Apparatus for purging and excluding air from a hydraulic manifold assembly for variable deactivation of engine valves
US6758175B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 25, 2002 |
| Grant date | Jul 6, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 25, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF01L13/0005
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A hydraulic manifold assembly for variable actuation of engine valves in accordance with the invention includes oil flow galleries. Engine oil under pressure communicates with a global supply gallery in the manifold assembly, from which pressurized oil is supplied selectively via individual supply galleries to each variable actuator for each valve through the action of solenoid valves. At engine startup, all galleries may be empty of oil, or partially filled. A global relief valve at the end of the global supply gallery causes air to be purged immediately upon startup of the engine. Each solenoid and individual gallery is provided with a low pressure relief valve leading back to the crankcase when the solenoid supply valve is closed. A bleed orifice between the global supply gallery and each individual gallery continually bleeds oil under low pressure into the individual gallery, which purges initial air therein. Anti-draining means in each individual gallery keeps the gallery filled when the valve deactivation mechanism is deactuated.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.