Patent ID: 8087393

Claim:
A valve apparatus ( 100 ) for an internal combustion engine having a combustion chamber ( 612 ) in which a fuel mixture is combusted as well as an intake port ( 712 I) coupled to an intake manifold and an exhaust port ( 712 E) coupled to an exhaust manifold, the valve apparatus ( 100 ) comprising: a valve sleeve ( 102 ) having a wall section ( 103 ) defining at least part of a valve cavity ( 110 ) that extends along a longitudinal length of the valve sleeve ( 102 ), and an opening ( 112 ) located through the wall section ( 103 ) of the valve sleeve ( 102 ) and which communicates with the combustion chamber ( 612 ); a tubular, movable valve body ( 106 ) configured and arranged to be reciprocally-located and movable within at least part of the valve cavity ( 110 ) and defining an inner longitudinally-extending passage ( 134 ); a valve guide ( 104 ) coupled to the valve sleeve ( 102 ) and having a first end ( 125 ) situated outside the valve cavity ( 110 ), and a second end ( 120 ) situated within the inner passage ( 134 ) of the valve body ( 106 ), the valve guide ( 104 ) having an inner passage ( 116 ) located and extending between the first ( 126 ) and second ( 120 ) ends, a first opening ( 124 ) located at the first end ( 126 ) and in flow communication with the manifold, and one or more openings ( 118 ) through a wall section thereof to communicate the inner passage ( 116 ) with the valve cavity ( 110 ); and means ( 390 ) for reciprocally moving the valve body ( 106 ) relative to both the valve sleeve ( 102 ) and valve guide ( 104 ) such that in fully closed position, the valve body ( 106 ) extends into the valve sleeve ( 102 ) and covers the openings ( 118 ) in the valve guide ( 102 ), in fully open position, the valve body ( 106 ) is retracted away from the valve guide ( 104 ) within the valve sleeve ( 102 ) and uncovers the openings ( 118 ) in the valve guide ( 104 ), and in partially open or closed position, the valve body ( 106 ) partially covers the openings in the valve guide ( 104 ) within the valve sleeve ( 102 ).