Engine valve actuation system and method using reduced pressure common rail and dedicated engine valve
OwnerZhou Yang, Frank Stawskiinventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system and method for actuating an engine valve to provide engine braking and/or exhaust gas recirculation using a common source of hydraulic fluid is disclosed. The system receives high pressure hydraulic fluid from a common rail system, such as those used to provide fuel injection. The fluid pressure is reduced before being used to actuate an engine valve for engine braking or EGR. Preferably an engine valve that is dedicated to the engine braking or EGR function is provided in the engine. The dedicated engine braking/EGR valve may be driven by an electromagnetic actuator in an alternative embodiment.
Claims20
An engine valve actuation system, comprising:
- a high pressure hydraulic fluid passage;
- a high pressure hydraulic fluid source;
- a fluid pressure reduction device connected to the hydraulic fluid source through the high pressure hydraulic fluid passage;
- a low pressure hydraulic fluid passage;
- a hydraulic fluid control valve connected to the fluid pressure reduction device through the low pressure hydraulic fluid passage;
- an actuator hydraulic fluid passage;
- and
- an engine valve actuator for actuating an engine valve to produce an engine valve event, the engine valve actuator communicating with the hydraulic fluid control valve through the actuator hydraulic fluid passage.
An engine valve actuation system, comprising:
- a high pressure hydraulic fluid source for providing hydraulic fluid at a first pressure;
- a fluid pressure reduction device connected to the hydraulic fluid source;
- a hydraulic fluid control valve connected to the fluid pressure reduction device having a first operating position and a second operating position;
- and
- an engine valve actuator for actuating an engine valve to produce an engine valve event adapted to receive the hydraulic fluid at a second pressure when the hydraulic fluid control valve is in the second operating position.
A method of actuating an engine valve in an internal combustion engine to produce an engine valve event, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing hydraulic fluid to a fluid pressure reduction device;
- reducing the pressure of the hydraulic fluid from a first pressure to a second pressure;
- selectively applying the hydraulic fluid at the second pressure to an engine valve actuator;
- and
- actuating the engine valve to produce the engine valve event.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.