Abstract: A variable valve actuation system having a crank-based eccentric transmission driven by an electric motor to control valve lift, duration, and phasing in the cylinder head of an internal combustion engine. A rocker sub-assembly for each valve is pivotably disposed on a pivot shaft between the camshaft and the roller finger follower roller. A primary control crankshaft includes the pivot shaft and is itself rotated about its axis by a connecting rod driven by a motorized secondary crank mechanism to displace the rocker sub-assembly pivot shaft along an arcuate path to change the angular relationship of the rocker sub-assembly to the camshaft, thus changing the valve opening and closing timing and valve lift.

Abstract: A variable mechanical valve control for an internal combustion engine is provided having an underhead camshaft for adjusting a valve stroke and an opening and closing time, making it possible to achieve a very compact transmission gear between the push rod drive and the intake and exhaust valves, to reduce the number of components required for the transmission gear, and to obtain a mechanical, completely variable valve train with an underhead camshaft.

Abstract: A finger lever of a valve train of an internal combustion engine, said finger lever comprising two side walls that are connected to each other by a crossbeam that acts through an underside at one end on at least one gas exchange valve and is mounted at a further end through a concave cavity on a head of a support element, a clip through which the finger lever is fixed in position on said head for displacement in a direction of pivot being applied to said further end, wherein a central section of the clip made of flat material is supported at the further end on the underside of the crossbeam and comprises an opening under the cavity, the head of the support element being retained behind an edge of said opening, each side wall being surrounded on an outer surface by a tab-like extension that starts laterally from the central section and is snapped at an end onto one of an upper side or a support surface substantially parallel to the upper side, so that the end of the extension engages over more than at least on

Abstract: In a valve timing gear of an internal combustion engine having hydraulic valve clearance adjusting elements (21), each element (21) comprises a rotationally symmetrical housing (22), which is guided so that it is longitudinally displaceable in a seat in the engine and at one axial end of the element (21) is acted upon by a cam of a camshaft. The element (21) comprises a piston (24) which is axially displaceable in the housing (22) and is non-positively connected either directly or indirectly to an engine gas exchange valve. A control valve (31), which has a closing member (39) and a valve seat for this formed on the piston (24), is arranged axially between the housing (22) and the piston (24). A reverse-spring element is used as valve clearance adjusting element (21), that is to say an element the control valve (31) of which comprises a control valve spring (30), which is supported by one end on the piston (24) and by the other end on the closing member (39).

Abstract: A switchable drag lever (1) of a valve timing mechanism of an internal combustion engine having an outer lever (2), and inner lever (5) extending in the cut-out (3) of the said outer lever (2) between its side walls (4), the drag lever (1) having a rest (9) for a gas exchange valve on an underside (7) at one end (8) and a pivoting bearing (11) for supporting element at the other end (10) with the levers (2,5) extending at the end (8) on a common pin (12).

Abstract: A connection of a bearing bolt (6) in a cylindrical housing (1) of a roller tappet (2) that is actuated in a direction of a longitudinal axis (Z) is provided, especially for a tappet push-rod valve drive of an internal combustion engine. The bearing bolt (6) is supported in bore holes (7) of the housing (1), which extend in a transverse plane (XY) to the roller tappet (2), perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (Z), and is connected with a positive and/or non-positive fit to the housing (1) through material deformation. The material deformation is provided as one or more segments (9, 10), of which at least one segment (9) completely encloses a radial load zone (16) of the bearing bolt (6), and a section (15) of the bearing bolt (6) extending about the transverse plane (XY) is free from material deformation.

Abstract: A mechanism for actuating an engine poppet valve includes two rotatable cams, a first rocker mounted on a pivot shaft and acting between a first of the two cams and the stem of the valve, and a second rocker mounted for rotation about a fixed axis and acting between the second of the two cams and the pivot shaft of the first rocker to raise and lower the pivot axis of the first rocker cyclically in synchronism with the rotation of the second cam, whereby the valve is operated in dependence upon the instantaneous sum of the lifts of the two cams.

Abstract: In hydraulic valve last adjusters for the timing gear of an internal combustion engine comprising cylinder valve lift reversal or deactivation, said adjusters being loaded by cams of one or more camshafts while being made as a combination of switchable lash adjusters (22) and (non-switchable) standard lash adjusters, said adjusters further being configured as reverse-spring adjusters or free-ball adjusters, each adjuster comprising a control valve (32) whose closing body (41) is in the opening position during a base circle phase of the associated cam, according to the invention, the stroke of the closing body (41) of a switchable lash adjuster (22) is smaller in each case than the stroke of the closing body of a standard lash adjuster. This enables the idle strokes of the two different types of last adjusters to be adapted to each other.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a leakdown plunger, comprising a first plunger opening, a second plunger opening, and an outer plunger surface that is provided with an axis and encloses an inner plunger surface, the first plunger opening is provided with a first annular plunger surface shaped to accommodate a valve insert, the second plunger opening is configured to cooperate with a socket body, the outer plunger surface includes a cylindrical plunger surface and cooperates with an engine workpiece, and the inner plunger surface includes an inner cylindrical plunger surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lash adjuster body, comprising A lash adjuster body, comprising an outer surface, enclosing a cavity, wherein the cavity includes an inner surface configured to accommodate an insert and a spring; and the cavity is fabricated through forging.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a roller follower, comprising an outer surface, enclosing a first cavity, a second cavity, and a transition opening, wherein the first cavity includes a first inner surface configured to house a cylindrical insert the second cavity includes a second inner surface configured to house an inner body, and the transition opening links the first cavity with the second cavity; and at least one of the cavities is fabricated through forging.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydraulic support element (1) for a valve gear for an internal combustion engine. Said element consists of a cylindrical hollow case (2) in whose bore hole (3) a pressure piston (4) made of a glass or carbon fibre reinforced plastic is arranged.

Abstract: The invention proposes a deactivating element (1) for a valve train of an internal combustion engine. The deactivating element (1) comprises a housing (2) and an inner element (4) that is axially displaceable in the bore (3) of the housing (2). According to the invention, the pistons (7) arranged in the inner element (4) for coupling into an annular groove (12) in the housing (2) possess two flattened regions (10, 15) arranged diametrically opposite each other in axial direction of the deactivating element (1). The height of the annular groove (12) is reduced by a measure of a height of the second, additional flattened region (15). Due to the reduction of height of the annular groove (12), its volume is also reduced. This results in advantages activation and deactivation times.

Abstract: The invention provides a valvetrain configuration in an internal combustion engine in which a plurality of two-step rockers enable the engine poppet valves to switch between two lift profiles. In addition, a lost-motion stationary lash adjuster enables the deactivation of the engine poppet valve. The integration of a two-step rocker with a deactivating stationary lash adjuster yields a better control of the combustion process, under different engine operating conditions than what is achievable with either one of these actuators acting alone. Preferably, the locking and unlocking of the two-step rocker arm and deactivating stationary lash adjuster is controlled by two on/off hydraulic valves in a hydraulic circuit, and a piloted check valve prevents hard landings between stationary and moving components within the stationary hydraulic lash adjuster.

Abstract: A rocker arm includes: a body that is made of sheet metal and includes a pair of side walls; and a pair of axial holes that are respectively formed through the pair of side walls and have a first diameter and through which an axis is inserted. The pair of axial holes include thickened portions formed partially or overall of circumference of the pair of axial holes, and the thickened portion is formed by expanding a hole that has a second diameter smaller than the first diameter and is formed in a pre-arranged range for forming the axial hole in a blank material so as to causing plastic flow in a metallic material of the circumference of the hole.

Abstract: Disclosed is a drag lever (1) comprising two side walls (2, 3) which are connected together by a transversal bar (4) which is arranged on an end (6) of the lower side (5) thereof on an end (6) thereof on a head of a support element (9) by means of a dome-shaped cavity (7) on a head (8) of a support element (9). A clamp (10) is applied to the end (6) thereof. The clamp fixes the drag lever (1) to the head such that it can be displaced in a pivoting direction thereof. The clamp (10) is made of thin-walled wire material and extends essentially in a transversal manner in relation to the longitudinal axis of the drag lever (1) and is arranged on the lower side (5) of the transversal bar (4) by means of a central section (11) which is formed by webs (12, 13) which extended in a semi-circular manner in a part of the support element (9) which has a reduced diameter (14) and is located below said head (8).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically adjusting the valve lash of an internal combustion engine is provided. In another aspect of the present invention, a probe is employed for verifying and/or setting valve lash settings in an automated manner. A further aspect of the present invention does not require determination of a zero lash position or reference datum prior to adjusting the valve lash adjusting screw for desired lash.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lash adjuster body, comprising A lash adjuster body, comprising an outer surface, enclosing a cavity, wherein the cavity includes an inner surface configured to accommodate an insert and a spring; and the cavity is fabricated through forging.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rocker actuator (1) switchable to different cam travels. The inventive rocker actuator (1) comprises an external lever (2) which is arranged between the arms (3) and to which an internal lever (4) is pivotally connected.

Abstract: A deactivating valve control system for an internal combustion engine and, for each deactivating intake poppet valve (19D), there is provided a deactivating lash compensation device (37). Each of the devices (37) includes a latch member (83) biased toward an unlatched condition (FIG. 3) by a spring member 69, including a vertically-extending spring portion (73). In one embodiment (FIG. 1), the deactivation system includes an actuation rod (49) which is rotated to overcome the biasing force of the spring members (69) and move the latch members (83) into latching engagement (FIG. 5). In another embodiment (FIG. 7), an actuation wire (105) is reciprocated linearly to pivot a lever member (99) associated with each deactivating device (37), again to overcome the spring (69) and move the latch member (83) into latching engagement.

Abstract: A variable valve actuation system to actuate and control the seating velocity of an internal combustion engine valve is disclosed. The system comprises: a housing; a lost motion system disposed in the housing; a rocker arm having a first contact surface, a second contact surface, and a third contact surface, the first contact surface operatively contacting the engine valve, and the second contact surface operatively contacting the lost motion system; and a valve seating device disposed in the housing, operatively contacting the third contact surface.

Abstract: In relation to a rocker arm obtained by applying cold forging to a blank made from a metal wire rod, cold forging is applied to a blank obtained by cutting a metal wire rod to a predetermined length to make a second intermediate blank 34b having a pair of side wall sections 2a and a base 39 which connects the two side walls 2a at one of their respective widthwise edges. Punching is applied to the base 39 of this second intermediate blank 34b to form a first and a second connection sections. In the case where it is assumed that a roller 35 is arranged at a position corresponding to an arrangement position of the roller 35 of the rocker arm to be obtained, on the inside of the second intermediate blank 34b which is to be subjected to punch processing, the roller 35 and the base 39 do not interfere with each other. As a result, performance improvement of an engine fitted with this rocker arm is obtained.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydraulic tappet clearance compensation device (1) for a valve gear of an internal combustion engine, the high pressure chamber (8) of which device can be rapidly and easily vented. For this purpose an annular collar (11) has radial openings (16) distributed over the circumference of its pressure piston (5). These allow air bubbles, which accumulate between an outer shell of the annular collar (11) and a bore (3) of a housing (2), to escape to a bore (9) for a non-return valve (10) and hence directly into the open. There is therefore no need for venting via a leakage gap (13) between the pressure piston (5) and the housing (2), which has hitherto yielded only unsatisfactory results.

Abstract: A switchable cam follower, comprising two relatively movable, e.g., telescopable, units which can be connected via a coupling which engages over a dividing face between the units such that there is a large valve stroke. It is possible to generate no valve stroke or a small valve stroke if the coupling does not engage. At least one spring, which can be loaded compressively or torsionally, acts as a lost motion spring between the units. A compression limiting device impedes movement of the lost motion spring to the blocked position. In an incorrect switching operation in which the coupled units move undesirably toward each other and in a sudden manner under the influence of a valve spring force, movement of the spring into the “blocked” position to become seated is prevented by the limiting device.

Abstract: The invention proposes a connecting element (9) for retaining a lever-type cam follower (1), that serves to activate a gas exchange valve (5) of an internal combustion engine, inseparably on a support element (2) comprising a spherical end (7) on which the cam follower (1) is pivotally mounted through a concave depression (6). The connecting element (9) engages into an annular groove (8) under the spherical end (7). In a connecting element (9) of this type, a central portion (10) of the connecting element (9) bears against an underside (11) of the cam follower (1) oriented toward the support element (2) and forms, through two legs (12, 13) and a crossbar (14) connecting these legs (12, 13) to each other, a U-shaped recess (15) in longitudinal direction of the cam follower (1). This recess (15) engages around the groove (8) after the manner of a fork and orthogonally to a pivoting direction of the cam follower (1), substantially without lash.

Abstract: An improved pin housing sub-assembly configured for reliable assembly and stability as an intermediate sub-assembly. The length of the plunger return spring is greater than the diameter of the spring well in the pin housing, such that the spring cannot be accidentally installed sideways in the well. During assembly, the non-compressed longer spring places the pushrod seat flush with the end of the pin housing. A shallow annular groove is provided in the inner wall of the pin housing near the outer end thereof, and an expansion ring may be installed therein when the plunger return spring is slightly compressed. The expansion ring holds the sub-assembly together as an intermediate but is displaced by the spring tower in a subsequent assembly step to become the locking ring between the pin housing and the spring tower, as in the prior art.

Abstract: A hydraulic lash adjuster (11) for an internal combustion engine, and an improved method of assembly of such a lash adjuster. The lash adjuster (11) is of the type having a body (13), a plunger (15), and a check valve assembly (17). In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the check valve assembly comprises a cartridge (17A;17B) comprising a member (27;41) separate from the plunger (15) and defining a valve seat (27S;41S). The check valve cartridge is capable of being assembled and tested for compliance with a predetermined relationship of flow versus pressure differential, prior to assembly into the plunger (15). In accordance with the improved method of assembly, a plurality of different bodies (13A;13B) and plungers (15A;15B;15C;15D) is provided, as well as a plurality of different, interchangeable check valve cartridges (17A;17B), and the assembly operator selects a body, a plunger, and a cartridge to provide an assembled lash adjuster having the predetermined, desired operating parameters.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a leakdown plunger, comprising a first plunger opening, a second plunger opening, and an outer plunger surface that is provided with an axis and encloses an inner plunger surface, the first plunger opening is provided with a first annular plunger surface shaped to accommodate a valve insert, the second plunger opening is configured to cooperate with a socket body, the outer plunger surface includes a cylindrical plunger surface and cooperates with an engine workpiece, and the inner plunger surface includes an inner cylindrical plunger surface.

Abstract: In an internal combustion engine provided with valves with variable actuation, each variable actuation valve is controlled by a hydraulic actuator unit through a rocker arm.

Abstract: An improved dual feed hydraulic lash adjuster (HLA), for use in an internal combustion engine, comprising a hollow body and a plunger assembly disposed in a bore of the engine. A one-piece plunger body includes a first chamber for forming a low-pressure oil reservoir and receiving a lash adjustment mechanism, and a second chamber open at one end and partially closed hemispherically for supporting a rocker arm and providing valve deactivating oil thereto for an auxiliary valve actuation system. The first and second chambers are separated by a transverse web, optionally having a small-diameter passage therethrough for air evacuation. The one-piece plunger body provides a high degree of resistance to side loads which may be imposed on the HLA in use.

Abstract: In a lash adjuster of a valve gear which employs a serration-shaped thread mechanism, the formation of a tribochemical reactive film is suppressed by using as the materials for its adjuster screw and nut member (or the materials for their thread surfaces) materials that, even if FM oil is used, the friction coefficient will not extremely decrease. The nut member is provided on the underside of an end plate of a lifter body. The adjuster screw is threadedly engaged in a threaded hole of the nut member. The adjuster screw is biased by a return spring. The female threads of the threaded hole and the male threads of the adjuster screw are serration shaped. One or both of the nut member and the adjuster screw, or the pressured thread surfaces of one or both of them, are formed of a material that will not react with oil additives of FM oil to suppress the formation of tribochemical reactive film, thereby stabilizing the operation of the lash adjuster.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an assembly, comprising an adjusting body, a valve lifter body and means for cold forming at least a portion of at least one of the adjusting body and the valve lifter body. The adjusting body includes an outer surface enclosing a cavity, wherein the cavity includes an inner surface configured to accommodate an insert and a spring. The valve lifter body includes a first end containing a first opening, a second end containing a second opening, and an outer lifter surface that encloses a first and second lifter cavity, wherein at least one of the ends is substantially flat, the second lifter cavity includes a second inner lifter surface that is configured to house the adjusting body, and the first cavity is configured to house a cylindrical insert and includes a first inner lifter surface provided with a plurality of walls that extend from the first opening, a curved surface, a flat surface, and an angled surface that is at an angle with respect to the flat surfaces.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an assembly, comprising a socket body including a forgeable material and provided with an outer socket surface, a first socket surface, and a second socket surface, wherein the outer socket surface is configured to cooperate with the inner surface of an engine workpiece, the first socket surface includes a push rod cooperating surface, and the second socket surface includes a plunger reservoir passage configured to conduct fluid and a curved socket surface that is configured to cooperate with a leakdown plunger.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a socket, comprising, a body including a plurality of passages, a first surface, a second surface, and an outer surface; the first surface is configured to accommodate an insert; the second surface is configured to cooperate with an engine workpiece; the outer surface is configured to cooperate with the inner surface of an engine workpiece; and at least one of the surfaces is fabricated through forging.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a leakdown plunger, comprising a first plunger opening, a second plunger opening, and an outer plunger surface that is provided with an axis and encloses an inner plunger surface, the first plunger opening is provided with a first annular plunger surface shaped to accommodate a valve insert, the second plunger opening is configured to cooperate with a socket body and is provided with a second annular plunger surface, the outer plunger surface includes a cylindrical plunger surface and cooperates with a lash adjuster body to define a cavity between the lash adjuster body and the outer plunger surface, and the inner plunger surface includes a first inner cylindrical plunger surface and a second inner cylindrical plunger surface.

Abstract: There is provided a rocker arm of a kind in which even though the rocker arm is manufactured by the use of a press working technique the arm width can be minimized while the flat outer surface region of a required width is secured on an outer surface of the connecting wall, thereby contributing to reduction in size and weight of the rocker arm. This rocker arm 1 is capable of being driven by a cam 2 for selectively opening and closing a valve 3 of an internal combustion engine. This rocker arm 1 includes an arm body 4 prepared by bending a single plate material to represent a generally inverted U-shaped section including opposite side walls 5 and a connecting wall 6 bridging between the opposite side walls 5. A roller 10 engageable with the cam 2 is rotatably mounted on a portion of the arm body 4 generally intermediate of the length thereof.

Abstract: An actuator for actuating a linearly translatable member, such as an engine valve includes a unit trigger actuator, the unit trigger actuator having a trigger being electrically actuatable, a hydraulic cartridge having a selectively translatable component and being operably coupled to the trigger for receiving actuation commands therefrom, the unit trigger actuator being an open loop system. A pivot element is operably coupled to the translatable component and to the engine valve, the pivot element amplifying motion imparted to the pivot element by translatory motion of the piston at the engine valve. A lash adjuster is operably coupled to the pivot element for decoupling the hydraulic cartridge from lash inherent in a plurality of components and assembly of an engine valve arrangement. A method of actuation is further included.

Abstract: The aim of the invention is to fulfill, in a way that is superior to that of the previous state of the art, the demands placed by the engine on a variable valve control with regard to the shaping and accuracy of the valve lifting curves, to the simplicity of the structural design of the valve drive and of the associated adjusting mechanism, and to mechanical losses due to friction. These demands are met without any additional structural complexity, and, more particularly, without any changes to the overall height. This feat is achieved by means of the provision of a rotatable drive consisting of a housing (G), a shaft (W), an intermediate element (Z), and of an output element (A).

Abstract: A switch element (1) is proposed for valve shut-off, fabricated as cam follower for a plunger rod valve drive of an internal combustion engine, having an outer part (2) and an inner element (4) axially movable in its bore (3) and with rotational security (15) relative to the guided inner element (4). The outer part (2), inside the bore (3), has an annular groove (6), and the inner element (4) has a radial bore (7) with two diametrically opposed pistons (8), which to couple the elements (2, 4) in their axially remote relative position achieved by a lost-motion spring (5) are displaceable towards the annular groove (6). On their cam-side under side, emanating from their radially outward, bulbous face, the pistons (8) segmentwise comprise a plane transverse surface as contact area for a facing under side (27) of the annular groove (6). The latter is intersected by two diametrically opposed oil ports (11) running offset 90° from the pistons (8) in circumferential direction.

Abstract: A double roller cam follower includes a longitudinal beam having a first end and a second end, a cam roller rotationally mounted on the beam for engaging a cam lobe and a valve stem roller rotationally mounted on the second end of the beam for engaging a valve stem. The cam roller includes a stepped outer circumference having a larger diameter at its sides to engage the cam lobe and a smaller diameter positioned centrally between the flanking larger diameters to provide clearance between the cam roller and the valve stem roller.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically adjusting the valve lash of an internal combustion engine is provided. In another aspect of the present invention, a probe is employed for verifying and/or setting valve lash settings in an automated manner. A further aspect of the present invention does not require determination of a zero lash position or reference datum prior to adjusting the valve lash adjusting screw for desired lash.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a roller follower, comprising an outer surface, enclosing a first cavity and a second cavity, wherein the first cavity includes a first inner surface configured to house a cylindrical insert, the second cavity includes a second inner surface cylindrically shaped.

Abstract: The invention proposes a hydraulic support element (1) whose high-pressure chamber (10) is kept substantially free of air bubbles and oil foam. This is realized through a deflecting sleeve (15a) in combination with two vent bores (16) situated diametrically opposite each other on the inner peripheral surface (17) of the pressure piston (5).

Abstract: A sheet metal rocker arm manufactured by the steps of punching one metal plate to form a blank having a predetermined contour and through holes, and subjecting this blank to a bending work based on a press work to form a pair of side walls parallel to each other and a connecting portion for connecting the both ends of the side walls in the width direction thereof. This rocker arm is also provided with at least a pair of though holes formed at positions which are aligned with each other on the both side walls and at least one engagement portion provided in a part of the connecting portion. The thickness of at least one engagement portion, is formed to be greater than the thickness of the both side walls.

Abstract: An engine valve actuator for an internal combustion engine is provided. The engine valve actuator includes a housing having an opening and a first fluid passageway leading to the opening. An adjustment member is disposed in the housing and includes a protrusion that extends into the opening of the housing. A piston is disposed in the opening of the housing and has a bore adapted to receive the protrusion, a chamber, and a second fluid passageway that connects the bore with the chamber. The piston is adapted to move in a first direction relative to the housing in response to an introduction of pressurized fluid into the first fluid passageway. The piston moves in the first direction until the protrusion substantially withdraws from the bore. A push rod is operatively engaged with the piston such that movement of the piston in the first direction causes a corresponding movement of the push rod to thereby engage and open the engine valve.

Abstract: A valve actuator assembly for an engine includes a movable engine valve. The valve actuator assembly also includes a movable finger for contact with the engine valve and a rotatable cam for contact with the finger. The valve actuator assembly further includes a finger-support element assembly for contact with the finger having a first piston and a second piston. The first piston and second piston are axially aligned and independently movable in the same direction to provide lift of the engine valve in an activated mode and lost motion of the engine valve in a de-activated mode. In the activated mode, one end of the second piston is the stationary pivot for the finger, and the other end contacts the first piston. The first piston rests on a fluid column. In the de-activated mode, fluid is exhausted hydraulically, yielding lost motion, and the two pistons are displaced away from each other by their biasing springs. The first piston remains stationary, and the second piston undergoes a reciprocating motion.

Abstract: A hydraulic lash adjuster (11) for an internal combustion engine, and an improved method of assembly of such a lash adjuster. The lash adjuster (11) is of the type having a body (13), a plunger (15), and a check valve assembly (17). In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the check valve assembly comprises a cartridge (17A;17B) comprising a member (27;41) separate from the plunger (15) and defining a valve seat (27S;41S). The check valve cartridge is capable of being assembled and tested for compliance with a predetermined relationship of flow versus pressure differential, prior to assembly into the plunger (15). In accordance with the improved method of assembly, a plurality of different bodies (13A;13B) and plungers (15A;15B;15C;15D) is provided, as well as a plurality of different, interchangeable check valve cartridges (17A;17B), and the assembly operator selects a body, a plunger, and a cartridge to provide an assembled lash adjuster having the predetermined, desired operating parameters.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a connection between a shaft end of a gas exchange valve of an internal combustion engine and a sleeve-shaped actuating element of a valve actuator, which is guided in an axially movable manner within a pressure region, which is able to be pressurized with a pressure medium, of the valve actuator and at least partially surrounds the shaft end. The present invention provides for the connection to be situated outside of the pressure region and in the region of an opening, which is formed on the side of the valve actuator away from the combustion chamber, and is, for example, coaxial to the shaft end.

Abstract: Described herein is a multicylinder internal-combustion engine provided with an electronically controlled hydraulic device for controlling variable actuation of the valves of the engine. The final phase of the movement of closing the intake valves is slowed down by a hydraulic braking device of an improved type.

Abstract: For an arm type valve gear in which a lash adjuster is mounted between an arm pivoted by the rotation of a cam and a valve stem, it is a goal to reduce the axial length of the lash adjuster and to suppress wear at the contact portion with the valve stem. An engaging hole is formed in an arm pivoted by the rotation of a cam at a position corresponding to the top end face of a valve stem. A lash adjuster received in the engaging hole includes a nut member, an adjuster screw in threaded engagement with the nut member, an elastic body biasing the adjuster screw toward the valve stem, and a ball joint to reduce the axial length of the lash adjuster. Further, by bringing the bottom end face of the ball joint into surface contact with the top end face of the valve stem, wear at the contact portion is suppressed.