Linear control valve for controlling a fuel injector and engine compression release brake actuator and engine using same

A method of operating a hydraulic system, comprising the steps of:

• connecting a source of high pressure fluid, a low pressure reservoir, a fuel injector and an engine compression release brake to a control valve;
• activating said fuel injector at least in part by moving a valve member of said control valve along a line to a first position that fluidly connects said fuel injector to said source of high pressure fluid;
• activating said engine compression release brake at least in part by moving said valve member along said line to a second position that fluidly connects said engine compression release brake to said source of high pressure fluid;
• and
• deactivating said fuel injector and said engine compression release brake at least in part by moving said valve member along said line to a third position that fluidly connects said fuel injector and said engine compression release brake to said low pressure reservoir.

An engine comprising:

• an engine housing defining a plurality of cylinders;
• a hydraulic system comprising:
• a source of high pressure fluid;
• a low pressure reservoir;
• a fuel injector;
• an engine compression release brake;
• a control valve having a valve member that is movable along a line to stop at one of a first position, a second position and a third position, and being fluidly positioned between said source of high pressure fluid, said low pressure reservoir, said fuel injector and said engine compression release brake;
• the hydraulic system being connected to said engine housing and including a fuel injector for each of said cylinders and an engine compression release brake for at least a portion of said cylinders, and including a control valve for each of said cylinders having both a fuel injector and an engine compression release brake;
• and
• each said control valve having a valve member movable along a line between a first position at which one fuel injector is fluidly connected to said source of high pressure fluid, a second position at which one engine compression release brake is fluidly connected to said source of high pressure fluid, and a third position at which said fuel injector and said engine compression release brake are fluidly connected to said low pressure reservoir.