Eaton Corporation

Eaton Intelligent Power Limited

Gary Lynn Janowiak

John Page Chapman

James Roy Sheren

Anthony Leon Spoor

Mark Edward Jacobs

Brent L Rehm

Doug R Cornett

Daniel A Nelson

Pratap S Murthy

Prasanna Kumar Gudaloor

David M Groh

Jon T Barrett

A method of manufacturing a lash adjuster body for use in a lash adjuster assembly can include forming a lash adjuster body to an as-formed condition including an outer cylindrical surface, an inner cylindrical surface leading to a blind bore, an end surface and a leak down portion. The method can also include imparting a wear resistant surface layer to at least the leak down portion of the inner cylindrical surface using ferritic nitrocarburizing (FNC). The lash adjuster body is upset at the end surface thereby forming at least one overlap portion that overlaps an opening to the blind bore.

Lash adjuster with ball plunger retaining feature and method of making same

A method of cold-forming a ball plunger blank includes providing a slug having a generally cylindrical surface extending between a first end and a second end, transferring the slug to a first forming station, at the first forming station forming an indentation in at least one of the first and second ends, and rotating the slug and transferring the slug to a second forming station. The method further includes extruding a first bore through the first end while simultaneously forming a hemispherical surface at the second end, backward extruding a second bore at the first end, and forming a counterbore in the second end.

Ball plunger for use in a hydraulic lash adjuster and method of making same

A method of manufacturing a lash adjuster body for use in a lash adjuster assembly can include forming a lash adjuster body to an as-formed condition including an outer cylindrical surface and an inner cylindrical surface. The inner cylindrical surface can have a leak down portion and a blind bore. The method can also include imparting a wear resistant surface layer to at least the leak down portion of the inner cylindrical surface with a sub-critical temperature process. The method can also include preserving the leak down portion in the as-formed condition during imparting of the wear resistant surface layer.

Lash adjuster and method of making same

A method of cold-forming a ball plunger blank includes providing a slug having first and second ends and backward extruding the slug at its first end to form a cavity that is defined by a wall. The method further includes forming a generally ball-shaped outer surface at the second end of the slug to final dimensions. The method also includes upsetting at least a portion of the wall to form a shoulder that at least partially closes the cavity and defines a ball seat surface to final dimensions.

A tappet having a contiguous body, an outer wall and transverse web. The outer wall defines a cylindrically-shaped outer surface and a recess. The recess is disposed within cylindrical surface of the body. An alignment member is press-fit between two staked ends of the recess, which engage opposite sides of the alignment member. The alignment member extends outwardly from the cylindrically-shaped surface. A roller is mounted to the contiguous body at the cam contacting end of the tappet.

Pump actuator anti-rotation device

A cold-formed flat top plunger blank is provided for use in a hydraulic lash adjuster. An end wall at the first end of the plunger body defines a flat top surface that is cold-formed to final dimensions or net shape. The flat top surface at the first end of the plunger body is configured to engage a flat surface within the mating bore of an engine cylinder head. By configuring the plunger body to have a flat top surface that engages a flat surface disposed within the mating bore of an engine cylinder head, the force applied to the engine block by the lash adjuster is distributed more evenly, minimizing wear. The external flat top plunger is a unitary component cold-formed to near net shape, including cold-forming to final dimensions the flat top surface and a counterbore.

Cold-formed flat top plunger for use in a hydraulic lash adjuster and method of making same

A biasing device for a free rocker arm in an engine valve actuating system wherein driven rocker arms are selectively engaged with the free rocker arm to provide variable valve operating characteristics. The biasing device includes interfitting, cold-formed cup-shaped members within which a compression spring is received in interference fit at one end with the body and at the other end with the plunger. In a preferred embodiment, at least two coils of the spring are in interference fit with the body to provide spring damping.

Growing community of inventors

Saginaw, MI, United States of America

Gary Lynn Janowiak