Abstract: A valve cover assembly for an engine is provided. The valve cover assembly includes a housing configured to receive a portion of a valve train of the engine. The housing includes a top closed end and a bottom open end. The valve cover also includes a front window provided on a top wall and a front facing wall of the housing. The valve cover further includes a front cover releasably coupled to the front window. The front cover is configured to provide selective access to components of the valve train present inside the housing. The valve cover includes a side window provided on the top wall and a side facing wall of the housing. The valve cover further includes a side cover releasably coupled to the side window. The side cover is configured to provide selective access to the components of the valve train present inside the housing.

Abstract: A stud seating method includes inserting a base end of the stud into a threaded hole and threadably mating an external thread of the stud with an internal thread of the threaded hole. The external thread is sized to have a clearance thread fit relative to the internal thread. The stud is advanced into the threaded hole until a projection extending axially outwardly from the base end engages a bottom surface of the threaded hole. After the projection engages the bottom surface, a first torque is applied to the stud to further advance the stud into the threaded hole, the first torque being sufficient to force an upper flank of the external thread into engagement with a lower flank of the internal thread. The method may additionally include applying a thread locking fluid between the external and internal threads. A stud capable of performing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A fuel quill passageway assembly for an engine is disclosed. The engine includes a head pot; a cylinder head having an outer wall situated adjacent to the head pot, an inner wall, and a water jacket situated between the outer wall and the inner wall; and a fuel injector situated adjacent to the inner wall. The assembly may include a first sleeve extending through an aperture in the head pot toward an aperture in the outer wall of the cylinder head. The assembly may also include a second sleeve extending from the aperture in the outer wall of the cylinder head, through the water jacket, to an aperture in the inner wall of the cylinder head. Additionally, the assembly may include a seal joining the second sleeve to the first sleeve.

Abstract: A piston and carrier assembly for an engine is provided. The assembly includes a thrust washer positioned at an interface of the carrier and the piston. The assembly also includes a retention means provided in cooperation with the thrust washer and a top surface of the carrier. The retention means is configured to restrict movement of the thrust washer relative to the carrier.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lash adjuster including a ball retainer having a generally conical chamber for situating a ball near the base of the lash adjuster housing. The chamber has both an external and internal shoulder for engaging a plunger spring and a ball spring, respectively. The chamber may further define at least one aperture near its apex and at least one aperture near its base to facilitate oil flow through the lash adjuster.

Abstract: A fuel quill passageway assembly for an engine is disclosed. The engine includes a head pot; a cylinder head having an outer wall situated adjacent to the head pot, an inner wall, and a water jacket situated between the outer wall and the inner wall; and a fuel injector situated adjacent to the inner wall. The assembly may include a first sleeve extending through an aperture in the head pot toward an aperture in the outer wall of the cylinder head. The assembly may also include a second sleeve extending from the aperture in the outer wall of the cylinder head, through the water jacket, to an aperture in the inner wall of the cylinder head. Additionally, the assembly may include a seal joining the second sleeve to the first sleeve.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a new valve guide for use in an exhaust valve system. Specifically, the invention is related to a valve guide that prevents acidic corrosion between the valve and the valve guide. The valve guide includes a number of contact portions, which engage the channel that is formed in the cylinder head near the exhaust port. The valve guide also includes a recess portion, situated in relation to a water jacket and between the contact portions. The recess portion and contact portions are sized and shaped to maintain the surface temperature of the valve guide to prevent condensation of acidic gases between the valve stem and the valve guide.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a lash adjuster is provided for minimizing stress on a valve train system in the event of its failure. Specifically, the present invention lash adjuster is for use in a valve train system having a cam for actuating the opening and closing of a valve, where the cam has a select size and shape for determining the velocity or acceleration of the valve's opening and closing. The present invention lash adjuster generally comprises a housing having a base and a plunger positioned within the housing at a select axial clearance from the base. This clearance is generally sized and shaped such that, in the event of lash adjuster failure, a select maximum velocity or acceleration of valve opening and closing is maintained, thereby minimizing stress on the valve train system.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a new valve guide for use in an exhaust valve system. Specifically, the invention is related to a valve guide that prevents acidic corrosion between the valve and the valve guide. The valve guide includes a number of contact portions, which engage the channel that is formed in the cylinder head near the exhaust port. The valve guide also includes a recess portion, situated in relation to a water jacket and between the contact portions. The recess portion and contact portions are sized and shaped to maintain the surface temperature of the valve guide to prevent condensation of acidic gases between the valve stem and the valve guide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lash adjuster including a ball retainer having a generally conical chamber for situating a ball near the base of the lash adjuster housing. The chamber has both an external and internal shoulder for engaging a plunger spring and a ball spring, respectively. The chamber may further define at least one aperture near its apex and at least one aperture near its base to facilitate oil flow through the lash adjuster.

Abstract: An internal combustion powered tool, such as a nail or fastener driver, and a control system, spark source, and rotary valve for use in an internal combustion powered tool are disclosed. The tool may include, for example, a cylinder and a piston reciprocally moveable within the cylinder. A combustion chamber is defined at one end of the cylinder, with the piston comprising a portion of one end of the combustion chamber. The tool may have a fastener driver associated with the piston, and a magazine for feeding fasteners into registration with the driver. A fuel flow passageway extends between a fuel source and the combustion chamber, and a metering valve controls the flow of fuel to the combustion chamber. A spark source within the combustion chamber is provided for igniting the fuel, and an intake and exhaust valve that includes a pair of diametrically opposed apertures is provided.

Abstract: An internal combustion powered tool, such as a nail or fastener driver, and a control system, spark source, and rotary valve for use in an internal combustion powered tool are disclosed. The tool may include, for example, a cylinder and a piston reciprocally moveable within the cylinder. A combustion chamber is defined at one end of the cylinder, with the piston comprising a portion of one end of the combustion chamber. The tool may have a fastener driver associated with the piston, and a magazine for feeding fasteners into registration with the driver. A fuel flow passageway extends between a fuel source and the combustion chamber, and a metering valve controls the flow of fuel to the combustion chamber. A spark source within the combustion chamber is provided for igniting the fuel, and an intake and exhaust valve that includes a pair of diametrically opposed apertures is provided.

Abstract: An internal combustion powered tool, such as a nail or fastener driver, and a control system, spark source, and rotary valve for use in an internal combustion powered tool are disclosed. The tool may include, for example, a cylinder and a piston reciprocally moveable within the cylinder. A combustion chamber is defined at one end of the cylinder, with the piston comprising a portion of one end of the combustion chamber. The tool may have a fastener driver associated with the piston, and a magazine for feeding fasteners into registration with the driver. A fuel flow passageway extends between a fuel source and the combustion chamber, and a metering valve controls the flow of fuel to the combustion chamber. A spark source within the combustion chamber is provided for igniting the fuel, and an intake and exhaust valve that includes a pair of diametrically opposed apertures is provided.