Internal-combustion engines – Charge forming device – Exhaust gas used with the combustible mixture
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-03
2001-04-03
Wolfe, Willis R. (Department: 3747)
Internal-combustion engines
Charge forming device
Exhaust gas used with the combustible mixture
C123S568210
Reexamination Certificate
active
06209529
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valves and systems for automotive vehicle internal combustion engines.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Controlled engine exhaust gas recirculation is a known technique for reducing oxides of nitrogen in products of combustion that are exhausted from an internal combustion engine to atmosphere. A typical EGR system comprises an EGR valve that is controlled in accordance with engine operating conditions to regulate the amount of engine exhaust gas that is recirculated to the fuel-air flow entering the engine for combustion so as to limit the peak combustion temperature and hence reduce the formation of oxides of nitrogen.
Exhaust emission requirements have been imposing increasingly stringent demands on tailpipe emissions that may be met by improved control of EGR valves. An electromagnetically operated actuator controlled by an engine management computer is one device for obtaining improved EGR valve control. It is known to associate such a valve with an engine intake manifold to dope the induction flow before the flow passes to runners to each individual cylinders.
It is also known to provide each cylinder with a strictly mechanical mechanism to recirculate exhaust gas from a cylinder back to the intake of the cylinder.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One aspect of the present invention relates to an internal combustion engine having multiple combustion chambers each having intake and exhaust valves for controlling intake and exhaust flows into and from the combustion chamber, an induction system to the intake valves, an exhaust system from the exhaust valves, and an EGR system for controlling recirculation of exhaust flow to the combustion chambers comprising an individual electric-actuated EGR valve associated with each respective combustion chamber for controlling the exhaust recirculation to the respective combustion chamber independent of the exhaust gas recirculated to any other combustion chamber.
Another aspect of the present invention relates to an internal combustion engine having multiple combustion chambers, an exhaust system through which exhaust gas is conducted from the combustion chambers, and an exhaust gas recirculation rail assembly mounted on the engine, the exhaust gas recirculation rail assembly comprising an exhaust gas recirculation rail forming an exhaust gas recirculation manifold communicated to the exhaust system, plural electric-actuated EGR valves mounted on the rail, each comprising its own inlet port communicated to the exhaust gas recirculation manifold and its own outlet port for recirculation of exhaust gas from the exhaust system to a respective combustion chamber such that recirculation of exhaust gas through each valve is controlled independent of the exhaust gas recirculated through the other valves.
Still another aspect of the present invention relates to a method of exhaust gas recirculation in an internal combustion engine having multiple combustion chambers each having intake and exhaust valves for controlling intake and exhaust flows into and from the combustion chamber, an induction system to the intake valves, an exhaust system from the exhaust valves, an EGR system for controlling recirculation of exhaust flow from the exhaust system to the combustion chambers comprising an individual electric-actuated EGR valve associated with each respective combustion chamber for controlling the exhaust recirculation to the respective combustion chamber independent of the exhaust gas recirculated to any other combustion chamber, and an electric controller for controlling each valve individually in relation to one or more input parameters to the electric controller, the method comprising controlling individual EGR valve operation through a respective map of the respective combustion chamber's EGR requirements that is contained in the electric controller.
Still another aspect of the present invention relates to an EGR valve comprising a ferromagnetic shell comprising a cylindrical side wall, a transverse end wall at an axial end of the side wall, the end wall containing a valve seat circumscribing a first port, a second port in the side wall proximate the end wall, a valve element that is selectively positionable relative to the valve seat to selectively control EGR flow between the two ports, the side wall comprising an internal shoulder spaced beyond the second port relative to the end wall, a shield disposed within the shell and having an outer margin seated on the shoulder and an inner margin circumscribing the valve element, the inner margin being spaced toward the end wall relative to the outer margin, a bearing guide disposed within the shell seated on the outer margin of the shield and providing guidance for the valve element, a first ferromagnetic pole piece disposed within the shell against the bearing guide, an electromagnet coil disposed within the shell beyond the first pole piece relative to the bearing guide, a second ferromagnetic pole piece disposed within the shell and cooperating with the first pole piece to axially capture the coil, and with the shell side wall, form a solenoid, the solenoid further comprising an armature reciprocal within the coil and joined to the valve element, and a cap closing the end of the shell opposite the end wall.
Still another aspect of the present invention relates to an exhaust gas recirculation rail assembly comprising an exhaust gas recirculation rail forming an exhaust gas recirculation manifold adapted to be communicated to exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine, plural electricactuated EGR valves mounted on the rail, each comprising its own inlet port communicated to the exhaust gas recirculation manifold and its own outlet port, each outlet port adapted to be communicated to a respective engine combustion chamber to provide for controlled recirculation of exhaust gas to a respective combustion chamber independent of exhaust gas recirculated to other combustion chambers.
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International Search Report mailed Jan. 14, 2000 for International Application No. PCT/CA99/00609.
Siemens Canada Limited
Wolfe Willis R.
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