Valve bridge for valve systems

Abstract

A valve bridge for a valve system of an engine includes one or more valves and a valve rotator coupled to the valves. The valve bridge includes one or more end portions, a seat formed at the one or more end portions to receive the one or more valves, and an extension portion that extends outwardly from the one or more end portions. The extension portion defines a cavity configured to accommodate the valve rotator, and guide the valve bridge with the valve rotator during each opening and closing of the one or more valves relative to the engine.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A valve bridge for a valve system of an engine, the valve system including one or more valves and a valve rotator coupled to the one or more valves, the valve bridge comprising:
 one or more end portions;   a seat formed at the one or more end portions to receive the one or more valves; and   an extension portion extending outwardly from the one or more end portions and defining a cavity therein,
 wherein the cavity is configured to accommodate the valve rotator, and guide the valve bridge with the valve rotator during each opening and closing of the one or more valves relative to the engine. 
   
     
     
         2 . The valve system of  claim 1 , wherein the seat includes a recess formed at the one or more end portions. 
     
     
         3 . The valve bridge of  claim 2 , wherein the cavity and the recess define a stepped configuration and together form a guide structure to guide the valve bridge with the one or more valves. 
     
     
         4 . The valve bridge of  claim 2 , wherein the recess and the cavity are co-axial. 
     
     
         5 . The valve bridge of  claim 2 , wherein the recess and the cavity are circular shaped, the recess including a first diameter and the cavity including a second diameter, the first diameter being lesser than the second diameter. 
     
     
         6 . The valve bridge of  claim 1 , wherein the valve bridge includes a tappet head, a first arm and a second arm radially extending away from the tappet head to respectively define a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion and the second end portion defining the one or more end portions. 
     
     
         7 . The valve bridge of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more valves are one or more gas exchange valves. 
     
     
         8 . The valve bridge of  claim 1 , wherein the valve rotator is disk shaped and is configured to be accommodated in the cavity along a plane substantially perpendicular to an axis of the cavity. 
     
     
         9 . A valve system for an engine, comprising:
 one or more valves;   a valve rotator coupled to the one or more valves; and   a valve bridge including:
 one or more end portions; 
 an extension portion extending outwardly from the one or more end portions and defining a cavity therein,
 wherein the cavity is configured to accommodate the valve rotator, and guide the valve bridge with the valve rotator during each opening and closing of the one or more valves relative to the engine. 
 
   
     
     
         10 . The valve system of  claim 9 , further comprising a seat formed at the one or more end portions, the seat configured to receive the one or more valves. 
     
     
         11 . The valve system of  claim 10 , wherein the seat includes a recess formed at the one or more end portions. 
     
     
         12 . The valve system of  claim 11 , wherein the cavity and the recess define a stepped configuration and together form a guide structure to guide the valve bridge with the one or more valves. 
     
     
         13 . The valve system of  claim 11 , wherein the recess and the cavity are co-axial. 
     
     
         14 . The valve system of  claim 11 , wherein the recess and the cavity are circular shaped, the recess including a first diameter and the cavity including a second diameter, the first diameter being lesser than the second diameter. 
     
     
         15 . The valve system of  claim 9 , wherein the valve bridge includes a tappet head, a first arm and a second arm radially extending away from the tappet head to respectively define a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion and the second end portion defining the one or more end portions. 
     
     
         16 . The valve system of  claim 9 , wherein the one or more valves are one or more gas exchange valves. 
     
     
         17 . The valve system of  claim 9 , wherein the valve rotator is disk shaped and is configured to be accommodated in the cavity along a plane substantially perpendicular to an axis of the cavity. 
     
     
         18 . A valve bridge for a valve system of an engine, comprising:
 a tappet head, a first arm and a second arm radially extending away from the tappet head to respectively define a first end portion and a second end portion;   a seat formed at each of the first end portion and the second end portion, and configured to receive a gas exchange valve of the engine; and   an extension portion extending outwardly from each of the first end portion and the second end portion, each of the first end portion and the second end portion defining a cavity therein,
 wherein the cavity is configured to accommodate a valve rotator coupled to the gas exchange valve, and guide the valve bridge with the valve rotator during each opening and closing of the gas exchange valve relative to the engine. 
   
     
     
         19 . The valve system of  claim 18 , wherein the seat includes a recess formed at the first end portion and the second end portion, the recess being co-axial to the cavity. 
     
     
         20 . The valve system of  claim 19 , wherein the cavity and the recess define a stepped configuration and together form a guide structure to guide the valve bridge with the gas exchange valve.