Internal-combustion engines – Intake manifold – Manifold tuning – balancing or pressure regulating means
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-23
2001-07-31
Kamen, Noah P. (Department: 3747)
Internal-combustion engines
Intake manifold
Manifold tuning, balancing or pressure regulating means
Reexamination Certificate
active
06267091
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a rotary valve assembly adapted for simultaneously opening and closing multiple passages that are arranged substantially parallel to each other, and an engine induction system using the rotary valve assembly.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,546,900 discloses an intake assembly for a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine. The intake assembly includes intake ducts extending substantially parallel to each other and a rotor provided in the form of a control shaft and inserted in an elongated bore extending across the intake ducts. The rotor is operative to open and close the respective intake ducts to provide induction characteristics variable depending on operating conditions of the engine. C-rings are disposed in circumferential grooves provided on the rotor. The C-rings expandable radially outwardly, are in sealing contact with a wall defining the bore.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In the conventionally proposed arrangement, there exists a radial clearance between the bottom of the groove and the inner circumferential surface of the corresponding C-ring disposed therein. When the engine operates, the rotor undergoes vibration in the bore due to engine vibration. It is likely that the C-ring then bumps against the bottom of the groove, whereby noise is caused. Especially, when the rotor is in a closed position where the intake duct is closed, the vibration of the rotor is increased due to the intake pulsation occurring in the intake assembly. This leads to frequent occurrence of noise. In addition, in a case where the intake duct and the rotor are made of synthetic resin, aluminum, magnesium or the like, for the purpose of reducing weight or cost, noise will tend to be generated between the C-ring and the corresponding groove because of the relatively low rigidity and low surface density of these materials.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a rotary valve assembly and an engine induction system that are capable of eliminating the above-described disadvantages of the conventionally proposed technique.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a rotary valve assembly and an engine induction system that effect improved operating performance thereof.
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a rotary valve assembly for controlling flow passing through substantially parallel passages, comprising:
a valve housing including a cylindrical bore extending transverse to the passages and a wall surface defining the cylindrical bore;
a rotor having a longitudinal rotation axis and rotatably supported at opposed ends thereof within said cylindrical bore, said rotor including a plurality of axially spaced valves adapted to open and close the passages, and a plurality of wall portions disposed between the axially spaced valves and adapted for isolating the passages;
a first ring disposed on the respective axially spaced wall portion of said rotor in sealing contact with the wall surface of said valve housing; and
a second ring adapted for reducing radial vibration of said rotor and cooperating with said first ring to prevent leakage flow through the adjacent passages, said second ring being disposed axially adjacent to said first ring.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided an engine induction system for providing air to multiple cylinders, comprising:
an intake manifold including a main collector chamber commonly connected to the cylinders, a plurality of branch passages extending substantially parallel to each other and connecting the main collector chamber and the cylinders, an auxiliary collector chamber disposed substantially parallel to the main collector chamber, a plurality of communication passages connecting the branch passages with the auxiliary collector chamber, a cylindrical bore extending transverse to the communication passages, and a wall surface defining said cylindrical bore;
a rotor having a longitudinal rotation axis and rotatably supported at opposed ends thereof within said cylindrical bore, said rotor including a plurality of axially spaced valves adapted to open and close the communication passages and a plurality of wall portions disposed between the axially spaced valves and adapted for isolating the communication passages;
a first ring disposed on the respective wall portion of the rotor in sealing contact with the wall surface of the intake manifold; and
a second ring adapted for reducing a radial vibration of the rotor and cooperating with said first ring to prevent leakage flow through the adjacent communication passages, said second ring being disposed axially adjacent to said first ring.
According to a still further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a rotary valve assembly, comprising:
a wall means defining a cylindrical bore:
a shaft disposed within said cylindrical bore with a radial gap between said wall means and said shaft, said shaft having a rotation axis and rotatably supported at opposed ends thereof, said shaft including a plurality of axially spaced valves;
a ring adapted to reduce radial vibration of said shaft as well as serve for sealing said radial gap; and
a ring support supporting said ring, said ring support being disposed near a loop of the radial vibration of said shaft.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5129368 (1992-07-01), Kristl et al.
patent: 5546900 (1996-08-01), Adamek et al.
patent: 5870988 (1999-02-01), Fujimori et al.
Kudo Yuji
Minegishi Teruhiko
Muneoka Kazuo
Nishida Masaya
Sato Kunio
Ali Hyder
Foley & Lardner
Kamen Noah P.
Nissan Motor Co,. Ltd.
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