Patent ID: 9581057
Date: 2017-02-28
CPC Classifications: F01L

Claim:
1. A valve actuator system capable of operating a number of spring-biased valves of a first type with a single cam, the number of first-type valves being two or more, each first-type valve being assigned a number from an operating sequence and being movable between a closed position and an open position, the valve actuator system comprising: a power shaft rotatably mounted in a frame and defining a shaft axis; a first cam rotatably mounted around the power shaft for coaxial rotation relative to the power shaft about the shaft axis, the first cam having a surface defining a first cam profile extending radially from the shaft axis; a first gear train operatively engaged between the power shaft and the first cam to rotationally drive the first cam relative to the power shaft when the power shaft rotates, the first gear train having a gear ratio R two or more first-type actuator assemblies corresponding in number to the number of first-type valves to be operated, each actuator assembly being assigned a respective number from an operating sequence and the actuator assemblies being disposed in a radial arrangement around the first cam in order according to the respective assigned operating sequence numbers, each first-type actuator assembly including the first-type actuator assemblies being radially positioned relative to the shaft axis such that the first cam profile sequentially presses and releases each actuator plunger as the cam rotates, and the respective actuator housings of the first-type actuator assemblies being connected to the frame such that the respective outlet ports remain at respective fixed locations and respective fixed orientations relative to the frame; two or more linking tubes corresponding in number to the number of first-type valves to be operated, each linking tube being assigned a respective number from the operating sequence, each respective linking tube being connected at a first end to the outlet port of the like-numbered first-type actuator assembly and having a second end in hydraulic communication with the first end; two or more first-type valve follower assemblies corresponding in number to the number of first-type valves to be operated, each follower assembly being assigned a respective number from the operating sequence, each respective valve follower being disposed adjacent to the like-numbered first-type valve to be moved between a closed position and an open position and each first-type valve follower assembly including wherein the cam profile pressing each respective actuator plunger as the cam rotates relative to the power shaft causes the hydraulic fluid to flow out of the actuator assembly, through the like-numbered linking pipe, and into the like-numbered follower assembly, which in turn causes the follower plunger to move the like-numbered first-type valve from a first one of an open position or a closed position to the other of the open position of the closed position; and wherein the cam profile subsequently releasing each respective actuator plunger as the cam rotates relative to the power shaft causes the hydraulic fluid to flow out of the like-numbered follower assembly, through the like-numbered linking pipe, and back into the actuator assembly, which in turn causes the follower plunger to move the like-numbered first-type valve back to its previous position.