Valve seating control device with variable area orifice

A system for decelerating a linearly displaceable valve undergoing a closing motion, said system having a housing, a hydraulic fluid chamber provided in said housing, and a means for displacing said valve responsive to the supply of hydraulic fluid to said hydraulic fluid chamber, wherein said system comprises:

• a hydraulic circuit for receiving hydraulic fluid from said hydraulic fluid chamber during the valve closing motion;
• and
• means for throttling a flow of hydraulic fluid between said hydraulic fluid chamber and said hydraulic circuit in response to a displacement of said throttling means by said valve displacing means,
• wherein hydraulic pressure in said hydraulic fluid chamber opposes said valve closing motion
• wherein a throttling flow area is progressively reduced as said valve approaches said closed position, and
• wherein said means for throttling comprises a plunger having an internal passage for providing selective hydraulic fluid communication between said hydraulic fluid chamber and said hydraulic circuit.