Method and apparatus for electrically driving engine valves
AssigneeGeneral Motors Corporation
InventorsThaddeus Schroeder, Rassem R. Henry, Bruno P. B. Lequesne, Balarama V. Murty
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Each valve of an internal combustion engine is driven by a separate rotary electric motor. A cam mechanism for the valves comprises a cylindrical cam in line with the motor axis and the valve stem, the mechanism having inner and outer cylinders, one cylinder rotating with the motor and carrying a cam and the other containing a cam follower and reciprocating with the valve.
Claims6
An electric valve control for an internal combustion engine comprising:
- an intake or exhaust poppet valve having a stem;
- a rotary electric motor;
- cam means coupled to the stem and operatively driven by the electric motor for reciprocating the valve upon motor rotation to effect a valve open period and a valve closed period;
- and wherein the cam means comprises;
- inner and outer coaxial cylindrical members;
- one of the members being rotatably driven about its axis by the motor and having cam surfaces formed thereon;
- and
- the other of the members being coupled to the valve stem and mounted for axial movement;
- and
- cam follower means on the other of the members for engaging at least one of the cam surfaces;
- wherein the cam follower is driven axially for valve actuation upon rotation of the one member by the motor.
An electric valve control for an internal combustion engine comprising:
- an intake or exhaust poppet valve having a stem;
- a rotary electric motor;
- cam means coupled to the stem and operatively driven by the electric motor for reciprocating the valve upon motor rotation to effect a valve open period and a valve closed period;
- and wherein the cam means comprises:
- inner and outer coaxial cylindrical members aligned with the axis of motor rotation;
- the outer member being rotatably driven about the axis by the motor and having cam surfaces formed thereon;
- and
- the inner member being coupled to the valve stem and mounted for axial movement;
- and
- cam follower roller means on the inner member for engaging at least one of the cam surfaces, wherein the cam follower and the inner member are driven axially for valve actuation upon rotation of the outer member by the motor.
An electric valve control for an internal combustion engine comprising:
- an intake or exhaust poppet valve having a stem;
- a rotary electric motor;
- cam means coupled to the stem and operatively driven by the electric motor for reciprocating the valve upon motor rotation to effect a valve open period and a valve closed period;
- and wherein the cam means comprises:
- inner and outer coaxial cylindrical members aligned with the axis of motor rotation;
- the inner member being rotatably driven about the axis by the motor and having cam surfaces formed thereon;
- and
- the outer member being coupled to the valve stem and mounted for axial movement;
- and
- cam follower roller means on the outer member for engaging at least one of the cam surfaces, wherein the cam follower and the outer member are driven axially for valve actuation upon rotation of the inner member by the motor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.