Locator for use in a valvetrain of a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine

1. A locator for use in a valvetrain of a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine, the valvetrain having a valve substantially concentrically aligned with both a valve spring and a support, the support at least partially extending into the valve spring, said locator comprising:

an annulus seat for supporting the valve spring;

a tapered ring operatively attached to said annulus seat and having a tapered inner surface for at least partially accommodating the support therein, and a tapered outer surface for at least partially engaging and concentrically aligning with the valve spring; and

a plurality of radially-spaced lobes disposed on said inner surface of said ring for at least partially engaging the support such that said locator substantially concentrically aligns the valve spring with the valve and the support.

2. The locator as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said annulus seat has a thickness, and wherein a total locator height measured between said seat and said ring is at least ten times greater than said thickness.

3. The locator as set forth in claim 1 , further including a transition portion extending between and merging said annulus seat with said ring.

4. The locator as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said ring extends from a first end disposed adjacent to said annulus seat to a second end spaced from said annulus seat.

5. The locator as set forth in claim 4 , wherein said first end has a first outer diameter, said second end has a second outer diameter, and said annulus seat has a seat outer diameter that is greater than either of said first outer diameter and said second outer diameter of said ring.

6. The locator as set forth in claim 5 , wherein said first outer diameter is at least 1.03 times greater than said second outer diameter.

7. The locator as set forth in claim 5 , wherein said seat outer diameter is at least 1.5 times greater than said first outer diameter of said ring.

8. The locator as set forth in claim 4 , wherein said plurality of lobes each have an apex spaced between said first end and said second end of said ring.

9. The locator as set forth in claim 8 , wherein said apexes of said plurality of lobes are closer to said second end of said ring than to said first end.

10. The locator as set forth in claim 8 , wherein at least one of said apexes engages the support.

11. The locator as set forth in claim 1 , including three lobes spaced radially and equidistant relative to each other.

12. The locator as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said plurality of lobes has a substantially arc-shaped profile.

13. The locator as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said plurality of lobes extends toward each other from said inner surface of said ring.

14. The locator as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said plurality of lobes defines corresponding recesses therebetween.

15. The locator as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the support is further defined as a valve guide having a substantially cylindrical profile.

16. The locator as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the support is further defined as a cylinder head boss having a substantially cylindrical profile.

17. The locator as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the annulus seat is manufactured from a material having a higher hardness than the cylinder head.