Engine valve actuation control system
AssigneeSiemens Automotive Corporation
InventorsDanny O. Wright, James A. Nitkiewicz
Life of this patent
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Abstract
There is shown an electric motor control of the engine valves of an internal combustion engine. A brushless torque actuator controls the rotation of a cam member which provides the appropriate lift to the engine valve to move the valve from the closed to the open position. The electronic control which is connected to the actuator includes a look-up table for controlling the timing of the engine in accordance with the operation of the internal combustion engine. The electronic control operates to return the cam member to its home position closing the engine valves.
Claims9
An electrical motor control system for the actuation of engine valves of internal combustion engines comprising:
- an engine having at least one cylinder and at least one engine valve mounted for reciprocal motion in a cylinder head of said engine, the engine valve having a valve stem, a valve member connected to said valve stem normally closing an opening to said cylinder for controlling the flow of fluids to and from said cylinder, and a first bias means mounted on said valve stem for biasing said valve in a closed position;
- a cam member operatively coupled to said valve stem of said at least one engine valve, said cam member controlling the amount of reciprocal travel of the engine valve;
- electric motor means operatively coupled to said cam member for rotating said cam member;
- an electronic control means connected to said motor means for rotating the shaft of said motor means in accordance with the desired opening and closing times of said valve;
- and
- a second bias means operatively coupled to said cam member, said second bias means for preloading said cam member;
- wherein the energy transfer between the first and second bias means is translated into reciprocal motion of the valve stem and said electric motor means supplies enough additional energy to overcome frictional losses.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.