Rotary-actuator EGR valve having compliant seal/bushing

An exhaust gas recirculation valve for controlling flow of exhaust gas between an exhaust gas system and an intake air system of an internal combustion engine, comprising:

• a) a valve body including at least one chamber;
• b) a first port in said body defined by a valve seat in a wall of said chamber;
• c) a second port in said body;
• d) a pintle shaft extending through said second port and supporting a valve head for variably mating with said valve seat to define a pintle valve for controlling flow of exhaust gas through said chamber and said first port;
• e) an actuator disposed on said valve body and including an oscillatory motor having a motor shaft, and a lever arm attached at a first end to said motor shaft and at a second end to said pintle shaft such that oscillatory motion of said motor shaft is translated into reciprocating motion of said pintle shaft and valve head to variably open and close said pintle valve;
• and
• f) a floating seal/bearing disposed across said second port and receivable of said pintle shaft therethrough for permitting free motion of said pintle shaft in both radial and axial vectors during said reciprocating motion thereof while also preventing escape of exhaust gas from said chamber through said second port.

An internal combustion engine, comprising an exhaust gas recirculation valve for controlling flow of exhaust gas between an exhaust gas system and an intake air system of said engine, said exhaust gas recirculation valve including,

• a valve body including at least one chamber,
• a first port in said body defined by a valve seat in a wall of said chamber,
• a second port in said body,
• a pintle shaft extending through said second port and supporting a valve head for variably mating with said valve seat to define a pintle valve for controlling flow of exhaust gas through said chamber and said first port,
• an actuator disposed on said valve body and including an oscillatory motor having a motor shaft, and a lever arm attached at a first end to said motor shaft and at a second end to said pintle shaft such that oscillatory motion of said motor shaft is translated into reciprocating motion of said pintle shaft and valve head to variably open and close said pintle valve, and
• a floating seal/bearing disposed across said second port and receivable of said pintle shaft therethrough for permitting free motion of said pintle shaft in both radial and axial vectors during said reciprocating motion thereof while also preventing escape of exhaust gas from said chamber through said second port.