Patent · US Expired

Engine valve actuator with valve seating control

US6550433B2 · kind B2 · utility

15Cited by
20References
16Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 24, 2002
Grant dateApr 22, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 24, 2022

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF01L13/06
  • WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

The present invention provides a hydraulic actuator for operating an engine valve, which includes a means for controlling the seating velocity of the valve. The design allows for free, unrestricted movement of the actuator piston during opening of the engine valve, and an unrestricted return of the piston and valve until the valve is within a predetermined distance of the valve seat. Once within this predetermined range, the return velocity of the actuator piston and engine valve are limited by the rate at which a fluid may escape through a restriction. The restriction is calibrated to provide the desired maximum valve seating velocity. The invention also provides for automatic lash adjustment.

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