Rotary-actuated exhaust gas recirculation valve having a seating force attenuator

An exhaust gas recirculation valve assembly for metering exhaust gas from an exhaust system into an intake system of an internal combustion engine, comprising:

• a) a valve body defining a first chamber in communication with one of said exhaust system and said intake system and a second chamber in communication with the other of said exhaust system and said intake system, wherein said first and second chambers are joined by a common port surrounded by a valve seat, said body further defining a first bore in a wall of one of said first and second chambers;
• b) a poppet valve having a stem and a head, said stem being slidably disposed in said first bore and said head being selectively matable with said seat to define a valve for regulating flow of material between said first and second chambers across said seat;
• and
• c) a shock-absorber disposed between said stem and said head to attenuate closing force of said valve.

An exhaust gas recirculation valve assembly in accordance with claim further comprising actuator means including:

• a) a cam plate rotatable about an axis orthogonal to an axis of said valve stem, said cam plate having a slot comprising first and second substantially parallel sides formed in spiral relationship to said cam plate axis;
• b) a roller rotatably disposed on said valve stem and positioned within said slot;
• and
• c) a driver for rotating said cam plate about said cam plate axis.

An internal combustion engine having an intake system and an exhaust system, the engine comprising an exhaust gas recirculation valve assembly for metering exhaust gas from said exhaust system into said intake system, wherein said exhaust gas recirculation valve assembly includes:

• a) a valve body defining a first chamber in communication with one of said exhaust system and said intake system and a second chamber in communication with the other of said exhaust system and said intake system, wherein said first and second chambers are joined by a common port surrounded by a valve seat, said body further defining a first bore in a wall of one of said first and second chambers;
• b) a poppet valve having a stem and a head, said stem being slidably disposed in said first bore and said head being selectively matable with said seat to define a valve for regulating flow of material between said first and second chambers across said seat;
• and
• c) a shock-absorber disposed between said stem and said head to attenuate closing force of said valve.