Electro-rheological valve control mechanism

An electro-rheological valve controller which functions as a compression brake comprising:

• a generally cylindrical casing holding an electro-rheological fluid;
• a reciprocating tappet attached at one end of said casing, said tappet in contact with cam means for thrusting said tappet into said casing toward a reciprocating lift member;
• a perforated plunger member coupled to said tappet and permitting the flow of electro-rheological fluid therethrough;
• a reciprocating lift member situated within said casing and separated from said perforated plunger member by a biasing spring and said electro-rheological fluid, said lift member communicating with a valve to be lifted;
• electrode means coupled to said perforated member for generating an electric field within said perforated member such that said electro-rheological fluid within said perforated member solidifies, whereby said plunger applies a compressive fluid force against said reciprocating lift member, which thereby lifts said valve to be lifted;
• and
• microprocessor means for activating and deactivating said electrodes during compression braking and providing for the precise opening of an exhaust valve near completion of an exhaust stroke.

An electro-rheological valve controller comprising:

• a generally cylindrical casing holding a compression fluid;
• a reciprocating tappet attached at one end of the cylindrical casing, said tappet being in communication with cam means for thrusting said tappet into said casing;
• a reciprocating piston member connected to said tappet, said piston member being disposed to thrust into said casing;
• a reciprocating valve lift member situated within said casing and separated from said reciprocating piston member by a biasing spring and said compression fluid, said reciprocating valve lift member being in contact with a valve to be lifted;
• a conduit extending out of said casing for the flow of compression fluid from said casing during a downward thrust of said piston;
• electro-rheological valve means in communication with said conduit for controlling the flow of compression fluid through said conduit so as to impede the flow of compression fluid into said conduit and thereby communicating a compressive force created by said piston member against said reciprocating lift member for lifting a valve;
• wherein said electro-rheological valve means comprises:
• an oscillating valve member for opening and closing said conduit, said valve member having a cavity containing an electro-rheological fluid;
• a perforated electrode member located within said valve casing, said valve member oscillating with respect to said perforated electrode member;
• and means for electrifying said perforated electrode member such that the electro-rheological fluid within said electrode solidifies, thereby locking the position of said valve member relative to said electrode.

An electro-rheological valve controller comprising:

• a generally cylindrical casing holding an electro-rheological fluid;
• a reciprocating tappet attached at one end of the cylindrical casing, said tappet being in communication with cam means for thrusting said tappet into said casing;
• a reciprocating piston member connected to said tappet, said reciprocating piston member being disposed to thrust into said casing;
• a reciprocating valve lift member situated within said casing and separated from said reciprocating piston member by a biasing spring and said electro-rheological fluid, said reciprocating valve lift member being in contact with a valve to be lifted;
• a conduit integral to said casing and situated between said piston and said valve lift member for the flow of electro-rheological fluid from said casing during a downward thrust of said piston;
• and
• electrode means situated within said conduit for generating an electric field such that said electro-rheological fluid contained within said conduit solidifies, thereby impeding the flow of electro-rheological fluid into said conduit and thereby communicating a compressive fluid force created by said piston member against said reciprocating lift member for lifting a valve.

In an internal combustion engine comprising:

• a generally cylindrical casing holding a hydraulic fluid;
• a reciprocating tappet attached at one end of the cylindrical casing, said tappet contacting cam means for thrusting said tappet into said casing toward a reciprocating valve lift member;
• a plunger member coupled to said tappet;
• and said reciprocating valve lift member situated within said casing and separated from said plunger member by said hydraulic fluid, said lift member communicating with a valve to be lifted;
• means for augmenting fluid flow into a compression chamber during a return or "up" stroke, thereby providing rapid refill of said chamber, comprising a one-way passage;
• wherein said hydraulic fluid is an electro-rheological fluid, and electrode means are provided, coupled to said one-way passage for generating an electric field within said one-way passage such that said electro-rheological fluid within said one-way passage solidifies.

A system for improving the performance of multi-valve engines comprising:

• a first set of valves, comprising an intake valve and an exhaust valve, being timed for normal operation at all times;
• a second set of valves, timed for maximum performance, acceleration and high speed and power;
• means for controlling engine valve operation and thereby activating and operating said second set of valves on demand in order to achieve maximum performance, speed and power;
• said controlling means comprising an electro-rheological valve controller in conjunction with processor means for controlling the timing of the activation and operation of said second set of valves.