US2222792A

US2222792A - Oil shield for internal combustion engines

Info

Publication number: US2222792A
Application number: US276946A
Authority: US
Inventors: Ernest L Wylie
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1939-06-02
Filing date: 1939-06-02
Publication date: 1940-11-26
Anticipated expiration: 1957-11-26

Description

Nov. 26, 1940. E WYLIE 2,222,792

OIL SHIELD FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES Filed June 2, 1959 INVENTOR.

BY V

ATTORNEY.

Patented Nov. 26, 1940 UNIED STATES on. SHIELD FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES Ernest L. Wylie, St. Louis, Mo. 4 Application June 2, 1939, Serial No. 276,946

4 Claims.

This invention relates to devices for regulating or directing the flow of oil in an explosive or gas engine, wherein overhead or valve-inhead valves are employed.

In order to properly lubricate the rocker arms of such valve assemblies, the motors are so designed that oil is forced under pressure to the rocker arm shaft and through ducts on top of the arms. This oil by capillary attraction, flows down the rocker arm and is deposited in the valve retaining cup, whence it flows assisted by gravity, down the valve stem and through the guide into the intake and exhaust valve chambers. The oil in the intake chamber is sucked into the cylinder or combustion chamber on the intake stroke and is burnt as part of the combustible mixture. The oil in the exhaust chamber is blown off into the exhaust manifold through the muflier and out through the tail pipe.

The purpose of this invention is to provide shields for mounting on the upper ends of the stems of the intake and exhaust valves for diverting this surplus oil from the valve stems and returning the oil to the crank case through the drain holes or channels provided in the cylinder block.

Another object is to provide oil shields, regulators or deflectors of various forms, and provided with sockets formed centrally on their under sides, adapted nicely yet freely to receive the upper ends of the valve stems, whereby the shields may be mounted on the stems for deflecting the oil therefrom, the disks having flattened central areas on their upper sides for providing enlarged wearing or contact surfaces for the ends or toes of the rocker arms, thus eliminating the usual pitting or recessing of the said toes resulting from incessant contact with the relatively small ends of the valve stems, and whereby accurate valve adjustments are niade difiicult or impossible; the said shields being further. provided with one or more small oil ducts for passing sufficient amounts of oil down to the valve stems for lubrieating same and preventing sticking.

With the foregoing objects in view, together with such other objects and advantages as may appear from the specification, the invention comprises the structures and assemblies shown in the accompanying drawing, illustrating preferred embodiments of the invention, and wherein:

Figure 1 is an elevation showing in section a fragment of the upper side of a cylinder block, a valve stem guide or bushing mounted therein, a valve stem slidably seated through the bushing, a spring seated over the stem, a valve retaining cup on the stem at the upper end of the spring, a rocker arm on a shaft shown in section, and an oil shield, regulator, deflector or diverter mounted on the upper end of the valve stem be- 5 10 Figure 3 is a perspective view of the shield as viewed from the upper, convexed side.

Figure-4 is a diametrical section through a modified form of the shield, showing a more abruptly cupped structure, the top or upper side 15 being fiat and circular and from which depends an annular skirt.

Figure 5 is a diametrical section through a flat disk-like form of shield, having a socket member pressed through the center'thereof, in lieu of the integral forms shown in the other figures.

The invention is designed for use on internal combustion engines, such as indicated at A in Figure 1, a fragment of the upper side of a cylinder block of such an engine being here shown. A conventional valve stem guide or bushing B is shown seated through the block, and opens down into its valve chamber (not here shown). The usual coil expansion spring C is mounted over the upper and outer end of the guide B and the valve stem D is passed slidably down through said'guide. The usual valve retaining cup or washer E is keyed upon the upper end of the stem over the spring, the latter being thus braced in place between said retaining cup and engine block.

The aforesaid assembly is located operatively below the rocker arm F mounted on its shaft G with its working end or toe H operatively disposed immediately above the upper end of the valve stem D.

In accordance with conventional art and usage, the toe H is placed indirect contact with the end of the stem D, with the disadvantageous results specified in the prelude of this specification.

In accordance with my invention I interpose a shield or 'plate or cover 5 between the valve retaining cup' and the toe of the rocker arm, which shield or cover may be of any suitable form and may be further referred to and designated as an oil regulator, diverter or defiecter.

As shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, this shield 5 is circular and of convexo-concave in form. A more abruptly cupped form of shield 5a is shown in Figure 4, while in Figure 5 is shown a fiat,

disk-like form of shield 5b. Other forms might be provided, within the scope of the invention, as for instance a squared form in plan.

Whatever form of shield may be used, it is provided with a central hub or socket member 6 which projects at the lower side of the shield and is bored out to provide a socket 1 adapted nicely yet freely to engage the upper end of the stem D upon which it is to be mounted. The opposite or closed end of the hub, at the outer or upper side of the shield is finished 01f flatly and smoothly to provide a broad strike-spot 8 to engage the toe H of the rocker arm F.

From the hub 6 the skirt ID of the shield extends outward, and is preferably formed circular and convexo-concave as in Figures 1, 2 and 3, but may be formed with a fiat upper side as shown at Ilia in Figure 4, and an annular, pendant flange l9b, or if preferred the flange 10b may be omitted, leaving a flat, disk-like shield alone, as shown at H10 in Figure 5.

The hub 6 is pierced by one or more oil ducts l I for feeding oil by gravity down to the valve stems in just the right quantities for lubricating same and preventing sticking. In Figures 2, 3 and 5 only one central oil duct is shown. In Figure 4 three ducts are shown.

The shields are made of any suitable material such as tempered steel, and they may be stamped out integrally, as represented in Figures 2, 3 and 4, or the hub 6 may be cast or formed separately and then press fitted into the centrally apertured skirt of the shield, as shown at [.2 in Figure 5.

In use the shields or oil regulators, formed as described, are mounted on the upper ends of the valve stems, beneath the toes of the rocker arms, in manner already pointed out. The flattened, central strike areas of the upper sides of the shields provide ample contact surfaces for the toes of the rocker arms, so that same are not recessed or pitted under the incessant and rapid movement of the parts and feeler gages may be used effectively in making valve adjustments. 'Just enough oil feeds down through the oil ducts to properly lubricate the valve stems, and all surplus oil flowing down the rocker arms, falls upon the skirts of the shields, is deflected from the valve stems and flows by gravity back into the crank case. It is found in practice that a large percentage of oil is saved through use of these devices.

While I have here shown and described certain embodiments of the invention and certain structural features of the same, it is understood that changes and alterations may be made as found necessary or expedient, within the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. In combination with a valve having an upwardly directed stem biased by a surrounding spring, and an actuating member for engaging the end of the stem to depress the valve against the force of the spring; a device normally resting solely upon the valve stem comprising a central metal socket member having an axial socket which extends partially therethrough, said socket being adapted to fit the valve stem nicely yet freely and to house the end thereof, lateral movement of said device being restricted only by its engagement with said valve stem, a surface opposite said socket for cooperation with the actuating member, and a metal flange integral with said member projecting therefrom, said flange in its assembled relationship overhanging said spring and assuming a position closely adjacent thereto.

2. In combination with a valve having an upwardly directed stem biased by a surrounding spring, and an actuating member for engaging the end of the stem to depress the valve against the force of the spring; a device normally resting solely upon the valve stem comprising a central metal socket member having an axial socket which extends partially therethrough, said socket being adapted to fit the valve stem nicely yet freely and to house the end thereof, lateral movement of said device being restricted only by its engagement with said valve stem, a surface opposite said pocket for cooperation with the actuating member, and a metal flange integral with said member projecting therefrom, said flange in its assembled relationship overhanging said spring and assuming a position closely adjacent thereto, said surface having an area greater than that of the cross section of the valve stem.

3. In combination with a valve having an upwardly directed stem biased by a surrounding spring, and an actuating memberfor engaging the end of the stem to depress the valve against the force of the spring; a device normally resting solely upon the valve stem comprising a central metal socket member having an axial socket which extends partially therethrough, said socket being adapted to fit the valve stem nicely yet freely and to house the end thereof, lateral movement of said device being restricted only by its engagement with said valve stem, a surface opposite said socket for cooperation with the actuating member, and a metal flange integral with said member projecting therefrom, said flange in its assembled relationship overhanging said spring and assuming a position closely adjacent thereto, said surface being penetrated by a lubricating opening in communication with said socket.

4. In combination with a valve having an up wardly directed stem biased by a surrounding spring, and an actuating member for engaging the end of the stem to depress the valve against the force of the spring; a stamping normally resting solely upon the valve stem comprising a central metal socket member having an axial socket which extends partially therethrough, said socket being adapted to fit the valve stem nicely yet freely and to house the end thereof, lateral movement of said stamping being restricted only by its engagement with said valve stem, a surface opposite said socket for cooperation with the actuating member, and a metal flange integral with said member projecting therefrom, said flange in its assembled relationship overhanging said spring and assuming a position closely adjacent thereto.

ERNEST L. WYLIE.