US6343594B1 — Variable flow venturi assembly for use in an exha…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 156 words

A variable flow venturi assembly for use in an exhaust gas recirculation system of an internal combustion engine, comprising: a housing having an inner chamber, a combustion air inlet in communication with said inner chamber, and an exhaust gas inlet in communication with said inner chamber; a venturi valve slidably disposed within said inner chamber, said venturi valve including a longitudinally extending throughhole with an inlet opening in communication with said combustion air inlet, an outlet opening and a venturi section interposed between and in communication with each of said inlet opening and said outlet opening, said venturi valve further including at least one bypass port and at least one induction port, each said bypass port in communication with said combustion air inlet and said throughhole, each said induction port in communication with said exhaust gas inlet and said throughhole; and an actuator for slidably moving said venturi valve within said inner chamber of said housing.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 156 words

A variable flow venturi assembly for use in an exhaust gas recirculation system of an internal combustion engine, comprising: a housing having an inner chamber, a combustion air inlet in communication with said inner chamber, and an exhaust gas inlet in communication with said inner chamber; a venturi valve slidably disposed within said inner chamber, said venturi valve including a longitudinally extending throughhole with an inlet opening in communication with said combustion air inlet, an outlet opening and a venturi section interposed between and in communication with each of said inlet opening and said outlet opening, said venturi valve further including at least one bypass port and at least one induction port, each said bypass port in communication with said combustion air inlet and said throughhole, each said induction port in communication with said exhaust gas inlet and said throughhole; and an actuator for slidably moving said venturi valve within said inner chamber of said housing.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 16 words

The variable flow venturi assembly of claim 1 , wherein said actuator includes a pneumatic actuator.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 42 words

The variable flow venturi assembly of claim 2 , wherein said venturi valve includes an annular flange with an annular shoulder, said pneumatic actuator exerting a selective axial force against said annular shoulder to move said venturi valve within said inner chamber.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 41 words

The variable flow venturi assembly of claim 3 , wherein said annular flange includes an opposing annular shoulder and a spring biased against said opposing annular shoulder, said spring exerting a force against said annular flange which opposes said pneumatic actuator.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 66 words

The variable flow venturi assembly of claim 1 , wherein said at least one bypass port includes a plurality of bypass ports, said inner chamber including a smaller diameter portion in which said venturi valve is slidably disposed, each said bypass port being covered by said smaller diameter portion an amount which is dependent upon a selected position of said venturi valve within said inner chamber.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 31 words

The variable flow venturi assembly of claim 5 , wherein each said bypass opening is entirely open when said venturi valve is at a full bypass position within said inner chamber.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 23 words

The variable flow venturi assembly of claim 5 , wherein each said induction port terminates at a location downstream from said venturi section.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 43 words

The variable flow venturi assembly of claim 1 , wherein said inner chamber includes an annular recess and said at least one induction port comprises a plurality of induction ports, each said induction port in communication with said annular recess and said throughhole.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 26 words

The variable flow venturi assembly of claim 8 , wherein each said induction port terminates at a location adjacent to and downstream from said venturi section.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 158 words

An internal combustion engine, comprising: an intake manifold; and a variable flow venturi assembly, including: a housing attached to said intake manifold, said housing having an inner chamber, a combustion air inlet in communication with said inner chamber, and an exhaust gas inlet in communication with said inner chamber; a venturi valve slidably disposed within said inner chamber, said venturi valve including a longitudinally extending throughhole with an inlet opening in communication with said combustion air inlet, an outlet opening and a venturi section interposed between and in communication with each of said inlet opening and said outlet opening, said venturi valve further including at least one bypass port and at least one induction port, each said bypass port in communication with said combustion air inlet and said throughhole, each said induction port in communication with said exhaust gas inlet and said throughhole; and an actuator for slidably moving said venturi valve within said chamber of said housing.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 158 words

An internal combustion engine, comprising: an intake manifold; and a variable flow venturi assembly, including: a housing attached to said intake manifold, said housing having an inner chamber, a combustion air inlet in communication with said inner chamber, and an exhaust gas inlet in communication with said inner chamber; a venturi valve slidably disposed within said inner chamber, said venturi valve including a longitudinally extending throughhole with an inlet opening in communication with said combustion air inlet, an outlet opening and a venturi section interposed between and in communication with each of said inlet opening and said outlet opening, said venturi valve further including at least one bypass port and at least one induction port, each said bypass port in communication with said combustion air inlet and said throughhole, each said induction port in communication with said exhaust gas inlet and said throughhole; and an actuator for slidably moving said venturi valve within said chamber of said housing.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 15 words

The internal combustion engine of claim 10 , wherein said actuator includes a pneumatic actuator.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 41 words

The internal combustion engine of claim 11 , wherein said venturi valve includes an annular flange with an annular shoulder, said pneumatic actuator exerting a selective axial force against said annular shoulder to move said venturi valve within said inner chamber.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 40 words

The internal combustion engine of claim 12 , wherein said annular flange includes an opposing annular shoulder and a spring biased against said opposing annular shoulder, said spring exerting a force against said annular flange which opposes said pneumatic actuator.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 65 words

The internal combustion engine of claim 10 , wherein said at least one bypass port includes a plurality of bypass ports, said inner chamber including a smaller diameter portion in which said venturi valve is slidably disposed, each said bypass port being covered by said smaller diameter portion an amount which is dependent upon a selected position of said venturi valve within said inner chamber.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 30 words

The internal combustion engine of claim 14 , wherein each said bypass opening is entirely open when said venturi valve is at a full bypass position within said inner chamber.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 22 words

The internal combustion engine of claim 14 , wherein each said induction port terminates at a location downstream from said venturi section.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 42 words

The internal combustion engine of claim 10 , wherein said inner chamber includes an annular recess and said at least one induction port comprises a plurality of induction ports, each said induction port in communication with said annular recess and said throughhole.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 25 words

The internal combustion engine of claim 17 , wherein each said induction port terminates at a location adjacent to and downstream from said venturi section.

Claim 21

Independent Claim 179 words

A method of operating a variable flow venturi assembly in an exhaust gas recirculation system of an internal combustion engine, comprising the steps of: providing a housing having an inner chamber, a combustion air inlet in communication with said inner chamber, and an exhaust gas inlet in communication with said inner chamber; providing a venturi valve slidably disposed within said inner chamber, said venturi valve including a longitudinally extending throughhole with an inlet opening in communication with said combustion air inlet, an outlet opening and a venturi section interposed between and in communication with each of said inlet opening and said outlet opening, said venturi valve further including at least one bypass port and at least one induction port, each said bypass port in communication with said combustion air inlet and said throughhole, each said induction port in communication with said exhaust gas inlet and said throughhole; moving said venturi valve in a slidable manner within said inner chamber of said housing using an actuator; and covering each said bypass port a selected amount dependent upon said moving step.

Claim 22

Independent Claim 179 words

A method of operating a variable flow venturi assembly in an exhaust gas recirculation system of an internal combustion engine, comprising the steps of: providing a housing having an inner chamber, a combustion air inlet in communication with said inner chamber, and an exhaust gas inlet in communication with said inner chamber; providing a venturi valve slidably disposed within said inner chamber, said venturi valve including a longitudinally extending throughhole with an inlet opening in communication with said combustion air inlet, an outlet opening and a venturi section interposed between and in communication with each of said inlet opening and said outlet opening, said venturi valve further including at least one bypass port and at least one induction port, each said bypass port in communication with said combustion air inlet and said throughhole, each said induction port in communication with said exhaust gas inlet and said throughhole; moving said venturi valve in a slidable manner within said inner chamber of said housing using an actuator; and covering each said bypass port a selected amount dependent upon said moving step.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 48 words

The method of claim 19 , wherein said venturi valve includes an annular flange with an annular shoulder, and wherein said moving step comprises the substep of exerting a selective axial force against said annular shoulder with said actuator to move said venturi valve within said inner chamber.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 35 words

The method of claim 20 , wherein said annular flange includes an opposing annular shoulder, and comprising the further step of exerting a force using a spring against said annular flange which opposes said actuator.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 19 words

The method of claim 19 , wherein each said induction port is always uncovered, independent of said moving step.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 13 words

The method of claim 19 , wherein said actuator includes a pneumatic actuator.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2005-02-04	2005-08-06	2006-02-05	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2009-02-04	2009-08-06	2010-02-05	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2013-02-04	2013-08-06	2014-02-05	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Variable flow venturi assembly for use in an exhaust gas recirculation system of an internal combustion engine

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