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

In 1856, seventeen engines for nine different companies had this form of valve gear, and its use was thus incorporated in his practice.

From Project Gutenberg

The valve gear is arranged for operation either automatically or by hand.

From Project Gutenberg

The steam pressure on the piston supports the weight of the valves and valve gear.

From Project Gutenberg

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 Project Gutenberg

Both the cylinders of these engines are fitted with piston valves, placed at the back of the cylinders and worked by the single eccentric valve gear, which has been so largely adopted and so successfully carried out by this firm in triple expansion as well as compound engines.

From Project Gutenberg