Valve bridge assembly having replaceable sleeve inserts
AssigneeElectro-Motive Diesel, Inc.
InventorsAdarsh Gopinatahn Nair, Laura Elise Rasmussen, III, Vijaya Kumar, Patricia Anne McWade
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A valve bridge assembly is disclosed for use with an internal combustion engine. The valve bridge assembly may have a valve bridge with a center portion, opposing lateral extensions, a central cavity formed within the center portion, and a bore formed within each of the opposing lateral extensions. The valve bridge assembly may also have a lash adjuster disposed within the central cavity, and a sleeve insert disposed within each bore of the opposing lateral extensions. Each sleeve insert may be configured to receive a corresponding valve stem.
Claims13
A valve bridge assembly, comprising:
- a valve bridge having a center portion, opposing lateral extensions, a central cavity formed within the center portion, and a bore formed within each of the opposing lateral extensions wherein the central cavity is stepped and includes a larger diameter at an open end;
- the valve bridge further has a drain passage extending from a closed end of the central cavity in a direction away from the open end;
- a lash adjuster disposed within the central cavity;
- and
- a sleeve insert disposed within each bore of the opposing lateral extensions, the sleeve insert being configured to receive a corresponding valve stem.
A method of remanufacturing a valve bridge having lateral extensions located at opposing sides of the central portion, the method comprising:
- inserting a removal tool through bores located within the lateral extensions of the valve bridge to push worn sleeve inserts out of the bores;
- press-fitting replacement sleeve inserts into the bores;
- inserting the removal tool through a drain passage located within the central portion of the valve bridge to push a worn lash adjuster out of a central cavity;
- and
- press-fitting a replacement lash adjuster into the central cavity.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.