Patent ID: 7895993
Filing Date: 2011-03-01
Classification: F02B,F02M,F16K,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An internal combustion engine, comprising: at least one exhaust gas recirculation line configured to provide external recirculation of exhaust gases from an exhaust gas side of the internal combustion engine to a fresh air side of the internal combustion engine, and a multipurpose valve, in fluid communication with the exhaust gas recirculation line, the valve configured to allow the exhaust gas recirculated from the exhaust gas side to the fresh air side only when an exhaust gas overpressure exists, the valve also configured to generally prevent a counterflow from the fresh air side to the exhaust gas side, wherein the fresh air side of the valve defines an inlet opening, the valve cooperating with said inlet opening to allow exhaust gas to flow from said exhaust gas side to said fresh air side when the predetermined exhaust gas overpressure exists; and a control element configured to cooperate with the valve to determine the predetermined exhaust gas overpressure; wherein the valve is responsive to a restoring force urging the valve into a closed position, wherein the valve generally blocks the inlet opening and thereby generally prevents the counterflow when the valve is in the closed position, wherein the control element is configured to adjust a magnitude of the restoring force; and wherein the control element is configured to vary a rigidity of a spring element to determine the predetermined exhaust gas overpressure.