Patent ID: 7607638

Claim:
A mechanism for preventing sticking in an exhaust gas recirculation valve assembly for use in a motor vehicle, comprising: a valve body having an inlet port and an outlet port; a valve seat disposed in said valve body, wherein said valve seat has an aperture positioned in the path of fluid flow between said inlet port and said outlet port; a valve stem in said valve body, wherein said valve stem moves within said valve body; a poppet valve connected to said valve stem, wherein said poppet valve is configured to contact said valve seat when said poppet valve is in a closed position; an actuator connected to said valve stem, wherein said actuator alters the position of said poppet valve; and a default position arrangement for placing said poppet valve in a resting position, wherein at least a portion of said poppet valve is positioned away from said valve seat when said actuator is idle, said default position arrangement including at least one spring that is a reverse full open spring operably connected to said poppet valve, said reverse full open spring is wound in the opposite direction of a torsion spring that forces said poppet valve to said closed position, such that when said actuator is idle, said spring opens said poppet valve to said resting position.