US5058542A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rocker box cover assembly for internal combustion engine
Assignee: Briggs and Stratton Corp
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Filing: 1991-01-28
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Granted: 1991-10-22
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Expires: 2011-01-28
Abstract
Abstract An improved rocker box cover assembly for an overhead valve, horizontal crankshaft, internal combustion engine. The cover assembly is a pre-assembled unit attached to the cylinder head and includes an inner cover section, which defines a rocker arm chamber, and an outer cover section with the space between the sections defining an oil separating chamber. The inner cover section is provided with an opening that provides communication between the chambers and a check valve is mounted in the opening. A gas outlet is located in the upper portion of the oil separating chamber while a drain opening is located in the lower end of the separating chamber and separated oil drains through the drain opening and is returned to the crankcase.
Inventors
- 👤 James M. Grayson
- 👤 Thomas L. Barnhardt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 07:12
CPC Classifications
F; F01; F01M; F01M13/00; F01M13/04; F01M13/0416; F01M13/0011; F02; F02F; F02F7/00; F02F7/006; F02F7/0085; F02B; F02B75/00; F02B75/02; F02B2075/022; F02B2075/027; F02B2275/00; F02B2275/34
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
180 words
A rocker arm cover assembly for an internal combustion engine, said engine having a cylinder having one end enclosed by a cylinder head and having the opposite end communicating with a crankcase, said engine also including a valve disposed in said head and valve actuating means for operating said valve, said cover assembly constituting a pre-assembled unit including an inner cover section and an outer cover section, said inner cover section being secured to said cylinder head and defining a first chamber to house said valve actuating mechanism, said inner cover section and said outer cover section defining a second chamber, aperture means in said inner cover section and providing communication between said chambers, check valve means disposed in said aperture means for permitting flow of oil mist from said first chamber to said second chamber, and for preventing flow in the opposite direction, said second chamber having a low end and drain means in said inner cover section and communicating with said low end for draining oil separated from said mist from said second chamber to said first chamber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
180 words
A rocker arm cover assembly for an internal combustion engine, said engine having a cylinder having one end enclosed by a cylinder head and having the opposite end communicating with a crankcase, said engine also including a valve disposed in said head and valve actuating means for operating said valve, said cover assembly constituting a pre-assembled unit including an inner cover section and an outer cover section, said inner cover section being secured to said cylinder head and defining a first chamber to house said valve actuating mechanism, said inner cover section and said outer cover section defining a second chamber, aperture means in said inner cover section and providing communication between said chambers, check valve means disposed in said aperture means for permitting flow of oil mist from said first chamber to said second chamber, and for preventing flow in the opposite direction, said second chamber having a low end and drain means in said inner cover section and communicating with said low end for draining oil separated from said mist from said second chamber to said first chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The cover assembly of claim 1, wherein said inner cover section has a peripheral flange, and said assembly includes connecting means for connecting said peripheral flange to said cylinder head.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The cover assembly of claim 2, wherein said outer cover section has a peripheral edge and said assembly includes sealing means for permanently sealing said edge to said peripheral flange.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The cover assembly of claim 1, and including outlet means connected to said second cover section for discharging gas separated from said mist from said second chamber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The cover assembly of claim 4, and including conduit means connected to said outlet means for conducting separated gas to the intake of the engine.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The cover assembly of claim 3, wherein said cover sections are composed of plastic material and said sealing means comprises a heat sealed weld.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
228 words
A rocker arm cover assembly for an internal combustion engine, said engine having a cylinder having one end enclosed by a cylinder head and having the opposite end communicating with a crankcase, said engine also including a valve disposed in said cylinder head and valve actuating means for operating said valve, said cover assembly constituting a pre-assembled unit including an inner cover section and an outer cover section, said inner cover section being secured to said cylinder head and defining a first chamber to house said valve actuating mechanism, said inner cover section and said outer cover section defining a second chamber, aperture means in said inner cover section and providing communication between said chambers, check valve means disposed in said aperture means for permitting flow of oil mist from said first chamber to said second chamber, and for preventing flow in the opposite direction, outlet means in said outer cover section and communicating with said second chamber for discharging gas separated from said mist from said second chamber, said inner cover section having a peripheral flange connected to said cylinder head, said outer cover section having a peripheral edge sealed to said peripheral flange, said second chamber having a low end, and drain means in said inner cover section and communicating with said low end for draining separated oil from said second chamber to said first chamber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
228 words
A rocker arm cover assembly for an internal combustion engine, said engine having a cylinder having one end enclosed by a cylinder head and having the opposite end communicating with a crankcase, said engine also including a valve disposed in said cylinder head and valve actuating means for operating said valve, said cover assembly constituting a pre-assembled unit including an inner cover section and an outer cover section, said inner cover section being secured to said cylinder head and defining a first chamber to house said valve actuating mechanism, said inner cover section and said outer cover section defining a second chamber, aperture means in said inner cover section and providing communication between said chambers, check valve means disposed in said aperture means for permitting flow of oil mist from said first chamber to said second chamber, and for preventing flow in the opposite direction, outlet means in said outer cover section and communicating with said second chamber for discharging gas separated from said mist from said second chamber, said inner cover section having a peripheral flange connected to said cylinder head, said outer cover section having a peripheral edge sealed to said peripheral flange, said second chamber having a low end, and drain means in said inner cover section and communicating with said low end for draining separated oil from said second chamber to said first chamber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The cover assembly of claim 7, and including trough means formed in said inner cover section and communicating with said drain 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) | 1994-10-21 | 1995-04-22 | 1995-10-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-10-21 | 1999-04-22 | 1999-10-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-10-21 | 2003-04-22 | 2003-10-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |