Valve bridge having a centrally positioned hydraulic lash adjuster

A compression braking system configured to actuate an engine valve comprising:

• a valve bridge configured to engage the engine valve and including a bridge cavity formed within a center portion of the valve bridge, the bridge cavity including a bottom surface;
• a hydraulic lash adjuster slidably disposed within the bridge cavity;
• a rocker arm including a valve actuation side configured to engage the hydraulic lash adjuster and a passage configured to direct a fluid to the hydraulic lash adjuster;
• and
• a driving output configured to actuate the rocker arm.

An engine assembly including at least one engine valve, the engine assembly comprising:

• a compression braking system configured to actuate the at least one engine valve including:
• a valve bridge configured to engage the at least one engine valve and including a bridge cavity formed within a center portion of the valve bridge, the bridge cavity including a bottom surface;
• a hydraulic lash adjuster slidably disposed within the bridge cavity;
• a rocker arm including a valve actuation side configured to engage the hydraulic lash adjuster and a passage configured to direct a fluid to the hydraulic lash adjuster;
• and
• a driving output configured to actuate the rocker arm.