Abstract: A rocker arm and method for manufacture is provided whereby the rocker arm is manufactured in two halves generally symmetric to a central plane. The mating surface of one or both rocker arm halves incorporate grooves which upon assembly provide passageways which may follow any desired pathway for lubricant and or afford a reduction in mass and/or an increase in structural stiffness. The two halves are preferably joined together by metallurgical brazing or by other chemical or mechanical means.

Abstract: A machine suitable for evaluating finished cylindrical manufactured part that accurately simulates the performance of the intended use of the part in a cam-roller contact geometry using an actual manufactured part as the test specimen is provided. The machine is capable of evaluating the effects on the can finish and profile of the manufactured part. Three idler rollers ground to simulate the axial cam geometry are compressed into the outer diameter of the bearing as it rotates, duplicating the rolling action of a cam lobe. Because the cylindrical manufactured part to be tested is loaded evenly between the three idles, the test part experiences three stress cycles per revolution, accelerating the generation of fatigue spalling damage on the outside diameter. Load and speed are regulated using a closed loop control. Ease of replacing the part to be tested and servicing the idler rollers is an advantageous feature of the machine.

Abstract: An improved cam shaft configuration for internal combustion engines is provided wherein the oil is efficiently diverted from the camshaft cap to adjacent camshaft lobes. A reorientation of the camshaft oil diverter improves the distribution and increases the quantity of oil flow without building in additional oil passages to supply oil to cams, that would introduce additional expense without substantially alleviating existing prior art lubrication deficiency problems. The invention obviates the known prior art configurations that suffer from the drawback of insufficient distribution of lubricating oil to adjacent camshaft lobes that is effected by oil diverter configurations.

Abstract: Valve guides are formed on a U-shaped sheet metal rocker arm by the horizontal displacement inwardly of surface metal from the outboard portion of the rocker arm. A rocker arm body made by forming a steel flat blank into a U-shape cross-section comprising sidewalls that connect a pad end and an opposite socket end. The pad end is defined by a central section and two outboard surfaces. The valve guide walls are formed by displacing material from the outboard surface portions of the pad end and forcing it centrally. This changes, i.e., diminishes, the thickness of the outboard portions of the pad end of the rocker arm which are not aligned with valve contact central surface. The valve contact area defined by horizontal surface and by the vertical sides of the formed guide extensions is created by a tool having a width to accept a known valve stem diameter.

Abstract: A rocker arm is provided that includes a body which is comprised of a single vertical wall having an I-shape cross section and an axle that extends perpendicular from the vertical wall area for making contact with a valve and a pivot point. The pivot point for the rocker arm may be located centrally or at the end of the rocker arm that is opposite the rocker arm valve arm. An external cam follower bearing is mounted on the axle on each side of a single vertical wall. The rocker arm of the invention is characterized by a relatively reduced mass and has a stiffness that exceeds limits achieved by known prior art designs for an overhead cam and cam follower valve train; the gain in stiffness being attributed to the body's I-shape cross-section relative to conventional prior art rocker arms having a U-shape or dual vertical wall cross-section.

Abstract: An anti-tipping feature for a roller follower is provided that is positioned at the socket end of a Type II roller follower. The anti-tipping feature is designed to fit around the plunger of a lash adjuster. The feature has legs that extend down around the plunger to provide stability for the roller follower. Tipping of the roller follower is controlled by the formed legs that extend down the plunger. The length of the legs and clearance determine the amount of roller follower tipping. The valve guide wall height can be shortened enough to still provide valve containment and reduce moving mass which comprises a key component to engine performance.

Abstract: A lubricating, enhancing access is provided for a rocker arm for an internal combustion engine. The rocker arm has a cold-formed, one-piece metal body with a narrow width and a substantial depth. The body has a semispherical socket at both ends for engaging respectively the end of a valve stem and the upper end of a push rod. An intermediate portion of the body has a large generally trapezoidal opening with a lower edge longer than an upper edge and a middle portion having a structurally-integral, outwardly-flared portion defining an upwardly-facing socket for engaging a pivot ball wherein the rocker arm pivots during operation. The lubricating passage is formed transversely through and from the top of the narrow width of the rocker arm in at the push rod end of the rocker arm to access and open into the socket recess.

Abstract: A method and system for forming a rocker assembly includes cold forming a metal blank to produce a portion of the rocker assembly. This portion has a tubular portion that rotatably engages a shaft and an arm that couples with a pushrod. This portion is welded to a valve lever to form the rocker assembly.

Abstract: An improved cam shaft configuration for internal combustion engines is provided wherein the oil is efficiently diverted from the camshaft cap to adjacent camshaft lobes. A reorientation of the camshaft oil diverter improves the distribution and increases the quantity of oil flow without building in additional oil passages to supply oil to cams, that would introduce additional expense without substantially alleviating existing prior art lubrication deficiency problems. The invention obviates the known prior art configurations that suffer from the drawback of insufficient distribution of lubricating oil to adjacent camshaft lobes that is effected by oil diverter configurations.

Abstract: A method of making a rocker arm is provided that includes the integration, into a single piece, of three separate parts namely, a central longitudinal member, a push-rod plate; and a valve end plate in which the push-rod plate and the valve end plate are secured to opposing ends of the central member to create the integrated rocker arm.