A novel cylinder head arrangement for an in-line four cylinder or eight cylinder engine. A modified arrangement allows additional space for installation of wider rocker arm assemblies used for variable valve lift (VVL), cylinder deactivation (CDA) and other types of variable valve actuation (VVA). In one embodiment, cam towers adjacent the end two cylinders are not used. At least one end support is used, which may be an outboard bearing on a camshaft for each end. The wider rocker assemblies may then be installed. In another embodiment, cam towers adjacent the inner two cylinders are eliminated and a single camshaft support piece with a support bearing is installed between the inner cylinders to provide support for the camshafts. The wider rocker assemblies may then be installed on at least one of the middle cylinders. A novel oil control valve operates latches in switching rocker arm assemblies.

A novel cylinder head arrangement for an in-line four cylinder or eight cylinder engine. A modified arrangement allows additional space for installation of wider rocker arm assemblies used for variable valve lift (VVL), cylinder deactivation (CDA) and other types of variable valve actuation (VVA). In one embodiment, cam towers adjacent the end two cylinders are not used. At least one end support is used, which may be an outboard bearing on a camshaft for each end. The wider rocker assemblies may then be installed. In another embodiment, cam towers adjacent the inner two cylinders are eliminated and a single camshaft support piece with a support bearing is installed between the inner cylinders to provide support for the camshafts. The wider rocker assemblies may then be installed on at least one of the middle cylinders. A novel oil control valve operates latches in switching rocker arm assemblies.

A system includes an engine head that mounts to an engine block of a reciprocating engine, and the engine head includes an intake flow path, an exhaust flow path, a coolant flow path, and first and second sealing registers disposed on opposite sides of the coolant flow path. In addition, the first and second sealing registers are configured to receive a valve guide that supports a valve stem of an exhaust valve. Moreover, the first sealing register is disposed in a wall separating the exhaust flow path and the coolant flow path. Also, a first wall portion of the wall extends between the first sealing register and an exhaust valve seat configured to receive a valve head of the exhaust valve, and a second wall portion of the wall extends from the first sealing register away from the first wall portion.

A system includes an engine head that mounts to an engine block of a reciprocating engine, and the engine head includes an intake flow path, an exhaust flow path, a coolant flow path, and first and second sealing registers disposed on opposite sides of the coolant flow path. In addition, the first and second sealing registers are configured to receive a valve guide that supports a valve stem of an exhaust valve. Moreover, the first sealing register is disposed in a wall separating the exhaust flow path and the coolant flow path. Also, a first wall portion of the wall extends between the first sealing register and an exhaust valve seat configured to receive a valve head of the exhaust valve, and a second wall portion of the wall extends from the first sealing register away from the first wall portion.

A linear reciprocating piston engine including a cylinder; a piston located within the cylinder, the piston separating upper and lower combustion chambers of the cylinder; a separation plate disposed across a lower end of the cylinder to seal the lower combustion chamber; and a joint disposed in the separation plate. The joint includes a bore through which a connecting rod extends to connect the piston to a crankshaft. Movement of the piston along a longitudinal axis of the cylinder causes the connecting rod to rotate the crankshaft, said rotation of the crankshaft causing both transverse and angular movement of the connecting rod relative to the longitudinal axis of the cylinder. The angular movement of the connecting rod causes a corresponding angular movement of the joint. The joint includes a curved outer surface and an inner seal disposed between the bore and the connecting rod.

A linear reciprocating piston engine including a cylinder; a piston located within the cylinder, the piston separating upper and lower combustion chambers of the cylinder; a separation plate disposed across a lower end of the cylinder to seal the lower combustion chamber; and a joint disposed in the separation plate. The joint includes a bore through which a connecting rod extends to connect the piston to a crankshaft. Movement of the piston along a longitudinal axis of the cylinder causes the connecting rod to rotate the crankshaft, said rotation of the crankshaft causing both transverse and angular movement of the connecting rod relative to the longitudinal axis of the cylinder. The angular movement of the connecting rod causes a corresponding angular movement of the joint. The joint includes a curved outer surface and an inner seal disposed between the bore and the connecting rod.

A system includes an engine head that mounts to an engine block of a reciprocating engine, and the engine head includes an intake flow path, an exhaust flow path, a coolant flow path, and first and second sealing registers disposed on opposite sides of the coolant flow path. In addition, the first and second sealing registers are configured to receive a valve guide that supports a valve stem of an exhaust valve. Moreover, the first sealing register is disposed in a wall separating the exhaust flow path and the coolant flow path. Also, a first wall portion of the wall extends between the first sealing register and an exhaust valve seat configured to receive a valve head of the exhaust valve, and a second wall portion of the wall extends from the first sealing register away from the first wall portion.

A system includes an engine head that mounts to an engine block of a reciprocating engine, and the engine head includes an intake flow path, an exhaust flow path, a coolant flow path, and first and second sealing registers disposed on opposite sides of the coolant flow path. In addition, the first and second sealing registers are configured to receive a valve guide that supports a valve stem of an exhaust valve. Moreover, the first sealing register is disposed in a wall separating the exhaust flow path and the coolant flow path. Also, a first wall portion of the wall extends between the first sealing register and an exhaust valve seat configured to receive a valve head of the exhaust valve, and a second wall portion of the wall extends from the first sealing register away from the first wall portion.

A method for manufacturing an engine poppet valve may comprise a forging operation, a diameter-decreasing operation, and a joining operation. At the forging operation, an intermediate member at which a valve head portion and an intermediate stem portion are made integral by way of a neck portion may be formed. At the diameter-decreasing operation, the intermediate stem portion may be inserted between/among a plurality of diameter-decreasing tools that have stem member compressing surfaces and stem member inlet surfaces formed so as to be progressively distant from the stem member compressing surfaces and toward the tip end and that are arranged at a plurality of circumferentially equipartite locations about a circumference of the intermediate stem portion, application at the intermediate stem portion from a base end portion of compressive forces which are inwardly directed in a radial direction from the compressing surfaces of the respective diameter-decreasing tools which have been made to come in contact with a part of the intermediate stem portion that has been made to rotate while being displaced in relative fashion in a direction along a central axis thereof causing the part of the intermediate stem portion to be decreased in diameter from the base end portion and causing a main body portion of a first stem portion to be formed at the intermediate member and also causing formation by the compressing surfaces of a stepped portion which is continuous with the main body portion, and formation, by an absence of decrease in diameter of a remaining portion at the intermediate stem portion, of a second stem portion which is broader in girth than the main body portion and which is continuous with the neck portion and which is also continuous with the main body portion by way of the stepped portion. At the joining operation, a stem end member having a same outside diameter as the main body portion may be joined to a base end portion of the main body portion.

A valve stem sealing assembly may have an elastomeric seal with an upper sealing lip, a middle sealing lip, and a lower sealing lip on an inner surface. The seal may have an outer surface with a spring groove, an upper retainer flange, and a retainer groove. The assembly may also have a retainer with a radially extending leg and an axially extending leg, where the retainer is mechanically locked to the seal.