Patent Application
20110035923
Automotive maintenance tools.
A Chrysler Hemi engine is a series of V8 internal combustion engines built by
Chrysler that utilize a hemispherical combustion chamber. Generally, a hemispherical combustion chamber (i.e., approximately bowl-shaped) allows the valves of a two valve-per-cylinder engine to be angled rather than side-by-side. This arrangement creates more space in the combustion chamber roof for the use of larger valves and also straightens the airflow passages through the cylinder head. These features significantly improve the engine's airflow capacity, which can result in relatively high power output from a given piston displacement. Chrysler has incorporated Hemi engines in many different vehicles for decades. Some modern Chrysler vehicles which incorporate (a modified version of) Hemi engines include the 2004 Dodge Ram and Dodge Durango; the 2005 Chrysler 300C, Dodge Magnum R/T and Jeep Grand Cherokee; the 2006 Dodge Charger R/T; and the 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T.
Like other engines, the Hemi engine operates by a four-stroke combustion cycle, i.e., an intake stroke, a compression stroke, a combustion stroke and a exhaust stroke as known by one of ordinary skill in the art. During this cycle, the valve spring is repeatedly compressed as a corresponding valve repeatedly opens or closes an intake or an exhaust channel. Over time, the valve spring may need to be replaced. Alternatively, a user may simply wish to upgrade a valve spring to increase performance of a vehicle.
Although Hemi engines are known to enhance performance of vehicles elative to conventional engines, maintenance of such engines can be difficult, time-consuming and/or laborious. For example, in order to remove and replace valve springs, the mechanic typically must first remove the cylinder heads or the entire engine from the vehicle. The process is time-consuming and labor-intensive and increases the overall cost of valve spring replacement tremendously.
A device for removing a valve spring, comprising: (i) a base component adapted to engage with opposing vertically-extending components on a cylinder head; and (ii) a compressor component slidably engaged with an elongate member, the elongate member threadedly engaged with an opening passing through a center of the base component is herein disclosed. In one embodiment, the base component comprises: a horizontally-oriented member with two vertically-oriented members extending therefrom at opposite ends of the horizontally-oriented member; and two projections horizontally and outwardly extending from each terminating end of the two vertically-oriented members. Each projection may include an opening passing through a center thereof. Two laterally-positioned elongate members may threadedly engage with the openings passing through the projections.
In one embodiment, the compressor component comprises a U-shaped member having a vertically-oriented support with an opening therethrough. A bottom surface of the U-shaped member may include a downwardly-projecting flange about a periphery thereof. When slidably engaged with the elongate member, the U-shaped member of the compressor component may project horizontally and outwardly relative to the base component. In one embodiment, a diameter of the elongate member is less than a diameter of the opening of the vertically-oriented support of the compressor component. The device may further include a fastening component threadedly engaged with the elongate member such that, when rotational force is applied in a clockwork direction to the fastening component, the compressor component is forced in a downward direction.
A device for removing a valve spring, comprising: (i) a base component, the base component comprising a U-shaped member with two outwardly extending projections extending from terminating ends of the U-shaped member; (ii) an elongate member at least partially engaged with an opening passing through a center of the base; and; (iii) a compressor component, the compressor component comprising a vertically-extending back support having a proximal end and a distal end wherein two outwardly-projecting prongs extend from the distal end of the vertically-extending back support, the compressor component slidably engaged with an elongate member via a bore through the vertically-extending back support is herein disclosed.
Each projection may further comprise a projection opening passing through a center of each projection. Each outwardly-projecting prong may further comprise a downwardly-projecting flange about a periphery thereof. When slidably engaged with the elongate member, the two outwardly-projecting prongs of the compressor component may project horizontally and outwardly relative to the base component. In one embodiment, a diameter of the elongate member is less than a diameter of the bore passing through the vertically-oriented back support of the compressor component. The device may further comprise a fastening component threadedly engaged with the elongate member such that, when rotational force is applied in a clockwork direction to the fastening component, the compressor component is forced in a downward direction. The device may further comprise two laterally-positioned elongate members threadedly engaged with the projection openings.
A method of removing a valve spring from an engine, comprising: (i) positioning two horizontally and outwardly-extending arms of valve spring tool on opposing vertically-extending components on a cylinder head; (ii) securing the arms to the opposing vertically-extending components by applying rotational force in a first direction to threaded members passing through openings in the arms and the opposing vertically-extending components; (iii) positioning two prongs of a compressor component on a valve spring head, the compressor component connected to the valve spring tool by slideable engagement with an elongate member, the elongate member threadedly engaged with a base component of the valve spring tool; (iv) applying rotational force in the first direction to the elongate member to compress the valve spring; and (v) applying rotational force in a second direction to the elongate member to remove the valve spring is herein disclosed. According to this method, the valve spring tool is positioned on the cylinder head while the cylinder head remains in the vehicle.
The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention.
Embodiments of a device and method for removing a valve spring from an engine are herein disclosed. In one embodiment, the device includes a base component with a compressor component removably connected to the base component via an elongate member threadedly engaged with the base component. A fastener may threadedly engage with the elongate member to reversibly keep the compressor component in place. The base component is configured to engage with opposing vertically-extending components on a cylinder head while the compressor component is configured to simultaneously engage with a valve spring. When rotational force is applied in a clockwork direction to the fastening component, the compressor component is forced in a downward direction thereby compressing the valve spring for subsequent removal thereof.
In one embodiment, the base component 102 includes a horizontally-oriented member 102a with two vertically-oriented members 102b extending therefrom at opposite ends of the horizontally-oriented member 102a. That is, base member 102 may be approximately U-shaped. From each terminating end of each vertically-oriented 102b, a substantially cylindrical projection 102c having a flat or substantially flat top and bottom surfaces may extend outwardly and horizontally therefrom. This feature allows the projections 102c to make direct contact with cylinder head components (not shown, explained in more detail below) when the device 100 is used to remove a valve spring. An opening 110 (not shown) may pass through each projection 102c at approximately a center thereof. Each opening 110 (not shown) may be adapted to receive a threaded elongate member 112 such as a bolt. Generally, the base 102 spans five and seven-tenths (5.7) inches or six and one-tenth (6.1) inches across.
In one embodiment, the compressor component 104 includes an (approximately-shaped) U-shaped member 104a extending horizontally relative to the base component 102a (and when seated thereon) with a vertically-oriented support 104b (or back support 104b) extending in an upwardly direction relative to the U-shaped member 104a. The vertically-oriented support 104b essentially comprises a cylindrical member 104c with an opening or bore therethrough and at least two angled flanges 104d extending outwardly therefrom and welded or otherwise attached to a top surface of the U-shaped member 104a. On a bottom surface of the U-shaped member 104a two peripheral flanges 104e extend in a downwardly direction therefrom.
When the compressor component 104 is fully seated on the base component 102 (via the elongate member 106), the base of the U-shaped member 104a may approximately reside within the boundaries defined by the vertical members 102b of the base component 102. Simultaneously, the arms of the U-shaped member 104a project outwardly from a front boundary defined by the horizontal member 102a of the base component 102. In this manner, the compressor component 104 may swivel up to forty-five (45) degrees in a left and right direction (see arrows).
Hemi engine of
Laterally-positioned elongate members 512 (i.e., bolts) passing through openings in horizontal protrusions 502c and through the opposing rocker shaft towers 22 may be secured to the rocker shaft towers 22 by applying rotational force in a first direction thereto. Using a socket and ratchet, elongate member 506 (i.e., stud) passing through openings in the compressor component 504 and through the base component 502 may compress the valve spring 14 by also applying rotational force in a first direction thereto. In this manner, the valve spring 14 is sufficiently engaged with the tool 500. Using the socket and ratchet, the valve spring 14 is removed by applying rotational force in a second direction to the stud 506. In an alternative embodiment, a crank shaft handle is used in place of the socket and ratchet.
Advantageously, the valve spring tool according to embodiments of the invention can be used to remove and replace valve springs in Hemi or other engines without first having to remove the cylinder heads or the entire engine from the vehicle. As a result, using the tool saves many hours of labor. Additionally, the tool is compact enough to fit into any automotive tool box.
While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad invention, and that this invention is not to be limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, since various other modifications may occur to those ordinarily skilled in the art.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/274,334 filed Aug. 17, 2009 and hereby incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61274334 | Aug 2009 | US |
