Controlling secondary air injection in engine exhaust
AssigneeEaton Corporation
InventorsCharles A. Detweiler, Kenneth J. Parker, Roger L. Kennedy JR., Janet L. Hawkins
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A solenoid operated valve suitable for controlling flow of air for injection into the exhaust of an engine, the poppet is connected to the solenoid armature in a lost-motion connection. Upon energization, the armature achieves momentum during the lost-motion movement and imports an impulse to the poppet to ensure movement in the event of any tendency of the poppet to stick. A one-way valve prevents exhaust back pressure from opening the poppet.
Claims9
An electrically operated valve assembly for controlling air injection into the exhaust stream of an internal combustion engine comprising:
- (a) valve body structure including an inlet port adapted for connection to a source of pressurized air, a valving chamber having a valve seat communicating with the inlet and an outlet port adapted for connection to the exhaust stream;
- (b) a one-way valve disposed to permit flow from the valving chamber to the outlet port and prevent flow from the outlet port to the valving chamber;
- (c) a valve obturator disposed for movement between a closed position preventing and an open position permitting flow over said valve seat to the outlet port;
- (d) an actuator operatively connected to effect the movement of the obturator, the actuator having a portion thereof extending externally of said valving chamber;
- (e) a solenoid having an armature moveable upon electrical energization thereof, with the armature operative to effect the movement of the obturator, wherein the armature is disposed for a predetermined limited lost motion movement with respect to the actuator.
A method of controlling air injection into the exhaust stream of an engine comprising:
- (a) providing a valve body and disposing a valve obturator on a valve seat formed in the body;
- (b) connecting an inlet side of the valve seat to an air pump and connecting an outlet side of the valve seat to the exhaust stream;
- (c) disposing a one-way valve between the outlet side of the valve seat and the engine exhaust stream and preventing exhaust flow therethrough;
- (d) connecting the armature of a solenoid operator to the valve obturator and effecting movement of the obturator upon electrical energization of the solenoid and providing a predetermined limited lost-motion between the solenoid armature and the obturator.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.