US 7,007,470 B2 · Compression release valve

Abstract

An electromechanical compression release valve for compressors, engines with rotary or reciprocating mechanisms and external combustion engines, such as, a Stirling cycle engine, reduces the engine starting power by reducing the compression pressure in the cylinder head space area. The valve reduces the compression pressure by passing the working fluid from the cylinder head space to another compartment. The valve comprises a housing, a valve member, a valve-driving member, a valve position sensor, and a ratchet pawl. In the open position, and while starting the engine, the inlet of the rotatable valve member is aligned with the opening in a chamber connected to the engine work space, thus, the working fluid passes through the valve member into the crankcase. After the engine starts, the valve position sensor directs the valve-driving member to rotate the valve member to the closed position. When closed, the engine working fluid can now achieve the operating compression pressures.

Claims10

Dependent claims

In an engine having a working space and a crankcase, an improvement comprising a valve controlling fluid flow between the working space and the crankcase, the valve including a valve member capable of rotation to a plurality of positions, a valve-driving member, and a controller in signal communication with the valve-driving member, wherein the valve-driving member is an electric motor and the controller is capable of generating a low electrical resistance across the motor for generating a reverse torque on the valve member, thus reducing overshoot for the valve member in rotating to a specified position.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Compression release valve

Life of this patent

Compression release valve

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims10