Internal combustion engine and valve control means therefor

Claim 2

An internal combustion engine including at least one cylinder valve (16); a lash adjuster (31) having a moveable portion (31 a) for controlling valve train lash in the engine; a camshaft (24) mounted for rotation in the engine and including a circumferential surface defining a first surface portion (24a) and a second surface portion including a cam lobe (24c) projecting radially outward from the circumferential surface and axially adjacent to the first surface portion (24a); a rocker arm (34) supported at one end by the valve (16) and pivotally supported at the other end by the moveable portion (31 a) of the lash adjuster and defining on a surface thereof a first cam follower means (34e) in direct contact with the first surface portion (24a) of the camshaft (24); a second cam follower (36) disposed adjacent the first follower means, moveable relative to the rocker arm (34), and in direct contact with the cam lobe (24c); latch means (22) supported by said rocker arm (34) at a position disposed adjacent the lash adjuster (31) and selectively moveable to a first position preventing movement of second cam follower (36) relative to the rocker arm (34) for actuation of said valve (16) by said cam lobe (24c) and a second position allowing such relative movement between the second cam follower (36) and the rocker arm (34) for actuation of said valve (16) by said first surface portion (24a) and actuation means (20) mounted on the moveable portion (31 a) of the lash adjuster (31) and selectively operative to move said latch means (22) between said first and second positions.

Claim 3

A valve control means adapted for incorporation into an internal combustion engine valve gear train including a cylinder valve (16 or 16'), a lash adjuster (31 or 31') having a moveable portion (31 a or 31 a') for controlling valve train lash in the engine, and a camshaft (24 or 58) mounted for rotation in the engine and having a cam lobe (24c or 58c); said valve control means comprising: a rocker arm (34 or 34') adapted to be supported at one end by the valve (16 or 16') and pivotally supported at the other end by the moveable portion (31 a or 31 a') of the lash adjuster (31 or 31'); a cam follower (36 or 36') pivotally hinged to said rocker arm (34 or 34') and adapted to contact said cam lobe (24c or 58c) in response to rotation of the camshaft; latch means (22 or 22') supported by said rocker arm (34 or 34') at a position adjacent said lash adjuster (31 or 31'), said latch means (22 or 22') being operative in a first position to prevent pivotal movement of said cam follower (36 or 36') relative to said rocker arm (34 or 34') for effecting actuation of said valve (16 or 16') by said cam lobe (24c or 58c), and said latch means (22 or 22') being operative in a second position to allow pivotal movement of said cam follower (36 or 36') relative to said rocker arm (34 or 34') to render its cam lobe (24c or 58c) at least partially ineffective for actuating said valve (16 or 16'), and actuation means (20) adapted to be mounted on the moveable portion (31 a or 31 a') of the lash adjuster to be selectively operative to move said latch means (22 or 22') between said first and second positions.

Claim 4

A valve control means adapted for incorporation into an internal combustion engine valve gear train including a cylinder valve (16 or 16'), a lash adjuster (31 or 31') having a moveable portion (31 a or 31 a') for controlling valve train lash in the engine, and a camshaft (24 or 58) mounted for rotation in the engine and having a cam lobe (24c or 58c); said valve control means comprising: a rocker arm (34 or 34') adapted to be supported at one end by the valve (16 or 16') and pivotally supported at the other end by the moveable portion (31 a or 31 a') of the lash adjuster (31 or 31'); a cam follower (36 or 36') pivotally hinged to said rocker arm (34 or 34') and adapted to contact said cam lobe (24c or 58c) in response to rotation of the camshaft; latch means (22 or 22') supported by said rocker arm (34 or 34') at a position adjacent said lash adjuster (31 or 31'), said latch means (22 or 22') being operative in a first position to prevent pivotal movement of said cam follower (36 or 36') relative to said rocker arm (34 or 34') for effecting actuation of said valve (16 or 16') by said cam lobe (24c or 58c), and said latch means (22 or 22') being operative in a second position to allow pivotal movement of said cam follower (36 or 36') relative to said rocker arm (34 or 34') to render its cam lobe (24c or 58c) at least partially ineffective for actuating said valve (16 or 16'), and actuation means (20) adapted to be mounted on the moveable portion (31 a or 31 a') of the lash adjuster to be selectively operative to move said latch means (22 or 22') between said first and second positions.

Claim 5

The valve control means of Claim 2, wherein said rocker arm (34 or 34') pivots about an axis defined by the moveable portion (31 a or 31 a') of the lash adjuster (31 or 31'), and wherein said latch means (22 or 22') includes: a pivotal lever (50) having a cylindrically surfaced portion (50a) radially spaced from and concentric to said axis when said latch means (22 or 22') is in said first position and said axis lying in said cylindrically surfaced portion when said latch means (22 or 22') is in said second position.

Claim 6

The valve control means of Claim 3, wherein the actuation means includes a plunger (54c) having an end (54e) for contacting and moving said cylindrically surfaced portion (50a) from said radially spaced position to said position wherein said axis lies in said cylindrically surfaced portion.