Valve actuating device and method of making same

Abstract

A method of assembling a switching rocker arm assembly having an inner arm, an outer arm and a latch. The method includes indenting an outer arm surface on the outer arm, the outer arm surface defining an arcuate aperture. An inner arm surface can be indented on the inner arm at an inner arm latch shelf. A latch can be positioned relative to the inner and outer arms.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A tool for indenting an outer arm of a rocker arm assembly, the rocker arm assembly including an inner arm, the outer arm, and a pivot axle that pivotally couples the inner arm and the outer arm, the tool comprising:
 a fixture base for holding the outer arm of the rocker arm assembly and for holding the inner arm of the rocker arm assembly, the outer arm defining an arcuate aperture;   a pivot swivel atop the fixture base for holding the pivot axle of the rocker arm assembly;   an indentation axle positioned in the arcuate aperture;   a press swivel mounting the indentation axle;   a press ram comprising a pressing tool; and   wherein said press ram is configured to actuate the pressing tool to apply an indentation load on the outer arm such that a reaction force transferred from the indentation axle indents the arcuate aperture.   
     
     
         3 . The tool of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a pin for mounting in a latch bore of the outer arm; and   a sensor mounted against the pin, the sensor for determining a distance the pin travels when the tool is used to indent the arcuate aperture of the outer arm.   
     
     
         4 . The tool of  claim 3 , wherein the sensor is adapted to send a stop signal to the press ram in response to the pin traveling a desired distance. 
     
     
         5 . The tool of  claim 4 , wherein the pivot swivel and a clamp for restraining the pivot axle of the rocker arm assembly are adapted to oppose a force imparted by the press ram. 
     
     
         6 . The tool of  claim 2 , wherein the indentation axle comprises tungsten. 
     
     
         7 . A tool for indenting an outer arm of a rocker arm assembly, the rocker arm assembly including an inner arm, the outer arm, and a pivot axle that pivotally couples the inner arm and the outer arm, the outer arm defining opposite apertures of first and second arms of the outer arm, the tool comprising:
 a fixture base for holding the outer arm of the rocker arm assembly and for holding the inner arm of the rocker arm assembly;   a pivot swivel atop the fixture base for holding the pivot axle of the rocker arm assembly;   an indentation axle positioned in the opposite apertures of the first and second arms of the outer arm; and   a press swivel mounting the indentation axle.   
     
     
         8 . The tool of  claim 7 , further comprising a press ram comprising a pressing tool, and wherein said press ram is configured to actuate the pressing tool to apply an indentation load on the outer arm such that a reaction force transferred from the indentation axle indents the opposite apertures of the first and second arms of the outer arm. 
     
     
         9 . The tool of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a pin for mounting in a latch bore of the outer arm; and   a sensor mounted against the pin, the sensor for determining a distance the pin travels when the tool is used to indent the opposite apertures of the first and second arms of the outer arm.   
     
     
         10 . The tool of  claim 9 , wherein the sensor is adapted to send a stop signal to a press ram used for indenting the opposite apertures in response to the pin traveling a desired distance. 
     
     
         11 . The tool of  claim 10 , wherein the pivot swivel and a clamp for restraining the pivot axle of the rocker arm assembly are adapted to oppose a force imparted by the press ram. 
     
     
         12 . A tool for indenting an outer arm of a rocker arm assembly, the tool comprising:
 a fixture base for holding the outer arm of the rocker arm assembly and for holding an inner arm of the rocker arm assembly;   a pivot swivel atop the fixture base for holding a pivot axle of the rocker arm assembly;   an indentation axle positioned in opposite apertures of first and second arms of the outer arm; and   a press swivel mounting the indentation axle.   
     
     
         13 . The tool of  claim 12 , further comprising a clamp for restraining the pivot axle to the fixture base. 
     
     
         14 . The tool of  claim 13 , wherein the clamp for restraining the pivot axle comprises an E-shape clamp. 
     
     
         15 . The tool of  claim 12 , further comprising a pin for mounting in a latch bore of the outer arm. 
     
     
         16 . The tool of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a pin for mounting in a latch bore of the outer arm; and   a sensor mounted against the pin, the sensor for determining a distance the pin travels when the tool is used to indent the opposite apertures of the first and second arms of the outer arm.   
     
     
         17 . The tool of  claim 16 , wherein the sensor comprises a linear variable displacement transformer (LVDT). 
     
     
         18 . The tool of  claim 16 , wherein the sensor is adapted to send a stop signal to a press ram used for indenting the opposite apertures when the pin travels a desired distance. 
     
     
         19 . The tool of  claim 18 , wherein the pivot swivel and a clamp for restraining the pivot axle of the rocker arm assembly are adapted to oppose a force imparted by the press ram. 
     
     
         20 . The tool of  claim 18 , further comprising the press ram. 
     
     
         21 . The tool of  claim 12 , wherein the indentation axle comprises tungsten.