Caterpillar Inc.

Mark S Ellison

John Stephen Pipis, Jr

Homa Afjeh

Anthony Kok-Fai Chan

John Henry Nguyen

A variable valve actuator for a power system is provided. The variable valve actuator may have a hydraulic piston extendable to interrupt cyclical movement of an engine valve. The variable valve actuator may also have a pin member pivotally received by the hydraulic piston, and a retaining ring configured to axially align the pin member with the hydraulic piston as the hydraulic piston is retracted.

Variable valve actuator having self-centering pivotal piston

A compression release brake systemincludes a hydraulic apparatusfor controllably opening at least one exhaust valveof at least one cylinderof an engine in response to motion of a cam actuator. The systemincludes a master piston assemblyhaving a master pistonengageable with the cam actuator. The master pistonincludes a compressible piston pin. A slave piston assemblyis hydraulically linked to the master piston assemblyand includes a slave pistonengageable with the at least one exhaust valve

Compression release brake system

An apparatus for aligning a bearing member with an actuator. The apparatus includes an actuator having a substantially cylindrical shape and disposed about an axis, a substantially spherical end on the actuator, a bearing member having a substantially spherical opening for housing the spherical end, the spherical end and the spherical opening being configured such that the bearing member is held in swiveling contact by the spherical end, a spring retainer located on the actuator a desired distance from the spherical end, and a spring located about the actuator from the spring retainer to the bearing member such that a spring force is placed on the bearing member to maintain alignment of the bearing member with the axis.

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Pontiac, IL, United States of America

Mark S Ellison