Light weight cam follower
AssigneeEaton Corporation
InventorDavid W. Deppe
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A roller cam follower for an internal combustion engine. The cam follower includes a roller assembly consisting of an insert member formed of a conformable plastic material and an axleless roller received in a cavity formed in the insert, the material of the insert closely conforming to the contour of the roller. Various adaptations of the inventive cam follower structure are shown; including a light weight mechanical valve lifter, a hydraulic lash adjuster, a rocker arm and a mechanical direct acting tappet; all of which include means for conducting oil from the exterior of the cam follower to the roller cavity.
Claims7
A cam follower for an internal combustion engine comprising a body;
- a cam follower element received within said body;
- and a force transmitting surface on said body, said force transmitting surface being effective to transmit a valve opening force applied to said cam follower element to a poppet valve of said engine;
- said cam follower element comprising a plastic insert member received in said body and having a generally semi-cylindrical cavity formed therein, and an axleless roller received within said cavity, said insert member being conformable under load to the surface of said roller;
- and means formed within said insert member for conducting pressurized engine oil from a source external to said cam follower to said cavity.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.