Lash adjuster and meter means

Claim 2

In a hydraulic lash adjuster adapted for cooperative association with a rocker arm and including an adjuster body having an oil reservoir; a closure means positioned within said adjuster body, said closure means having a passageway adapted for communication with said associated rocker arm and means for metering oil conducted from said reservoir to said arm; the improvement comprising: said closure means being formed of an upper and lower part which are maintained in constant engagement with each other; said upper part includes a fulcrum ball operatively engaged with a rocker arm and having an opening extending from its upper surface to at least the upper surface of said lower part; and a slot formed in at least one of the surfaces of engagement between said upper and lower parts, said slot extending from said opening to the space about said closure means; said opening and said slot forming the said passageway adapted for communication with said rocker arm.

Claim 3

In a hydraulic lash adjuster adapted for operative connection to a rocker arm having a body; a plunger reciprocal in said body, said plunger having a cavity defining an oil reservoir; oil inlet means communicating with said oil reservoir; a closure means closing said cavity and adapted for engagement with said rocker arm; oil outlet means communicating with said oil reservoir; and means for metering oil conducted from said reservoir through said outlet means; the improvement comprising: said closure means being formed of an upper and lower part which are maintained in constant engagement with each other; said upper part having a head engageable with said rocker arm and an opening extending from said head to at least the upper surface of said lower part; and a slot formed in at least one of the surfaces of engagement between said upper and lower parts, said slot extending from said opening to the space between said closure means and inner wall of one of said adjuster body and plunger; said opening and said slot forming at least a portion of said outlet means.

Claim 4

In a hydraulic lash adjuster adapted for operative connection to a rocker arm having a body; a plunger reciprocal in said body, said plunger having a cavity defining an oil reservoir; oil inlet means communicating with said oil reservoir; a closure means closing said cavity and adapted for engagement with said rocker arm; oil outlet means communicating with said oil reservoir; and means for metering oil conducted from said reservoir through said outlet means; the improvement comprising: said closure means being formed of an upper and lower part which are maintained in constant engagement with each other; said upper part having a head engageable with said rocker arm and an opening extending from said head to at least the upper surface of said lower part; and a slot formed in at least one of the surfaces of engagement between said upper and lower parts, said slot extending from said opening to the space between said closure means and inner wall of one of said adjuster body and plunger; said opening and said slot forming at least a portion of said outlet means.

Claim 5

The improvement as defined in claim 2 wherein the upper end of said plunger defines a shoulder on which the lower part of said closure means is seated, said lower surface of said lower part being in contact with said shoulder, a second slot in one of said engaging surfaces between said shoulder and lower part, said second slot extending from the space between said closure means and said inner wall of said adjuster body providing an annular path between at least a portion of the outer wall of said lower part and the inner wall of said adjuster body, said slots, annular path and opening providing a means for oil to communicate from said reservoir to said opening, at least one of said slots and annular path defining a restricted flow means to provide said metering means.

Claim 6

The improvement as defined in claim 3 wherein the cross-sectional flow area of said annular path is less than each of said slots and opening so that said annular path provides said metering means.

Claim 7

The improvement as defined in claim 4 wherein the rate of said metering is determined by preselecting the thickness of said lower part of said closure means.

Claim 8

The improvement as defined in claim 4 wherein the rate of said metering is determined by preselecting the diameter of said lower part of said closure element.

Claim 9

The improvement as defined in claim 3 wherein the cross-sectional area of the clearance between the inner wall of said adjuster body and the outer wall of said upper part of said closure means is substantially less than any cross-sectional area of said slots, annular path and opening so that said metered oil will flow freely through said outlet means to said rocker arm.

Claim 10

A hydraulic lash adjuster comprising, in combination: an adjuster body having an inTernal cavity, the upper end of which is open; a hollow plunger positioned within said cavity, the upper end of which is open, said hollow plunger defining an oil reservoir; a closure element separate from said plunger and supported by said plunger within said cavity closing the open end of said adjuster body, said closure element being formed of an upper and lower part, said upper part having a fulcrum ball engageable with a rocker arm seat and an opening extending from said rocker arm seat engaging surface to at least the upper surface of said lower part, and a slot formed in at least one of the surfaces of engagement between said upper and lower parts, said slot extending from said opening to the space between the closure element and inner wall of one of said plunger and adjuster body, the upper end of said plunger including a support surface for said closure element, said support surface including one or more grooves extending from the space between said lower part and inner wall of said adjuster body to at least the point in communication with said reservoir, said slot, space and groove providing a means for oil to communicate from said reservoir to said opening; and means for metering the rate of oil flow to said opening, one of said slot and space defining a restricted flow means to provide said metering means.

Claim 11

A hydraulic lash adjuster comprising, in combination: an adjuster body having an inTernal cavity, the upper end of which is open; a hollow plunger positioned within said cavity, the upper end of which is open, said hollow plunger defining an oil reservoir; a closure element separate from said plunger and supported by said plunger within said cavity closing the open end of said adjuster body, said closure element being formed of an upper and lower part, said upper part having a fulcrum ball engageable with a rocker arm seat and an opening extending from said rocker arm seat engaging surface to at least the upper surface of said lower part, and a slot formed in at least one of the surfaces of engagement between said upper and lower parts, said slot extending from said opening to the space between the closure element and inner wall of one of said plunger and adjuster body, the upper end of said plunger including a support surface for said closure element, said support surface including one or more grooves extending from the space between said lower part and inner wall of said adjuster body to at least the point in communication with said reservoir, said slot, space and groove providing a means for oil to communicate from said reservoir to said opening; and means for metering the rate of oil flow to said opening, one of said slot and space defining a restricted flow means to provide said metering means.

Claim 12

The combination according to claim 8 wherein said one or more grooves are comprised of a plurality of circumferentially spaced radially projecting grooves.

Claim 13

The combination according to claim 9 wherein at least a pair of said circumferentially spaced grooves are in diametrical alignment.

Claim 14

The combination according to claim 8 wherein said grooves are convergent toward the center of said plunger, the cross section of which is a maximum at said space between said seat and inner wall.