Rocker shaft mounted engine brake

Abstract

A system for actuating an engine valve is disclosed. The system may include a lost motion housing having two spaced collars surrounding a rocker shaft. The lost motion housing may include an internal hydraulic circuit connecting a hydraulic fluid supply passage with an actuator piston. The system may include a means for securing the lost motion housing in a fixed position relative to the rocker shaft.

1 . A system for actuating an engine valve comprising:
 a rocker shaft having a hydraulic fluid supply passage;   a lost motion housing having a collar surrounding the rocker shaft, an actuator piston bore, and an internal hydraulic circuit extending from the actuator piston bore to the hydraulic fluid supply passage;   means for securing the lost motion housing in a fixed position relative to the rocker shaft; and   an actuator piston slidably disposed in the actuator piston bore.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the hydraulic fluid supply passage extends internally through the rocker shaft. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the lost motion housing has two collars surrounding the rocker shaft. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3  further comprising:
 a control valve bore provided in the lost motion housing, said control valve bore communicating with the internal hydraulic circuit; and   a control valve disposed in the control valve bore.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4  further comprising a check valve disposed in the control valve. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5  wherein the means for securing is provided on a side of the lost motion housing which is distal from the actuator piston. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 5  wherein the means for securing is provided on a side of the lost motion housing which is proximal to the actuator piston. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 5  wherein the means for securing is provided on both a side of the lost motion housing distal from the actuator piston and a side of the lost motion housing proximal to the actuator piston. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 6  wherein the means for securing the lost motion housing comprises a boss extending from said lost motion housing collar and a bolt extending from said boss into an engine component. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 7  wherein the means for securing the lost motion housing comprises a flange extending from said lost motion housing proximal to the actuator piston and a bolt extending from said flange into an engine component. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a control valve bore provided in the lost motion housing, said control valve bore communicating with the internal hydraulic circuit; and   a control valve disposed in the control valve bore.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11  further comprising a check valve disposed in the control valve. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the means for securing is provided on a side of the lost motion housing which is distal from the actuator piston. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the means for securing is provided on a side of the lost motion housing which is proximal to the actuator piston. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the means for securing is provided on both a side of the lost motion housing distal from the actuator piston and a side of the lost motion housing proximal to the actuator piston. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a solenoid valve adapted to control the supply of hydraulic fluid to said hydraulic fluid supply passage. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the actuator piston further comprises:
 a hollow interior;   an adjustable depth lash adjustment screw-plunger partially disposed in said hollow interior and extending out of the top of the actuator piston bore, said screw-plunger having a lower plunger end;   a retaining collar disposed in said hollow interior above said lower plunger end; and   a spring disposed between the retaining collar and the lower plunger end.