US4881496A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Valve mechanism lubrication system for horizontal cylinder overhead valve engine
Assignee: Tecumseh Power Co
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Filing: 1988-05-20
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Granted: 1989-11-21
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Expires: 2008-05-20
Abstract
Abstract A lubrication system for the valve actuating mechanism of an internal combustion engine having a vertical drive shaft and horizontally oriented cylinder includes a rocker box housing the valve actuating mechanism with the valve actuating mechanism including a lower rocker arm and an upper rocker arm each oriented for rocking in a substantially horizontal rocking plane. A push rod cavity communicates at one end with the crankcase and at the other end with the rocker box. A cam shaft gear disposed at a lower end of a vertical cam shaft slings liquid oil from the crankcase through the push rod cavity into the rocker box. A dam is provided for retaining liquid oil in the rocker box at a level which partially submerges the lower rocker arm such that the rocking motion of the lower rocker arm splashes dammed oil to lubricate the valve actuating mechanism.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter G. Kronich
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 11:35
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02B; F02B75/00; F02B75/16; F01; F01M; F01M9/00; F01M9/06; F01M9/10; F02B75/007; F02F; F02F1/00; F02F1/24; F02F1/26; F02F1/36; F02F1/38; F01M9/101; F01M9/104; F01M9/105; F02B75/02; F02B2075/022; F02B2075/027; F02B2275/00; F02B2275/34; F02F2001/244; F02F2001/247; F02F7/00; F02F7/006; F02F2007/0063; F05; F05C; F05C2201/00; F05C2201/02; F05C2201/021
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
A lubrication system for the valve actuating mechanism of an overhead valve, horizontal cylinder internal combustion engine comprising: a crankcase having lubricating oil therein; a rocker box housing said valve actuating mechanism, said valve actuating mechanism including a lower rocker arm and an upper rocker arm with the lower rocker arm disposed for rocking in a substantially horizontal rocking plane; a push rod cavity communicating at one end with said crankcase and at another end with said rocker box; and oil slinger means for slinging liquid oil from said crankcase through said push rod cavity into said rocker box such that the lower rocker arm is at least partially submerged.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
110 words
A lubrication system for the valve actuating mechanism of an overhead valve, horizontal cylinder internal combustion engine comprising: a crankcase having lubricating oil therein; a rocker box housing said valve actuating mechanism, said valve actuating mechanism including a lower rocker arm and an upper rocker arm with the lower rocker arm disposed for rocking in a substantially horizontal rocking plane; a push rod cavity communicating at one end with said crankcase and at another end with said rocker box; and oil slinger means for slinging liquid oil from said crankcase through said push rod cavity into said rocker box such that the lower rocker arm is at least partially submerged.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The lubrication system of claim 1, in which said valve actuating mechanism includes a valve spring reciprocated by the lower rocker arm and positioned such that the valve spring is at least partially submerged in oil in said rocker box.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
A lubrication system of claim 1, and further including dam means for retaining liquid oil in said rocker box at a level which at least partially submerges the lower rocker arm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The lubrication system of claim 3, in which said dam means is located in said push rod cavity.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The lubrication system of claim 4, and further including a cylinder head disposed between said rocker box and said crankcase, a head gasket disposed between said cylinder head and said crankcase, said dam means including said head gasket.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
The lubrication system of claim 5, in which said head gasket includes an aperture situated in said push rod cavity at a height with respect to the lower rocker arm such that a portion of said head gasket below said aperture comprises said dam means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
The lubrication system of claim 3, in which said valve actuating mechanism includes a valve spring reciprocated by the lower rocker arm and positioned such that the valve spring is at least partially submerged in oil in said rocker box.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The lubrication system of claim 1, and further including vent means for venting said rocker box to said crankcase.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The lubrication system of claim 3, and further including vent means for venting said rocker box to said crankcase.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
77 words
A lubrication system for the valve actuating mechanism of an overhead valve, horizontal cylinder internal combustion engine comprising: a crankcase having lubricating oil therein; a camshaft disposed in said crankcase; a rocker box housing said valve actuating mechanism; a push rod cavity communicating at one end with said crankcase and at another end with said rocker box; and oil slinger means for slinging liquid oil from said crankcase through said push rod cavity into said rocker box.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
77 words
A lubrication system for the valve actuating mechanism of an overhead valve, horizontal cylinder internal combustion engine comprising: a crankcase having lubricating oil therein; a camshaft disposed in said crankcase; a rocker box housing said valve actuating mechanism; a push rod cavity communicating at one end with said crankcase and at another end with said rocker box; and oil slinger means for slinging liquid oil from said crankcase through said push rod cavity into said rocker box.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The lubrication system of claim 10, in which said oil slinger means includes a cam gear connected to said cam shaft with the cam gear slinging oil centrifugally therefrom.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
43 words
The lubrication system of claim 11, in which said cam gear is disposed for rotation about a substantially vertical axis, said push rod cavity communicating with said crankcase via an oil pickup passageway located adjacent and above the periphery of said cam gear.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
36 words
The lubrication system of claim 12, in which said valve actuating mechanism includes a lower rocker arm and an upper rocker arm with the lower rocker arm disposed for rocking in a substantially horizontal rocking plane.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
The lubrication system of claim 13, and further including dam means for retaining liquid oil in said rocker box at a level which at least partially submerges the lower rocker arm.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The lubrication system of claim 14, and further including vent means for venting said rocker box to said crankcase.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The lubrication system of claim 14, in which said dam means is located in said push rod cavity.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
38 words
The lubrication system of claim 16, and further including a cylinder head disposed between said rocker box and said crankcase a head gasket disposed between said cylinder head and said crankcase, said dam means including said head gasket.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
40 words
The lubrication system of claim 14, in which said valve actuating mechanism includes a valve spring reciprocated by the lower rocker arm and positioned such that the valve spring is at least partially submerged in oil in said rocker box.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
38 words
The lubrication system of claim 18, and further including a cylinder head disposed between said rocker box and said crankcase, a head gasket disposed between said cylinder head and said crankcase, said dam means including said head gasket.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
45 words
The lubrication system of claim 19, in which said head gasket includes an aperture situated in said push rod cavity at a height with respect to the lower rocker arm such that a portion of said head gasket below said aperture comprises said dam means.
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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) | 1992-11-20 | 1993-05-22 | 1993-11-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-11-20 | 1997-05-22 | 1997-11-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-11-20 | 2001-05-22 | 2001-11-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |