Patent ID: 6572074
Filing Date: 2003-06-03
Classification: F01L,F02B,Y02T

Abstract:
An electromagnetic actuator for use in opening and closing a cylinder valve having a shaft, said actuator comprising:a closing coil; an opening coil; an armature which is coupled to said shaft of said valve and which is disposed between said closing coil and said opening coil; a housing which is coupled to said closing coil; and a pneumatic damper which is contained within said housing and which is effective to decelerate said valve during a valve closing event, with said pneumatic damper comprising: an internal bore which is formed within said housing and a piston which is fixedly attached to said shaft of said valve and which is slidably disposed within said internal bore, with said piston having a venting passage which is formed within said piston, and with said bore having a venting orifice which is formed within said bore and which selectively communicates with said venting passage when said valve is in a substantially closed position, thereby allowing air compressed within said bore to be released; a check valve which is formed within said housing and which is effective to allow air to enter into said bore during a valve opening event, while substantially preventing air from escaping said bore during a valve closing event; and an orifice which is formed within said housing and which is effective to regulate pressure within said bore.