Valve Operating Camshaft System For Internal Combustion Engine

Abstract

A camshaft system includes a number of cam lobes locked upon a cylindrical shaft. Bearings configured with one-piece bores and are engaged with the cylindrical shaft. The bearings are captured upon the shaft by the locked-on cam lobes.

1 . A camshaft assembly for an internal combustion engine, comprising:
 a cylindrical shaft;   a plurality of cam lobes locked upon said cylindrical shaft; and   a plurality of bearings, configured with one-piece bores, engaged with said cylindrical shaft, with at least one of said bearings being retained upon said shaft by adjacent ones of said cam lobes.   
     
     
         2 . A camshaft assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said cylindrical shaft has a generally cylindrical outer surface with a generally uniform outside diameter. 
     
     
         3 . A camshaft assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of cam lobes is locked upon said cylindrical shaft both rotationally and axially. 
     
     
         4 . A camshaft assembly according to  claim 1 , further comprising a drive member attached to an end of said cylindrical shaft. 
     
     
         5 . A camshaft assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of cam lobes is locked to said cylindrical shaft upon a plurality of locally roughened regions. 
     
     
         6 . A camshaft assembly according to  claim 1 , further comprising a second cylindrical shaft extending through a second set of one-piece bores formed in said bearings, with said second cylindrical shaft having a plurality of cam lobes locked thereto. 
     
     
         7 . A camshaft assembly according to  claim 1 , further comprising a cylinder head, with said bearings being mounted to said cylinder head. 
     
     
         8 . A camshaft system for an internal combustion engine, comprising:
 a shaft having a generally cylindrical outer surface with a generally uniform outside diameter;   a plurality of cam lobes locked axially and rotationally upon said generally cylindrical outer surface; and   a plurality of shaft mounting bearings, with each of said shaft mounting bearings configured as a one-piece tower having a bore directly engaged with said generally cylindrical outer surface of said shaft, and with said plurality of said shaft mounting bearings being held captive on said shaft by adjacent ones of said cam lobes.   
     
     
         9 . A camshaft according to  claim 8 , wherein at least one of said plurality of cam lobes is locked to the outer surface of the shaft by welding. 
     
     
         10 . A camshaft according to  claim 8 , wherein at least one of said plurality of cam lobes is locked to the outer surface of the shaft by a mechanical joint. 
     
     
         11 . A camshaft according to  claim 8 , wherein at least one of said shaft mounting bearings comprises a tower adapted for attachment to an engine cylinder head.