Valve actuator with lubrication passage and method of forming

Abstract

A valve actuator for an engine includes a pivot socket having a dome with an improved lubrication passage. The actuator may be a finger follower with a body having spaced side walls connected adjacent opposite ends by first and second transverse webs. A cam follower, preferably a roller, having a cam engaging surface is supported on the side walls between the opposite ends of the body. The first web is engagable with a valve while the second web has a pivot socket with a dome having a generally spherical lower recess for engaging a pivot and a domed upper surface adjacent to the follower cam engaging surface. A lubrication passage extends through the dome from the lower recess to the upper surface. The passage includes an inverted inner channel formed in the recess and having upwardly converging sides meeting at a peak, and a connecting outer channel formed in the domed upper surface and having downwardly converging sides meeting at a valley. The peak and the valley are connected at adjoining ends of the inner and outer channels to form a restricting opening. The opening has an upper edge formed by the peak and a lower edge formed by the valley and connects the channels to form the lubrication passage. The passage is formed by oppositely moving dies that form the inner and outer channels and overlap at adjoining ends to form the opening without leaving a slug. A final sizing step is preferably included to finish the opening.