Optimal swirl generation by valve control

An apparatus for controlling volume of flow per unit of time of a combustible mixture inducted into the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine and controlling rotational movement of the combustible mixture in the combustion chamber, comprising:

• a cylinder head forming a top portion of the combustion chamber, said cylinder head having an intake valve opening formed therein for receiving the combustible mixture;
• an intake valve coupled to said cylinder head for sealing and unsealing said valve opening;
• displacement means coupled to said valve for providing axial displacement of said valve, said displacement means limiting peak valve displacement to at least a first maximum axial displacement and a second maximum axial displacement in response to respective first and second displacement commands;
• a mask coupled to said cylinder head partially surrounding said valve opening for providing the rotational movement to the combustible mixture, said mask providing optimal rotational movement when said valve is limited in peak displacement to said first maximum axial displacement and enabling optimal flow rate when said valve is displaced to said second maximum displacement;
• and
• control means responsive to engine operating parameters for providing said first displacement command during first predetermined engine operating conditions and for providing said second displacement command during second predetermined engine operating conditions.

An apparatus for controlling flow rate of a combustible mixture inducted into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine and also controlling rotational movement of the combustible mixture within the combustion chamber, comprising:

• a cylinder head forming a top portion of the combustion chamber, said cylinder head having an intake valve opening formed therein for receiving the combustible mixture;
• an intake valve coupled to said cylinder head for sealing and unsealing said valve opening;
• a mask downwardly extending from said cylinder head a predetermined height and partially surrounding said valve opening;
• displacement means coupled to said intake valve for providing axial displacement of said valve;
• said displacement means limiting peak valve displacement to a first maximum axial displacement no greater than said predetermined height for optimizing the rotational movement of the combustible mixture in response to a first displacement command, said displacement means providing at least a second maximum axial displacement to extend peak valve displacement beyond said predetermined height for optimizing the flow rate of the combustible mixture in response to a second displacement command;
• and
• control means responsive to engine operating parameters for providing said first displacement command during first predetermined engine operating conditions and providing said second displacement command in response to second engine operating conditions.

An apparatus for controlling flow rate of a combustible mixture inducted into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine and also controlling rotational movement of the combustible mixture within the combustion chamber, comprising:

• a cylinder head forming a top portion of the combustion chamber, said cylinder head having an intake valve opening formed therein for receiving the combustible mixture;
• an intake valve coupled to said cylinder head for sealing and unsealing said valve opening;
• a mask downwardly extending from said cylinder head a predetermined height and partially surrounding said valve opening;
• displacement means including an electronically responsive hydraulic actuator coupled to said intake valve for providing axial displacement of said valve;
• said displacement means limiting peak valve displacement to a first maximum axial displacement no greater than said predetermined height for optimizing the rotational movement of the combustible mixture in response to a first displacement command, said displacement means providing at least a second maximum axial displacement to extend peak valve displacement beyond said predetermined height for optimizing the flow rate of the combustible mixture in response to a second displacement command;
• and
• control means responsive to engine operating parameters for providing said first displacement command during first predetermined engine operating conditions and providing said second displacement command in response to second engine operating conditions.