Engine having a variable valve actuation system
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorGregory W. Hefler
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An engine has a cylinder head having a first surface and a second surface spaced from the first surface. A valve is moveably connected to the cylinder head. A rocker arm is connected to the valve, and a rocker shaft having a first location spaced a maximum distance from the cylinder head is connected to the rocker arm. A support member has and an actuator fluid passage network. The actuator fluid passage network defines a volume. The support member is connected to the cylinder head and is positioned such that a majority of the volume of the actuator fluid passage network is between the first location of the rocker shaft and the second surface of the cylinder head.
Claims8
An engine comprising:
- an engine block;
- a cylinder head having a first surface connected to said engine block and a second surface spaced from said first surface;
- a valve moveably connected to said cylinder head;
- a rocker arm connected to said valve;
- a cam assembly mechanically connected to said rocker arm;
- a rocker shaft connected to said rocker arm, said rocker shaft having a first location spaced a maximum distance from said cylinder head;
- a valve actuation device connected to said rocker arm, said valve actuation device spaced apart from said mechanical connection between said cam assembly and said rocker arm;
- and
- a support member connected to said cylinder head, said support member having an actuator fluid passage network adapted to transfer actuator fluid from an actuator fluid source to said a valve actuation device, said actuator fluid passage network defining a volume, said support member positioned such that a majority of said volume of said actuator fluid passage network is between said first location of said rocker shaft and said second surface of said cylinder head.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.