Electronic valve actuator

Abstract

Electromagnetic actuators are described for operating poppet valves in internal combustion engines.

1 . A valve actuator with tapered armature as shown in  FIG. 2 .  
   
   
       2 . A valve actuator with guides that absorb force normal to the valve motion.  
   
   
       3 . A valve actuator with flux paths perpendicular to the direction of valve motion.  
   
   
       4 . A valve actuator with integral valve stem and armature shaft.  
   
   
       5 . An engine valve system for use in an engine, the system adapted for moving an engine valve between an open position and a closed position, comprising: 
 a) an engine valve having a stem with an axis and a front end and a back end, the valve having a movement axis between the open position and closed position along the stem axis,    b) an armature mounted on the stem of the valve, the armature having a front nonplanar surface directed to the front end of the valve stem up, and back nonplanar surface directed to the back end of the valve stem,    c) a stator assembly mounted on the engine, the stator assembly being adapted to enclose the armature with the armature movable within the stator assembly, the stator assembly including a first magnetic field producing device including a first nonplanar surface of complementary shape to the front nonplanar surface of the armature, said first magnetic field producing device being adapted to selectively magnetically attracted the front nonplanar surface of the armature to the first nonplanar surface of the first magnetic field producing device, and the stator assembly also including a second magnetic field producing device including a second nonplanar surface of complementary shape to the back nonplanar surface of the armature, said second magnetic field producing device being adapted to selectively magnetically attract the back nonplanar surface of the armature to the second nonplanar surface of the second magnetic field producing device.    
   
   
       6 . An actuator for use in an engine, the system adapted for moving an engine valve between an open position and a closed position, said engine valve having a stem with an axis and a front end and a back end, the valve having a movement axis between the open position and closed position along the stem axis, comprising: 
 a) an armature mounted on the stem of the valve, the armature having a front nonplanar surface directed to the front end of the valve stem up, and back nonplanar surface directed to the back end of the valve stem, and    b) a stator assembly mounted on the engine, the stator assembly being adapted to enclose the armature with the armature movable within the stator assembly, the stator assembly including a first magnetic field producing device including a first nonplanar surface of complementary shape to the front nonplanar surface of the armature, said first magnetic field producing device being adapted to selectively magnetically attracted the front nonplanar surface of the armature to the first nonplanar surface of the first magnetic field producing device, and the stator assembly also including a second magnetic field producing device including a second nonplanar surface of complementary shape to the back nonplanar surface of the armature, said second magnetic field producing device being adapted to selectively magnetically attract the back nonplanar surface of the armature to the second nonplanar surface of the second magnetic field producing device.