Abstract: A pre-assembled unit 10 for use in assembly of an engine valve system 150 in an engine 152. The pre-assembled unit 10 includes a spring 14 for providing a force for urging an engine valve 156 in a first direction, a spring seat 20 engaged with the spring 14, a spring retainer 78 for maintaining the spring 14 in a concentric position around the valve 156, and locks 82 for lockingly engaging the spring retainer 78 and the valve 156. The spring retainer 78 and the locks 82 transmit the spring force to the valve 156. The pre-assembled unit 10 includes a retention member 120 for temporarily maintaining the spring 14, the spring seat 20 and the spring retainer 78 together prior to installation into the engine valve system 150. The retention member 120 cooperates at its upper section 130 with the locks 82 and at its lower section 124 with an oil seal 22 on the spring seat 20 to hold the spring retainer 78 and the spring seat 20 in engagement with the spring 14.

Abstract: The valve rotator comprises a body to be attached to and rotatable with the valve. The body has at least one groove therein extending partially around said valve stem. Shiftable means is disposed within the groove. A collar receives the valve spring biasing force and encircles the valve stem adjacent the body. The body and the collar are movable in axial and rotational directions relative to each other. A pair of spring washers encircles the valve stem and is interposed between the collar and the shiftable means. One of the spring washers has a portion bearing on the shiftable means and another portion bearing on the body when the valve is closed. The other of the spring washers acts between the collar and the another portion of the one spring washer and has a first portion which overlies the another portion of the one spring washer when the valve is closed and a second portion spaced at least in part from the one spring washer when the valve is closed.

Abstract: A valve rotator rotates a valve in an internal combustion engine about the axis of the stem of the valve. The valve is biased closed by a valve biasing spring. The valve rotator includes a body attached to and rotatable with the valve stem. The body has at least one groove therein extending at least partially around said valve stem. A coil spring element is longitudinally disposed within the groove. A collar receives the valve biasing spring force and encircles the valve stem adjacent the body. A pair of spring washers encircle said valve stem and are interposed between the collar and the coil spring element. One of the spring washers side loads the coils of said coil spring element when the valve is closed. The other of the spring washers acts between the collar and the one spring washer and isolates surges of the valve spring of a predetermined magnitude from the one spring washer and thereby from the coils of the coil spring element.

Abstract: In a method and an apparatus for depositing metal on a surface of an article, the surface of the article is heated to a state of incipient fusion. During the heating, a light beam is directed at the surface and the light reflectivity of the surface is detected. At the time of incipient fusion, an electrical control signal is created from the light reflections. Metal is deposited on the surface of the article after incipient fusion thereof and control of the deposit of the metal is effected in response to the electrical control signal.

Abstract: In a method and an apparatus for depositing metal on a surface of an article, the surface of the article is heated to a state of incipient fusion. During the heating, a light beam is directed at the surface and the light reflectivity of the surface is detected. At the time of incipient fusion, an electrical control signal is created from the light reflections. Metal is deposited on the surface of the article after incipient fusion thereof and control of the deposit of the metal is effected in response to the electrical control signal.