Rocker assembly having improved durability

• Main Authors: GORDON TONY ERIC, SCHULTHEIS OTTO JEROME, KLINE PHILIP MICHAEL, BIRLER MARK JOSEPH
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 26.05.2015
• Subjects: BLASTING; CYCLICALLY OPERATING VALVES FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; HEATING; LIGHTING; MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; STEAM ENGINES; WEAPONS

A durable system is disclosed for controlling variable valve actuation of an engine valve corresponding to a cylinder of an automobile engine. The system is designed to have a durability that exceeds the expected life of a conventional automobile engine. The system includes first crowned cam having a first lift profile, a second crowned cam having a second lift profile, and a rocker arm assembly. The rocker assembly includes a first arm having an end connected to said engine valve, having a high impact roller following the first crowned cam operating the engine valves according to a first lift profile. The rocker arm assembly also includes a second arm having slider pads riding on the second crowned cam to operate said engine valve according to a second lift profile. The slider pads have a sliding surface covered with an impact-resistant multilayer coating with its outermost coating being a wear-resistant coating. A latch having adjustable latch lash secures the second arm relative to the first arm when in a latched position causing the valve to operate according to a second lift profile when the latch is in a latched position, and the valve is operated according to a first lift profile when the latch is not in a latched position.