Patent ID: 7909015

Claim:
Apparatus for converting an internal combustion engine from a normal engine operation to an engine braking operation, the engine including an exhaust valve train comprising two exhaust valves, a valve bridge and an exhaust valve lifter having an exhaust cam with an exhaust cam lobe for cyclically opening and closing the two exhaust valves, said apparatus comprising: (a) an actuator comprising a hydraulic system integrated into said exhaust valve train, said hydraulic system comprising a braking piston slidably disposed in said valve bridge between an inoperative position and an operative position; in said inoperative position, said braking piston being retracted and said actuator being disengaged from said normal engine operation, and in said operative position, said braking piston being extended and said actuator opening one of the two exhaust valves for said engine braking operation; and (b) a controller for moving said actuator between said inoperative position and said operative position.