Patent ID: 8869763
Filing Date: 2014-10-28
Classification: F01L

Abstract:
1. An internal combustion engine comprising: an engine housing defining a cylinder, and a first and a second lifter bore spaced from one another such that a section of the engine housing extends therebetween; a camshaft rotatably mounted to the engine housing and having a plurality of cams; a first and a second gas exchange valve for the cylinder, positioned within the engine housing; a valve actuating mechanism including a first and a second valve lifter each contacting one of the plurality of cams and reciprocating along parallel axes of reciprocation between a retracted position and an advanced position within one of the first and second lifter bores in response to rotation of the camshaft, to actuate the first and second gas exchange valves, respectively, and each of the first and second valve lifters including an end cap having a misalignment limiting projection; the first and the second valve lifters further being positioned within the corresponding lifter bores such that the projections face one another and are located axially outward of the corresponding lifter bore at each of the retracted and advanced positions; and the valve actuating mechanism being in a first state where each of the first and second valve lifters is in alignment with the corresponding cam and a clearance extends between the projections, and the valve actuating mechanism being adjustable to a plurality of perturbed states where at least one of the first and second valve lifters is rotated out of alignment with the corresponding cam and the projections contact one another to limit the rotation.