U.S. patent application number 14/271599 was filed with the patent office on 2015-11-12 for high tension valve spring and valve float eliminator.
The applicant listed for this patent is Michael Barber. Invention is credited to Michael Barber.
Application Number | 20150322824 14/271599 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54367398 |
Filed Date | 2015-11-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150322824 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Barber; Michael |
November 12, 2015 |
High Tension Valve Spring and Valve Float Eliminator
Abstract
An internal combustion engine cylinder valve actuation system
permitting elimination of valve springs. Valve opening and closing
is actuated by a valve actuation means such as pressurized liquid
or gas, or else mechanical wires or linkage means. The energy
created by combustion causes liquid or gas valve actuation means to
oscillate or else circulate between corresponding cylinder valves
causing synchronized valve opening and closing between those
cylinders. Mechanical linkages similarly comprise physical
connections between corresponding cylinder valves and effect
synchronized valve opening and closing between those cylinders. The
above system thereby eliminates valve float and valve spring
failure where valve springs are not required and a typical internal
combustion engine is easily retrofitted to accommodate this
system.
Inventors: |
Barber; Michael; (Loma
Linda, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Barber; Michael |
Loma Linda |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
54367398 |
Appl. No.: |
14/271599 |
Filed: |
May 7, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
123/90.15 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F01L 25/04 20130101;
F01L 1/146 20130101; F01L 1/182 20130101; F01L 1/0532 20130101;
F01L 1/30 20130101; F01L 1/34 20130101; F01L 2001/054 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F01L 1/34 20060101
F01L001/34 |
Claims
1. An internal combustion engine valve actuation system comprising
a valve actuation means that relies on an opposite firing principle
to cause synchronization of valve opening and closing between
corresponding cylinder valves where the energy created from the
combustion of an air/fuel mixture inside one cylinder is used to
actuate another cylinder valve synchronized opposite from it via a
common valve actuation means.
2. The valve actuation system of claim 1 consisting of a liquid or
gas phase valve actuation means enabling the synchronization of
valve opening and closing between corresponding cylinder valves
where the energy created from the combustion of an air/fuel mixture
inside the cylinders forces said liquid or gas phase actuation
means to flow in either a circulating or oscillating pattern and to
synchronously place pressure on corresponding pistons and valve
openings of corresponding cylinders.
3. The valve actuation system of claim 1 consisting of a solid
phase valve actuation means including but not limited to a cable
and/or a series of mechanical linkages enabling the synchronization
of valve opening and closing between corresponding cylinder valves
whereby the energy created from the combustion of an air/fuel
mixture inside a cylinder forces said solid phase actuation means
to pull or push open and pull or push closed corresponding valve
openings.
4. The retrofitting of an existing internal combustion engine
including removing existing valve springs and replacing with the
valve actuation system of claim 1.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application depends from provisional
applications 61/517,754, 61/518,061, 61/855,141 and 61/685,918.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] 1. Field of the Invention
[0004] The present invention relates to valve actuation means in
internal combustion engines. More specifically, the present
invention relates to valve actuation systems that do not rely on
valve springs to close the valves.
[0005] 2. Description of Related Art
[0006] An internal combustion engine typically relies on poppet
type intake and exhaust valves to feed a combustible mixture of air
and fuel into a cylinder, seal the cylinder during combustion, and
then expel burned fuel and air mixtures. A valve train is comprised
of valves and a camshaft to actuate the valve opening and closing.
A camshaft is a shaft with attached ellipsoidal lobes that when
rotated actuate a pivoted rocker arm to push down on corresponding
valves thereby opening a valve to allow an air and fuel mixture
into a cylinder. Commonly, springs located at the cylinder head are
used to then close the valve to a closed resting position.
[0007] Spring use is not desirable because of the dynamic motion of
a high rpm engine causing spring wear and valve "float" resulting
in poor power transmission and relatedly poor fuel consumption
rates. "Valve float" specifically refers to a scenario where the
valve actuation is not aligned with the camshaft lobe shape and may
result in catastrophic failure if the closing valve makes contact
with the piston. Spring failure is another common malady in high
performance racing engines and it is advantageous to employ valve
actuation that does not require valve springs for valve
closure.
[0008] One approach to springless valves is known as "desmodromic"
valve use whereby desmodromic valve systems use extra cam lobes on
the camshaft to close valves via a rocker arms. Springs thereby are
eliminated and the potential for valve float or broken springs is
removed, however, desmodromic design is costly and labor intensive
and difficult to mass produce.
[0009] One such desmodromic design is U.S. Pat. No. 8,033,261 to
Robbins ("261"). The 261 patent lifter rocker support shaft is
offset requiring the lifter rocker to be at a 90 degree angle which
requires extensive modification to an existing cylinder block to
position the lifter at a 90 degree angle to the camshaft; the
intermediate rocker is further caused to oscillate on its free
turning support shaft. The present invention uses a central rocker
support shaft and uses original equipment lifter housings and its
standard angle with no openings required to access the camshaft.
The 261 patent uses the main support block to hold the lifter
housings. The present invention uses the original equipment lifter
holes. The 261 patent further requires considerable machining to
house the closing lifter and lifter guides. The present invention
comprises in part a retrofitting system requiring little machine
work on an existing engine.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 1,698,984 to Trbojevich in Jan. 1, 1929 uses a
combination lifter/plunger to power the valve actuators whereas the
present invention is powered by the existing rocker arms above the
camshaft on the cylinder heads. U.S. Pat. No. 4,244,553 to Escobosa
on May 25, 1978 is almost identical to Trbojevich "984" only it
requires a high pressure pump in its operation whereas the present
invention does not.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The present invention relates to cylinder valve actuation
occurring within internal combustion engines or motors whereby
valve springs are the current standard for causing, in part,
cylinder valve closing. The present invention eliminates the
cylinder valve spring to achieve actuation. Instead, the present
invention relies on circulating or oscillating actuation means such
as gas or liquid circulated in pressure lines that cause
synchronized cylinder valve actuation during the normal course of
internal combustion engine action so that the actuation of one
cylinder valve has a corresponding actuation effect on a second
cylinder valve.
[0012] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
eliminate the need for a valve spring to achieve valve actuation
and relatedly to eliminate the problems associated with valve float
in high rpm motors.
[0013] It is another object of the present invention to reduce or
eliminate stress on valve train components.
[0014] It is another object of the present invention to reduce
friction on engine components.
[0015] It is another object of the present invention to improve
fuel consumption rates.
[0016] It is another object of the present invention to decrease
the reciprocating weight off the camshaft and drive gears and valve
train.
[0017] It is another object of the present invention to eliminate
the need for an outside pump or pressure source required for valve
actuation. An accumulator or outside pressure source or even the
engines own pressurized oil may be used only as a safety backup in
case of low fluid or air pressure.
[0018] It is another object of the present invention to be
installed and retrofitted on an existing engine with little or no
machining required.
[0019] It is another object of the present invention to eliminate
the need for custom made camshafts with the activating lobes next
to each other. The present invention uses the natural opposing
camshafts lobes which may be located anywhere on the camshaft
requiring little or no machining to incorporate the present
invention into any motor.
[0020] The characteristics and utilities of the present invention
described in this summary and the detailed description below are
not all inclusive. Many additional features and advantages will be
apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art given the following
description. There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more
important features of the invention in order that the detailed
description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in
order that the present contribution to the art may be better
appreciated.
[0021] In this respect, by explaining at least one embodiment of
the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention
is not limited in its application to the details of construction
and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the
description. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of
being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be
understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are
for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as
limiting.
[0022] As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the
conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be
utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods
and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present
invention. It is important, therefore, that the description be
regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they
do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present
invention.
[0023] Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable
the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and
especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art
who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to
determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence
of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is
neither intended to define the invention of the application, nor is
it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any
way.
[0024] The characteristics and utilities of the present invention
described in this summary and the detailed description below are
not all inclusive. Many additional features and advantages will be
apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art given the following
detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] FIG. 1 Is a side view and cross sectional view showing the
preferred embodiment with the valve going through the piston and
the rocker arm pushing down onto the valve stem with the piston
attached to the valve mounted on a V type engine block.
[0026] FIG. 2 is a view of the valve spring eliminator mounted in
the original valve springs location on cylinder heads of a "V" type
engine. In this configuration, there is a separate piston which
moves up and down in the housing and pushes up on the valve
retainer which is connected to the engine's valve.
[0027] FIGS. 3A-D are views of the invention using a single piston
design shown in FIG. 2
[0028] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of FIG. 2 installed on a cylinder
head showing its position relative to the other cylinder components
pushrod, rocker etc.
[0029] FIG. 5 is a view showing a two piston version of the
invention
[0030] FIG. 6 is a fluid flow diagram showing how fluid or air is
made to circulate rather than oscillate back and forth between
actuation cylinders using the same opposite firing principle.
[0031] FIG. 7 is a view of the actuator cylinders on a V type
engine mounted above the rocker arms with the engine retrofitted to
accept the actuator cylinders.
[0032] FIG. 8 is a view of the invention installed on an overhead
camshaft type engine retrofitted to accept it.
[0033] FIG. 9 is a view which shows the engines valves connected
mechanically by a pivot attached to the rocker arms and an
oscillating or sliding rod connecting the engine's two cylinder
banks.
REFERENCE NUMERALS CHART
[0034] 1A PISTON (CORRESPONDING TO PISTON 1)
[0035] 1 PISTON
[0036] 2 VALVE RETAINER
[0037] 3 HOUSING BLOCK FOR INVENTION
[0038] 4 ROCKER ARM
[0039] 5 ENGINE VALVE
[0040] 6 PUSHROD
[0041] 7 CAMSHAFT LIFTER
[0042] 8 ENGINE BLOCK
[0043] 9 CLYLINDER HEAD
[0044] 10 BLEED VALVE AND PORT
[0045] 11 T FITTING AND CHECK VALVE
[0046] 12 SUPPLY LINE
[0047] 13 SUPPLY LINE TO ACCUMALATOR
[0048] 14 CAMSHAFT LOBES
[0049] 15 SOLENOID VALVE
[0050] 16 OIL PRESSURE SENSOR
[0051] 17 VALVE STEM TIP
[0052] 18 ASSEMBLY SPRING
[0053] 19 PISTON SEAL
[0054] 20 SEAL FASTNER
[0055] 21 CYLINDER HEAD VALVE BOSS
[0056] 22 SUPPLY LINE FASTNER NUT
[0057] 23 SUPPLY LINE FLUID PASSAGE
[0058] 24 CYLINDER HEAD VALVE BOSS OPENING
[0059] 25 PISTON BORE
[0060] 26A ACUATOR CYLINDER
[0061] 26B ACUATOR CYLINDER
[0062] 27A ONE WAY CHECK VALVE
[0063] 27B ONE WAY CHECK VALVE
[0064] 28 SUPPLY LINE OPENING
[0065] 29 ROCKER ARM STUD
[0066] 30 SUPPORT LEG AND MOUNT FOR ACTUATOR CYLINDER
[0067] 31 SUPPORT LEG FASTENER
[0068] 32 PISTON ROD
[0069] 33 MOVEABLE JOINT CONNECTOR
[0070] 34 ACCUMALATOR
[0071] 35 SUPPLY LINE OPENING AND THREADS
[0072] 36 FLUID PASSAGE
[0073] 37 PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE
[0074] 38 ROCKER ARM STUD BOSS
[0075] 39 PISTON GUIDE ROD
[0076] 40 SPACER
[0077] 41 FLUID PRESSURE REGULATOR
[0078] 42 BACK UP OIL SUPPLY LINE FROM ENGINE
[0079] 43 CAMSHAFT
[0080] 44 VALVE STEM COUPLING
[0081] 45 "Y" CONNECTOR
[0082] 46 PISTON GUIDE ROD HOUSING
[0083] 47 OPENING FOR VALVE
[0084] 48 THREADED NIPPLE FOR SCREW IN BASE
[0085] 49 VENT
[0086] 50 SUPPORT LEG
[0087] 51 PIVOT SLIDER ROD
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0088] Most multiple cylinder engines have for every cylinder an
exact opposite cylinder firing in perfect synchronization. This
invention utilizes this opposite firing principle, when a cylinder
is ready to fire and the valves are closed and ready for
combustion, the exact opposite is occurring in a different
cylinder. We can use this phenomena to cause action in its opposite
firing cylinder with perfect synchronization of movement. This
invention is a standalone valve actuation system with backup
components which can be used for practically any multiple cylinder
engine. There is no pump needed as each opposite cylinders existing
rocker arm powers the actuator cylinder which power each other.
This invention utilizes the engines original camshaft, lifters
rocker arms and pushrods and is installed on top of the engine and
requires little or no machining to retrofit the existing
engine.
[0089] The present invention takes an enormous amount of stress
from the engines valve train as one typical valve spring may
require hundred pounds of force to compress it. The present
invention removes such pressure by replacing/eliminating all engine
valve springs and the constant energy required to constantly
compress and operate the these valve springs, resulting in reduced
engine competent stress, improved power and increased gas
mileage.
[0090] FIG. 1 describes the preferred embodiment and shows the
valve going through the piston and the rocker arm pushing down onto
the valve stem with the piston attached to the valve retainer
mounted on a typical V type engine and operates as follows: as
camshaft lobe 14 turns it pushes up on lifter 7 pushing up on
pushrod 6 this raises rocker arm 4 causing the rockers other end to
push down on valve stem 17 which causes attached piston 1 to move
down compressing the fluid beneath to travel into passage 36 and
out through fitting 22 and into supply line 12 it move through the
line and enters "T"/check valve fitting 11 and exits into supply
line 12 on the other side the fluid now enters its opposite
cylinder through fitting 22 and travels through passage 36 and
enters piston bore 25 and contacts the bottom of piston 1 causing
it to lift up this causes the valve stem tip 17 to rise as the stem
is attached to piston 1 as the valve stem rises it pushes up on
rocker arm 4 which causes the other end of the rocker arm to lower
pressing down on pushrod 6 transmitting this force to lifter 7
causing constant pressure to camshaft lobe 14. Any excess pressure
is discharged through pressure relief valve 37 resulting in perfect
synchronized closing of the valves in the two connected cylinders
and reducing or eliminating valve float. As the camshaft turns the
cycle repeats only this time the fluid is going back to the first
cylinder. Thus each cylinder pair powers each. Should the
inventions system fluid pressure drop as monitored by oil pressure
sender 16 then solenoid valve 15 opens and allows additional fluid
to enter the system from accumulator 34 or from the engines
pressurized oil system line 42, this to avoid catastrophic parts
failure in the event of a drop in the systems line pressure.
[0091] FIG. 2 shows an alternative embodiment of the invention
mounted in the location normally occupied by the engines valve
spring on a V type engine and operates as follows: as the camshaft
lobe 14 pushes on lifter 7 which moves pushrod 6 which lifts rocker
arm 4 as the pushrod raises one end of the rocker arm the other end
is lowered contacting the valve stem 17 and pushing down piston 1
the moving piston compresses the fluid below it in the housing
cylinder bore 3 the fluid or air leaves the cylinder through line
12 and travels through "T"/check valve fitting 11 and through
supply line 12 and into the opposite cylinder housing bore 3A the
fluid entering the cylinder pushes up on the piston 1 which
contacts valve retainer 2 to lift the engines valve 5 up and
closing. And at the same time valve stem 17 is rising causing the
rocker arm 4 to push down thus transmitting the force to pushrod 6
and forcing the lifter 7 to firmly contact the lobe on cam 14. Any
excess pressure is discharged through pressure relive valve 31.
Should the inventions system fluid pressure drop as monitored by
oil pressure sender 16 then solenoid valve 15 opens and allows
additional fluid to enter the system from accumulator 49 or from
the engines pressurized oil system this to avoid catastrophic parts
failure in the event of a drop in the systems line pressure. This
action results in perfect synchronized closing of the valves in the
two connected cylinders and reducing or eliminating valve float. As
the camshaft turns the cycle repeats only this time the fluid is
going back to the first cylinder thereby each cylinder powers each
other.
[0092] FIG. 3A-D are views of the device when installed where the
valve would normally be located on the cylinder head with
components as follows: cylinder head valve boss and vale opening
24, piston bore 25, supply line screw opening 28, housing block 3,
supply line passage 36, movable piston 1, piston seal 19 and piston
seal fastener 20.
[0093] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the invention using a single
piston design as illustrated in FIG. 1 showing the engine valve and
valve retainer installed in the invention and its components are as
follows: housing 3 cylinder head 9 engine valve 5 valve retainer 2
valve stem tip 17 assembly spring 18 cylinder head valve boss 21
piston bore 26 movable piston 1 piston seal 19 piston seal fastener
20 fluid passage 36 supply line threaded opening 28 supply line
fastener nut 22. The rocker arm 4 is supported by rocker arm stud
29 in rocker arm stud boss 38. There is a bleed port 10. And valve
5 passes through cylinder head valve boss 21.
[0094] FIG. 5 shows a two piston version of the invention and its
components are as follows: movable pistons 1 housing block 3
cylinder bores 25, opening for valve 47,supply line opening and
threaded port 28, bleed valve and port 10, and main supply line
threaded port 35.
[0095] FIG. 6 Shows a diagram for using the same opposite firing
principle but instead of the fluid oscillating back and forth the
fluid is caused to circulate by the use of one way check valves
between opposite connected cylinders as illustrated by actuator
cylinder 26A and actuator cylinder 26B it operates as follows: as
the piston lowers in cylinder 26A the fluid leaves cylinder A it
exits out into supply 12 and enters the lower one way check valve
27A the fluid leaves the check valve passing through supply 12 and
enters another check valve directionally the same as the 27A it
passes through and enters into cylinder 26B filling it and causing
the piston in the bore to lift up. As the cycle continues and
cylinder 26A is at its low point and cylinder 26 B is now at its
high cylinder point as the cycle continues, it is cylinder 26B's
turn to descend causing the fluid beneath it to exit the cylinder
and through the Y connection 45 the fluid travels on through one
way check valve 27B and through supply line 12 and through another
like check valve 27B. The fluid leaves check valve 27B and travels
into cylinder 26A as it fills the cylinder it pushes upon piston 1A
thus completing a rough trip for the fluid connecting the two
cylinders this time in a circulating fashion rather than
oscillating back and forth resulting in perfect synchronized
closing of the engines valves in the two connected cylinders and
reducing are eliminating valve float. As the camshaft turns the
cycle repeats.
[0096] FIG. 7 shows the actuator cylinders on a V-type engine
mounted above the rocker arms and operates as follows: as camshaft
14 turns it pushes up on lifter 7 which causes pushrod 6 to rise
lifting rocker arm 4 as the rocker arm pivots the other side moves
down pulling down on piston rod 32 pulling piston 1 which is
attached to the rod 32 as the rocker arm 4 moves down it pushes
open engine valve Sand at the same time the fluid below piston 1 is
forced out of the actuator cylinder 26A and into supply line 12 as
the fluid moves through the supply line it passes through T fitting
11 and into supply line 12 headed toward the engines opposite
cylinder on the other bank. The fluid enters the actuator cylinder
26B on the other bank and pushes down on piston 1 in actuator
cylinder 26B the piston down on attached piston rod 32 and pulls
also down rocker 4 attached via movable link connector 33 thus
opening the engine valve 5. This action results in perfect
synchronized closing of the valves in the two connected cylinders
and reducing or eliminating valve float. As the camshaft turns, the
cycle repeats only this time the fluid is going back to the first
cylinder.
[0097] FIG. 8 shows how the invention could be used on overhead
camshaft type engines and operates as follows: as camshaft 14 turns
it moves camshaft lobe 14 which is in contact with piston 1 causing
the piston to move down and contacts the valve stem coupling 44 of
valve 5 as the piston moves downward it pushes down on valve 5 and
opens it from cylinder head 9. The fluid below the piston in
housing 3A also compress and the fluid and the fluid moves out of
the housing and travels through fitting T 11 and through supply
line 12 and into the attached opposite cylinder 3A. As the fluid
flows into cylinder 3A causing piston 1A to move up since piston 1A
and valve 5 are joined together by valve stem coupling 44, it
closes valve 5. As the camshaft continues to turn the cycle repeats
only this time the fluid is going back to the first cylinder 3 to
closes its valve 5.
[0098] FIG. 9 The same opposite firing principle can be used as
illustrated on FIG.9 as it shows the two cylinder banks on the
engines with a pivot attached to the rocker arms 4 which are
connected to the valve 5 in cylinder heads 9; the pivot 51 is
attached to slider rod 52 by a movable joint 33 and connected on
the opposite cylinder head located on the opposite bank and
operates as follows: as camshaft lobe 14 reaches its high point it
pushes up on lifter 7 which causes pushrod 6 to move upward which
pushes up on one end of rocker 4 through its connection 33 as one
end of the rocker moves up the other end goes down causing valve 5
to move down and open because it is connected to rocker arm 4
through movable connection 33. As the rocker arm moves down it
pulls on pivot 51 and the attached slider rod 52 causing the rod to
move as the rod moves it also pulls on connected pivot 51 which
pulls up on rocker arm 4 thereby causing valve 5 to move up and
closes by its attachment to rocker arm 5B y movable connector 33.
As the camshaft continues to turn the cycle repeats but this time
closing 5 valve which opened first on the previous cycle and then
opening valve 5 on the opposite bank. The same method of operation
can be used on inline type engines the slider rod would be attached
to rocker arm on cylinders on the same head.
[0099] The previous is a detailed description of embodiments of the
present invention. As these embodiments of the present invention
are described, various modifications or adaptations of the methods
and or specific structures described may become apparent to those
skilled in the art. All such modifications, adaptations, or
variations that rely upon the teachings of the present invention,
and through which these teachings have advanced the art, are
considered to be within the spirit and scope of the present
invention. Hence, the description is not to be considered in a
limiting sense, as it is understood that the present invention is
in no way limited to the embodiments described.
* * * * *