Method of making a rocker arm

Abstract

A method of making a rocker arm is provided that includes the integration, into a single piece, of three separate parts namely, a central longitudinal member, a push-rod plate; and a valve end plate in which the push-rod plate and the valve end plate are secured to opposing ends of the central member to create the integrated rocker arm.

1 . A method of making an integrated rocker arm comprising joining separate parts including: 
 a central longitudinal member;    a push-rod plate; and    a valve plate    to form a unitary member wherein said push-rod plate and said valve plate are integrally secured to opposing ends of said central member.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said central member, said push-rod plate, and said valve plate comprise a metallic material.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said central member is cylindrical.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 2  wherein said metallic material comprises aluminum alloy.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 2  wherein said metallic material comprises a steel alloy.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said push-rod plate and said valve plate are welded to said central member.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1  where said push-rod plate and said valve plate are pulse welded to said central member.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said push-rod plate and said valve plate are laser welded to said central member  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said push-rod plate and said valve plate are staked to said central member.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said push-rod plate and said valve plate are brazed to said central member.  
   
   
       11 . An cylinder valve assembly, comprising: 
 I. an inlet valve assembly including 
 a rocker arm formed by the method of  claim 1;   
 a tappet configured to contact a rotating cam;  
 a push rod coupled to said tappet and the push rod plate of the rocker arm; and  
 a valve coupled to the valve plate of said rocker arm, and  
   II. an exhaust valve assembly including    a rocker arm formed by the method of  claim 1;     a tappet configured to contact a rotating cam;    a push rod coupled to said tappet and the push rod plate of said rocker arm; and    a valve coupled to the valve plate of said rocker arm.    
   
   
       12 . The assembly of  claim 10  wherein said push-rod plate and said valve plate of said inlet valve assembly and said push-rod plate and said valve plate of said exhaust valve assembly are substantially similar.