Electromagnetic valve actuator

• US 6,082,315 A
• Filed: 09/03/1998
• Issued: 07/04/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 09/03/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Aura Systems Inc.
• Original Assignee: Aura Systems Inc.
• Inventors: Schneider, Leo E.
• Primary Examiner(s): LO, WEILUN
• Application Number:
  US09/146,738
• Time in Patent Office: 670 Days
• Field of Search: 123/90.11, 123/90.65, 123/90.67, 123/188.13, 251/129.01, 251/129.05, 251/129.15, 251/129.16, 335/258, 335/262, 361/142, 73/117.3, 73/119 R
• US Class Current: 123/90.11
• CPC Class Codes: F01L 9/20 by electric means

Abstract

An electromagnetic valve actuator is disclosed. The actuator includes an upper electromagnet and a lower electromagnet placed in a mirror relationship to each other about a central vertical axis, an armature element disposed intermediate the upper and lower electromagnets, the armature element having a normally biased initial first position between the upper and lower electromagnets when the electromagnets are off, a second fixed open position proximal the lower electromagnet when the lower electromagnet is energized, and a third fixed closed position proximal the upper electromagnet when the upper electromagnet is energized, an armature shaft attached to the armature element and extending vertically through a channel in the lower electromagnet, an upper spring retainer assembled onto the armature shaft, an upper spring disposed between the lower electromagnet and the upper spring retainer, the upper spring biasing the armature element in the first position when the electromagnets are off and accelerating the armature element toward the lower electromagnet when the valve is opened, a valve stem in a collinear relationship to the armature shaft, a valve spring retainer assembled onto the valve stem, a valve spring disposed between the cylinder head and the valve spring retainer, the valve spring biasing the armature element in the first position when the electromagnets are off and accelerating the armature element toward the upper electromagnet when the valve is closed.

Claims

1. An electromagnetic actuator for an actuated valve mounted onto a cylinder head, the valve having a valve stem and a valve step tip, the actuator comprising:

at least one pair of electromagnets, each pair of electromagnets further comprising an upper electromagnet and a lower electromagnet, wherein the upper and lower electromagnets of said pair are in a mirror relationship to each other about a central vertical axis, said lower electromagnet further having a channel disposed therein;

an armature element disposed intermediate said upper and lower electromagnet, said armature element having a normally biased initial first position when said upper and lower electromagnets are off, a second fixed open position proximal said lower electromagnet when said lower electromagnet is energized, and a third fixed close position proximal said upper electromagnet when said upper electromagnet is energized;

an armature shaft integrally attached to said armature element and extending vertically through said channel of said lower electromagnet;

an tipper spring retainer assembled onto said armature shaft;

a support member having a first end and a second end, said first end of said support member integrally attached Lo said upper spring retainer;

a target disposed on said second end of said support member;

an upper spring disposed intermediate said upper spring retainer and said lower electromagnet;

a valve spring retainer mounted onto the valve stem;

a valve spring disposed intermediate said valve spring retainer and the cylinder head; and

a sensor having a cylindrical wall, said cylindrical wall encompassing said valve spring and defining a gap to receive said target.

2. An electromagnetic actuator for an actuated valve in accordance with claim 1, wherein said sensor further comprises a base, said base being disposed on the cylinder head.

3. An electromagnetic actuator for an actuated valve in accordance with claim 2, wherein said sensor further comprises a projecting pin protruding from said base of said sensor, and further wherein the cylinder head defines a groove dimensioned to receive said projecting pin, said projecting pin inserted into said groove.

4. An electromagnetic actuator for an actuated valve mounted onto a cylinder head, the valve having a valve stem and a valve stem tip, the actuator comprising:

at least one pair of electromagnets, each pair of electromagnets further comprising an upper electromagnet and a lower electromagnet, wherein the upper and lower electromagnets of said pair are in a mirror relationship to each other about a central vertical axis, said lower electromagnet further having a channel disposed therein;

an armature element disposed intermediate said upper and lower electromagnet, said armature element having a normally biased initial first position when said upper and lower electromagnets are off, a second fixed open position proximal said lower electromagnet when said lower electromagnet is energized, and a third fixed close position proximal said upper electromagnetic when said upper electromagnet is energized;

an armature shaft integrally attached to said armature element and extending vertically through said channel of said lower electromagnet;

an upper spring retainer assembled onto said armature shaft;

an upper spring disposed intermediate said upper spring retainer and said lower electromagnet;

a valve spring retainer mounted onto the valve stem;

a support member having a first end and a second end, said first end of said support member integrally attached to said valve spring retainer;

a target disposed on said second end of said support member;

a valve spring disposed intermediate said valve spring retainer and the cylinder

a sensor having a cylindrical wall, said cylindrical wall encompassing said valve spring and defining a gap to receive said target.

5. An electromagnetic actuator for an actuated valve in accordance with claim 4, wherein said sensor further comprises a protruding lip, said lip resting on the cylinder head.

6. An electromagnetic actuator for an actuated valve in accordance with claim 5, wherein said sensor lip is fastened onto the cylinder head.