A technique for testing a pushrod valvetrain in an engine includes replacing an original pushrod with an instrumented pushrod (IPD) which includes a sensor configured to measure strain and/or motion. The engine is then operated, and the output of the sensor is monitored for anomalies. Diagnosis and repair of identified defects may then follow.

A method of determining a condition of a component (e.g., valves) of an engine having a manifold air pressure sensor during a cold test includes providing pressurized air to an intake of the engine. The method includes rotating a crankshaft of the engine. The method includes measuring pressures with the manifold air pressure sensor as a function of crankshaft rotational position. The method includes comparing the pressures with a predetermined baseline. The method includes indicating a condition of the component based on the comparison of the pressures with the baseline.

An output element (1) of a camshaft adjuster (8) is described, in which the output element (1) has a contact surface (2) for rotatably fixed connection to a camshaft; the contact surface (2) has at least one outlet port (3) of an oil channel (4) of the output element (1), which may be situated opposite an outlet port of an oil channel of the camshaft in order to conduct hydraulic medium from the camshaft into the output element (1); the contact surface (2) has a structuring (6) in order to increase the torque transmission between the output element (1) and the camshaft; this structuring (6) is structure-free in the area (5) around the outlet port (3) and this area (5) is designed for sealing the outlet port (3) with respect to the surrounding environment.

A rolling-contact shaft member, which is made of high-carbon steel and whose outer peripheral surface serves as a rolling-contact surface that rolling-contacts a mating material, includes: a carbonitrided layer having a carbon concentration of 1.1 to 1.6 wt % and a nitrogen concentration of 0.05 to 0.6 wt % in the range from the surface to the depth of 10 μm. The rolling-contact shaft member has a Vickers hardness of 700 to 840 HV at the outer peripheral surface and has a Vickers hardness of 600 HV or less in its central portion. A maximum value of an absolute value of a gradient of a change in the Vickers hardness from the outer peripheral surface to the central portion is 100 to 340 HV/mm.

An iron-based alloy includes, in weight percent, carbon from about 1 to about 2 percent; manganese from about 0.1 to about 1 percent; silicon from about 0.1 to about 2.5 percent; chromium from about 11 to about 19 percent; nickel up to about 8 percent; vanadium from about 0.8 to about 5 percent; molybdenum from about 11 to about 19 percent; tungsten up to about 0.5 percent; niobium from about 1 to about 4 percent; cobalt up to about 5.5 percent; boron up to about 0.5 percent; nitrogen up to about 0.5 percent, copper up to about 1.5 percent, sulfur up to about 0.3 percent, phosphorus up to about 0.3 percent, up to about 5 percent total of tantalum, titanium, hafnium and zirconium; iron from about 50 to about 70 percent; and incidental impurities. The alloy is suitable for use in elevated temperature applications such as in valve seat inserts for combustion engines.

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 sliding member of the present invention includes a base material and a coating layer that is formed on the base material. The coating layer includes a particle aggregate that contains precipitation hardened copper alloy particles. The precipitation hardened copper alloy particles contain cobalt (Co) and silicon (Si) The sliding member has high coating strength and superior wear resistance.

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 rocker arm includes an outer arm having a first side and a second side, an inner arm positioned between the first side and the second side of the outer arm, a pivot axle pivotally coupling the inner arm and the outer arm at a first end of each of the inner arm and the outer arm, and a latch having a first position and a second position. The latch in the first position pivotally fixes the inner arm and the outer arm at a second end of each of the inner arm and the outer arm, and in the second position allows the inner arm and the outer arm to pivot independently. The latch is responsive to hydraulic pressure in a hydraulic fluid passage to selectively move to other of the first position and the second position. A lost motion spring is coupled to the inner arm.

A rocker arm includes an outer arm having a first side and a second side, an inner arm positioned between the first side and the second side of the outer arm, a pivot axle pivotally coupling the inner arm and the outer arm at a first end of each of the inner arm and the outer arm, and a latch having a first position and a second position. The latch in the first position pivotally fixes the inner arm and the outer arm at a second end of each of the inner arm and the outer arm, and in the second position allows the inner arm and the outer arm to pivot independently. The latch is responsive to hydraulic pressure in a hydraulic fluid passage to selectively move to other of the first position and the second position. A lost motion spring is coupled to the inner arm.