Fluid control valve actuating system

A compression release engine brake system, comprising:

• an engine cylinder;
• an exhaust valve being disposed in the engine cylinder and movable between a first position at which fluid flow is blocked from leaving the cylinder and a second position at which fluid flow is passable from the cylinder;
• an actuator having a plunger movable between extended position and a retracted position, said plunger being connected to move the exhaust valve between the first and second positions respectively in response to movement of the actuator between said retracted and extended positions;
• a source of high pressure fluid flow;
• a fluid reservoir;
• a control valve having a spool movable between a first position and a second position, said control valve and being connected to said actuator, said source of high pressure fluid flow, and said reservoir, said control valve being adapted to deliver fluid flow from said actuator to said reservoir at the first position of said spool and being adapted to deliver high pressure fluid flow from said source to said actuator at the second position of said spool and move said actuator from the retracted position to the extended position;
• and
• an electronic control module connected in control communication with the control valve and adapted to deliver a control signal to said control valve, said control valve spool being movable to said second position in response to receiving said control signal, said electronic control module automatically delivering said control signal to the control valve in response to a predetermined elapsed time during which the control valve is at the first position being greater than a predetermined time.

A method of controlling a control valve associated with an internal combustion engine, the control valve having a spool movable between a first position and a second position, a second port and a third port, the method comprising the steps of:

• monitoring an amount of elapsed time since the control valve spool was last moved;
• moving the control valve spool to the second position;
• and
• coupling the second port to the third port when the amount of elapsed time exceeds a predetermined time in order to discharge debris accumulated at the second port.

A work machine, comprising:

• an engine;
• an exhaust valve attached to the engine and operative to move between an open position and a closed position;
• a fluid operated actuator operatively connected to said exhaust valve and adapted to move said exhaust valve to the open position;
• a reservoir;
• a source of high pressure fluid source adapted to supply a high pressure action fluid;
• a control valve connected to the hydraulic control valve and movable between a first position operable to connect the actuator to a low pressure fluid source and a second position operable to connect the actuator to the source of high pressure fluid;
• and
• an electronic control module connected in control communication with the control valve and adapted to generate a control signal to position the control valve in the second position when an elapsed time, during which the control valve is in the first position, is greater than a predetermined time.