Caterpillar Inc.

Loren L Randle

Gregory Jerome Kaufmann

David Elliot Hackett

Ronald P Maloney

David Anthony Cusac

John Davenport

Timothy Edward McGreevy

Mysore S Satish

Reid A Peterson

Gary L Spadin

Burhan Hamdan

Michael L Lusher

Brian A Cull

James J Buettner

An apparatus for testing internal combustion engine valves is provided. The apparatus includes a housing with a bore for receiving a seat fixture. The seat fixture, in turn, receives a seat insert. A valve is inserted into the apparatus so the valve head is received at the seat insert and the valve stem extends through the seat fixture and through an axial bore in the housing. One end of the valve engages an actuating apparatus that provides a lifting action of the valve so that the valve head moves off of the seat insert as well as a rotating action to the valve. Another actuator is provided to move the valve from a lifted position to a seated position. A heater is employed to heat the valve to high temperatures to simulate extreme operating conditions. A cooling system is also provided to rapidly cool the valve and associated elements to simulate a rapid cooling condition. A method for testing internal combustion engine valves is also disclosed.

Apparatus and method for testing internal combustion engine valves

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Hanna City, IL, United States of America

Loren L Randle