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NO-20240955-A1 - SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR VALVE CLEARANCE ADJUSTMENT

NO20240955A1NO 20240955 A1NO20240955 A1NO 20240955A1NO-20240955-A1

Inventors

  • SCHLÜTER CHRISTIAN

Assignees

  • HEATEN AS

Dates

Publication Date
20260323
Application Date
20240920
Priority Date
20240920

Claims (17)

  1. 1. CLAIMS 1. A device for adjusting the valve clearance in a machine comprising a sealable housing and a valve actuator configured to operate a valve, the device comprising: a body comprising a first portion and a second portion; characterised in that the device further comprises: a valve actuator engaging surface located at the first portion and configured to engage a portion of the valve actuator in use; an actuation means located at the second portion; wherein the body is configured to be located through a sealed aperture in the housing in use such that the first portion is located within the sealed housing and the second portion is located outside of the sealed housing; wherein the device is configured such that in use actuation of the actuation means moves the valve actuator engaging surface and in turn moves the valve actuator such that the valve clearance is adjusted.
  2. 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the body is a rotatable shaft.
  3. 3. The device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the body is a screw configured to be received in a corresponding screw thread in the machine.
  4. 4. The device according to any preceding claim, wherein the body comprises a first central axis around which the body is rotatable around in use and the valve actuator engaging surface comprises a substantially cylindrical member comprising a second central axis, wherein the first and second central axes are eccentric.
  5. 5. The device according to any preceding claim, wherein the valve actuator engaging surface comprises an arcuate outer surface configured to engage the valve actuator in use, wherein the arcuate outer surface comprises at least a first portion of a first radius and a second portion of a second radius, wherein the first and second radii are different.
  6. 6. The device according to claim 5, wherein the arcuate outer surface comprises a plurality of portions of different radii.
  7. 7. The device according to any preceding claim, wherein the actuation means is configured to allow manual rotation of the body.
  8. 8. The device according to any preceding claim, wherein the actuation means is a socket configured to receive a key registered with the socket or a head portion configured to be turned by a user in use or a screw head configured to be engaged by a screwdriver.
  9. 9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the body comprises a wedge configured such that translation of the body in the longitudinal direction causes translation of the wedge to move the valve actuator such that the valve clearance is adjusted.
  10. 10. The device according to any preceding claim, wherein the body is translatable in use in a longitudinal direction of the body.
  11. 11. The device according to any preceding claim, wherein the second portion of the body further comprises a position indicator.
  12. 12. A valve clearance adjustment system, comprising: the device according to any of claims 1 to 11; a poppet valve comprising a valve stem; a sealable housing; and a valve actuator; wherein the valve actuator comprises a pivot point configured to allow the valve actuator to rotate and wherein the valve actuator is registered with the valve actuator engaging surface and is configured to operate the poppet valve by pressing of the valve actuator on the valve stem; and wherein the valve actuator and valve actuator engagement surface are configured such that in use actuation of the actuation means moves the valve actuator engaging surface and in turn the valve actuator such that the valve clearance is adjusted.
  13. 13.The valve clearance adjustment system of claim 12, wherein the valve actuator comprises a push rod and a rocker arm.
  14. 14.The valve clearance adjustment system of claim 13, wherein the valve actuator further comprises a valve adjustment bolt.
  15. 15.The valve clearance adjustment system of claim 12, wherein the pivot point is a substantially circular central profile.
  16. 16.The valve clearance adjustment system of any of claims 12 to 15, wherein the valve actuator is registered at the pivot point with the valve actuator engaging surface, such that in use the valve actuator can rotate around the pivot point and be moved by the valve actuator engaging surface at the pivot point to adjust the valve clearance.
  17. 17.A method arranging a valve clearance adjustment system comprising the steps of: providing a valve clearance adjustment system according to any of claims 12 to 16; arranging the poppet valve stem such that the poppet valve stem can be moved by the valve actuator in use; arranging the valve actuator such that the valve actuator can rotate about the pivot point; aligning or engaging the valve actuator engagement surface with the valve actuator such that in use the valve actuator engagement surface can cause movement of the valve actuator to adjust the valve clearance.

Description

[0001] SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR VALVE CLEARANCE ADJUSTMENT [0002] FIELD [0003] The present invention relates to a system and method for valve clearance [0004] adjustment. [0006] BACKGROUND [0007] Poppet valves are a commonly used type of valve in, for example, internal [0008] combustion engines. Typically, poppet valves are used to control the timing and [0009] quantity of gas or vapour flow into a compression chamber. Poppet valves [0010] comprise a longitudinal stem portion which can be pushed by a rocker arm to [0011] open the valve. The valve may return to the closed position by a spring, or by [0012] another cam or active closure arrangement. The rocker arm is a valvetrain [0013] component that typically transfers the motion of a pushrod to the corresponding [0014] intake/exhaust valve. As the name suggests, the rocker arm typically rocks near [0015] a centre portion of the rocker arm, with the pushrod pushing one side of the [0016] rocker arm up such that the other side of the rocker arm is pushed down onto the [0017] valve stem, thereby opening the valve. In this connection, the pushrod is typically [0018] pushed by a camshaft. [0020] So-called valve clearance must be adjusted to maintain good performance [0021] and to avoid damage to the valve train. Valve clearance is a small gap between [0022] the rocker arm and the top of the valve stem. It is generally recommended to [0023] adjust the valve clearance after a certain period of service or if irregularities are [0024] noted, such as noise from the rocker arm. The main purpose of valve clearance [0025] is to provide a small gap such that expansion of components of the valve train such as the valve stem or pushrod, can be accommodated for so that the valve sits as intended in use and operates correctly at the working temperature. There are different ways to measure valve clearance which are not important here and which are well known in the art. [0026] Valve clearance is typically adjusted by an adjustment bolt where the push rod connects to the rocker arm. When this adjustment bolt is adjusted, the effective length of the push rod is adjusted, which in turn moves the position of the rocker arm, thereby adjusting the valve clearance. Therefore, to adjust the valve clearance, the housing within which the valve, rocker arm, push rod etc. is located is opened to make the adjustment bolt accessible. Opening of the housing breaks the seal formed in the housing and lubricant contained therein must be drained to access the adjustment bolt. After the adjustment has been made, the lubricant must be replaced and the housing must be resealed. This process can lead to poor sealing in the housing. Additionally, lubricant in the housing needs to be replaced after the adjustment. Furthermore, the process is time consuming and requires training of personnel to perform the adjustment. [0027] The invention has for its object to remedy or to reduce at least one of the drawbacks of the prior art, or at least provide a useful alternative to prior art. [0028] The object is achieved through features, which are specified in the description below and in the claims that follow. [0030] SUMMARY [0031] According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a device for adjusting the valve clearance in a machine comprising a sealable housing and a valve actuator configured to operate a valve, the device comprising: a body comprising a first portion and a second portion; characterised in that the device further comprises: a valve actuator engaging surface located at the first portion and configured to engage a portion of the valve actuator in use; an actuation means located at the second portion; wherein the body is configured to be located through a sealed aperture in the housing in use such that the first portion is located within the sealed housing and the second portion is located outside of the sealed housing; wherein the device is configured such that in use actuation of the actuation means moves the valve actuator engaging surface and in turn moves the valve actuator such that the valve clearance is adjusted. [0032] The body may be a rotatable shaft. [0033] The body may be a screw configured to be received in a corresponding screw thread in the machine. [0034] The body may comprise a first central axis around which the body is rotatable around in use. The valve actuator engaging surface may comprise a substantially cylindrical member comprising a second central axis, wherein the first and second central axes are eccentric. [0035] The valve actuator engaging surface may comprise an arcuate outer surface configured to engage the valve actuator in use. The arcuate outer surface may comprise at least a first portion of a first radius and a second portion of a second radius, wherein the first and second radii are different. [0036] The arcuate outer surface may comprise a pl