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

Another peculiarity of this engine is that, instead of the ordinary link motion, it is fitted with Joy's valve gear, which is now being more and more adopted.

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

The valve gear is of the regular Corliss type, driven by a single eccentric and wrist-plate.

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

A. The valve gear is the same as that of the 9½ or 11 inch compressor, only that a piston valve is used to distribute the steam instead of a slide valve.

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

The above engraving, which is a side elevation of the cylinder, shows the valve gear complete.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 286, June 25, 1881 by Various

Q. Give a brief explanation of the Walschaert valve gear.

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