Rotary valve for controlling a fuel injector and engine compression release brake actuator and engine using same
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorsManas R. Satapathy, Scott R. Schuricht
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention relates to engines having multiple hydraulic devices. For instance, in a typical multi-cylinder diesel engine, each cylinder includes an intake valve, an exhaust valve, a fuel injector and an engine brake. It is common for each of these devices to be controlled by an individual actuator. However, engineers have learned that decreasing the number of engine components can increase engine robustness. Therefore, the present invention utilizes a single rotary actuator to control multiple hydraulic devices for an engine cylinder.
Claims20
A hydraulic system comprising:
- a rotary valve including a valve body that defines a plurality of passages;
- an electronic control module being in control communication with said rotary valve;
- a high pressure source being fluidly connected to one of said plurality of passages;
- a first hydraulic device and a second hydraulic device being fluidly connected to said rotary valve;
- said rotary valve having a first angular position in which said first hydraulic device is fluidly connected to said high pressure source;
- and
- said rotary valve having a second angular position in which said second hydraulic device is fluidly connected to said high pressure source.
An engine comprising:
- an engine housing defining a plurality of cylinders;
- a rotary valve for each of said plurality of cylinders attached to said engine housing;
- an electronic control module being in control communication with said rotary valve;
- a first hydraulic device and a second hydraulic device for each of said plurality of cylinders being attached to said engine housing;
- a source of high pressure fluid being fluidly connected to said rotary valve;
- said rotary valve having a first angular position in which said first hydraulic device is fluidly connected to said source of high pressure fluid;
- and
- said rotary valve having a second angular position in which said second hydraulic device is fluidly connected to said source of high pressure fluid.
A method of controlling multiple hydraulic devices attached to an engine comprising:
- providing a rotary valve including a valve body that defines a high pressure passage;
- placing said rotary valve in control communication with an electronic control module;
- fluidly connecting said high pressure passage to a high pressure fluid source;
- fluidly connecting said rotary valve to a first hydraulic device and a second hydraulic device;
- rotating said rotary valve to a first angular position fluidly connecting said high pressure passage to said first hydraulic device;
- and
- rotating said rotary valve to a second angular position fluidly connecting said high pressure passage to said second hydraulic device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.