Variable Force Hydraulic Valve Actuator for Engine Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydraulic actuators for gas exchange valves in internal combustion engines consume excessive power due to constant force application, failing to account for varying pressure conditions and engine speeds, which limits efficiency and emission control.
Innovation Solution
A pressure medium actuator with a unitary piston and multiple pressure chambers of varying diameters, controlled by solenoid valves to adjust force and flow rate in real-time based on engine characteristics, allowing for stepwise force adjustment and reduced power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a hydraulic actuator is dimensioned against the maximum imaginable opening force of a gas exchange valve, then the valve can be opened in any operating condition, but the power consumption becomes excessively high due to constant force application
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the actuator force variable rather than constant. Multiple pressure chambers with different effective surface areas allow the actuator to adapt its opening force to match the actual requirements of different operating conditions, engine speeds, and valve types, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining reliable valve opening capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of actuator force from a fixed maximum value to a variable value that can be adjusted according to operating conditions. By controlling different pressure chambers with different effective surface areas, the system can optimize the opening force for each specific situation, avoiding the excessive power consumption associated with always applying maximum force.
2Force
If the effective surface area of the actuator is increased to provide sufficient opening force, then the valve can be opened against higher pressures, but the volume flow and power consumption increase proportionally
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the actuator into multiple pressure chambers, each with a different effective surface area. This allows the system to provide different levels of opening force by activating only the necessary chambers, rather than always using the full surface area. The segmented design enables force optimization while reducing the volume flow and power consumption required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by having different pressure chambers with different effective surface areas suited for different operating conditions. Instead of a uniform actuator design, each chamber is locally optimized for specific force requirements, allowing the system to match the opening force to the actual needs of the valve and operating conditions, thereby reducing overall power consumption.
3Device complexity
If a camshaft mechanism is used to control gas exchange valves, then the structure is simple and reliable, but the valve timing cannot be adjusted precisely in real-time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical camshaft-driven valve control system with a hydraulic actuator system. This substitution enables precise real-time adjustment of valve timing through electronic control of the pressure chambers, while maintaining structural simplicity and reliability. The hydraulic system offers adaptability for variable valve timing without the complexity of additional mechanical components.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple pressure chambers with different effective surface areas are used in the actuator, then the force can be adjusted to match varying operating conditions, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple pressure chambers with different effective surface areas into a single integrated actuator body. This combining approach allows the system to provide variable force output while maintaining a compact and relatively simple overall structure. The merged design reduces the number of separate components compared to using multiple independent actuators, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution reduces power consumption, enhances reliability, and improves control over gas exchange valve speed, enabling better engine efficiency and emission reduction, while being cost-effective and adaptable to modern engine demands.
Implementation Method 1
A pressure medium actuator with a unitary piston and multiple pressure chambers of varying diameters, controlled by solenoid valves to adjust force and flow rate in real-time
Implementation Method 2
controlled by solenoid valves to adjust force and flow rate in real-time based on engine characteristics
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The present invention relates to an arrangement and a method of operating a gas exchange valve of an internal combustion engine. The present invention discusses the operating of a gas exchange valve (102) of an internal combustion engine by means of a pressure medium actuator (10) with help of control means (80, 82, 84; 90, 92, 94) in relation to one or more engine characteristics by, when opening the gas exchange valve (102), selecting one or more opening pressure chambers (40, 42, 44) to be connected to a pressure medium supply (70) for adjusting a force opening the gas exchange valve (102), and when closing the gas exchange valve (102), connecting the opening pressure chambers (40, 42, 44) to a pressure outlet (60).The present invention also relates also to a novel cylinder head and a new method of upgrading an internal combustion engine.