Patent ID: 7089900
Filing Date: 2006-08-15
Classification: F01L,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A hydraulic lash adjuster for an internal combustion engine, said lash adjuster comprising a body defining a bore therein, a plunger slidingly received within said bore and defining a fluid chamber, said plunger and said bore cooperating to define a pressure chamber, biasing means normally urging said plunger outward of said bore, said body and said plunger cooperating to define a leakdown clearance providing fluid communication between said pressure chamber and said fluid chamber, and a check valve assembly operably associated with said plunger and fixed relative to said plunger to move therewith, for permitting or blocking fluid communication between said fluid chamber and said pressure chamber in response to changes in the pressure difference between said chambers, said check valve assembly having a predetermined relationship of permitted fluid communication versus pressure difference; characterized by: (a) said check valve assembly being installed within said plunger and comprising a member, separate from said plunger, said member defining a valve seat; (b) said check valve assembly further comprising a valve member, and a retaining member to retain said valve member; whereby (c) said check valve assembly is capable of being assembled and tested for compliance with said predetermined relationship of permitted fluid communication versus pressure difference, prior to installation of said check valve assembly within said plunger.