Patent ID: 7086361

Claim:
A valve system lifter for use with a cam and a push rod in a combustion engine, the lifter comprising: a lifter body comprising a first metal, the lifter body being adapted for connection to a push rod; a face pad, comprising a second metal different from the first metal, attached to the lifter body for contacting a cam; and a connector material that attaches said face pad to the lifter body, the connector material comprising at least one metal that is different from said first metal and said second metal; wherein said lifter body is ferrous material selected from the group consisting of cast iron, steel, and stainless steel, and wherein said lifter body is not heat-treated; wherein said face pad is selected from the group consisting of metal carbide, tungsten carbide, titanium carbide, niobium carbide, tungsten carbide, tantalum carbide, and niobium carbide; and said connector material comprises three layers, which are first and second layers comprising silver, and a third layer comprising copper between said first and second layers.