Fluid handling – Processes
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-05
2001-08-14
Hepperle, Stephen M. (Department: 3753)
Fluid handling
Processes
C137S469000, C137S484800
Reexamination Certificate
active
06273116
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a method and device for opening a valve, especially a load changing valve of an internal combustion engine.
From German patent 30 24 109 C2 a device, operating without camshaft, for actuating a load changing of an internal combustion engine is known. To the stem of the load changing valve an armature plate is fastened which in the fully open position of the valve contacts the solenoid and in the closed position of the valve contacts another solenoid. The armature plate forms together with the valve and two oppositely acting springs an oscillation system which upon activation of one solenoid is secured in one end position, whereby, upon switching off the solenoid, the armature plate moves toward the other end position and is secured thereat by activation of the other solenoid.
Such electromagnetic actuating devices, operating without camshaft, for the load changing valves of an internal combustion engine have the advantage that the control time can be selected substantially freely so that fuel consumption advantages can be achieved and the exhaust gas quality can be improved. A problem of such actuating devices is that the opening of the valve by pressure within the working chamber or combustion chamber is greatly impaired. For example, an exhaust valve must be opened already in certain operational phases when within the combustion chamber there is still a high working pressure. This high working pressure must be overcome by a spring which crowds the valve in the opening direction so that energy is removed from the oscillating system defined by the springs which energy must be then supplied by the solenoid. The solenoid which secures the valve in the fully open position must therefore be designed relatively large so that catching of the valve is possible. In the alternative, the springs must be so strong that high securing forces and thus large solenoids are required.
It is an object of the invention to provide a method and a device for opening a valve, especially a load changing valve of an internal combustion engine, with which a load changing valve can be opened safely and with minimal energy expenditure even when it must be opened counter to the excess pressure within the working chamber.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The inventive method is deigned for opening a valve, especially a load changing valve of an internal combustion engine, that separates a flow channel from a working chamber or connects it therewith and is embodied as a plate valve. Upon opening, the valve projects into the working chamber, According to the inventive method, energy is withdrawn from a flow out of the working chamber into a flow channel, resulting from excess pressure within the working chamber upon beginning of the opening stroke of the valve, and this energy is used for supporting the further opening movement of the valve.
The inventive device is designed for opening a valve, especially a load change valve of an internal combustion engine, that separates a flow channel from a working chamber or connects it therewith and is embodied as a plate valve. Upon opening, the valve projects into the working chamber. The inventive device comprises a flow guide element connected to the valve and surrounding the valve at a spacing. The flow guide element projects from the backside of the valve seat ring through the flow channel into a blind bore extending away from the flow channel, whereby the circumferential edge at the valve side of the flow guide element for a small valve opening receives a portion of the initial flow from the working chamber into the flow channel and guides it into the space between the valve and the flow guide element. The circumferential edge of the flow guide element at the blind bore side and the circumferential wall of the blind bore are designed such that at least during a portion of the valve stroke a reduced a flow cross-section is provided between them.
In another embodiment of the inventive device, an auxiliary piston component having a tubular shaft, which surrounds the valve stem and is moveably guided coaxially to the valve stem in the cylinder head, is provided. This auxiliary component comprises an auxiliary piston, which cooperates with its circumferential edge with a cylindrical area of the opening of the flow channel into the working chamber, whereby the inner diameter of the cylindrical area corresponds substantially to the outer diameter of the auxiliary piston. An actuating device moves the auxiliary piston substantially in counter phase to the valve so that the auxiliary piston opens the flow channel for a small opening movement of the valve only partially and only opens it completely upon greater valve opening movement.
Inventively, the flow out of the working chamber into the flow channel, resulting from excess pressure present within the working chamber during the initial opening phase of the valve, is used to extract energy therefrom which energy is used for supporting (enhancing or aiding in) the opening action of the valve. In this manner, the energy required for opening the valve against the excess pressure in the working chamber is reduced.
The invention is not only useful for electromagnetically operated load changing valves of internal combustion engines. They are also useful for conventionally actuated load changing valves because the invention lowers the actuating energy. The invention is also suitable for use with valves of pumps or other control members which must open against an excess pressure.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1664375 (1928-03-01), Howard
patent: 1720705 (1929-07-01), Waterman
patent: 2627418 (1953-02-01), Ainsworth
patent: 2980139 (1961-04-01), Lynn
Becker Robert W.
Hepperle Stephen M.
Meta Motoren und Energie-Technik GmbH
Robert W. Becker & Associates
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