Christopher Elliott Mccarthy

US Patent:

44973071, Feb 5, 1985

Filed:

Feb 3, 1984

Appl. No.:

6/576721

Inventors:

Michael S. Paar - Battle Creek MI
Christopher I. McCarthy - Grandville MI

Assignee:

General Motors Corporation - Detroit MI

International Classification:

F01L 118

US Classification:

123 9033

Abstract:

A rocker arm assembly for use in the valve train of an internal combustion engine of the type having a fixed rocker shaft for supporting at least one rocker arm and having an axial passage adapted to be in continuous communication with the pressurized lubricant supply of the engine and with at least one radial riser passage extending from the axial passage; the rocker arm assembly including a rocker arm having a hydraulic lash adjuster operatively positioned in a socket provided in an arm thereof and, a hybrid bearing operatively positioned in the rocker arm so as to encircle the rocker shaft over the oil riser passage. The hybrid bearing includes an outer race having an inner cylinder race surface and a radial aperture in fluid communication with passage means extending to the lash adjuster, a plurality of needles operatively positioned on the race surface in rolling contact with a portion of the rocker shaft opposite the riser passage therein and, a semi-cylindrical sleeve bearing fixed to the outer race in operative engagement with the outer race between opposite end ones of the needles whereby to encircle the remaining portion of the rocker shaft, the sleeve bearing having a radial extending port means effecting flow communication between the riser passage in the rocker shaft and the aperture in the outer race whereby lubricant can be supplied to the hydraulic lash adjuster.