Patent EP0281192A1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
EP0281192A1
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EP
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Electromagnetic valve actuator
Assignee: Magnavox Electronic Systems Co
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Filing: 1988-02-24
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2008-02-24
Abstract
Abstract A bistable electromechanical transducer is disclosed having an armature (3, 20) reciprocable between first and second positions, a permanent magnet (26) latching arrangement for maintaining the armature (3, 20) in the respective positions, and an electromagnetic repulsion arrangement (13, 15) operable when energized to dislodge the armature (3, 20) from the position in which the armature was maintained and causing it to move to the other of the positions. In a preferred embodiment, the transducer takes the form of an electronically controllable valve mechanism for use in an internal combustion engine and has an engine valve (1) with an elongated valve stem (17) along with the electromagnetic repulsion arrangement (13, 15) for causing the valve to move in the direction of stem elongation between valve-open and valve-closed positions. An arrangement for decelerating the valve as the valve nears the respective valve-open and valve-closed positions includes as least two separate damping arrangements (4, 21, 35, 37) jointly effective to slow valve motion as the valve gets close to said one position. The damping may include dynamic breaking and energy recovery. The mechanism may also include a housing (23) at least partially surrounding the valve stem and an arrangement (49) for circulating the engine liquid coolant through a portion of the housing.
Inventors
- 👤 William Edmond Richeson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 15:30
CPC Classifications
F; F01; F01L; F01L13/00; F01L13/0005; F01L1/00; F01L1/12; F01L1/14; F01L1/16; F01L9/00; F01L9/20; F02; F02D; F02D13/00; F02D13/02; F02D13/0261; F02D13/0269; H; H01; H01F; H01F7/00; H01F7/06; H01F7/08; H01F7/088; H01F7/132; H01F7/16; H01F7/1638; H01F7/1646; F01L2201/00; F02D2013/0296; F02D41/00; F02D41/0002; F02D2041/001; H01F7/121; H01F7/124
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 42
Claim 1
Independent Claim
79 words
An electronically controllable valve mechanism for use in an internal combustion engine comprising: an engine valve having an elongated valve stem; motive means for causing the valve to move in the direction of stem elongation between valve-open and valve-closed positions; and means for decelerating the valve as the valve nears one of said valve-open and valve-closed positions including at least two separate damping arrangements jointly effective to slow valve motion as the valve gets close to said one position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
79 words
An electronically controllable valve mechanism for use in an internal combustion engine comprising: an engine valve having an elongated valve stem; motive means for causing the valve to move in the direction of stem elongation between valve-open and valve-closed positions; and means for decelerating the valve as the valve nears one of said valve-open and valve-closed positions including at least two separate damping arrangements jointly effective to slow valve motion as the valve gets close to said one position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The electronically controllable valve mechanism of Claim 1 further comprising a latching arrangement for maintaining the valve in one of said valve-open and valve-closed positions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The electronically controllable valve mechanism of Claim 2 further comprising an electromagnetic repulsion arrangement operable when energized to override the latching arrangement and dislodge the valve from the position in which the valve was maintained.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
The electronically controllable valve mechanism of Claim 3 wherein the electromagnetic repulsion arrangement includes a relatively fixed annular coil, an annular conductor movable with the valve stem and juxtaposed with the coil when the valve is in one of said valve-open and valve-closed positions, and electrical circuitry for providing a sudden current through the coil.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The electronically controllable valve mechanism of Claim 4 wherein the electrical circuitry includes a pair of individually enableable field effect transistors.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The electronically controllable valve mechanism of Claim 1 further comprising a housing at least partially surrounding the valve stem and means for circulating a liquid coolant through a portion of the housing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
88 words
The electronically controllable valve mechanism of Claim 1 further comprising a housing at least partially surrounding the valve stem: the motive means comprising first and second annular coils each fixed relative to the housing and surrounding the valve stem; and first and second spaced apart annular conductors surrounding and fixed to the valve stem, the first coil and first conductor being in juxtaposition when the valve is in the valve-open position and the second coil and second conductor being juxtaposed when the valve is in the valve-closed position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
88 words
The electronically controllable valve mechanism of Claim 7 further comprising a latching arrangement for maintaining the valve in one of said valve-open and valve-closed positions including a permanent magnet fixed to the housing intermediate the first and second conductors, and first and second ferromagnetic members fixed to and movable with the valve stem, the valve being held in the valve-closed position by magnetic attraction between the magnet and the first ferromagnetic member and in the valve-open position by magnetic attraction between the magnet and the second ferromagnetic member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
76 words
The electronically controllable mechanism of Claim 8 wherein the permanent magnet is an annular member radially magnetized and further including inner and outer ferromagnetic pole pieces defining a first small annular air gap magnetic field which is shunted by the first ferromagnetic member when the valve is in the valve-closed position and a second small annular air gap magnetic field which is shunted by the second ferromagnetic member when the valve is in the valve-open position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The electronically controllable valve mechanism of Claim 1 wherein one of said damping arrangements comprises an axially compressible annular spring disk.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
The electronically controllable valve mechanism of Claim 10 wherein the annular spring is strained when the valve is in the valve-closed position to compensate for relative thermal expansion of the valve stem and insure valve closure.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
62 words
The electronically controllable valve mechanism of Claim 1 further comprising a housing at least partially surrounding the valve stem, one of said damping arrangements comprising a pneumatic damping arrangement including a housing region of reduced size and a piston fixed to the valve stem which enters the regions of reduced size as the valve nears one of said valve-open and valve-closed positions.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
85 words
The electronically controllable valve mechanism of Claim 12 wherein the motive means comprises first and second annular coils each fixed relative to the housing and surrounding the valve stem; and first and second spaced apart annular conductors surrounding and fixed to the valve stem, the first coil and first conductor being in juxtaposition when the valve is in the valve-open position and the second coil and second conductor being juxtaposed when the valve is in the valve-closed position, said piston comprising one of said conductors.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
59 words
The electronically controllable valve mechanism of Claim 1 wherein one of said damping arrangements comprises a hydraulic damping arrangement including a fixed fluid filled cavity and a piston movable independent of the valve stem, the piston being impacted and driven from one cavity extreme to another cavity extreme as the valve nears one of said valve-open and valve-closed positions.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
37 words
The electronically controllable valve mechanism of Claim 1 wherein the motive means comprises a pair of like electromagnetic repulsion arrangements, one of said damping arrangements comprising one of said electromagnetic repulsion arrangements electrically connected for dynamic breaking.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
146 words
An electronically controllable valve mechanism for use in an internal combustion engine comprising: an engine valve having an elongated axial stem; a housing at least partially surrounding the valve stem having a hollow interior generally shaped as a surface of revolution about the axis of the valve stem; and means within the housing and surrounding the valve stem for moving the valve along the stem axis between valve-open and valve-closed position including in order along the stem; a first annular coil fixed relative to the housing, a first conductor fixed to the valve stem, a first spring damping device, a hydraulic damping device including a fluid filled cavity fixed to the housing and a piston movable independent of the valve stem within the cavity, a second spring damping device, a second conductor fixed to the valve stem. a second annular coil fixed relative to the housing.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
146 words
An electronically controllable valve mechanism for use in an internal combustion engine comprising: an engine valve having an elongated axial stem; a housing at least partially surrounding the valve stem having a hollow interior generally shaped as a surface of revolution about the axis of the valve stem; and means within the housing and surrounding the valve stem for moving the valve along the stem axis between valve-open and valve-closed position including in order along the stem; a first annular coil fixed relative to the housing, a first conductor fixed to the valve stem, a first spring damping device, a hydraulic damping device including a fluid filled cavity fixed to the housing and a piston movable independent of the valve stem within the cavity, a second spring damping device, a second conductor fixed to the valve stem. a second annular coil fixed relative to the housing.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
115 words
17 The electronically controllable valve mechanism of Claim 16 further comprising a latching arrangement for maintaining the valve in one of said valve-open and valve-closed positions including a first ferromagnetic member intermediate the first conductor and the first spring damping device, a second ferromagnetic member intermediate the second conductor and the second spring damping device, and first and second small annular air gap magnetic poles intermediate the first and second ferromagnetic members and fixed relative to the housing, the first poles being shunted by the first ferromagnetic member when the valve is in the valve-closed position and the second poles being shunted by the second ferromagnetic member when the valve is in the valve-open position.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
100 words
An electronically controllable valve mechanism for use in an internal combustion engine comprising: an engine valve having an elongated valve stem; a housing at least partially surrounding the valve stem; means for circulating a liquid coolant through a portion of the housing; motive means for causing the valve to move in the direction of stem elongation between valve-open and valve-closed positions; and means for decelerating the valve as the valve nears one of said valve-open and valve-closed positions including at least two separate damping arrangements jointly effective to slow valve motion as the valve gets close to said one position.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
100 words
An electronically controllable valve mechanism for use in an internal combustion engine comprising: an engine valve having an elongated valve stem; a housing at least partially surrounding the valve stem; means for circulating a liquid coolant through a portion of the housing; motive means for causing the valve to move in the direction of stem elongation between valve-open and valve-closed positions; and means for decelerating the valve as the valve nears one of said valve-open and valve-closed positions including at least two separate damping arrangements jointly effective to slow valve motion as the valve gets close to said one position.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
The electronically controllable valve mechanism of Claim 18 further comprising a latching arrangement for maintaining the valve in one of said valve-open and valve-closed positions.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
35 words
The electronically controllable valve mechanism of Claim 19 further comprising an electromagnetic repulsion arrangement operable when energized to override the latching arrangement and dislodge the valve from the position in which the valve was maintained.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
55 words
The electronically controllable valve mechanism of Claim 20 wherein the electromagnetic repulsion arrangement includes a relatively fixed annular coil, an annular conductor movable with the valve stem and juxtaposed with the coil when the valve is in one of said valve-open and valve-closed positions, and electrical circuitry for providing a sudden current through the coil.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
The electronically controllable valve mechanism of Claim 21 wherein the electrical circuitry includes a pair of individually enableable field effect transistors.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
21 words
The electronically controllable valve mechanism of Claim 18 wherein one of said damping arrangements comprises an axially compressible annular spring disk.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
36 words
The electronically controllable valve mechanism of Claim 23 wherein the annular spring is strained when the valve is in the valve-closed position to compensate for relative thermal expansion of the valve stem and insure valve closure.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
61 words
The electronically controllable valve mechanism of Claim 18 further comprising a housing at least partially surrounding the valve stem, one of said damping arrangements comprising a pneumatic damping arrangement including a housing region of reduced size and piston fixed to the valve stem which enters the region of reduced size as the valve nears one of said valve-open and valve-closed positions.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
85 words
The electronically controllable valve mechanism of Claim 25 wherein the motive means comprises first and second annular coils each fixed relative to the housing and surrounding the valve stem; and first and second spaced apart annular conductors surrounding and fixed to the valve stem, the first coil and first conductor being in juxtaposition when the valve is in the valve-open position and the second coil and second conductor being juxtaposed when the valve is in the valve-closed position, said piston comprising one of said conductors.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
60 words
The electronically controllable valve mechanism of Claim 18 wherein one of said damping arrangements comprises a hydraulic damping arrangement including a fixed fluid filled cavity and a piston movable independent of the valve stem, the piston being impacted and driven from one cavity extreme to another cavity extreme as the valve nears one of said valve-open and valve closed positions.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
37 words
The electronically controllable valve mechanism of Claim 18 wherein the motive means comprises a pair of like electromagnetic repulsion arrangements, one of said damping arrangements comprising one of said electromagnetic repulsion arrangements electrically connected for dynamic breaking.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
54 words
A bistable electromechanical transducer having an armature reciprocable between first and second positions, motive means for causing the armature to move from one of said positions to the other of said positions, and a permanent magnet latching arrangement for holding the armature in one of said positions until dislodged therefrom by the motive means.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
54 words
A bistable electromechanical transducer having an armature reciprocable between first and second positions, motive means for causing the armature to move from one of said positions to the other of said positions, and a permanent magnet latching arrangement for holding the armature in one of said positions until dislodged therefrom by the motive means.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
46 words
A bistable electromechanical transducer having an armature reciprocable between first and second positions, a latching arrangement for maintaining the armature in one of said positions, and an electromagnetic repulsion arrangement operable when energized to dislodge the armature from the position in which the armature was maintained.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
46 words
A bistable electromechanical transducer having an armature reciprocable between first and second positions, a latching arrangement for maintaining the armature in one of said positions, and an electromagnetic repulsion arrangement operable when energized to dislodge the armature from the position in which the armature was maintained.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
35 words
The bistable electromechanical transducer of Claim 30 further comprising control circuitry for temporarily energizing the electromagnetic repulsion arrangement and upon cessation of energization for accumulating the energy from a collapsing magnetic field as a charge.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
70 words
A bistable electromechanical transducer having an armature reciprocable between first and second positions and motive means comprising a pair of like electromagnetic repulsion arrangements for causing the armature to move from one of said positions to the other of said positions, at least one of said electromagnetic repulsion arrangements electrically connected for dynamic breaking of and energy recovery from armature motion as the armature nears the other of said positions.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
70 words
A bistable electromechanical transducer having an armature reciprocable between first and second positions and motive means comprising a pair of like electromagnetic repulsion arrangements for causing the armature to move from one of said positions to the other of said positions, at least one of said electromagnetic repulsion arrangements electrically connected for dynamic breaking of and energy recovery from armature motion as the armature nears the other of said positions.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
71 words
The bistable electromechanical transducer of Claim 32 wherein the pair of electromagnetic repulsion arrangements comprises first and second relatively fixed annular coils and first and second spaced apart annular conductors fixed to and movable with the armature, the first coil and first conductor being in juxtaposition when the armature is in said one position and the second coil and second conductor being juxtaposed when the armature is in said other position.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
56 words
The bistable electromechanical transducer of Claim 33 wherein the second coil is adapted to be momentarily energized as the armature nears said other position to induce a current in the second conductor, and further comprising a capacitance connected to the second coil to be charged therefrom by current induced therein by movement of the second conductor.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
69 words
A bistable electromechanical transducer having an armature reciprocable between first and second positions, motive means comprising a pair of like electromagnetic repulsion arrangements for causing the armature to move from one of said positions to the other of said positions, and control circuitry for temporarily energizing one of the electromagnetic repulsion arrangements and upon cessation of energization for accumulating the energy from a collapsing magnetic field as a charge.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
69 words
A bistable electromechanical transducer having an armature reciprocable between first and second positions, motive means comprising a pair of like electromagnetic repulsion arrangements for causing the armature to move from one of said positions to the other of said positions, and control circuitry for temporarily energizing one of the electromagnetic repulsion arrangements and upon cessation of energization for accumulating the energy from a collapsing magnetic field as a charge.
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