Patent · US Expired

Hydraulically-driven valve and hydraulic system using same

US6349686B1 · kind B1 · utility

4Cited by
26References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 31, 2000
Grant dateFeb 26, 2002
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 31, 2020

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF01L2800/00
  • WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

In a hydraulically actuated gas exchange valve, the initiation and termination of gas exchange is achieved with a hydraulically driven valve that functions by opening an actuation fluid passage to a high pressure inlet source and a low pressure drain, respectively. The large amount of fluid needed to actuate a gas exchange valve can result in dynamic flow forces around the hydraulically driven valve making closing of the valve with a conventional biasing spring problematic. The small size of the valve limits the size and therefore strength of the biasing springs. Likewise, the need to provide a sufficiently strong spring limits valve designs. The present invention is intended to provide superior control over the timing of gas exchange by employing a hydraulic bias in place of the conventional biasing spring. Hydraulic bias allows both a greater closing force on the valve than could be provided with a spring, and allows for greater versatility in future valve designs.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.