Valve system for internal combustion engine
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorsStanley Kevin Widener, David Pratt Branyon, Barry Edward Westmoreland
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A valve system for an engine is provided. The valve system includes a cylinder head that defines an intake passageway, an exhaust passageway, and an auxiliary passageway. The auxiliary passageway includes a first connection with the intake passageway and a second connection with the exhaust passageway. A control valve is disposed in the auxiliary passageway. The control valve is moveable between a first position where the control valve blocks the first connection between the auxiliary passageway and the intake passageway and a second position where control valve blocks the second connection between the auxiliary passageway and the exhaust passageway.
Claims22
A valve system for an engine, comprising:
- a cylinder head defining an intake passageway, an exhaust passageway, and an auxiliary passageway having a first connection with the intake passageway and a second connection with the exhaust passageway;
- and
- a control valve disposed in the auxiliary passageway and moveable between a first position where the control valve blocks the first connection between the auxiliary passageway and the intake passageway and a second position where the control valve blocks the second connection between the auxiliary passageway and the exhaust passageway.
An engine, comprising:
- an engine block defining at least one combustion chamber;
- a cylinder head configured for engagement with the engine block, the cylinder head defining an intake passageway leading to the combustion chamber, at least one exhaust passageway leading from the combustion chamber, and an auxiliary passageway leading from the combustion chamber;
- an auxiliary valve element disposed in the auxiliary passageway for movement between an open position and a closed position;
- and
- a piston disposed in the combustion chamber for movement between a bottom dead center position and a top dead center position, the piston having a combustion bowl configured to, receive the auxiliary valve element when the piston is at the top dead center position and the auxiliary valve element is in the open position.
An engine, comprising:
- an engine block defining at least one combustion chamber having a piston slidably disposed therein;
- a cylinder head configured for engagement with the engine block, the cylinder head defining an intake passageway leading to the at least one combustion chamber, an exhaust passageway leading from the at least one combustion chamber, and an auxiliary passageway having a first connection with the intake passageway and a second connection with the exhaust passageway;
- and
- a control valve disposed in the auxiliary passageway and moveable between a first position where the valve blocks the first connection between the auxiliary passageway and the intake passageway and a second position where valve blocks the second connection between the auxiliary passageway and the exhaust passageway.
A method of controlling air flow in an engine, comprising:
- actuating an intake valve to selectively connect an intake passageway with a combustion chamber in the engine;
- actuating an exhaust valve to selectively connect the combustion chamber with an exhaust passageway;
- actuating an auxiliary valve to selectively connect the combustion chamber with an auxiliary passageway;
- connecting the auxiliary passageway with the intake passageway when the engine experiences a first set of operating conditions;
- and
- connecting the auxiliary passageway with the exhaust passageway when the engine experiences a second set of operating conditions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.