Patent US4471731A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4471731A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Rocker housing and rocker cover
Assignee: Cummins Inc
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Filing: 1982-02-18
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Granted: 1984-09-18
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Expires: 2002-02-18
Abstract
Abstract An aluminum rocker housing (10) is secured to the cylinder head (8) of an internal combustion engine (2) to surround and protect the cylinder valve assemblies (156, 158) and associated rocker arm mechanism. The front face (58) of the rocker housing (10) includes a recessed surface (68) which forms an air intake plenum (60) for receiving pressured air from the engine turbocharger (48). Air intake passageways (84, 86, 88) cast to the rear of the front face (58) communicate with the air intake plenum (60) and simultaneously register with air intake ports (160) formed in the cylinder head (8) to provide a means for distributing air from the air intake plenum (60) to the cylinders (16). A rocker cover (12) molded from plastic is secured to the rocker housing (10) by a plurality of vibration-damping bolt assemblies (13). The rocker cover (12) contains a drip lip (148) to prevent engine lubricants from coming into contact with the rocker cover gasket (14). The rocker cover (12) also includes a means (151) for engaging the gasket (14) to increase the sealing capacity thereof.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward W. Kasting
- 👤 Richard E. Glasson
- 👤 Bryan W. Swank
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 08:17
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02B; F02B77/00; F01; F01M; F01M9/00; F01M9/10; F02B75/00; F02B75/16; F02B75/18; F02B2075/1804; F02B2075/1824; F02B2275/00; F02B2275/34; F02B3/00; F02B3/06; F02B75/20; F02F; F02F7/00; F02F7/006; F05; F05C; F05C2201/00; F05C2201/02; F05C2201/021; F05C2225/00; F05C2225/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
312 words
A rocker cover for use on an internal combustion engine having a planar upper surface, a plurality of cylinders with intake and exhaust ports formed therein to permit the flow of gases respectively into and out of the cylinders, a plurality of intake and exhaust valve assemblies mounted on the engine to open and close respective intake and exhaust ports formed in the cylinders, a rocker arm mechanism also mounted on the engine in operative engagement with the intake and exhaust valve assemblies to control the flow of gases respectively into and out of the cylinders, and a gasket positioned on the planar upper surface of the engine which surrounds the rocker arm mechanism to provide an oil seal therefore, said rocker cover comprising an upper portion shaped to cover and protect the rocker arm mechanism, said upper portion including a plurality of reinforcing ribs formed in the inner surface thereof to extend both in a lateral direction and in a longitudinal direction, the height of said ribs extending in a longitudinal direction varying in a predetermined manner to provide clearance for the operation of the rocker arm mechanism, wherein the height of said ribs is greater at the extremities than in the center; a lower skirt portion shaped to contact the upper surface of the gasket surrounding the rocker arm mechanism; and fastening means for fastening said lower skirt portion to the planar upper surface of the engine so that the gasket is compressed between the lower skirt portion of said rocker cover and the engine, said lower skirt portion including integral flange means formed around the inner periphery of said lower skirt portion positioned to contact one edge of said gasket and to extend below the planar upper surface of the engine to divert any lubricants which collect on the inner surface of said rocker cover away from the gasket.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
312 words
A rocker cover for use on an internal combustion engine having a planar upper surface, a plurality of cylinders with intake and exhaust ports formed therein to permit the flow of gases respectively into and out of the cylinders, a plurality of intake and exhaust valve assemblies mounted on the engine to open and close respective intake and exhaust ports formed in the cylinders, a rocker arm mechanism also mounted on the engine in operative engagement with the intake and exhaust valve assemblies to control the flow of gases respectively into and out of the cylinders, and a gasket positioned on the planar upper surface of the engine which surrounds the rocker arm mechanism to provide an oil seal therefore, said rocker cover comprising an upper portion shaped to cover and protect the rocker arm mechanism, said upper portion including a plurality of reinforcing ribs formed in the inner surface thereof to extend both in a lateral direction and in a longitudinal direction, the height of said ribs extending in a longitudinal direction varying in a predetermined manner to provide clearance for the operation of the rocker arm mechanism, wherein the height of said ribs is greater at the extremities than in the center; a lower skirt portion shaped to contact the upper surface of the gasket surrounding the rocker arm mechanism; and fastening means for fastening said lower skirt portion to the planar upper surface of the engine so that the gasket is compressed between the lower skirt portion of said rocker cover and the engine, said lower skirt portion including integral flange means formed around the inner periphery of said lower skirt portion positioned to contact one edge of said gasket and to extend below the planar upper surface of the engine to divert any lubricants which collect on the inner surface of said rocker cover away from the gasket.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
261 words
A rocker cover for use on an internal combustion engine having a planar upper surface, a plurality of cylinders with intake and exhaust ports formed therein to permit the flow of gases respectively into and out of the cylinders, a plurality of intake and exhaust ports formed in the cylinders, a rocker arm mechanism also mounted on the engine in operative engagement with the intake and exhaust valve assemblies to control the flow of gases respectively into and out of the cylinders, and a gasket positioned on the planar upper surface of the engine which surrounds the rocker arm mechanism to provide an oil seal therefore, said rocker cover comprising an inner surface, an integrally molded plastic upper portion shaped to cover and protect the rocker arm mechanism, an integrally molded plastic lower skirt portion shaped to contact the upper surface of the gasket surrounding the rocker arm mechanism, fastening means for fastening said lower skirt portion to the planar upper surface of the engine such that the gasket is compressed between said lower skirt portion of said rocker cover and the engine, and integral engaging means formed on said lower skirt portion of said rocker cover to engage the gasket when said gasket is compressed and minimize the leakage of oil therefrom when said rocker cover is fastened to the engine, and internal reinforcing ribs formed on the inner surface of said rocker cover, said internal reinforcing ribs including a plurality of lateral reinforcing ribs and at least one series of aligned longitudinal reinforcing ribs formed between said lateral ribs.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
261 words
A rocker cover for use on an internal combustion engine having a planar upper surface, a plurality of cylinders with intake and exhaust ports formed therein to permit the flow of gases respectively into and out of the cylinders, a plurality of intake and exhaust ports formed in the cylinders, a rocker arm mechanism also mounted on the engine in operative engagement with the intake and exhaust valve assemblies to control the flow of gases respectively into and out of the cylinders, and a gasket positioned on the planar upper surface of the engine which surrounds the rocker arm mechanism to provide an oil seal therefore, said rocker cover comprising an inner surface, an integrally molded plastic upper portion shaped to cover and protect the rocker arm mechanism, an integrally molded plastic lower skirt portion shaped to contact the upper surface of the gasket surrounding the rocker arm mechanism, fastening means for fastening said lower skirt portion to the planar upper surface of the engine such that the gasket is compressed between said lower skirt portion of said rocker cover and the engine, and integral engaging means formed on said lower skirt portion of said rocker cover to engage the gasket when said gasket is compressed and minimize the leakage of oil therefrom when said rocker cover is fastened to the engine, and internal reinforcing ribs formed on the inner surface of said rocker cover, said internal reinforcing ribs including a plurality of lateral reinforcing ribs and at least one series of aligned longitudinal reinforcing ribs formed between said lateral ribs.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A rocker cover as set forth in claim 2, wherein said engaging means is a bead formed around the periphery of said lower portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
A rocker cover as set forth in claim 2, wherein the height of said longitudinal reinforcing ribs varies in a pre-determined manner in order to provide clearance for the operation of the rocker arm mechanism.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A rocker cover as set forth in claim 2, wherein the firing information for the engine cylinders is molded into said rocker cover.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
A rocker cover as set forth in claim 2, wherein a flange means is formed around the outer periphery of said lower skirt portion of said rocker cover to divert any lubricants which collect on the inner surface of said rocker cover away from the gasket.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
58 words
A rocker cover as set forth in claim 2, wherein said fastening means includes at least one rigid element which is releasably securable to the engine, said fastening means also including a resilient means which spaces said rigid element from said lower portion such that the transfer of vibrations between the engine and said rocker cover is damped.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
A rocker cover as set forth in claim 7, wherein said resilient means is placed in compression to yieldably urge said lower skirt portion of said rocker cover towards the engine when said rigid element is secured to the engine.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
41 words
A rocker cover as set forth in claim 8, wherein a rigid sleeve means is interposed between said rigid element and said resilient means to control the compression of said resilient means when said rigid element is secured to the engine.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
A rocker cover as set forth in claim 9, wherein said resilient means is a rubber grommet.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
39 words
A rocker cover as set forth in claim 10, wherein said lower portion of said rocker cover has at least one opening into which said grommet is inserted and said rigid element includes a shaft extending through said grommet.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
286 words
A rocker cover for use on an internal combustion engine having a planar upper surface, a plurality of clyinders with intake and exhaust ports formed therein to permit the flow of gases respectively into and out of the cylinders, a plurality of intake and exhaust valve assemblies mounted on the engine to open and close respective intake and exhaust ports formed in the cylinders, a rocker arm mechanism also mounted on the engine in operative engagement with the intake and exhaust valve assemblies to control the flow of gases respectively into and out of the cylinders, and a gasket positioned on the planar upper surface of the engine which surrounds the rocker arm mechanism to provide an oil seal therefore, said rocker cover comprisings an inner surface, an upper portion shaped to cover and protect the rocker arm mechanism, a lower skirt position shaped to contact the upper surface of the gasket surrounding the rocker arm mechanism, fastening means for fastening said lower skirt portion to the planar upper surface of the engine such that the gasket is compressed between said lower skirt position of said rocker cover and the engine, said lower skirt portion including integral flange means formed around the inner periphery of said lower skirt portion positioned to contact one edge of said gasket and to extend below the planar upper surface of the engine to divert any lubricants which collect on the inner surface of said rocker cover away from the gasket, and internal reinforcing ribs formed on the inner surface of said rocker cover, said internal reinforcing ribs including a plurality of lateral reinforcing ribs and at least one series of aligned longitudinal reinforcing ribs formed between said lateral reinforcing ribs.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
286 words
A rocker cover for use on an internal combustion engine having a planar upper surface, a plurality of clyinders with intake and exhaust ports formed therein to permit the flow of gases respectively into and out of the cylinders, a plurality of intake and exhaust valve assemblies mounted on the engine to open and close respective intake and exhaust ports formed in the cylinders, a rocker arm mechanism also mounted on the engine in operative engagement with the intake and exhaust valve assemblies to control the flow of gases respectively into and out of the cylinders, and a gasket positioned on the planar upper surface of the engine which surrounds the rocker arm mechanism to provide an oil seal therefore, said rocker cover comprisings an inner surface, an upper portion shaped to cover and protect the rocker arm mechanism, a lower skirt position shaped to contact the upper surface of the gasket surrounding the rocker arm mechanism, fastening means for fastening said lower skirt portion to the planar upper surface of the engine such that the gasket is compressed between said lower skirt position of said rocker cover and the engine, said lower skirt portion including integral flange means formed around the inner periphery of said lower skirt portion positioned to contact one edge of said gasket and to extend below the planar upper surface of the engine to divert any lubricants which collect on the inner surface of said rocker cover away from the gasket, and internal reinforcing ribs formed on the inner surface of said rocker cover, said internal reinforcing ribs including a plurality of lateral reinforcing ribs and at least one series of aligned longitudinal reinforcing ribs formed between said lateral reinforcing ribs.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
A rocker cover as set forth in claim 12, wherein the height of said longitudinal reinforcing ribs varies in a predetermined manner in order to provide clearance for the operation of the rocker arm mechanism.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
52 words
A rocker cover as set forth in claim 12, wherein a bead is also formed around the outer periphery of said lower skirt portion of said rocker cover to engage the gasket when said rocker cover is fastened to the engine in order to minimize the leakage of oil from the gasket.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
A rocker cover as set forth in claim 12, wherein said upper and lower portions are integrally molded from plastic.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
A rocker cover as set forth in claim 15, wherein the firing information for the engine cylinders is molded into said rocker cover.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
59 words
A rocker cover as set forth in claim 12, wherein said fastening means includes at least one rigid element which is releasably securable to the engine, said fastening means also including a resilient means which spaces said rigid element from said lower skirt portion such that the transfer of vibrations between the engine and said rocker cover is damped.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
40 words
A rocker cover as set forth in claim 17, wherein said resilient means is placed in compression to yieldably urge said lower skirt portion of said rocker cover towards the engine when said rigid element is secured to the engine.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
41 words
A rocker cover as set forth in claim 18, wherein a rigid sleeve means is interposed between said rigid element and said resilient means to control the compression of said resilient means when said rigid element is secured to the engine.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
A rocker cover as set forth in claim 19, wherein said resilient means is a rubber grommet.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
40 words
A rocker cover as set forth in claim 20, wherein said lower skirt portion of said rocker cover has at least one opening into which said grommet is inserted and said rigid element includes a shaft extending through said grommet.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-09-18 | 1988-03-19 | 1988-09-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-09-18 | 1992-03-19 | 1992-09-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-09-18 | 1996-03-19 | 1996-09-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |