Integral rocker arm hydraulic lifter and bearing assembly

A rocker arm assembly for use in the valve train of an internal combustion engine of the type having a fixed rocker shaft for supporting at least one rocker arm, the rocker shaft having an axial passage adapted to be in continuous communication with the pressurized lubricant supply of the engine and at least one radial riser passage extending from the axial passage;

• said rocker arm assembly including a rocker arm having opposed arms and a central pivot portion with a bearing receiving bore extending transversely therethrough;
• one of said arms having a lash adjuster socket therein with a passage means extending from said socket to said bore;
• a hydraulic lash adjuster operatively positioned in said socket;
• and, a composite bearing operatively positioned in said bore and encircling the rocker shaft over the riser passage, said composite bearing including an outer race having an inner cylinder race surface and a radial aperture in fluid communication with said passage means, a plurality of needles operatively positioned on said race surface in rolling contact with a portion of the shaft opposite the riser passage therein and, a semi-cylindrical sleeve bearing fixed to said outer race in operative engagement with said race surface and located between opposite end ones of said needles whereby to encircle the remaining portion of the shaft, said sleeve bearing having a radial extending port means effecting flow communication between the riser passage in the shaft and said aperture in said outer race whereby lubricant can be supplied to said hydraulic lash adjuster.

A rocker arm assembly for use in the valve train of an internal combustion engine of the type having a fixed rocker shaft for supporting at least one rocker arn, the rocker arm having an axial passage adapted to be in continuous communication with the pressurized lubricant supply of the engine and at least one radial riser passage extending from the axial passage;

• said rocker arm assembly including a rocker arm having opposed arms and a central pivot portion with a bearing receiving bore extending transversely therethrough, one of said arms having a lash adjuster socket therein with a passage means extending from said socket to said bore;
• a hydraulic lash adjuster operatively positioned in said socket;
• and, a hybrid bearing operatively positioned in said bore and encircling the rocker shaft over the riser passage, said hybrid bearing including an outer race having an inner cylinder race surface, a plurality of roller means operatively positioned on said race surface in rolling contact with a portion of the shaft opposite the riser passage therein and, a semi-cyindrical sleeve bearing fixed to said outer race in operative engagement with said race surface between opposite end ones of said roller means whereby to encircle the remaining portion of the shaft, said sleeve bearing and said outer race having a radial extending port means therethrough effecting flow communication with the riser passage in the shaft whereby lubricant can be supplied to said hydraulic lash adjuster during pivotable movement of said rocker arm on the rocker shaft.