Patent ID: 6588387
Filing Date: 2003-07-08
Classification: F01L

Abstract:
A valve control system for an internal combustion engine of the type including a cylinder head, an engine poppet valve, and a valve actuating camshaft defining a cam axis having a first cam and a second cam; said valve control system comprising a first rocker arm disposed for operable engagement with said first cam; a second rocker arm disposed for operable engagement with said second cam; and means having a first condition for selectively interconnecting said first and second rocker arms for pivotal movement in unison in response to a force applied by said first cam to said first rocker arm; said means for selectively interconnecting having a second condition in which said first and second rocker arms have pivotal movement relative to each other; characterized by:(a) each of said first and said second rocker arms having a valve end disposed adjacent said engine poppet valve; (b) a connector operably associated with said valve ends of said rocker arms whereby the only relative movement permitted between said first and second rocker arms is said relative pivotal movement, said relative pivotal movement being about said connector, said relative pivotal movement occurring only when said means for selectively interconnecting said rocker arms is in said second condition; (c) one of said second rocker arm and said connector being configured for engagement with said engine poppet valve; and (d) each of said first and second rocker arms having a latching end disposed at the axially opposite end from said valve ends, said means for selectively interconnecting said rocker arms being operably associated with said latching ends of said rocker arms.