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valve gear

American  

noun

  1. (in a reciprocating engine) the mechanism for opening and closing the valves at certain points in each stroke.


valve gear British  

noun

  1. a mechanism that operates the valves of a reciprocating engine, usually involving the use of cams, pushrods, rocker arms, etc

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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Q. What is to be done if the engine breaks down other than valve gear?

From The Traveling Engineers' Association To Improve The Locomotive Engine Service of American Railroads by Anonymous

As the cylinder fired with every revolution, the valve gear was of the simplest construction, a fixed cam lifting each valve as the cylinder came into position.

From A History of Aeronautics by Vivian, Evelyn Charles

Those equipped with some form of Corliss valve gear are frequently found in this class of work.

From Steam Engines Machinery's Reference Series, Number 70 by Anonymous

The piston works in the cylinder, to which steam is admitted by the action of the valve gear, and communicates motion to the machinery to be actuated.

From The Gutenberg Webster's Unabridged Dictionary Section S by Project Gutenberg

It is situated in the steam chest, and moved by the valve gear.

From The Gutenberg Webster's Unabridged Dictionary Section S by Project Gutenberg

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