Self-aligning valve assembly
Patent 5313917 Issued on May 24, 1994. Estimated Expiration Date: 
August 18, 2013. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.
August 18, 2013. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.Patent ReferencesInventorAssigneeApplicationNo. 108433 filed on 08/18/1993US Classes:123/90.67, Seat and retainer123/188.8, Valve seat relation123/188.9Guide, lubricant, or coolantExaminersPrimary: Cross, E. RollinsAssistant: Lo, Weilun Attorney, Agent or FirmInternational ClassesF01L 003/08F01L 003/10 AbstractThe self-aligning valve assembly facilitates proper seating of an engine exhaust valve even though the valve seat is distorted or tilted due to temperature gradients. The valve assembly includes a guide member having a flat surface that slides across a flat surface on the engine block. The guide assembly also includes a return spring and a spring retainer that engages a notch on the valve stem. The spring is disposed between the guide member and the spring retainer. To improve valve closing, the seating surface on the underside of the valve head is preferably convex, while the valve seat is conical. In operation, the compression spring forces proper seating to occur by acting on the retainer which is in turn connected to the valve stem. The guide member slides to reorient the valve stem to the proper position for optimal seating. | |
