An internal combustion engine has a valvetrain that includes a rocker arm assembly on which is mounted an electronic device and at least a part of a generator. The generator converts some of the mechanical energy that is transmitted through the rocker arm assemblies into electricity. That electricity may be used to power an electric latch, a transmitter, or another type of rocker arm assembly-mounted electrical device. Various generator configurations are described. In some configurations, the generator is piezoelectric. In other configurations, the generator is electromagnetic. In some configurations, the generator is driven by force transmitted by the rocker arm assembly from a cam. In some configurations, the generator is driven by vibrations.

A high-pressure oil pump roller tappet, used for automobile fuel injection system, mounted between the driving cam and the tappet. The roller tappet includes a shell, a holder, a roller, and a pin. Planes A are arranged on both sides of the seam on lateral sides of the shell. Holes I are arranged at symmetrical positions on two planes A. Holes II are arranged on symmetrical positions on vertical plates. The roller is located in the middle of the pin. Welding has no requirement on the thickness of the plate. The weight can be controlled effectively, reducing inertia force, friction, and wear, improving engine efficiency. The shell and holder are designed as being separate, ensuring that the shell subjects to lateral force as little as possible when the holder subjects to a force, such that the shell is less likely to vibrate. Thus, the shell avoids the abrasion.

The disclosed apparatus, systems and methods relate to an indexed hydraulic roller lifter for use in internal combustion engines.

The variable valve actuating device (20) comprises a switch pin (53) slidably received in the valve lifter (24) so as to selectively abut the end surface of the valve stem as the valve lifter is actuated by the cam. The device further comprises a first spring retainer (36) attached to an intermediate part of the valve stem (32) to engage a first valve spring (35), and a second spring retainer (44) slidably engaged by an end part of the valve stem to engage a second valve spring (43). The valve stem is provided with a stem end (39) which is enlarged with respect to a part of the valve stem slidably engaging the second spring retainer so as to define a shoulder surface (40a) that engages the second spring retainer against a spring force of the second valve spring.

The variable valve actuating device (20) comprises a switch pin (53) slidably received in the valve lifter (24) so as to selectively abut the end surface of the valve stem as the valve lifter is actuated by the cam. The device further comprises a first spring retainer (36) attached to an intermediate part of the valve stem (32) to engage a first valve spring (35), and a second spring retainer (44) slidably engaged by an end part of the valve stem to engage a second valve spring (43). The valve stem is provided with a stem end (39) which is enlarged with respect to a part of the valve stem slidably engaging the second spring retainer so as to define a shoulder surface (40a) that engages the second spring retainer against a spring force of the second valve spring.

The object of this invention is to simplify the timing system of all types of internal combustion engine. The system eliminates existing conventional timing trains. The hydraulic, mechanical or electrical/electronic direct timing systems that form the subject of the invention offer minimal resistance and minimal transmission. The piston strokes are given directly by the crankshaft by means of a system fixed thereto which via a mechanical or hydraulic or electrical or electronic system transmits the strokes to the cylinder valves. The system can be connected to all types of indirect transmission and has adjusting systems that allow it to be adapted to suit all types of internal combustion engine.

The object of this invention is to simplify the timing system of all types of internal combustion engine. The system eliminates existing conventional timing trains. The hydraulic, mechanical or electrical/electronic direct timing systems that form the subject of the invention offer minimal resistance and minimal transmission. The piston strokes are given directly by the crankshaft by means of a system fixed thereto which via a mechanical or hydraulic or electrical or electronic system transmits the strokes to the cylinder valves. The system can be connected to all types of indirect transmission and has adjusting systems that allow it to be adapted to suit all types of internal combustion engine.

A cam follower assembly is provided including an improved lubricant flowpath. The assembly includes a generally cylindrical housing including an annular groove adapted to be in communication with a lubricant gallery in an engine block or cylinder head. An axial end of the housing includes skirt portions including openings, and one of the skirt portions includes a first recessed section indented from an outer lateral surface of the housing and extending axially between the annular groove and a respective one of the openings. A pin is mounted in the openings of the skirt portions and has a second recessed section indented from an outer lateral surface of the pin that extends to at least one of the ends of the pin. The second recessed section is in communication with the first recessed section, and a cam roller supported on the pin.

A cam follower assembly is provided including an improved lubricant flowpath. The assembly includes a generally cylindrical housing including an annular groove adapted to be in communication with a lubricant gallery in an engine block or cylinder head. An axial end of the housing includes skirt portions including openings, and one of the skirt portions includes a first recessed section indented from an outer lateral surface of the housing and extending axially between the annular groove and a respective one of the openings. A pin is mounted in the openings of the skirt portions and has a second recessed section indented from an outer lateral surface of the pin that extends to at least one of the ends of the pin. The second recessed section is in communication with the first recessed section, and a cam roller supported on the pin.

A roller lifter includes a first member having a pair of opposed portions opposed to each other and a connecting part connecting the opposed portions to each other, a shaft mounted between the opposed portions to rotatably support a roller brought into contact with a cam, a second member independent of the first member and having a cylindrical portion and an elastic mount elastically held between the opposed portions and the cylindrical portion to mount the first member to the second member.