Rocker arm with integral internal oil passages

Abstract

A rocker arm and method for manufacture is provided whereby the rocker arm is manufactured in two halves generally symmetric to a central plane. The mating surface of one or both rocker arm halves incorporate grooves which upon assembly provide passageways which may follow any desired pathway for lubricant and or afford a reduction in mass and/or an increase in structural stiffness. The two halves are preferably joined together by metallurgical brazing or by other chemical or mechanical means.

1 . A method of making a sintered metal rocker arm from complimentary pre-fabricated mating sections of metal powder wherein at least one of said sections contains an integral formed lubricant passageway, and bonding said section to form the rocker arm product containing therein the integrally formed internal passageway. 
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the rocker arm is made by joining two complimentary half-sections. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the lubricant passageway is contained entirely within one or more of the pre-fabricated sections. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the lubricant passageway is formed when the complimentary sections are mated and bonded together. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the two complimentary half-sections are comprised of a powdered metal alloy. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the section are comprised of powdered metal selected from iron and iron alloys. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the sections are bonded by metallurgical brazing. 
   
   
       8 . The rocker arm produced by the method of  claim 1 . 
   
   
       9 . The rocker arm produced by the method of  claim 4 . 
   
   
       10 . The rocker arm produced by the method of  claim 6 .