Patent ID: 6481398
Filing Date: 2002-11-19
Classification: F01L

Abstract:
A valve operating mechanism for operating a flow controlling poppet valve of an internal combustion engine, said poppet valve having a stem portion supported for reciprocation about a valve axis in the engine for control of the flow through a port thereof by the head portion of the valve, said valve operating mechanism comprising a cam shaft supported for rotation about a cam shaft axis that is intersected by said valve axis, said cam shaft having at least two cam lobes of different lift characteristics juxtaposed to the valve, a pair of rocker arms journalled for pivotal movement about an axis offset from said cam shaft axis, said rocker arms each having a follower portion engaged with a respective one of said cam lobes, one of said rocker arms having an actuating portion associated with the valve stem, an interlocking coupling selectively coupling said rocker arms for simultaneous movement or permitting only said one rocker arm to transmit movement to the associated valve and an actuating element supported independently of said rocker arms and engageable with a coupling element of said interlocking coupling for controlling the movement of said interlocking coupling between the conditions where said rocker arms are coupled for simultaneous movement and only said one rocker arm transmits movement to the associated valve.