Patent ID: 7263956
Filing Date: 2007-09-04
Classification: F01L,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A valve lifter assembly for deactivating a cylinder valve in an internal combustion engine, said lifter assembly comprising: a main body member adapted to be disposed between said valve and a cam of said internal combustion engine to transmit rotational movement of said cam to reciprocatingly operate said valve; a plunger movably disposed within a bore of said main body member to facilitate a varying overall length of said lifter assembly; a first spring disposed between said plunger and said main body member to bias said plunger in said extended position; a selectively movable locking member disposed between said main body member and said plunger and movable between a locked position and an unlocked position to selectively secure said plunger to said main body member, wherein said locking member comprises at least one locking pin movably disposed within a second bore extending within said plunger and adapted to engage an annular groove formed on an inner surface of said bore of said main body member and having a second spring to bias said at least one locking pin to engage said annular groove; wherein when said locking member is in said locked position said plunger is secured to said main body member in an extended position to prevent relative movement there between and thereby transmit said rotational movement of said cam to operate said valve, and when said locking member is in said unlocked position said plunger is permitted to move relative to said main body member to reduce said overall length of said lifter assembly and provide a clearance to isolate said rotational movement of said cam to deactivate said valve.