Electrohydraulic engine valve actuator assembly
AssigneeGeneral Motors Corporation
InventorNorman Kenneth Bucknor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An electrohydraulic valve actuator assembly for an engine includes a movable engine valve, a movable spool valve, and a driving channel interconnecting the spool valve and the engine valve. The electrohydraulic valve actuator assembly includes an actuator operatively cooperating with the spool valve to position the spool valve to prevent and allow fluid flow in and out of the driving channel to position the engine valve. The electrohydraulic valve actuator assembly further includes a mechanical feedback interconnecting the engine valve and the spool valve to control the position of the spool valve.
Claims20
An electrohydraulic valve actuator assembly for an engine comprising:
- a movable engine valve;
- a movable spool valve;
- a single driving fluid channel interconnecting said spool valve and said engine valve;
- an actuator operatively cooperating with said spool valve to move said spool valve to prevent and allow fluid flow in and out of said driving fluid channel to position said engine valve;
- a spool valve spring disposed at one end of said spool valve to bias said spool valve toward said actuator;
- and
- a mechanical feedback interconnecting said engine valve and said spool valve to control the position of said spool valve.
An electrohydraulic valve actuator assembly for an engine comprising:
- a movable engine valve;
- a movable spool valve;
- a driving channel interconnecting said spool valve and said engine valve;
- an actuator operatively cooperating with said spool valve to move said spool valve to prevent and allow fluid flow in and out of said driving channel to position said engine valve;
- a mechanical feedback interconnecting said engine valve and said spool valve to control the position of said spool valve;
- and
- wherein said spool valve is connected to said mechanical feedback at a connection point spaced between ends thereof.
An electrohydraulic valve actuator assembly for an engine comprising:
- a movable engine valve;
- a movable spool valve;
- a driving channel interconnecting said spool valve and said engine valve;
- an actuator operatively cooperating with said spool valve to move said spool valve to prevent and allow fluid flow in and out of said driving channel to position said engine valve;
- a mechanical feedback interconnecting said engine valve and said spool valve to control the position of said spool valve;
- and
- a spool valve spring disposed at one end of said spool valve to bias said spool valve toward said actuator.
An electrohydraulic valve actuator assembly comprising:
- a movable engine valve;
- a movable spool valve;
- a valve housing having a fluid chamber therein;
- a piston operatively cooperating with said engine valve and being disposed in said valve housing and having said fluid chamber on one side thereof;
- a single driving fluid channel interconnecting said spool valve and said engine valve, said driving fluid channel being connected to said fluid chamber;
- an actuator operatively cooperating with said spool valve to move said spool valve to prevent and allow fluid flow in and out of said driving fluid channel to position said engine valve;
- a spool valve spring disposed at one end of said spool valve to bias said spool valve toward said actuator;
- and
- a control lever interconnecting said engine valve and said spool valve to control the position of said spool valve.
An electrohydraulic valve actuator assembly comprising:
- a movable engine valve;
- a movable spool valve;
- a valve housing having a fluid chamber therein;
- a piston operatively cooperating with said engine valve and being disposed in said valve housing and having said fluid chamber on one side thereof;
- a driving channel interconnecting said spool valve and said fluid chamber;
- an actuator operatively cooperating with said spool valve to move said spool valve to prevent and allow fluid flow in and out of said driving channel to position said engine valve;
- a control lever interconnecting said engine valve and said spool valve to control the position of said spool valve;
- and
- wherein said spool valve is connected to said control lever at a connection point spaced between ends of said control lever.
An electrohydraulic valve actuator assembly comprising:
- a movable engine valve;
- a movable spool valve;
- a valve housing having a fluid chamber therein;
- a piston operatively cooperating with said engine valve and being disposed in said valve housing and having said fluid chamber on one side thereof;
- a driving channel interconnecting said spool valve and said fluid chamber;
- an actuator operatively cooperating with said spool valve to move said spool valve to prevent and allow fluid flow in and out of said driving channel to position said engine valve;
- a control lever interconnecting said engine valve and said spool valve to control the position of said spool valve;
- and
- a spool valve spring disposed at one end of said spool valve to bias said spool valve toward said actuator.
A method of operating a valve actuator assembly for a vehicle comprising:
- providing a movable engine valve;
- providing a movable spool valve;
- providing a spool valve spring at one end of the spool valve to bias the spool valve;
- providing a control lever interconnecting the engine valve and the spool valve;
- actuating an actuator operatively cooperating with the control lever and supplying a single driving fluid channel interconnecting the spool valve and the engine valve with fluid flow to move open the engine valve;
- and
- controlling motion of the spool valve via the control lever.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.