SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING ELECTROMECHANICAL VALVES IN AN ENGINE
First Claim
1. A system for electronically actuating valves in an internal combustion engine, comprising:
- a first voltage source;
a second voltage source; and
plural valve actuator subsystems coupled between the first voltage source and the second voltage source, each valve actuator subsystem having a valve actuator and a switch, where the switch and the valve actuator of one of the valve actuator subsystems are configured so that current flows from the first voltage source through the valve actuator when the switch is in a first position, and when the switch is in a second position, current is permitted to flow from the valve actuator toward the second voltage source, and where the switch and the valve actuator of another of the valve actuator subsystems are configured so that current flows from the second voltage source through the valve actuator when the switch is in a first position, and when the switch is in a second position, current is permitted to flow from the valve actuator toward the first voltage source.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system for electronically actuating valves in an engine. The system includes a first voltage source, a second voltage source, and plural valve actuator subsystems coupled between the first voltage source and the second voltage source. Each valve actuator subsystem has a valve actuator and a switch. One of the actuator subsystems is configured so that current flows from the first voltage source through the valve actuator of the subsystem when the switch is in a first position, and when the switch is in a second position, current is permitted to flow from the valve actuator toward the second voltage source. Another of the valve actuator subsystems is configured so that current flows from the second voltage source through the valve actuator of the subsystem when the switch is in a first position, and when the switch is in a second position, current is permitted to flow from the valve actuator toward the first voltage source.
8 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A system for electronically actuating valves in an internal combustion engine, comprising:
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a first voltage source;
a second voltage source; and
plural valve actuator subsystems coupled between the first voltage source and the second voltage source, each valve actuator subsystem having a valve actuator and a switch, where the switch and the valve actuator of one of the valve actuator subsystems are configured so that current flows from the first voltage source through the valve actuator when the switch is in a first position, and when the switch is in a second position, current is permitted to flow from the valve actuator toward the second voltage source, and where the switch and the valve actuator of another of the valve actuator subsystems are configured so that current flows from the second voltage source through the valve actuator when the switch is in a first position, and when the switch is in a second position, current is permitted to flow from the valve actuator toward the first voltage source. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An internal combustion engine, comprising:
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a plurality of cylinders, each having one or more valves that are selectively openable and closable; and
a system for electronically actuating the valves, the system including;
a first voltage source;
a second voltage source; and
plural valve actuator subsystems coupled between the first voltage source and the second voltage source, each valve actuator subsystem having a valve actuator and a switch, where the switch and the valve actuator of one of the valve actuator subsystems are configured so that current flows from the first voltage source through the valve actuator when the switch is in a first position, and when the switch is in a second position, current is permitted to flow from the valve actuator toward the second voltage source, and where the switch and the valve actuator of another of the valve actuator subsystems are configured so that current flows from the second voltage source through the valve actuator when the switch is in a first position, and when the switch is in a second position, current is permitted to flow from the valve actuator toward the first voltage source. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A system for electronically actuating valves in an internal combustion engine, comprising:
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a power supply;
an energy storage device; and
plural valve actuator subsystems coupled to the power supply and energy storage device, each valve actuator subsystem having a valve actuator, a switch coupled within a charging current pathway, and a freewheel current pathway, where at least one of the valve actuator subsystems is arranged in a boost configuration, in which current generated by the valve actuator in response to voltage applied from the power supply is conducted through the freewheel current pathway to the energy storage device when the switch is in a first position, and where another of the subsystems is arranged in a buck configuration, in which current generated by the valve actuator in response to voltage applied from the energy storage device is conducted through the freewheel current pathway back to the power supply when the switch is in a first position. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A system for electronically actuating cylinder valves in an internal combustion engine, comprising:
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a power supply;
an energy storage device; and
plural valve actuator subsystems coupled to the power supply and the energy storage device, where each valve actuator subsystem includes;
an actuator, a freewheel diode; and
a switch coupled with the actuator and freewheel diode and configured so that, when the actuator is energized via voltage applied from one of the power supply and the energy storage device, an open or closed state of the switch determines whether actuator current flows through the actuator and the switch, or through the actuator and the freewheel diode, where the plural valve actuator subsystems are configured so that actuator energization and dissipation of freewheel current is performed independently of any switching other than operation of the switch included in each of the plural valve actuator subsystems, where at least one of the valve actuator subsystems is configured in a boost configuration, in which the actuator is energized via voltage applied from the power supply when the switch is in a first position, and in which current circulates from the actuator to the energy storage device when the switch is in a second position, and where at least one of the valve actuator subsystems is configured in a buck configuration, in which the actuator is energized via voltage applied from the energy storage device when the switch is in a first position, and in which current circulates from the actuator to the power supply when the switch is in a second position. - View Dependent Claims (24)
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25-26. -26. (canceled)
Specification