Air induction system having inlet valve

A valve assembly to be used in an induction system that induces fluid flow into the intake of an internal combustion engine, wherein the induction system includes a compressor presenting a supply opening and a spaced pressurized exhaust opening communicating with the engine intake, the assembly comprising:

• a valve fluidly connectable to the supply opening to control fluid supply thereto;
• and
• a valve control mechanism including a fluid pressure sensor adapted to sense fluid pressure downstream from the fluid exhaust opening,
• said valve control mechanism being operable to cause the valve to vary the fluid supply depending on the fluid pressure sensed,
• said valve control mechanism being configured to control the valve to vary fluid supply to the supply opening depending upon pressure conditions at the intake relative to atmospheric pressure.

A valve assembly to be used in an induction system that induces fluid flow into the intake of an internal combustion engine, wherein the induction system includes a compressor presenting a supply opening and a spaced pressurized discharge opening communicating with the engine intake, the assembly comprising:

• a housing presenting a fluid flow passageway extending between an inlet port and an outlet port, wherein the outlet port is fluidly connectable to the supply opening of the compressor;
• a valve body shiftably disposed within the housing to vary fluid flow through the passageway;
• and
• a collapsible chamber operable to shift the valve body as the chamber collapses and expands.

An induction system for inducing fluid flow into the intake of an internal combustion engine, the system comprising:

• a centrifugal supercharger presenting a fluid supply opening and a spaced pressurized fluid exhaust opening and being operable to pressurize fluid between the supply and exhaust openings;
• a valve in communication with the supply opening to control fluid supply thereto,
• said valve including a valve body shiftable into and out of an open position, with shifting of the valve body out of the open position progressively restricting fluid flow through the valve;
• and
• a valve control mechanism including a fluid pressure sensor adapted to sense fluid pressure downstream from the fluid exhaust opening,
• said valve control mechanism being operable to cause the valve to vary the fluid supply depending on the fluid pressure sensed,
• said valve including a housing presenting a fluid passageway extending between an inlet port and an outlet port, wherein the outlet port is fluidly connected to the supply opening,
• said valve body being shiftably disposed within the housing to vary fluid flow through the passageway.

An induction system for inducing fluid flow into the intake of an internal combustion engine, the system comprising:

• a centrifugal supercharger presenting a fluid supply opening and a spaced pressurized fluid exhaust opening and being operable to pressurize fluid between the supply and exhaust openings;
• a valve in communication with the supply opening to control fluid supply thereto;
• and
• a valve control mechanism including a fluid pressure sensor adapted to sense fluid pressure downstream from the fluid exhaust opening,
• said valve control mechanism being operable to cause the valve to vary the fluid supply depending on the fluid pressure sensed,
• said valve control mechanism being configured to control the valve to vary fluid supply to the supply opening depending upon pressure conditions at the intake relative to atmospheric pressure.

An induction system for inducing fluid flow into the intake of an internal combustion engine, the system comprising:

• a centrifugal supercharger presenting a fluid supply opening and a spaced pressurized fluid exhaust opening and being operable to pressurize fluid between the supply and exhaust openings;
• and
• a valve in communication with the supply opening to control fluid supply thereto,
• said valve including a housing presenting a fluid flow passageway extending between an inlet port and an outlet port, wherein the outlet port is fluidly connected to the supply opening,
• said valve including a valve body shiftably disposed within the housing to vary fluid flow through the passageway,
• said valve including a collapsible chamber operable to shift the valve body as the chamber collapses and expands.

In a powered vehicle including an internal combustion engine having an intake, an improved induction system comprising:

• a centrifugal supercharger presenting an fluid supply opening and a spaced pressurized fluid exhaust opening and being operable to pressurize fluid between the supply and exhaust openings and deliver the pressurized fluid to the intake;
• a valve in communication with the supply opening to control fluid supply thereto,
• said valve including a valve body shiftable into and out of an open position, with shifting of the valve body out of the open position progressively restricting fluid flow through the valve;
• and
• a valve control mechanism including a fluid pressure sensor adapted to sense fluid pressure downstream from the fluid exhaust opening,
• said valve control mechanism being operable to cause the valve to vary the fluid supply depending on the fluid pressure sensed,
• said valve including a housing presenting a fluid passageway extending between an inlet port and an outlet port, wherein the outlet port is fluidly connected to the supply opening,
• said valve body being shiftably disposed within the housing to vary fluid flow through the passageway.

In a powered vehicle including an internal combustion engine having an intake, an improved induction system comprising:

• a centrifugal supercharger presenting an fluid supply opening and a spaced pressurized fluid exhaust opening and being operable to pressurize fluid between the supply and exhaust openings and deliver the pressurized fluid to the intake;
• a valve in communication with the supply opening to control fluid supply thereto;
• and
• a valve control mechanism including a fluid pressure sensor that senses fluid pressure downstream from the fluid exhaust opening,
• said valve control mechanism being operable to cause the valve to vary the fluid supply depending on the fluid pressure sensed,
• said valve control mechanism controlling the valve to vary fluid supply to the supply opening depending upon pressure conditions at the intake relative to atmospheric pressure.

In a powered vehicle including an internal combustion engine having an intake, an improved induction system comprising:

• a centrifugal supercharger presenting an fluid supply opening and a spaced pressurized fluid exhaust opening and being operable to pressurize fluid between the supply and exhaust openings and deliver the pressurized fluid to the intake;
• and
• a valve in communication with the supply opening to control fluid supply thereto,
• said valve including a housing presenting a fluid flow passageway extending between an inlet port and an outlet port, wherein the outlet port is fluidly connected to the supply opening,
• said valve including a valve body shiftably disposed within the housing to vary fluid flow through the passageway,
• said valve including a collapsible chamber operable to shift the valve body as the chamber collapses and expands.