Back to results
US 6,681,735 B2Granted
Sliding member and method of manufacturing thereof
AssigneeNissan Motor Co., Ltd.
InventorMotokata Ishihara
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Loading patent…
Loading patent…
AssigneeNissan Motor Co., Ltd.
InventorMotokata Ishihara
Estimating the term…
A sliding member (12) is disclosed that has superior slidability and durability at a low cost. A top sliding surface (12a) of the sliding member (12) is formed by a nitriding process that creates a compound layer (14) and a diffusion layer (15) on a base metal (16) of the sliding member (12). The buff polishing process is thinly performed on an outermost layer portion (14a) of the compound layer (14), such that a portion of the compound layer (14b and/or 14c) remains.
A method of manufacturing a sliding member, comprising:
A sliding member comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.
Drawings are temporarily unavailable. Open the PDF at USPTO
From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.
Selecting particular materials for valve-members or valve-seats; Valve-members or valve-seats composed of two or more materials: coated valve…
Nitriding: of ferrous surfaces
Using gases: more than one element being applied in one step
Carbo-nitriding: of ferrous surfaces
Term ended 26 Apr 2022 (estimated)
1. Technical Field
The present invention generally relates to a sliding member such as valve lifter in an internal combustion engine, and a method of manufacturing a sliding member.
2. Description of Related Art
Referring now to the attached drawings which form a part of this original disclosure:
FIG. 1 is a partial diagrammatic view of a valve actuator assembly for an internal combustion engine having a valve lifter (sliding member) manufactured in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of a valve lifter (sliding member) manufactured in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
Selected embodiments of the present invention will now be explained with reference to the drawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that the following description of the embodiments of the present invention is provided for illustration only, and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
Referring initially to FIG. 1, a portion of a valve actuator assembly 10 for an internal combustion engine (not shown) is diagrammatically illustrated to explain a first embodiment of the present invention. The valve actuator assembly 10 includes a cam 11 of a camshaft operatively contacting a cam follower (sliding member) in the form of a valve lifter 12 that moves an intake/exhaust valve 13.
As seen in FIG. 2, the valve lifter 12 as a finished product has a cylindrical shape with an open bottom. The valve lifter 12 is coupled to the intake/exhaust valve 13 in a conventional manner. The valve lifter 12 is placed in between the intake/exhaust valve 13 and the cam 11 of the camshaft that rotates together with a crankshaft (not shown). The valve lifter 12 has a top sliding surface 12a functioning as a cam sliding surface that slideably contacts the cam 11 of the camshaft. A surface finishing process is performed on this top sliding surface 12a as described below.