Hydraulic valve lifter

Article By:

Rogowski, Augustus R. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Last reviewed:December 2019

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1036/1097-8542.327200

A device that eliminates the need for mechanical clearance in the valve train of internal combustion engines. Clearance is normally required to prevent the valve's being held open and destroyed as the valve train undergoes thermal expansion. However, clearance requires frequent adjustment and is responsible for much operating noise. The hydraulic lifter is a telescoping compression strut in the linkage between cam and valve, consisting of a piston and cylinder (see illustration). When no opening load exists, a weak spring moves the piston, extending the strut and eliminating any clearance. This action sucks oil into the cylinder past a check valve. The trapped oil transmits the valve-opening forces with little deflection. A slight leakage of oil during lift shortens the strut, assuring valve closure. The leakage oil is replaced as the spring again extends the strut at no load. See also: Valve train

The content above is only an excerpt.