Patent ID: 8146547
Filing Date: 2012-04-03
Classification: F01L,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An actuation system, comprising: a valve including a stem, the valve operable to move in a first direction away from an engine cylinder and in a second directions towards the engine cylinder along a longitudinal axis extending through the stem and operable to control fluid communication between a passage and the engine cylinder; a pneumatic booster including a pneumatic piston operably connected to the stem and slidably disposed in a pneumatic cylinder for at least a part of the pneumatic piston's travel range, the pneumatic booster further including a charge mechanism operable to charge the pneumatic cylinder with a charge flow of pressurized gas from a high pressure gas source to apply pressure to the pneumatic piston, wherein the pneumatic booster is operable to apply a boost force to the valve in the first direction; and a bleed mechanism operable to keep a substantially air-tight seal in the pneumatic cylinder when the valve is within a first predefined non-zero distance of travel in the first direction and operable to discharge the pressurized gas from the pneumatic cylinder when the valve travels at least the first predefined non-zero distance in the first direction; wherein the valve is an outwardly opening valve opening in the first direction.