Abstract: A valve lift control device includes an inner tappet biased toward a low-lift cam pertinent to the opening and the closing of a valve in a low-lift mode acting as one of cams which are arranged on a camshaft being driven rotationally in synchronization with a rotation of an internal combustion engine; an outer tappet arranged outside of the inner tappet and biased toward a high-lift cam pertinent to the opening and the closing of the valve in a high-lift mode among the plurality of cams; and a rotational member being arranged rotationally in a peripheral direction of the inner and outer tappets and including at least one projection member being outwardly projected from a perimeter of the inner tappet and an engagement section engaging with the projection member. The valve lift control device blocks or allows a relative sliding of the inner and outer tappets in an axial direction of the tappet due to rotation of the rotational member in a required range.

Abstract: In a valve train of an internal combustion engine (18) comprising a switchable, rotationally symmetrical component (1) such as a cam follower, a first body (8) acting as an anti-rotation device and a second body (12) acting as a mounting safety device project beyond the component (1). Due to the additional, second body (12) that acts as a mounting safety device, said component (1) can no longer be installed in bores for non-switchable components, for example, in the same internal combustion engine.

Abstract: The invention proposes a switchable roller tappet (1) for transmitting a cam lift to a push rod. According to the invention, the inner and the outer rotation-preventing devices of the tappet are made as a single component (17). This component is arranged in a reception (13) of the inner element (4), which reception also serves to lodge a coupling means (24). A tappet (1) of this type can be economically manufactured.

Abstract: A valve actuation sub-assembly for an internal combustion engine, the sub-assembly being adapted for attachment to an engine block (11B) and including a conventional roller follower (21) and a deactivating roller follower (47). The sub-assembly comprises a follower guide member (71) defining a first guide receptacle (81) for receiving an upper portion (87) of the conventional roller follower (21), and a second guide receptacle (83) for receiving an upper portion (93) of the deactivating roller follower (47). In accordance with the invention, neither upper portion (87,93) will be received within the guide receptacle (81,83) intended for the other upper portion, thus preventing assembly errors, wherein one roller follower type is installed in a location on the engine intended for the other roller follower type.

Abstract: A valve drive mechanism includes a generally cylindrically shaped tappet assembly (24) comprising a center tappet (41 ) and a side tappet (42). The center tappet (41 ) has a circular-arcuate side walls (41c) formed with vertical side shrouds (41d) at opposite sides of each side wall (41c) which overlap and slide contact with opposite end guide walls (42h) of the side tappet (42), respectively. When the tappet assembly (24) is in an unlocked state so as to transmit rotation of the side cams (25, 27), the vertical side shroud (41d) of the center tappet (41 ) slide on the vertical side walls (42h) of the side tappet 42 so as thereby to guide slide movement of the center tappet (41) relative to the side tappet (42).

Abstract: Cam follower includes a cantilevered stud, and a bearing unit mounted on a head portion of the stud and having rollers and an outer ring. The outer peripheral surface of the outer ring constitutes a cam-driven surface. The cam-driven surface includes a central load-bearing region substantially parallel to the axis of the cantilevered stud, and a couple of load-reducing bearing regions indented radially inward from the central load-bearing region and located on opposite sides of the central load-bearing region axially symmetrically to each other. Mechanical stress acting on the inner surface of the outer ring, outer surface of the roller and outer surface of the stud's head portion presents a maximum intensity level at their respective points corresponding to a point of the outer ring which is subjected to maximum mechanical contact stress from a cam.

Abstract: A valve lifter apparatus is provided including a valve lifter body with predetermined oil paths for increase lubrication to a rolling member for engaging a lobe of a camshaft. An anti-rotation member for prevent rotation of the valve lifter in the lifter bore of the engine block as the valve lifter reciprocates is also provided. The valve lifter apparatus may be employed in high revolutions per minute engines to decrease valve lifter wear and increase performance.

Abstract: A tappet assembly for an internal combustion engine, the tappet assembly having a first end mechanically connected to a engine component and second end adapted to contact a cam lobe of a camshaft to displace the engine component, where the tappet assembly includes a tappet body having a recessed pocket positioned at one end thereof, the recessed pocket being defined by an extended peripheral lip of said tappet body, a ceramic wear pad at least partially received within the recessed pocket, and a mechanism for preventing the ceramic wear pad from rotating relative to the recessed pocket. The ceramic wear pad has a top surface for contacting the cam lobe, a bottom surface which is received in the recessed pocket, and a peripheral edge surface thereinbetween.

Abstract: A non-rotatable valve lifter mechanism for use in an internal combustion engine includes a rotatable cam shaft having at least one confinement member disposed on the cam shaft adjacent to its cam lobe. The valve lifter includes a follower and includes at least one abutment member in surface to surface contact with the confinement member to prevent rotation of the valve lifter. Preferably confinement and abutment members are on each side of the cam lobe and roller follower.

Abstract: An engageable cam follower (1) for acting on a pushrod in the valve train of an internal combustion engine is provided. This cam follower (1) includes of a thin-walled hollow cylindrical housing (2) in whose borehole (3) is positioned an internal element (4) axially movable with respect to the housing (2). The housing (2) and the internal element (4) each possess a radial borehole (13, 10) aligned in a relative position to each other. Positioned in the radial borehole (10) of the internal element (4) is a piston (11) having a convex end (14) and movable toward the radial borehole (13) of the housing (2) for coupling the internal element (4) with the housing (2) in the relative position. According to the invention, the borehole (3) of the housing (2) is shaped in the area of the radial borehole (13) of the housing (2) as a flattening (15) extending in the longitudinal direction of the cam follower (1).

Abstract: A valve lifter apparatus is provided including a valve lifter body with predetermined oil paths for increase lubrication to a rolling member for engaging a lobe of a camshaft. An anti-rotation member for prevent rotation of the valve lifter in the lifter bore of the engine block as the valve lifter reciprocates is also provided. The valve lifter apparatus may be employed in high revolutions per minute engines to decrease valve lifter wear and increase performance.

Abstract: The invention is a valve deactivator assembly (15) for use in connection with a valve train of an internal combustion engine. In application, a pre-selected number of the engine cylinders would each be equipped with a deactivator connected to its intake engine valve. Upon driver selection or predetermined road conditions, sufficient lost motion would be introduced into the valve train so that the valve would remain closed and the cylinder deactivated as the engine is in operation. The deactivator has in its inner body (19) a latch assembly that is in a latched condition for normal operation of the valve train. When it is desired to retain the valve in the closed position and deactivate a cylinder, the latch assembly is caused to be moved to the unlatched condition by increase in the pressure of the engine oil. When the latch assembly is unlatched, significant lost motion is introduced into the valve train causing the valve to remain closed and the cylinder is deactivated.

Abstract: In a case where crowning is provided on a contact surface of a tappet roller by the combination of, for example, two circular arcs, a logarithmic crowning is determined in which an edge load does not occur in the bearing pressure even if its inclination with respect to the cam is {fraction (5/1,000)} or thereabouts, and a crowning profile is set between two logarithmic crownings. In addition, the crowning profile is defined so as to be present between the logarithmic crownings in a case where the axial position x with the center in the direction of a bus set as an origin is at a position 0.85-fold and at a position 1.0-fold the half Le of the effective contact length, respectively.

Abstract: A roller finger follower (RFF) wherein the shaft of the roller bearing is restrained in the follower finger by the overhead cam. Ends of the shaft are positioned in place in the follower finger by notches formed in the side walls of the follower finger. The notches restrain the shaft from axial movement. The cam in position over the RFF keeps the shaft nested in the notches. Further restraining means are disclosed to keep the shaft loosely nested in the notches in the follower finger before the cam is installed in position.

Abstract: Retention of a roller follower shaft in a follower body is provided by keyed ends formed by flats on the shaft with which a follower roller forms an assembly, together with additional bearings if needed. Slots are provided extending from shaft bore openings through spaced arms of the body to distal ends of the arms. The roller follower assembly is inserted in a pocket between the arms by sliding the keyed ends of the shaft through the slots of the arms to axially align the shaft with the shaft openings. The shaft is then turned about 90 degrees in the openings in which a slight interference fit retains the shaft against lateral motion.

Abstract: A valve system for an engine including a valve resting mechanism provided between an engine valve and a valve lifter supported by a cylinder head. The valve resting mechanism can place the engine valve into a resting state. The valve resting mechanism has a pin holder which includes a sliding hole having an axis perpendicular to the axis of a valve lifter, and an insertion hole for allowing a valve stem to pass therethrough. The pin holder is slidably fitted in the valve lifter. A slide pin is slidably fitted in the sliding hole, with a hydraulic force and a spring force applied to both ends of the slide pin. A containing hole is coaxially connectable to the insertion hole, and a rotation stopping means for stopping axial rotation of the slide pin is provided between the pin holder and the slide pin.

Abstract: A cam follower (1) designed to be switchable between different lifts for at least one gas-exchange valve and includes two adjacent sections (2,4) which can be coupled together via a coupling element (15). The coupling element (15) cooperates with a shutoff slide (14). It is a special feature of the shut-off slide (14) that it is produced as a mechanically closable and openable piston for an inlet (22) in a pressure chamber (20) in front of the coupling means (15), the piston, however, being maintainable hydraulically in its open position via high switching pressure. At the same time, the shutoff slide (14) is completely incorporated in the cam follower (1) and does not extend beyond it. As a result, undesired fluctuations in the pressure of the hydraulic fluid can no longer act on the coupling means (15) during the base circle of the cams acting on the cam follower (1) and an intended turned-off state.

Abstract: The invention proposes a switchable roller tappet (1) for transmitting a cam lift to a push rod. According to the invention, the inner and the outer rotation-preventing devices of the tappet are made as a single component (17). This component is arranged in a reception (13) of the inner element (4), which reception also serves to lodge a coupling means (24). A tappet (1) of this type can be economically manufactured.

Abstract: A valve lifter guide for internal combustion engines for preventing rotation of the valve lifters. The guide consists of an elongated support which is affixed to an internal combustion engine block, and spaced resilient cantilever supported fingers extending from the support have a free end which engages an orientation flat surface on the valve lifter and prevents valve lifter rotation. The resiliency of the fingers simplifies installation of the guide and assures engagement of the guide fingers with the lifter flat surface. An embodiment includes alignment features to facilitate assembly of the valve push rods.

Abstract: A switchable cam follower (1) for a valve train of an internal combustion engine, which valve train can be actuated indirectly by tappet push rods, the cam follower comprises an outer and an inner section (4,5) end for switching-off the cam follower (1) from the cam lift, the inner section (5) is pivotable relative to the outer section (4) during a valve lift phase of the cam.

Abstract: A switchable cam follower (1) of a valve train of an internal combustion engine, a stop means (19) extending between the axially relatively displaceable components, housing (2) and inner element (6), of the cam follower (1), a first component of the stop means (19) being a locking element (15) fixed in a reception (12) of the inner element (6), the locking element (15) extends radially outwardly into a slot (18) which is a further component of the stop means (19) and slot (18) has an upper end (20) which defines an upper end stop whereby the locking element (15) extends over a substantial part of half a length of the reception (12) in the inner element (6) and, at the same time, penetrates to the largest possible extent through the housing (2) in the region of the slot (18) which guarantees an excellent fixing of the locking element (15) in the housing (2) which is maintained through the entire life of the cam follower (1), and is further assured that component loading resulting from abutment is only slight.

Abstract: A valve lifter for a three-dimensional cam and a variable valve operating apparatus have enhanced flexibility in the design of a detent mechanism of the valve lifter for the three-dimensional cam, as well as enhanced durability. It is possible to form a thick wall portion which is sufficiently thick without increasing the weight by providing an offset between an outer peripheral surface and an inner peripheral surface of the valve lifter. Therefore, a sufficiently large projection can be mounted without deforming the valve lifter. This structure makes it possible to increase an area contacting a detent groove, reduce the surface pressure, and enhance the durability. The thick wall portion exists longer in an axial direction of the valve lifter, so the detent mechanism can be formed on the outer peripheral surface instead of a top surface. Therefore, the flexibility of design of the detent mechanism can be enhanced.

Abstract: Roller follower assemblies generally reduce frictional losses and wear associated with operating fuel injectors using a cam. Oil helps to reduce wear, but may not remove small particles. Buildup of these small particles may prevent a roller of the roller follower assembly from rotating about an axle pin. In the present invention, a hard coating is disposed between the axle pin and the roller to reduce rolling friction and buildup of small particles.

Abstract: A valve lifter of the present invention includes a tappet body having a forked housing for receiving a cylindrical roller. The cylindrical roller is provided with a bearing assembly and a shaft extending therethrough to operatively couple the roller to the forked housing. To provide lubrication to the cylindrical roller and bearing assembly, the tappet body includes an oil pressure feed groove, oil feed slots, and an oiling channel located on the external surface of the tappet body.

Abstract: A valve deactivator assembly (47) especially for use with a push rod (23) type of valve gear train, the deactivator assembly (47) preferably comprising a roller follower, engaging the engine cam (19). The deactivator includes an outer body (53), driven by the cam (19), and an inner body (61) which transmits cyclical motion to the push rod (23), when the body members are latched (FIG. 2). The inner body member (61) defines a latch chamber (93), oriented radially, and aligned therewith is a circular opening (97) defined by the outer body member (53). A compression spring (107) biases a latch member (99) toward the latched condition (FIG. 2). An end surface (111) of the latch member (99) is in communication with an engine oil passage (P), and a relatively higher pressure in the passage biases the latch member (99) toward an unlatched condition (FIG. 3), in opposition to the compression spring (107).

Abstract: A switchable cam follower (1) for a valve train of an internal combustion engine, which valve train is actuated by tappet push rods, the cam follower (1) comprises an outer section (4) and an inner section (5) which are adapted to be switched off through a coupling device (22) by the lift of a loading cam, a locking device (27) associated with the coupling device (2) and cooperates with a single track on the cam, the locking device (27) prevents displacement of the coupling device (2) outside of a defined part of the base circle phase of the cam.

Abstract: In a housing (1) for a switchable device for adjusting or compensating valve lash in an internal combustion engine, said housing being made as a one-piece component and comprising a sleeve-shaped inner guide (4) having a bore (7) for receiving an inner element which is contacted by a first, separate cam, said housing also comprising a cylindrical bottom portion (3) for making contact with at least one second, separate cam, and a circular cylindrical jacket (2) coaxially surrounding the inner guide (4), said inner guide comprising openings (6) for receiving locking pins which extend at right angles to the housing axis (5), according to the invention, the housing (1) is configured as a thin, drawn sheet metal part whose jacket (2) likewise comprises openings (8) which are aligned to the openings (6) of the inner guide (4). In this way, a light-weight housing is created which by joining with separate connection pieces forms a simple-to-manufacture base body for the device.