Valve spring mechanism for internal combustion engines

Claim 2

In an internal combustion engine having first and second valve trains respectively including first and second valve stems and first and second valves connected respectively thereto for controlling the exhaust and intake ports of the engine respectively, cam means for imparting reciprocating opening motion to said valves via the associated valve train, said engine having a valve chamber through which said valve trains pass, and means for biasing said valves closed and said valve trains into tracking relation with said cam means, the improvement wherein said biasing means comprises a wire spring housed in said valve chamber and having a bight portion extending transverse to said direction of reciprocation of said valve train and adjacent said valve stems, a first bent portion extending from one end of said bight portion and curved through an angle of more than 90* with respect to said bight portion, a first arm portion extending from said first bent portion generally in the direction of said bight portion, each of said stems having a notch therein disposed in said chamber, said first arm portion being received in said notch of said first valve stem at a point spaced from said first bent portion, said spring comprising a second bent portion extending from an opposite end of said bight portion and a second arm portion extending from said second bent portion in the direction of said bight portion, said second arm of said spring being received in said notch of said second valve stem at point spaced from said second bent portion, said arm portions extending oppositely and generally parallel to one another and at an angle to a plane defined by said first and second valve stems, and an abutment in said valve chamber stationarily fixed to said engine and engaging said bight portion of said spring and positioned to maintain said spring stressed in all positions of said valve trains such that said spring urges said valve trains toward said cam means, said bight portion of said spring extending along said abutment of said valve chamber and between said valve stems, said chamber having a pair of sidewalls flanking said valve stems and spaced therefrom, said bent portions being disposed one adjacent each of said sidewalls but with clearances therebetween adapted to limit endwise movement of said spring to that of said clearances, said arms each having a free end projecting from the associated notch by a distance at least about equal to the clearance between its associated bent portion and the sidewall adjacent said associated bent portion.

Claim 3

In an internal combustion engine having first and second valve trains respectively including first and second valve stems and first and second valves connected respectively thereto for controlling the exhaust and intake ports of the engine respectively, cam means for imparting reciprocating opening motion to said valves via the associated valve train, said engine having a valve chamber through which said valve trains pass, and means for biasing said valves closed and said valve trains into tracking relation with said cam means, the improvement wherein said biasing means comprises a wire spring housed in said valve chamber and having a bight portion extending transverse to said direction of reciprocation of said valve train and adjacent said valve stems, a first bent portion extending from one end of said bight portion and curved through an angle of more than 90* with respect to said bight portion, a first arm portion extending from said first bent portion generally in the direction of said bight portion, each of said stems having a notch therein disposed in said chamber, said first arm portion being received in said notch of said first valve stem at a point spaced from said first bent portion, said spring comprising a second bent portion extending from an opposite end of said bight portion and a second arm portion extending from said second bent portion in the direction of said bight portion, said second arm of said spring being received in said notch of said second valve stem at point spaced from said second bent portion, said arm portions extending oppositely and generally parallel to one another and at an angle to a plane defined by said first and second valve stems, and an abutment in said valve chamber stationarily fixed to said engine and engaging said bight portion of said spring and positioned to maintain said spring stressed in all positions of said valve trains such that said spring urges said valve trains toward said cam means, said abutment comprising a ledge projecting outwardly between said valve stems in said chamber and spaced from said notches in the direction of force exerted by said spring on said valve trains, said bight portion of said spring extending along and against the side of said ledge disposed remote from said notches, said spring being preloaded in tension and tending to pull said bight portion against said remote side of said ledge, said ledge terminating short of an outwardly facing opening of said valve chamber, said valve chamber having a cover closing said opening and having means thereon projecting inwardly in overlapping relation with said ledge adjacent said remote side thereof to serve as a retaining abutment for said bight portion of said valve spring.

Claim 4

In an internal combustion engine having first and second valve trains respectively including first and second valve stems and first and second valves connected respectively thereto for controlling the exhaust and intake ports of the engine respectively, cam means for imparting reciprocating opening motion to said valves via the associated valve train, said engine having a valve chamber through which said valve trains pass, and means for biasing said valves closed and said valve trains into tracking relation with said cam means, the improvement wherein said biasing means comprises a wire spring housed in said valve chamber and having a bight portion extending transverse to said direction of reciprocation of said valve train and adjacent said valve stems, a first bent portion extending from one end of said bight portion and curved through an angle of more than 90* with respect to said bight portion, a first arm portion extending from said first bent portion generally in the direction of said bight portion, each of said stems having a notch therein disposed in said chamber, said first arm portion being received in said notch of said first valve stem at a point spaced from said first bent portion, said spring comprising a second bent portion extending from an opposite end of said bight portion and a second arm portion extending from said second bent portion in the direction of said bight portion, said second arm of said spring being received in said notch of said second valve stem at point spaced from said second bent portion, said arm portions extending oppositely and generally parallel to one another and at an angle to a plane defined by said first and second valve stems, and an abutment in said valve chamber stationarily fixed to said engine and engaging said bight portion of said spring and positioned to maintain said spring stressed in all positions of said valve trains such that said spring urges said valve trains toward said cam means, said abutment comprising a ledge projecting outwardly between said valve stems in said chamber and spaced from said notches in the direction of force exerted by said spring on said valve trains, said bight portion of said spring extending along and against the side of said ledge disposed remote from said notches, said spring being preloaded in tension and tending to pull said bight portion against said remote side of said ledge, said ledge terminating short of an outwardly facing opening of said valve chamber, said valve chamber having a cover closing said opening and having means thereon projecting inwardly in overlapping relation with said ledge adjacent said remote side thereof to serve as a retaining abutment for said bight portion of said valve spring.

Claim 5

In an internal combustion engine having first and second valve trains respectively including first and second valve stems and first and second valves respectively connected thereto for controlling the exhaust and intake ports of the engine respectively, cam means for imparting reciprocating opening motion to said valves via the associated valve train, said engine having a valve chamber through which said valve trains pass, and means for biasing said valves closed and said valve trains into tracking relation with said cam means, the improvement wherein said biasing means comprises a wire spring housed in said valve chamber and having a bight portion extending transverse to said direction of reciprocation of said valve train and adjacent said valve stems, a first bent portion extending from one end of said bight portion and curved through an angle of more than 90* with respect to said bight portion, a first arm portion extending from said first bent portion generally in the diRection of said bight portion, each of said stems having a notch therein disposed in said chamber, said first arm portion being received in said notch of said first valve stem at a point spaced from said first bent portion, said spring comprising a second bent portion extending from an opposite end of said bight portion and a second arm portion extending from said second bent portion in the direction of said bight portion, said second arm of said spring being received in said notch of said second valve stem at a point spaced from said bent portion, said arm portions extending oppositely and generally parallel to one another and at an angle to a plane defined by said first and second valve stems, said valve chamber having a top wall engaging said bight portion of said spring and positioned to maintain said spring stressed in all positions of said valve trains such that said spring urges said valve trains toward said cam means, said bight portion of said spring extending along said top wall of said valve chamber and between said valve stems, said notches being disposed for reciprocating travel within a range of movement spaced from said top wall in the direction of said cam means, said valve chamber having first and second bosses projecting from said top wall thereof and respectively encircling said first and second valve stems, said bight portion of said spring extending between said bosses.

Claim 6

In an internal combustion engine having first and second valve trains respectively including first and second valve stems and first and second valves respectively connected thereto for controlling the exhaust and intake ports of the engine respectively, cam means for imparting reciprocating opening motion to said valves via the associated valve train, said engine having a valve chamber through which said valve trains pass, and means for biasing said valves closed and said valve trains into tracking relation with said cam means, the improvement wherein said biasing means comprises a wire spring housed in said valve chamber and having a bight portion extending transverse to said direction of reciprocation of said valve train and adjacent said valve stems, a first bent portion extending from one end of said bight portion and curved through an angle of more than 90* with respect to said bight portion, a first arm portion extending from said first bent portion generally in the diRection of said bight portion, each of said stems having a notch therein disposed in said chamber, said first arm portion being received in said notch of said first valve stem at a point spaced from said first bent portion, said spring comprising a second bent portion extending from an opposite end of said bight portion and a second arm portion extending from said second bent portion in the direction of said bight portion, said second arm of said spring being received in said notch of said second valve stem at a point spaced from said bent portion, said arm portions extending oppositely and generally parallel to one another and at an angle to a plane defined by said first and second valve stems, said valve chamber having a top wall engaging said bight portion of said spring and positioned to maintain said spring stressed in all positions of said valve trains such that said spring urges said valve trains toward said cam means, said bight portion of said spring extending along said top wall of said valve chamber and between said valve stems, said notches being disposed for reciprocating travel within a range of movement spaced from said top wall in the direction of said cam means, said valve chamber having first and second bosses projecting from said top wall thereof and respectively encircling said first and second valve stems, said bight portion of said spring extending between said bosses.

Claim 7

In an internal combustion engine having a valve train including a stem and a valve connected to said stem and controlling one of the exhaust and intake ports of the engine, a cam for imparting reciprocating opening motion to said valve via said valve train and a spring for biasing said valve closed and said valve train into tracking relation with said cam, said engine having a valve chamber through which said valve train passes, the improvement wherein said spring comprises a hairpin-type wire spring housed in said valve chamber having a bight portion extending transverse to said direction of reciprocation of said valve train and adjacent said valve train, a bent portion extending from one end of said bight portion and constituting at least one convolution, and a straight arm portion extending from said convolution of said bent portion generally in the direction of said bight portion, said stem having a notch receiving the free end of said arm portion of said spring at a point spaced from said bent portion, said notch being disposed at an angle relative to the axis of said stem and inclined toward said valve, an abutment in said valve chamber stationarily fixed to said engine and engaging said bight portion of said spring and positioned to maintain said spring stressed in all positions of said valve train such that said spring urges said valve train toward said cam, and a boss encircling said valve stem and said bight portion having an end turn wrapped at least partially around said boss.

Claim 8

In an internal combustion engine having a valve train including a stem and a valve connected to said stem and controlling one of the exhaust and intake ports of the engine, a cam for imparting reciprocating opening motion to said valve via said valve train and a spring for biasing said valve closed and said valve train into tracking relation with said cam, said engine having a valve chamber through which said valve train passes, the improvement wherein said spring comprises a hairpin-type wire spring housed in said valve chamber having a bight portion extending transverse to said direction of reciprocation of said valve train and adjacent said valve train, a bent portion extending from one end of said bight portion and constituting at least one convolution, and a straight arm portion extending from said convolution of said bent portion generally in the direction of said bight portion, said stem having a notch receiving the free end of said arm portion of said spring at a point spaced from said bent portion, said notch being disposed at an angle relative to the axis of said stem and inclined toward said valve, an abutment in said valve chamber stationarily fixed to said engine and engaging said bight portion of said spring and positioned to maintain said spring stressed in all positions of said valve train such that said spring urges said valve train toward said cam, and a boss encircling said valve stem and said bight portion having an end turn wrapped at least partially around said boss.

Claim 9

In an internal combustion engine having a valve train including a stem and a valve connected to said stem for controlling one of the exhaust and intake ports of the engine, a cam for imparting reciprocating opening motion to said valve via said valve train and a spring for biasing said valve closed and said valve train into tracking relation with said cam, said engine having a valve spring chamber through which said valve train passes, said spring being housed in said chamber, the improvement wherein said spring comprises a wire spring having a bight portion extending transverse to the direction of reciprocation of said valve train and adjacent said valve train, a bent portion extending from one end of said bight portion and curved through an angle of more than 90* with respect to said bight portion and a generally straight arm portion extending from said bent portion generally in the direction of said bight portion to a free end of said arm portion, said stem having a notch disposed at angle relative to the axis of said stem and inclined toward said valve, said arm portion of said spring resting in said notch and extending transversely through said stem with said free end of said arm portion protruding from said stem, said notch being open at one end and at the opposite sides thereof whereby said arm may be inserted sideways into said notch via said open end thereof, and an abutment in said chamber stationarily fixed to said engine and engaging said bight portion of said spring and positioned to maintain said spring stressed in all positions of said valve train such that said spring urges valve train toward said cam.

Claim 10

In an internal combustion engine having a valve train including a stem and a valve connected to said stem for controlling one of the exhaust and intake ports of the engine, a cam for imparting reciprocating opening motion to said valve via said valve train and a spring for biasing said valve closed and said valve train into tracking relation with said cam, said engine having a valve spring chamber through which said valve train passes, said spring being housed in said chamber, the improvement wherein said spring comprises a wire spring having a bight portion extending transverse to the direction of reciprocation of said valve train and adjacent said valve train, a bent portion extending from one end of said bight portion and curved through an angle of more than 90* with respect to said bight portion and a generally straight arm portion extending from said bent portion generally in the direction of said bight portion to a free end of said arm portion, said stem having a notch disposed at angle relative to the axis of said stem and inclined toward said valve, said arm portion of said spring resting in said notch and extending transversely through said stem with said free end of said arm portion protruding from said stem, said notch being open at one end and at the opposite sides thereof whereby said arm may be inserted sideways into said notch via said open end thereof, and an abutment in said chamber stationarily fixed to said engine and engaging said bight portion of said spring and positioned to maintain said spring stressed in all positions of said valve train such that said spring urges valve train toward said cam.

Claim 11

In an internal combustion engine having first and second valve trains respectively including first and second valves and first and second stems connected respectively thereto for controlling the exhaust and intake ports of the engine respectively, cam means for imparting reciprocating opening motion to said valves via the associated valve train, said engine having a valve spring chamber through which said valve trains pass with said stems extending side by side in said chamber and each having spring mounting means in said chamber, and spring means for biasing said valves closed and said valve trains into tracking relation with said cam means, said spring means being of the hairpin wire type housed in said chamber, said spring means including bight means extending transverse to the direction of reciprocation of said valve train and adjacent said valve stems, a first bent portion extending from one end of said bight means and curved through an angle of more than 90* with respect to said bight means, a first arm portion extending from said first bent portion generally in the direction of said bight means and being connected to said spring mounting means of said first valve stem at a point spaced from said first bent portion, said second bent portion extending from an opposite end of said bight means and a second arm portion extending from said second bent portion in the direction of said bight means, said second arm of said spring being connected to said spring mounting means of said second valve stem at point spaced from said second bent portion, said arm portions extending oppositely and generally parallel to one another and at an angle to a plane defined by said first and second valve stems, and an abutment in said chamber stationarily fixed to said engine and engaging said bight means of said spring and positioned to maintain said spring means stressed in all positions of said valve trains such that said spring means urges said valve trains toward said cam means, said bight means of said spring extending along said abutment of said valve chamber and between said valve stems.

Claim 12

In an internal combustion engine having first and second valve trains respectively including first and second valves and first and second stems connected respectively thereto for controlling the exhaust and intake ports of the engine respectively, cam means for imparting reciprocating opening motion to said valves via the associated valve train, said engine having a valve spring chamber through which said valve trains pass with said stems extending side by side in said chamber and each having spring mounting means in said chamber, and spring means for biasing said valves closed and said valve trains into tracking relation with said cam means, said spring means being of the hairpin wire type housed in said chamber, said spring means including bight means extending transverse to the direction of reciprocation of said valve train and adjacent said valve stems, a first bent portion extending from one end of said bight means and curved through an angle of more than 90* with respect to said bight means, a first arm portion extending from said first bent portion generally in the direction of said bight means and being connected to said spring mounting means of said first valve stem at a point spaced from said first bent portion, said second bent portion extending from an opposite end of said bight means and a second arm portion extending from said second bent portion in the direction of said bight means, said second arm of said spring being connected to said spring mounting means of said second valve stem at point spaced from said second bent portion, said arm portions extending oppositely and generally parallel to one another and at an angle to a plane defined by said first and second valve stems, and an abutment in said chamber stationarily fixed to said engine and engaging said bight means of said spring and positioned to maintain said spring means stressed in all positions of said valve trains such that said spring means urges said valve trains toward said cam means, said bight means of said spring extending along said abutment of said valve chamber and between said valve stems.

Claim 13

The combination set forth in claim 6 wherein said spring means comprises a unitary wire spring and said first and second bent portions are each curved through an angle of only about 180* in the operative condition of said spring.

Claim 14

The combination set forth in claim 7 wherein said abutment comprises a wall of said chamber extending transverse to the direction of reciprocating travel of said valve trains and said chamber has a side access opening with a removable cover thereover disposed generally parallel to said plane of said valve stems.

Claim 15

In an L-head internal combustion engine having first and second valve trains respectively including first and second valve stems and first and second valves connected respectively thereto for controlling the exhaust and intake ports of the engine respectively, cam means for imparting reciprocating opening motion to said valve trains and means for biasing said valves closed and said valve trains into tracking relation with said cam means, said valve trains passing in side-by-side relation through a valve spring chamber located on the side of the cylinder block of said engine, said chamber having a side opening closed by a removable cover providing side access to a notched portion of each of said valve stems disposed in said chamber, the improvement wherein said biasing means comprises a spring wire means disposed in said valve chamber having a first bight portion extending transverse to said direction of reciprocation of said valve trains and adjacent said valve trains, a first bent portion extending from one end of said bight portion and curved through an angle of more than 90* with respect to said bight portion, a first arm portion extending from said bent portion generally in the direction of said bight portion and having a free end resting in said notched portion of said first valve stem at a point spaced from said bent portion, said spring means further comprising second bight, bent and arm portions corresponding to said first bight, bent and arm portions, said second arm portion having a free end resting in said notched portion of said second valve stem, said first and second arm portions extending oppositely and generally parallel to one another and at an angle to a plane defined by said first and second valve stems, said first and second bight portions extending toward one another between said valve stems, and an abutment in said valve chamber stationarily fixed to said engine and engaging said bight portions of said spring means and positioned to maintain said spring means stressed in all positions of said valve trains such that said spring means urges said valve trains toward said cam means whereby said spring means are mountable in said chamber when the cover is removed therefrom by laterally inserting said spring means between said stems and inserting said arm portions sideways in said notched portions while said valve trains are in final assembled position in said engine and extend through said valve chamber parallel to said side opening.

Claim 16

In an L-head internal combustion engine having first and second valve trains respectively including first and second valve stems and first and second valves connected respectively thereto for controlling the exhaust and intake ports of the engine respectively, cam means for imparting reciprocating opening motion to said valve trains and means for biasing said valves closed and said valve trains into tracking relation with said cam means, said valve trains passing in side-by-side relation through a valve spring chamber located on the side of the cylinder block of said engine, said chamber having a side opening closed by a removable cover providing side access to a notched portion of each of said valve stems disposed in said chamber, the improvement wherein said biasing means comprises a spring wire means disposed in said valve chamber having a first bight portion extending transverse to said direction of reciprocation of said valve trains and adjacent said valve trains, a first bent portion extending from one end of said bight portion and curved through an angle of more than 90* with respect to said bight portion, a first arm portion extending from said bent portion generally in the direction of said bight portion and having a free end resting in said notched portion of said first valve stem at a point spaced from said bent portion, said spring means further comprising second bight, bent and arm portions corresponding to said first bight, bent and arm portions, said second arm portion having a free end resting in said notched portion of said second valve stem, said first and second arm portions extending oppositely and generally parallel to one another and at an angle to a plane defined by said first and second valve stems, said first and second bight portions extending toward one another between said valve stems, and an abutment in said valve chamber stationarily fixed to said engine and engaging said bight portions of said spring means and positioned to maintain said spring means stressed in all positions of said valve trains such that said spring means urges said valve trains toward said cam means whereby said spring means are mountable in said chamber when the cover is removed therefrom by laterally inserting said spring means between said stems and inserting said arm portions sideways in said notched portions while said valve trains are in final assembled position in said engine and extend through said valve chamber parallel to said side opening.

Claim 17

The combination set forth in claim 9 wherein said first and second springs are integrally connected by said bight portions thereof whereby said biasing means for both valve trains consists of a unitary wire spring.