US5237968A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for adjustably controlling valve movement and fuel injection
Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
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Filing: 1992-11-04
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Granted: 1993-08-24
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Expires: 2012-11-04
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus adjustably controls intake and exhaust valve movement and fuel injection of an engine. Valve movement and injection is adjustably controlled in response to electrical signals delivered to a piezoelectric motor which in turn delivers hydraulic signals through a single spool valve.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles R. Miller
- 👤 Tsu P. Shyu
- 👤 J. Roger Weber
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 12:26
CPC Classifications
F; F01; F01L; F01L1/00; F01L1/26; F01L9/00; F01L9/10; F01L9/20; F02; F02M; F02M57/00; F02M57/02; F02M57/022; F02M57/025; F02M57/04; F02B; F02B3/00; F02B3/06; F02F; F02F1/00; F02F1/24; F02F1/42; F02F1/4214; F02F2001/244; F02F2001/247
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
163 words
Apparatus for adjustably controlling valve movement and fuel injection of an engine having at least one fuel injection system, one exhaust valve system, one intake valve system, a microprocessor controller for receiving input signals and delivering engine controlling electrical signals, and a liquid pressure system, comprising: a single piezoelectric motor connectable to the microprocessor controller and the liquid pressure system and being adapted to receive engine controlling electrical signals from the microprocessor and controllably delivering pressurized liquid signals to the liquid pressure system in response to said received signal; and a spool valve having a single spool, said valve having a plurality of inlets and outlets and being connectable to the liquid pressure system for receiving pressurized liquid signals therefrom and controllably moving the single spool of the spool valve and delivering valve and injection controlling signals to the valve systems and injector system and controlling both valve movement and fuel injection responsive to engine controlling electrical signals received by said piezoelectric motor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
163 words
Apparatus for adjustably controlling valve movement and fuel injection of an engine having at least one fuel injection system, one exhaust valve system, one intake valve system, a microprocessor controller for receiving input signals and delivering engine controlling electrical signals, and a liquid pressure system, comprising: a single piezoelectric motor connectable to the microprocessor controller and the liquid pressure system and being adapted to receive engine controlling electrical signals from the microprocessor and controllably delivering pressurized liquid signals to the liquid pressure system in response to said received signal; and a spool valve having a single spool, said valve having a plurality of inlets and outlets and being connectable to the liquid pressure system for receiving pressurized liquid signals therefrom and controllably moving the single spool of the spool valve and delivering valve and injection controlling signals to the valve systems and injector system and controlling both valve movement and fuel injection responsive to engine controlling electrical signals received by said piezoelectric motor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric motor includes an amplifier piston adapted to increase, to a preselected magnitude, the pressure of the pressurized liquid signals delivered from the piezoelectric motor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus, as set forth in claim 2, wherein the amplifier piston increases the liquid pressure signals to a ratio magnitude in the range of about 5:1 to about 9:1.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus, as set forth in claim 3, wherein the ratio magnitude is about 7:1.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the spool of the spool valve is spring biased to a first position and movable in response to receiving the pressurized liquid signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus, as set forth in claim 5, including a Bellville spring and wherein the spool of the spool valve is biased by said Bellville spring.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the liquid of the liquid pressure system and liquid controlling systems is diesel fuel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the injection system and the valve systems are powered by pressurized liquid from the spool valve.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
64 words
An apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the engine has a plurality of cylinders each having at least one fuel injection system, at least one exhaust valve system and at least one intake valve system connected to a respective piezoelectric motor and a respective spool valve, each of said piezoelectric motors and spool valves being connectable to a common liquid pressure system.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus, as set forth in claim 9, wherein the plurality of piezoelectric motors are connected to and receive engine controlling electrical signals from a single microprocessor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the liquid pressure system is a rail system.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus, as set forth in claim 11, wherein the liquid pressure rail system has a high pressure rail and a low pressure rail.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
an apparatus, as set forth in claim 12, wherein the high pressure rail is maintained at a pressure in the range of about 2000 to about 4000 psia/psig.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus, as set forth in claim 13, wherein the high pressure rail is maintained at a pressure of about 3000 psia/psig.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus, as set forth in claim 12, wherein the low pressure rail is maintained at a pressure in the range of about 100 to about 300 psia/psig.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus, as set forth in claim 15, wherein the low pressure rail is maintained at a pressure of about 200 psia/psig.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-08-23 | 1997-02-22 | 1997-08-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-08-23 | 2001-02-22 | 2001-08-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-08-23 | 2005-02-22 | 2005-08-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |