US5103779A — Electro-rheological valve control mechanism

Claim 1

Independent Claim 161 words

An electro-rheological valve controller comprising: a generally cylindrical casing holding an electro-rheological fluid; a reciprocating tappet attached at one end of the cylindrical casing, said tappet contacting cam means for thrusting said tappet into said casing toward a reciprocating valve lift member; a wear strip between said cam means and said reciprocating tappet to alleviate tappet and cam spalling and to provide more convenient maintenance shims; a plunger member coupled to said tappet, said plunger being perforated to permit the flow of electro-rheological fluid therethrough; a reciprocating valve lift member situated within said casing and separated from said perforated plunger member by said electro-rheological fluid, said lifter member communicating with a value to be lifted; and electrode means coupled to said perforated member for generating an electric field within said perforated member such that said electro-rheological fluid within said perforated member solidifies, whereby said plunger applied a compressive force against said reciprocating lift member thereby lifting said valve to be lifted.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 161 words

An electro-rheological valve controller comprising: a generally cylindrical casing holding an electro-rheological fluid; a reciprocating tappet attached at one end of the cylindrical casing, said tappet contacting cam means for thrusting said tappet into said casing toward a reciprocating valve lift member; a wear strip between said cam means and said reciprocating tappet to alleviate tappet and cam spalling and to provide more convenient maintenance shims; a plunger member coupled to said tappet, said plunger being perforated to permit the flow of electro-rheological fluid therethrough; a reciprocating valve lift member situated within said casing and separated from said perforated plunger member by said electro-rheological fluid, said lifter member communicating with a value to be lifted; and electrode means coupled to said perforated member for generating an electric field within said perforated member such that said electro-rheological fluid within said perforated member solidifies, whereby said plunger applied a compressive force against said reciprocating lift member thereby lifting said valve to be lifted.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 20 words

The electro-rheological valve controller of claim 1 further comprising means for compensating for the volumetric changes in said electro-rheological fluid.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 25 words

The valve controller of claim 1 further comprising one way valve means to facilitate the flow of electro-rheological fluid in said housing during the upstroke.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 172 words

An electro-rheological valve controller which functions as a compression brake comprising: a generally cylindrical casing holding an electro-rheological fluid; a reciprocating tappet attached at one end of said casing, said tappet in contact with cam means for thrusting said tappet into said casing toward a reciprocating lift member; a perforated plunger member coupled to said tappet and permitting the flow of electro-rheological fluid therethrough; a reciprocating lift member situated within said casing and separated from said perforated plunger member by a biasing spring and said electro-rheological fluid, said lift member communicating with a valve to be lifted; electrode means coupled to said perforated member for generating an electric field within said perforated member such that said electro-rheological fluid within said perforated member solidifies, whereby said plunger applies a compressive fluid force against said reciprocating lift member, which thereby lifts said valve to be lifted; and microprocessor means for activating and deactivating said electrodes during compression braking and providing for the precise opening of an exhaust valve near completion of an exhaust stroke.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 172 words

An electro-rheological valve controller which functions as a compression brake comprising: a generally cylindrical casing holding an electro-rheological fluid; a reciprocating tappet attached at one end of said casing, said tappet in contact with cam means for thrusting said tappet into said casing toward a reciprocating lift member; a perforated plunger member coupled to said tappet and permitting the flow of electro-rheological fluid therethrough; a reciprocating lift member situated within said casing and separated from said perforated plunger member by a biasing spring and said electro-rheological fluid, said lift member communicating with a valve to be lifted; electrode means coupled to said perforated member for generating an electric field within said perforated member such that said electro-rheological fluid within said perforated member solidifies, whereby said plunger applies a compressive fluid force against said reciprocating lift member, which thereby lifts said valve to be lifted; and microprocessor means for activating and deactivating said electrodes during compression braking and providing for the precise opening of an exhaust valve near completion of an exhaust stroke.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 243 words

An electro-rheological valve controller comprising: a generally cylindrical casing holding a compression fluid; a reciprocating tappet attached at one end of the cylindrical casing, said tappet being in communication with cam means for thrusting said tappet into said casing; a reciprocating piston member connected to said tappet, said piston member being disposed to thrust into said casing; a reciprocating valve lift member situated within said casing and separated from said reciprocating piston member by a biasing spring and said compression fluid, said reciprocating valve lift member being in contact with a valve to be lifted; a conduit extending out of said casing for the flow of compression fluid from said casing during a downward thrust of said piston; electro-rheological valve means in communication with said conduit for controlling the flow of compression fluid through said conduit so as to impede the flow of compression fluid into said conduit and thereby communicating a compressive force created by said piston member against said reciprocating lift member for lifting a valve; wherein said electro-rheological valve means comprises: an oscillating valve member for opening and closing said conduit, said valve member having a cavity containing an electro-rheological fluid; a perforated electrode member located within said valve casing, said valve member oscillating with respect to said perforated electrode member; and means for electrifying said perforated electrode member such that the electro-rheological fluid within said electrode solidifies, thereby locking the position of said valve member relative to said electrode.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 243 words

An electro-rheological valve controller comprising: a generally cylindrical casing holding a compression fluid; a reciprocating tappet attached at one end of the cylindrical casing, said tappet being in communication with cam means for thrusting said tappet into said casing; a reciprocating piston member connected to said tappet, said piston member being disposed to thrust into said casing; a reciprocating valve lift member situated within said casing and separated from said reciprocating piston member by a biasing spring and said compression fluid, said reciprocating valve lift member being in contact with a valve to be lifted; a conduit extending out of said casing for the flow of compression fluid from said casing during a downward thrust of said piston; electro-rheological valve means in communication with said conduit for controlling the flow of compression fluid through said conduit so as to impede the flow of compression fluid into said conduit and thereby communicating a compressive force created by said piston member against said reciprocating lift member for lifting a valve; wherein said electro-rheological valve means comprises: an oscillating valve member for opening and closing said conduit, said valve member having a cavity containing an electro-rheological fluid; a perforated electrode member located within said valve casing, said valve member oscillating with respect to said perforated electrode member; and means for electrifying said perforated electrode member such that the electro-rheological fluid within said electrode solidifies, thereby locking the position of said valve member relative to said electrode.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 181 words

An electro-rheological valve controller comprising: a generally cylindrical casing holding an electro-rheological fluid; a reciprocating tappet attached at one end of the cylindrical casing, said tappet being in communication with cam means for thrusting said tappet into said casing; a reciprocating piston member connected to said tappet, said reciprocating piston member being disposed to thrust into said casing; a reciprocating valve lift member situated within said casing and separated from said reciprocating piston member by a biasing spring and said electro-rheological fluid, said reciprocating valve lift member being in contact with a valve to be lifted; a conduit integral to said casing and situated between said piston and said valve lift member for the flow of electro-rheological fluid from said casing during a downward thrust of said piston; and electrode means situated within said conduit for generating an electric field such that said electro-rheological fluid contained within said conduit solidifies, thereby impeding the flow of electro-rheological fluid into said conduit and thereby communicating a compressive fluid force created by said piston member against said reciprocating lift member for lifting a valve.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 181 words

An electro-rheological valve controller comprising: a generally cylindrical casing holding an electro-rheological fluid; a reciprocating tappet attached at one end of the cylindrical casing, said tappet being in communication with cam means for thrusting said tappet into said casing; a reciprocating piston member connected to said tappet, said reciprocating piston member being disposed to thrust into said casing; a reciprocating valve lift member situated within said casing and separated from said reciprocating piston member by a biasing spring and said electro-rheological fluid, said reciprocating valve lift member being in contact with a valve to be lifted; a conduit integral to said casing and situated between said piston and said valve lift member for the flow of electro-rheological fluid from said casing during a downward thrust of said piston; and electrode means situated within said conduit for generating an electric field such that said electro-rheological fluid contained within said conduit solidifies, thereby impeding the flow of electro-rheological fluid into said conduit and thereby communicating a compressive fluid force created by said piston member against said reciprocating lift member for lifting a valve.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 143 words

In an internal combustion engine comprising: a generally cylindrical casing holding a hydraulic fluid; a reciprocating tappet attached at one end of the cylindrical casing, said tappet contacting cam means for thrusting said tappet into said casing toward a reciprocating valve lift member; a plunger member coupled to said tappet; and said reciprocating valve lift member situated within said casing and separated from said plunger member by said hydraulic fluid, said lift member communicating with a valve to be lifted; means for augmenting fluid flow into a compression chamber during a return or "up" stroke, thereby providing rapid refill of said chamber, comprising a one-way passage; wherein said hydraulic fluid is an electro-rheological fluid, and electrode means are provided, coupled to said one-way passage for generating an electric field within said one-way passage such that said electro-rheological fluid within said one-way passage solidifies.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 143 words

In an internal combustion engine comprising: a generally cylindrical casing holding a hydraulic fluid; a reciprocating tappet attached at one end of the cylindrical casing, said tappet contacting cam means for thrusting said tappet into said casing toward a reciprocating valve lift member; a plunger member coupled to said tappet; and said reciprocating valve lift member situated within said casing and separated from said plunger member by said hydraulic fluid, said lift member communicating with a valve to be lifted; means for augmenting fluid flow into a compression chamber during a return or "up" stroke, thereby providing rapid refill of said chamber, comprising a one-way passage; wherein said hydraulic fluid is an electro-rheological fluid, and electrode means are provided, coupled to said one-way passage for generating an electric field within said one-way passage such that said electro-rheological fluid within said one-way passage solidifies.

Claim 13

Independent Claim 101 words

A system for improving the performance of multi-valve engines comprising: a first set of valves, comprising an intake valve and an exhaust valve, being timed for normal operation at all times; a second set of valves, timed for maximum performance, acceleration and high speed and power; means for controlling engine valve operation and thereby activating and operating said second set of valves on demand in order to achieve maximum performance, speed and power; said controlling means comprising an electro-rheological valve controller in conjunction with processor means for controlling the timing of the activation and operation of said second set of valves.

Claim 14

Independent Claim 101 words

A system for improving the performance of multi-valve engines comprising: a first set of valves, comprising an intake valve and an exhaust valve, being timed for normal operation at all times; a second set of valves, timed for maximum performance, acceleration and high speed and power; means for controlling engine valve operation and thereby activating and operating said second set of valves on demand in order to achieve maximum performance, speed and power; said controlling means comprising an electro-rheological valve controller in conjunction with processor means for controlling the timing of the activation and operation of said second set of valves.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 12 words

The second set of valves of claim 8 comprising an intake valve.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 16 words

The second set of valves of claim 8 comprising an intake valve and an exhaust valve.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 41 words

The valve controller of claim 8 wherein said processor means comprises generating signals in accordance with the dynamic parameters of the engine to control the timing of operation of said second set of valves in order to maximize speed and power.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 43 words

The system of claim 8 wherein the engine valve controlling means comprises a device for activating and deactivating said second set of valves in conjunction with processor means for controlling the timing of the activation and operation of said second set of valves.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 41 words

The valve controller of claim 12 wherein said processor means comprises generating signals in accordance with the dynamic parameters of the engine to control the timing of operation of said second set of valves in order to maximize speed and power.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 32 words

The multi-valve engine of claim 8 further comprising a wear strip between a cam means and a reciprocating tappet to alleviate tappet and cam spalling and to provide more convenient maintenance shims.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 34 words

The multi-valve engine of claim 8 further comprising means for augmenting fluid flow into a compression chamber during a return or "up" stroke, thereby providing rapid refill of said chamber, comprising a one-way passage.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1995-04-14	1995-10-14	1996-04-14	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1999-04-14	1999-10-14	2000-04-14	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2003-04-14	2003-10-14	2004-04-14	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Electro-rheological valve control mechanism

Abstract

Inventors

Bibliographic Details

Claims Analysis

References Cited (Backward Citations)

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Assigned Categories & Tags

Assign Category Tag