Roller tappet assembly

Abstract

A roller tappet assembly for a reciprocating pump comprises: a tappet body; a pin element comprising: first and second opposing end portions that engage respective formations in the tappet body to retain the pin element, and a bearing portion, extending between the first and second end portions, for supporting a cam rider arrangement. The cam rider arrangement is supported on the bearing portion of the pin element so that, in use, the reciprocating pump is cyclically loaded and unloaded as an outer surface of the cam rider arrangement interfaces with a rotating camshaft. At least one of: the bearing portion of the pin element; and/or an inner surface of the cam rider arrangement; comprises one or more recessed formations for supporting hydrodynamic lubrication between the cam rider arrangement and the pin element as the bearing portion bends during the loading cycle.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.