The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 26, 1991
Filed:
Jul. 31, 1989
Richard L Allor, Livonia, MI (US);
John A Herman, Sr, Trenton, MI (US);
George C DeBell, Plymouth, MI (US);
Ford Motor Company, Dearborn, MI (US);
Abstract
A rocker arm of the cam follower type has a rocker arm body formed of a metal matrix composite material comprising a lightweight metal, preferably aluminum, having ceramic material mixed therein. The rocker arm may take the form of a 'slider' arm which included a pad for slideably engaging a cam on a rotating cam shaft for pivotally moving the rocker arm to operate an associated valve. For a slider rocker arm, the cam engaging pad comprises a wear resistant ceramic material which may be integrally formed into the rocker arm or otherwise secured thereto after forming. Alternately, the rocker arm may take the form of a 'roller' rocker arm wherein a roller formed of a first ceramic material is rotatably mounted on an axle formed of a second ceramic material and mounted between sidewalls of the rocker arm body. One or both ceramic materials may be porous and self-lubricating when impregnated with a solid or liquid lubricant. A variety of hardening techniques, coatings and inserts may be provided as required.