Engine valve lifter anti-rotation device

Abstract

An engine roller lifter for use in a valve train of an internal combustion engine includes a body, an anti-rotation device and a clip. The body can have an outer peripheral surface configured for sliding movement in a bore provided in the engine. The body can define a receiving channel formed in the outer peripheral surface. The body can further define a slot formed at the receiving channel. The anti-rotation device can include a guide plug received in the receiving channel of the body. The guide plug can extend outwardly from the outer peripheral surface of the body. The guide plug can be configured to locate into a bore slot defined in a cylinder head of the internal combustion engine. The clip can be received by the slot and captured the guide plug in the receiving channel.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An engine roller lifter for use in a valve train of an internal combustion engine, the engine roller lifter comprising:
 a body having an outer peripheral surface configured for sliding movement in a bore provided in the engine, the body defining a receiving channel formed in the outer peripheral surface, the body further defining a slot formed at the receiving channel;   an anti-rotation device including a guide plug received in the receiving channel of the body, the guide plug extending outwardly from the outer peripheral surface of the body, the guide plug configured to locate into a bore slot defined in a cylinder head of the internal combustion engine; and   a clip received by the slot and capturing the guide plug in the receiving channel.   
     
     
         2 . The engine roller lifter of  claim 1  wherein the clip is a C-clip. 
     
     
         3 . The engine roller lifter of  claim 2  wherein the guide plug includes a first and a second lobed body portion. 
     
     
         4 . The engine roller lifter of  claim 3  wherein the first lobed body portion is keyed in the receiving channel to preclude radial movement of the guide plug. 
     
     
         5 . The engine roller lifter of  claim 4  wherein the second lobed body portion extends radially outwardly beyond the outer peripheral surface of the body. 
     
     
         6 . The engine roller lifter of  claim 5  wherein the second lobed body portion includes a pair of parallel sidewalls. The engine roller lifter of  claim 6  wherein the guide plug is cold-formed. 
     
     
         8 . The engine roller lifter of claim  7  wherein the guide plug further includes an extension portion having a finger thereon, the finger configured to prevent rotation of the C-clip. 
     
     
         9 . The engine roller lifter of  claim 1  wherein the body further includes a groove and a connecting channel formed into the peripheral surface, the body further including a transverse passage, wherein oil collected in the groove flows to the connecting channel and into the transverse passage to lubricate a roller bearing disposed on the roller lifter. 
     
     
         10 . An engine roller lifter for use in a valve train of an internal combustion engine, the engine roller lifter comprising:
 a body having an outer peripheral surface configured for sliding movement in a bore provided in the engine, the body defining a receiving channel formed in the outer peripheral surface;   an anti-rotation device including a guide plug having a first and second lobed body portion, the first lobed body portion configured to be slidably received in the receiving channel of the body in an installed position, the second lobed body portion extending outwardly from the outer peripheral surface of the body, the second lobed body portion configured to locate into a bore slot defined in a cylinder head of the internal combustion engine and inhibit rotation of the guide plug and body; and   a coupling arrangement that couples the anti-rotation device at the receiving channel.   
     
     
         11 . The engine roller lifter of  claim 10  wherein the body further includes a groove and a connecting channel formed into the peripheral surface, the body further including a transverse passage, wherein oil collected in the groove flows to the connecting channel and into the transverse passage to lubricate a roller bearing disposed on the roller lifter. 
     
     
         12 . The engine roller lifter of  claim 10  wherein the coupling arrangement comprises a set screw. 
     
     
         13 . The engine roller lifter of  claim 10  wherein the coupling arrangement comprises a clip received by a slot defined in the body, the clip capturing the guide plug in the receiving channel. 
     
     
         14 . The engine roller lifter of  claim 10  wherein the coupling arrangement comprises annealing, wherein the body is locally annealed in an area around the guide plug. 
     
     
         15 . The engine roller lifter of  claim 14  wherein a circumferential edge area that defines an entrance to the channel is annealed and shaped inwardly to close a circumference and trap the guide plug within the channel. 
     
     
         16 . The engine roller lifter of  claim 10  wherein the coupling arrangement comprises staking, wherein the guide plug is staked relative to the body. 
     
     
         17 . The engine roller lifter of  claim 16  wherein the first lobed body portion is axially compressed and expanded radially forming an interference fit with the receiving channel of the body. 
     
     
         18 . The engine roller lifter of  claim 10  wherein the coupling arrangement comprises resistance welding. 
     
     
         19 . The engine roller lifter of  claim 10  wherein the coupling arrangement comprises laser welding. 
     
     
         20 . An engine roller lifter for use in a valve train of an internal combustion engine, the engine roller lifter comprising:
 a body having an outer peripheral surface configured for sliding movement in a bore provided in the engine, the body defining a receiving channel formed in the outer peripheral surface, the body further defining a slot formed at the receiving channel, a groove and a connecting channel formed into the outer peripheral surface, the body further including a transverse passage, wherein oil collected in the groove flows to the connecting channel and into the transverse passage to lubricate a roller bearing disposed on the roller lifter;   an anti-rotation device including a guide plug having a first and second lobed body portion, the first lobed body portion configured to be slidably received in the receiving channel of the body in an installed position, the second lobed body portion extending outwardly from the outer peripheral surface of the body, the second lobed body portion configured to locate into a bore slot defined in a cylinder head of the internal combustion engine and inhibit rotation of the guide plug and body; and   a clip received by the slot and capturing the guide plug in the receiving channel.   
     
     
         21 . An engine roller lifter for use in a valve train of an internal combustion engine, the engine roller lifter comprising:
 a body having an outer peripheral surface configured for sliding movement in a bore provided in the engine, the body defining a receiving channel formed in the outer peripheral surface; and   an anti-rotation device including a guide plug having a first body portion and a second body portion, the first body portion formed in a geometrical shape complementary for receipt into the receiving channel, the guide plug being formed of a smart memory alloy wherein subsequent to positioning of the guide plug into the receiving channel, heat treating the engine roller lifter sets the shape of the guide plug to retain the guide plug in an installed position within the receiving channel such that the second body portion extends outwardly from the outer peripheral surface of the body, the second body portion configured to locate into a bore slot defined in a cylinder head of the internal combustion engine and inhibit rotation of the guide plug and body.   
     
     
         22 . The engine roller lifter of  claim 21  wherein the body further defines a slot formed at the receiving channel, the engine roller lifter further comprising:
 a clip received by the slot and capturing the guide plug in the receiving channel. 
 
     
     
         23 . The engine roller lifter of  claim 22  wherein the clip is formed of smart memory alloy such that heat treating sets the clip in the slot. 
     
     
         24 . The engine roller lifter of  claim 21  wherein the body further includes a groove and a connecting channel formed into the peripheral surface, the body further including a transverse passage, wherein oil collected in the groove flows to the connecting channel and into the transverse passage to lubricate a roller bearing disposed on the roller lifter.