Actuator for variable valve mechanism

A variable valve mechanism having an actuator, said actuator comprising:

• a cylinder having a central axis and a side wall, said side wall having an inner surface;
• a control shaft having a first end and a second end, the second end coupled to said variable valve mechanism;
• and
• a clutch disposed within said cylinder, said clutch having a hub and at least one clutch arm, each of said at least one clutch arm including:
• a negative opposing finger having a first end and a fingertip end, said first end hingedly attached to said hub, said fingertip end engaging said inner surface of said side wall;
• a positive opposing finger having a first end and a fingertip end, said first end hingedly attached to said hub, said fingertip end engaging said inner surface of said side wall;
• a negative opposing spring having a first end and a second end, said first end attached to said negative opposing finger;
• a positive opposing spring having a first end and a second end, said first end attached to said positive opposing finger;
• and
• a control input, said control input configured for selectively engaging said second end of a selected one of said negative opposing spring and said positive opposing spring.

A method of utilizing reflected torque imposed upon a control shaft to position the control shaft in a desired angular position relative to a central axis thereof by selectively pivoting the control shaft in a desired direction relative to the central axis thereof, the reflected torque alternating between a negative and a positive direction, said method comprising the steps of:

• establishing a negative opposing frictional force that is greater than the force resulting from the largest negative peak reflected torque value;
• establishing a positive opposing frictional force that is greater than the force resulting from the largest positive peak reflected torque value;
• coupling each of said negative opposing frictional force and said positive opposing frictional force to the control shaft to thereby preclude rotation of the control shaft due to the reflected torque;
• and
• reducing a selected one of said negative opposing frictional force and said positive opposing frictional force to thereby enable the reflected torque to impose a force exceeding the selected one of said negative opposing frictional force and said positive opposing frictional force to rotate the control shaft in a selected direction.

An internal combustion engine, comprising:

• a variable valve mechanism;
• and
• an actuator coupled to said variable valve mechanism, said actuator including:
• a cylinder having a central axis and a side wall, said side wall having an inner surface;
• and
• a clutch disposed within said cylinder, said clutch having a hub and at least one clutch arm, each of said at least one clutch arm including:
• a negative opposing finger having a first end and a fingertip end, said first end hingedly attached to said hub, said fingertip end engaging said inner surface of said side wall;
• a positive opposing finger having a first end and a fingertip end, said first end hingedly attached to said hub, said fingertip end engaging said inner surface of said side wall;
• a negative opposing spring having a first end and a second end, said first end attached to said negative opposing finger;
• a positive opposing spring having a first end and a second end, said first end attached to said positive opposing finger;
• and
• a control input, said control input configured for selectively engaging said second end of a selected one of said negative opposing spring and said positive opposing spring.