System and method for multi-lift valve actuation

A system of actuating one or more engine valves in an internal combustion engine to produce an engine valve event, said system comprising:

• a housing;
• an accumulator disposed in said housing having a first open end and a second open end;
• a master piston slidably disposed in a first bore formed in said housing;
• means for imparting motion to the master piston;
• and
• a slave piston slidably disposed in a second bore formed in said housing, said slave piston in fluid communication with said master piston through a high pressure hydraulic passage,
• wherein the first open end and the second open end of said accumulator are in selective communication with the high pressure hydraulic passage to modify the imparted motion, and
• wherein the first open end of said accumulator is in communication with the high pressure hydraulic passage and the second open end is in communication with ambient pressure.

A system of actuating one or more engine valves in an internal combustion engine to produce an exhaust gas recirculation engine valve event, said system comprising:

• a housing;
• an accumulator disposed in said housing having a first open end and a second open end;
• a high pressure fluid passage;
• a master piston slidably disposed in a first bore formed in said housing;
• means for imparting motion to said master piston;
• a slave piston slidably disposed in a second bore formed in said housing, said slave piston in fluid communication with said master piston through said high pressure hydraulic passage;
• a shuttle valve;
• and
• a first solenoid valve for controlling said shuttle valve to selectively communicate the first open end and the second open end of said accumulator with said high pressure hydraulic passage,
• wherein the first open end and the second open end of said accumulator are in selective communication with said high pressure hydraulic passage to selectively modify the imparted motion, and
• wherein the system further comprises:
• a first rocker arm disposed between the one or more engine valves and said master piston;
• and
• a second rocker arm disposed between said motion imparting means and said slave piston.

A system of actuating one or more engine valves in an internal combustion engine to produce an exhaust gas recirculation engine valve event, said system comprising:

• a housing;
• an accumulator disposed in said housing having a first open end and a second open end;
• a high pressure fluid passage;
• a master piston slidably disposed in a first bore formed in said housing;
• means for imparting motion to said master piston;
• a slave piston slidably disposed in a second bore formed in said housing, said slave piston in fluid communication with said master piston through said high pressure hydraulic passage;
• a shuffle valve;
• and
• a first solenoid valve for controlling said shuttle valve to selectively communicate the first open end and the second open end of said accumulator with said high pressure hydraulic passage,
• wherein the first open end and the second open end of said accumulator are in selective communication with said high pressure hydraulic passage to selectively modify the imparted motion, and
• wherein the first open end of said accumulator is in communication with said high pressure hydraulic passage and the second open end is in communication with ambient pressure.

A system of actuating one or more engine valves in an internal combustion engine to produce an engine valve event, said system comprising:

• a housing;
• an accumulator disposed in said housing, said accumulator having a first end and a second end;
• a master piston slidably disposed in a first bore in said housing;
• means for imparting motion to the master piston;
• a slave piston slidably disposed in a second bore in said housing;
• a hydraulic fluid circuit connecting the master piston, the slave piston and at least one of the first end or the second end of the accumulator;
• a hydraulic fluid source;
• a first control valve disposed between the hydraulic fluid circuit and the hydraulic fluid source;
• and
• a second control valve in hydraulic communication with the accumulator and adapted to selectively place at least one of said first end and said second end of the accumulator in hydraulic communication with a high pressure fluid.

A system for actuating one or more engine valves in an engine, said system comprising:

• a hydraulic fluid accumulator having a first end and a second end;
• a master piston slidably disposed in a first bore;
• a slave piston slidably disposed in a second bore;
• a hydraulic circuit connecting the master piston, the slave piston and the first end of the accumulator;
• a hydraulic fluid source;
• a first control valve connected to the hydraulic fluid source and the hydraulic circuit;
• and
• a second control valve disposed in the hydraulic circuit between (i) the first end of the accumulator and (ii) the master piston and the slave piston.

A system for actuating one or more engine valves in an engine, said system comprising:

• a hydraulic fluid accumulator having a first end and a second end;
• a master piston slidably disposed in a first bore;
• a slave piston slidably disposed in a second bore;
• a hydraulic circuit connecting the master piston, the slave piston and the first end of the accumulator;
• a hydraulic passage extending between the hydraulic circuit and the second end of the accumulator;
• and
• a control valve disposed in the hydraulic passage.

A system for actuating one or more engine valves in an engine, said system comprising:

• a hydraulic fluid accumulator having a first end and a second end;
• a master piston slidably disposed in a first bore;
• a slave piston slidably disposed in a second bore;
• a hydraulic circuit connecting the master piston, the slave piston and the first end of the accumulator;
• a hydraulic fluid source;
• a hydraulic passage connecting the hydraulic fluid source and the second end of the accumulator;
• and
• a control valve disposed in the hydraulic passage.