Roller follower body

• US 20050000314A1
• Filed: 10/18/2002
• Published: 01/06/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MacLean-Fogg Company
• Original Assignee: MacLean-Fogg Company
• Inventors: Williams, Carroll, Mandal, Dhruva
• Granted Patent: US 7,273,026 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 74/569
• CPC Class Codes: F01L 1/146 Push-rods
• CPC Class Codes: F01L 2301/00 Using particular materials
• CPC Class Codes: F01L 2303/00 Manufacturing of components used in valve arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: F01L 2305/00 Valve arrangements comprising rollers
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 53/06 Cam-followers F16H53/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49304 Valve tappet making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/2107 Follower

Abstract

The present invention relates to a roller follower, comprising an outer surface, enclosing a first cavity a second cavity, and a transition opening, wherein the first cavity includes a first inner surface configured to house a cylindrical insert, the second cavity includes a second inner surface configured to house an inner body, and the transition opening links the first cavity with the second cavity; and at least one of the cavities is fabricated through forging.

Claims

1. A roller follower, comprising:

a) an outer surface, enclosing a first cavity, a second cavity, and a transition opening, wherein the first cavity includes a first inner surface configured to house a cylindrical insert, the second cavity includes a second inner surface configured to house an inner body, and the transition opening links the first cavity with the second cavity; and

b) at least one of the cavities is fabricated through forging.

2. A roller follower according to claim 1, wherein the first cavity is provided with a chamfered opening.

3. A roller follower according to claim 1, wherein the first inner surface includes a curved surface located between a first flat surface and a second flat surface.

4. A roller follower according to claim 1, wherein the first inner surface includes a plurality of angled surfaces.

5. A roller follower according to claim 1, wherein the first inner surface includes a plurality of angled surfaces and a plurality of flat surfaces.

6. A roller follower according to claim 1, wherein the first inner surface includes a plurality of angled surfaces and a plurality of flat surfaces such that at least one angled surface is configured to be at an angle to at least one flat surface.

7. A roller follower according to claim 1, wherein the first inner surface includes a plurality of angled surfaces and a plurality of flat surfaces such that at least one of the angled surfaces is configured to be at an angle of between twenty-five and about ninety degrees to at least one of the flat surfaces.

8. A roller follower according to claim 1, wherein the second inner surface includes a well.

9. A roller follower according to claim 1, wherein the second inner surface includes a conically-shaped surface.

10. A roller follower according to claim 1, wherein the second inner surface is configured to house a roller follower.

11. A roller follower according to claim 1, wherein the outer surface includes a plurality of conical and cylindrical surfaces.

12. A roller follower, comprising:

a) a hollow shaft element;

b) a roller shaft element configured to house a roller;

c) a transitional shaft element linking the first hollow shaft element and the roller shaft element, wherein at least one of the shaft elements is fabricated through forging.

13. A roller follower according to claim 12, wherein at least one of the shaft elements is fabricated through machining.

14. A roller follower according to claim 12, wherein at least one of the shaft elements defines a cavity including an inner surface.

15. A roller follower according to claim 12, wherein at least one of the shaft elements defines a cavity including an inner surface which is configured to house an inner body.

16. A roller follower, comprising:

a) an outer surface enclosing a first cavity, a second cavity, and a transitional tube, wherein the outer surface includes a plurality of cylindrical surfaces; and

b) at least one of the cavities is fabricated through forging.

17. A roller follower according to claim 16, wherein the outer surface includes a plurality of depressions.

18. A roller follower according to claim 16, wherein the outer surface includes a plurality of depressions and at least one depression defines a hole.

19. A roller follower according to claim 16, wherein the outer surface includes a flat outer surface.

20. A roller follower according to claim 16, wherein at least one of the cylindrical surfaces is fabricated through machining.