The invention relates to valve opening mechanism for Diesel engines, and especially to the means whereby the scavenging-valve lever is operated.
The air-starting and fuel-valve levers are made to rock on eccentric portions of the fulcrum spindle in the usual manner, whereby the two can never be in operation simultaneously, and in one position both are out of operation..
The scavenging-valve lever, which may operate two scavenging valves is carried on a concentric part of the fulcrum spindle, its roller being mounted , not on a fork integral with the lever, but on a pivot carried by a push-rod articulated to the end of the lever and controlled in position by means of a link connected with a crank, and movable with the rocking fulcrum shaft, the arrangement being such that, when in the neutral position, the push rod is so situated that its roller cannot be affected by either the ahead or the astern cam with which it may be associated.
Rocking of the fulcrum shaft to bring the air starting valve into gear results in a still further removal of the scavenging lever roller from its cams, but movement of the fulcrum shaft in the opposite direction to bring the fuel-valve into service, causes the push rod to assume a position in which one or other of the cams can engage with it, and cause motion to be transmitted by it to the lever and to the scavenging valves.