COMPACT VALVE ACTUATION MECHANISM

摘要

A valve actuation device (18) may include a free floating valve bridge (40) movably supported within a cavity in the engine housing (20). The bridge may be provided with a cavity (43) and an orifice (52) arrangement for pumping gases entrained with lubricating fluid toward the valve stems (30) as the bridge (40) reciprocates back and forth. The device may also include a rocker arm (70) that has a U-shaped cross-sectional shape for receiving at least a portion of the valve bridge (40), valve stem (30), valve spring (32), and spring retainer (34) therein. The rocker arm (70) may be provided with lubrication passages (90, 94) for directing lubrication to the point wherein it is pivotally affixed to the engine housing (20).