valve gear

American  

noun

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

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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

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Example Sentences

Both the oil for lubricating the bearings and the water for cooling the cylinders were circulated by pumps, and all parts of the valve gear, etc., were completely enclosed for protection from dust.

From A History of Aeronautics by Vivian, Evelyn Charles

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

Thus, so far as the distribution of the steam and its treatment in the cylinder is concerned, a marked advantage is shown in favor of this valve gear.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 458, October 11, 1884 by Various

When there is no link motion, a Joy valve gear, a Marshall valve gear, or a loose eccentric may be used.

From Modern Machine-Shop Practice, Volumes I and II by Rose, Joshua

The valve motion for an oscillating engine consists of an ordinary eccentric gear or motion, with the addition of various mechanical arrangements to accommodate the valve gear to the vibrating motion of the valve chest.

From Modern Machine-Shop Practice, Volumes I and II by Rose, Joshua