Patent ID: 6405699
Filing Date: 2002-06-18
Classification: F01L

Abstract:
A valve actuation sub-assembly for an internal combustion engine of the type having a valve means for controlling the flow to and from a combustion chamber, valve gear means operative in response to a cyclical input motion to effect cyclical opening and closing of said valve means; said valve actuation sub-assembly being adapted for attachment relative to an engine block including a cam shaft defining first and second cam profiles operable to provide said cyclical input motion in response to rotation of said cam shaft, said engine block defining first and second follower bores disposed adjacent said first and second cam profiles, respectively; said valve actuation sub-assembly comprising first and second roller followers, to be disposed in said first and second follower bores, respectively, each of said roller followers including a roller for operative engagement with its respective cam profile, an outer body fixed to move axially with its roller, said outer body including an upper portion projecting out of its respective follower bore, an inner body disposed within said outer body, and including a push rod socket, and a push rod in engagement with said push rod socket and operable to transmit said cyclical input motion to said valve gear means; said valve actuation sub-assembly further comprising a follower guide member adapted for attachment to said engine block and defining first and second guide receptacles operable to receive and guide said upper portions of said outer body of said first and second roller followers, respectively, characterized by:(a) said first guide receptacle defining a first internal profile configured to be closely spaced relative to said upper portion of said outer body of said first roller follower, said first internal profile not being capable of receiving said upper portion of said outer body of said second roller follower; and (b) said second guide receptacle defining a second internal profile configured to be closely spaced relative to said upper portion of said outer body of said second roller follower, said second internal profile not being capable of receiving said upper portion of said outer body of said first roller follower.