 , wherein the engine is an eight-cylinder engine.  
   
   
       24 . The engine of  claim 15 , wherein the engine is a ten-cylinder engine.  
   
   
       25 . The engine of  claim 15 , wherein the engine is a twelve-cylinder engine.  
   
   
       26 . A method of modifying number of firing cylinders in the multiple-cylinder internal combustion engine of  claim 15 , the method comprising: 
 providing the lifter oil manifold assembly in the V-valley of the engine block for selectively activating and deactivating the hydraulically-operable deactivation valve lifters associated with one or more of the cylinders of the engine;    selectively energizing one or more solenoid control valves of the lifter oil manifold assembly;    distributing pressurized oil to the energized solenoid control valves, whereby the oil is selectively directed to the hydraulically-operable deactivation valve lifters to reduce the number of firing cylinders; and    selectively de-energizing the solenoid control valves to redirect oil from the hydraulically-operable deactivation valve lifters to increase the number of firing cylinders.