Patent GB-1535083-A (GB)
Title: Mechanisms for converting axial motion into rotary motion
IPC: F01L1/32
Filed: 1976-03-08
Abstract: 1535083 Converting reciprocation to rotary motion; cams; valves TRW Inc 8 March 1976 [23 April 1975] 09234/76 Headings F2K and F2V An I.C. engine poppet valve B is rotated, on opening, through an angular amount 27 (Fig. 5), by the increasing force of a valve spring 44 acting through a valve rotation device C and is rotated through a smaller angular amount 2Z (Fig. 6) in the opposite direction during closing movement of the valve B as the force of the valve spring 44 reduces, to effect an incremental rotation of the valve B during operation thereof, the incremental steps during each operation of the valve B being of the order 2Y-2Z (Fig. 6). As shown, the valve rotation C comprises first and second parts 36, 38, the second part 38 being fixed against axial and rotational movement relative to a cylinder head A, the first part 36 being free to move axially and rotationally about the valve axis 18 relative the part 38. Balls 56 are rollably arranged between the parts 36 and 38 in inclined ramp-like facial grooves 52, 54 formed in the part 38, the ramp surfaces 60 of grooves 54 being more steeply inclined than the ramp surfaces 58 of grooves 52, springs 74 serving to urge the balls 56 to the shallower ends of the ramp-like grooves 52, 54. The overall combined effective axial separating load of the springs 74 lies intermediate the minimum and maximum force valves applied by the valve spring 44 between the valve closed and open respectively. In operation, downward opening movement of the valve B compresses valve spring 44 which, at a predetermined load overrides the resistance of the separating springs 74 causing the balls 56 to roll down the inclined ramps 58, 60 and thus axially move the first part 36 towards the fixed second part 38, the rolling movement of the bolts serving to turn the first part 36 relative the second part 38. During this movement, the balls 56 in the steeply inclined ramp grooves 60 partly roll and slide to quickly descend into the grooves 60 and only angularly move an amount Z, thereafter becoming ineffective whilst the balls 56 in the shallower grooves 58 continue to purely roll and move an effective angular amount Y which effectively turns the part 34 through an amount 2Y. On upward return movement of the valve B the valve spring load reduces whereby the resisting springs 74 return the balls 56 back-up the ramps 58, 60, only the balls 56 in the steeply inclined ramps 60 now being effective to now turn the part 34 in the opposite direction by the smaller amount 2Z, the balls 56, in the shallower ramp-like grooves 58 being ineffective as they partly roll and slide to return to their original position, whereby the valve B is effectively turned through the increment 2Y-2Z. Figs. 7 to 10 (not shown) illustrate a further similar embodiment in which the balls are arranged in radially spaced circumferentially extending ramp-like facial grooves the inner (5Z<1>) of which functions to allow the ball 56 therein to turn the first part through the larger angular movement in one direction whilst the outer (52) functions to allow the ball 56 therein to turn the part 34 a smaller angular amount in the opposite direction to provide a nett incremental step as before.