IP Library › Granted Patent US 12680482
Granted Patent B2
US 12680482 · App. 19/248,140 · Granted Jul 14, 2026

Valvetrain component component comprising an overload feature

Inventors: Sanjaykumar Patel (Suffield, CT); Matei Alexandru (Simsbury, CT); Austen P. Metsack (Ashford, CT); Gabriel S. Roberts (Wallingford, CT); John Mandell (Vernon, CT); G. Michael Gron, Jr. (Windsor, CT); Eric J. Hodgkinson (New Hartford, CT); Jarrett J. Stickels (Windsor, CT)
Assignee: Jacobs Vehicle Systems, Inc.
F01L9/11
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12680482
App. No.
19/248,140
Granted
Jul 14, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A valve train component for conveying valve actuation motions within an internal combustion engine is provided, which valve train component comprises a body member having a bore formed therein; a sliding member disposed in the bore; and an overload feature operatively connected to the body member and the sliding member. The overload feature is configured to not yield when a load placed on the overload feature is less than a load threshold, thereby preventing movement of the sliding member into the bore, and to yield when a load placed on the overload feature meets or exceeds the load threshold, thereby permitting movement of the sliding member into the bore such that at least a portion of the valve actuation motions is not conveyed by the valve train component.

Claims (26)

1 . A valve train component for conveying valve actuation motions within an internal combustion engine, the valve train component comprising:

a body member having a bore formed therein;

a sliding member disposed in the bore; and

an overload feature operatively connected to the body member and the sliding member,

wherein the overload feature is configured to not yield when a load placed on the overload feature is less than a load threshold, thereby preventing movement of the sliding member into the bore, and

wherein the overload feature is configured to yield when a load placed on the overload feature meets or exceeds the load threshold, thereby permitting movement of the sliding member into the bore such that at least a portion of the valve actuation motions is not conveyed by the valve train component.

2 . The valve train component of claim 1 , wherein the body member is an integral portion of the valve train component.

3 . The valve train component of claim 1 , wherein the body member is a sleeve secured to the valve train component.

4 . The valve train component of claim 1 , wherein the sliding member comprises a sleeve configured to slide within the bore.

5 . The valve train component of claim 1 , wherein the movement of the sliding member into the bore is travel limited.

6 . The valve train component of claim 5 , wherein travel limited movement of the sliding member into the bore is configured to convey a high lift portion of the valve actuation motions.

7 . The valve train component of claim 1 , wherein the overload feature yields irreversibly.

8 . The valve train component of claim 7 , wherein the overload feature comprises a shearing element disposed between the body member and the sliding member.

9 . The valve train component of claim 7 , wherein the overload feature comprises a force fit between the sliding member and body member.

10 . The valve train component of claim 7 , wherein the overload feature comprises at least one weld between the body member and the sliding member.

11 . The valve train component of claim 7 , wherein the overload feature comprises a frangible feature formed in the body member.

12 . The valve train component of claim 1 , wherein the overload feature yields reversibly.

13 . The valve train component of claim 12 , wherein the overload feature comprises at least one resilient element.

14 . The valve train component of claim 13 , wherein the at least one resilient element comprises a c-ring configured to engage notches formed in the body member and the sliding member.

15 . The valve train component of claim 13 , wherein the at least one resilient element is a constituent of at least one detent formed between the body member and the sliding member.

16 . The valve train component of claim 13 , wherein the at least one resilient member is one or more Belleville washers residing in the bore between the body member and the sliding member.

17 . The valve train component of claim 12 , wherein the overload feature comprises:

a one-way fluid supply in fluid communication with a portion of the bore between the body member and the sliding member; and

a pressure relief valve in fluid communication with the portion of the bore between the body member and the sliding member.

18 . The valve train component of claim 1 , wherein the valve train component is any of a tappet, a push tube, a rocker arm or a valve bridge.

19 . An internal combustion engine comprising the valve train component of claim 1 .