Throttle control for a small engine
First Claim
1. Apparatus for variably throttling flow of combustion air to an internal combustion engine, comprising:
- a) a housing mountable to said engine and surrounding an intake port thereof for providing combustion air to said engine;
b) a poppet valve seat formed in said housing surrounding a chamber in communication with said intake port; and
c) a poppet valve assembly disposed in said housing coaxially with said seat, said assembly including a valve head for cooperating with said seat to vary the open area of said chamber, a valve shaft attached to said valve head, and a linear actuator for axially displacing said shaft and said head with respect to said valve seat to variably throttle flow of combustion air into said engine across said valve seat.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A speed control apparatus for an internal combustion engine including a poppet valve seat and a poppet valve pintle assembly disposed coaxially for variably regulating the flow of air into the engine across the valve seat. The pintle is axially positioned by a stepper motor actuator responsive to an engine speed sensor and electronic controller. The controller varies the axial position of the pintle in accordance with a programmed algorithm to provide any desired engine speed, and especially a fixed engine speed, under a range of engine loads. The invention eliminates the need for a governor, rotary mechanical throttle, and cable or mechanical linkages, and is especially useful for small engine applications such as in powering a portable electric generator, yard equipment, or outboard motor.
12 Citations
9 Claims
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1. Apparatus for variably throttling flow of combustion air to an internal combustion engine, comprising:
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a) a housing mountable to said engine and surrounding an intake port thereof for providing combustion air to said engine;
b) a poppet valve seat formed in said housing surrounding a chamber in communication with said intake port; and
c) a poppet valve assembly disposed in said housing coaxially with said seat, said assembly including a valve head for cooperating with said seat to vary the open area of said chamber, a valve shaft attached to said valve head, and a linear actuator for axially displacing said shaft and said head with respect to said valve seat to variably throttle flow of combustion air into said engine across said valve seat. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An internal combustion engine comprising apparatus for variably throttling flow of combustion air, including
a housing mountable to said engine and surrounding an intake port thereof for providing combustion air to said engine; -
a poppet valve seat formed in said housing surrounding a chamber in communication with said intake port, and a poppet valve assembly disposed in said housing coaxially with said seat, said assembly including a valve head for cooperating with said seat to vary the open area of said chamber, a valve shaft attached to said valve head, and a linear actuator for axially displacing said shaft and said head with respect to said valve seat to variably throttle flow of combustion air into said engine across said valve seat. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9)
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Specification