Valve bridge

Abstract

There is provided herein a valve mechanism for an internal combustion engine comprising a rocker arm and a valve bridge. There is also described herein a valve bridge.

1 . A valve bridge, comprising: a bridge having a joint disposed in a central portion of said bridge; and a pivot member disposed within said joint, said pivot member comprising an abutment surface for cooperative association with a surface on a rocker arm and an outer surface portion configured for rotation within said joint, wherein said bridge is configured to engage two engine valves. 
     
     
         2 . The valve bridge of  claim 1 , wherein the inner surface of said joint is generally U-shaped comprising a generally cylindrical wall and a curved base. 
     
     
         3 . The valve bridge of  claim 1 , wherein the inner surface of said joint comprises (i) generally planar walls and a generally conical base, (ii) a generally conical base, or (iii) a generally curved base. 
     
     
         4 . The valve bridge of  claim 1 , further comprising retaining means configured to retain said pivot member with said joint. 
     
     
         5 . The valve bridge of  claim 4 , wherein said retaining means are disposed at the aperture of said joint. 
     
     
         6 . The valve bridge of  claim 4 , wherein said retaining means define an aperture in said joint which is less than the diameter of said pivot member. 
     
     
         7 . A valve bridge, comprising: a bridge having a first joint and a second joint disposed in a central portion of said bridge, said first and second joints are in communication; a first pivot member disposed in said first joint and a second pivot member disposed in said second joint, said first pivot member comprising a first abutment surface for cooperative association with a surface on a rocker arm, a second abutment surface, and an outer surface portion configured for rotation within said first joint, said second pivot member comprising an outer surface configured for rotation within said second joint and which cooperates with said second abutment surface of said first pivot member so as to restrain rotation of said first pivot member, wherein said bridge is configured to engage an engine valve. 
     
     
         8 . The valve bridge of  claim 7 , wherein the inner surface of said first joint comprises generally planar walls and a generally conical base. 
     
     
         9 . The valve bridge of  claim 7 , further comprising retaining means configured to retain said pivot member with said first joint. 
     
     
         10 . The valve bridge of  claim 9 , wherein said retaining means are disposed at the aperture of said joint. 
     
     
         11 . The valve bridge of  claim 9 , wherein said retaining means define an aperture in said joint which is less than the diameter of said pivot member. 
     
     
         12 . The valve bridge of  claim 7 , wherein said bridge further comprises a conduit in communication with said second joint and the outer surface of said bridge. 
     
     
         13 . A valve bridge, comprising: a bridge having a joint disposed in a central portion of said bridge; an abutment member positioned on the inner surface of said joint; and a pivot member disposed within said joint, said pivot member comprising a first abutment surface for cooperative association with a surface on a rocker arm, an outer surface portion configured for rotation within said joint, and a second abutment surface configured to restrain rotation of said pivot member within said join, wherein said bridge is configured to engage an engine valve. 
     
     
         14 . The valve bridge of  claim 13 , wherein said abutment member comprised a generally curved outer surface adapted for cooperative association with said second abutment surface of said pivot member. 
     
     
         15 . The valve bridge of  claim 13 , further comprising retaining means configured to retain said pivot member with said first joint. 
     
     
         16 . The valve bridge of  claim 15 , wherein said retaining means are disposed at the aperture of said joint. 
     
     
         17 . The valve bridge of  claim 16 , wherein said retaining means define an aperture in said joint which is less than the diameter of said pivot member. 
     
     
         18 . A valve train mechanism, comprising: a rocker arm having a joint disposed at a first end of said rocker arm; a pivot member disposed within said joint, said pivot member comprising an abutment surface and an outer surface portion configured for rotation within said joint; and a valve bridge comprising a surface disposed on a central portion of said valve bridge configured for cooperative association with said abutment surface on said pivot member; wherein said bridge is configured to engage two engines valves. 
     
     
         19 . The valve train mechanism of  claim 18 , wherein the inner surface of said joint is generally U-shaped comprising a generally cylindrical wall and a curved base. 
     
     
         20 . The valve train mechanism of  claim 18 , further comprising retaining means configured to retain said pivot member with said joint. 
     
     
         21 . The valve train mechanism of  claim 20 , wherein said retaining means are disposed at the aperture of said joint. 
     
     
         22 . A valve train mechanism, comprising: a rocker arm having a first end comprising a first joint and a second joint disposed at a first end of said rocker arm, said first and second joints are in communication; a first pivot member disposed in said first joint and a second pivot member disposed in said second joint, said first pivot member comprising an first abutment surface, a second abutment surface, and an outer surface portion configured for rotation within said first joint, said second pivot member comprising an outer surface configured for rotation within said second joint and which cooperates with said second abutment surface of said first pivot member so as to restrain rotation of said first pivot member; and a valve bridge comprising a surface in a central portion of said valve bridge, for cooperative association with said first abutment surface of said first pivot member, wherein said valve bridge is configured to engage an engine valve. 
     
     
         23 . The valve train mechanism of  claim 22 , further comprising retaining means configured to retain said first pivot member with said first joint. 
     
     
         24 . The valve train mechanism of  claim 23 , wherein said retaining means are disposed at the aperture of said joint. 
     
     
         25 . The valve train mechanism of  claim 22 , wherein said rocker arm further comprises a conduit in communication with said second joint and the outer surface of said rocker arm.