Rocker arm for valve actuation

Abstract

The present invention provides an improved rocker arm system for actuating poppet valves in high performance internal combustion engines. The rocker arm provides journals extending from each side fitted to outboard bearing mounts to guide the motion of the rocker arm.

1 . A rocker arm assembly comprising:
 a single whole rocker arm including a beam body having a first body portion; said first body portion having an actuating end adapted to be connected to an engine push rod; said beam body having a second body portion including a radial surface for actuating a valve stem end tip; said beam body consisting having journals projecting outwardly one from each side of said beam body; said journals being a pivot axis for said single whole rocker arm; said single whole rocker arm pivoting at said pivot axis as a single load carrying unit for actuating an engine valve;   said journals having radial portions extending outwardly one from each side aligned with said journals pivot axis; said radial portions having diameters greater than said journal diameter thereby providing a thrust face bearing surface on each side of said beam body; at least portions of the sides of said rocker arm beam body having a continuous curvature form uninterrupted by irregular projections, openings or abrupt surface transitions; a mounting base having at least one mounting station; first and second support bearing mounts having bearing bores aligned with said pivot axis for receiving and supporting said rocker arm journals attached to the mounting station on the mounting base;   said support bearing mounts having aligned said bearing bores defining a circumferential contact bearing surface in which said journals pivot;   a pair of thrust bearings, one each side of said whole rocker arm, each having a first side interfacing with said rocker arm thrust face bearing surface a second side interfacing with side of said support bearing mount;   said journals each engage each thrust bearing without substantial restraint;   said support bearing mounts providing direct rocker arm load path from each bearing bore to said mounting station and said mounting base connection; said support bearing mounts each having a lower mounting surface; said lower mounting surface located a distance not exceeding 0.75 inch below said pivot axis of aligned bearing bores;   said support bearing mounts attach to said mounting station by plurality of positioning and fastening members;   said mounting base attached to a cylinder head of an engine extending across said cylinder head.   
   
   
       2 . A rocker arm assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said support bearing mounts engage at least one valve lash shim and a spacer located between said support bearing mount lower mounting surface and matching surface of said mounting stations;
 said spacer thickness adjusts said mounting stations surface height for said rocker arm assembly to said pivot axis position; said pivot axis and said lower mounting surface being perpendicular to said valve stem, positioned from valve tip; said spacer mounting surface once set, provides mounting surface for said valve lash shim; said shim(s) having thickness equal to the required valve lash.   
   
   
       3 . The rocker arm assembly of  claim 1  wherein said rocker arm and support bearing mounts at each said mounting station provide a exchangeable rocker arm valve lift ratio set. 
   
   
       4 . The rocker arm assembly of  claim 1  wherein said positioning and fastening members engage matching alignment holes within said support mounts for aligning and fastening to said mounting base station with the mountain base station surface being perpendicular to the stem of the engine valve. 
   
   
       5 . The rocker assembly of  claim 1  wherein the mounting base extends across the cylinder head providing a plurality of mounting stations across the cylinder head, one at each engine valve position. 
   
   
       6 . A rocker arm beam body comprising:
 a beam body with sides having an inward lower surface depressed to a predetermined depth on each side; said depressed area contour being offset inwardly a predetermined distance from the remainder of said beam body thereby leaving outer projected flange thickness above and below each side of said depressed area; said depressed area not being a through opening.   
   
   
       7 . A rocker arm beam body comprising:
 a beam body of solid configuration; said beam body having a pivot portion; one end of said beam body adapted to contact a valve stem tip and another end adapted to contact a push rod; said beam body tapering from said pivot portion decreasing thickness to said end having valve stem tip contact and tapering to said end having contact with push rod; said tapered beam body having a predetermined spring rate.   
   
   
       8 . A rocker arm beam body comprising:
 a beam body having a first hollow portion; said beam body having side walls separated and joined across a bottom; a closing cover fused to a portion of said side walls; said beam bodying having a first hollow portion extending from an end which connects to a push rod actuating to pivot axis portion; a second hollow portion extending from said pivot axis portion to an end having a radial surface contacting valve stem end tip.   
   
   
       9 . A rocker arm system for internal combustion engines comprising:
 a rocker arm; a journal attached to said rocker arm; portions of said journal extending outwardly from each side of said rocker arm; first and second bearing mounts for said journal;   said bearing mounts located on each side of said rocker arm;   said bearing mounts receive and rotatably support said journal;   a mounting base; said bearing mounts attached to said mounting base which locate and restrain said bearing mounts.   
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 9  wherein said journal is connected with said rocker arm.