Electromagnetic valve actuator for an internal combustion engine

Abstract

An electromagnetic valve actuator for providing an actuation force to open and close a valve. In one embodiment of the invention, the valve is an intake and/or exhaust valve associated with an internal combustion engine. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the valve actuator includes first and second electromagnets spaced apart and arranged generally opposite one another to define a tapered air gap therebetween. An actuator arm is operatively coupled to the valve and is pivotally displaceable within the air gap between a first operational position adjacent the first electromagnet and a second operational position adjacent the second electromagnetic. Selective activation of the electromagnets causes the actuator arm to pivot between the first and second operational positions to correspondingly open and close the valve.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An electromagnetic valve actuator for displacing a valve between an open position and a closed position along a travel axis, comprising: 
 first and second electromagnets; and    an actuator arm operatively coupled to the valve and pivotally displaceable between a first operational position adjacent said first electromagnet and a second operational position adjacent said second electromagnetic; and    wherein selective activation of said first and second electromagnets causes said actuator arm to pivot between said first and second operational positions to correspondingly displace the valve between the open and closed positions.    
     
     
         2 . The electromagnetic valve actuator of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second electromagnets each define a magnetic attraction surfaces, at least one of said magnetic attraction surfaces arranged at an obtuse angle relative to the travel axis.  
     
     
         3 . The electromagnetic valve actuator of  claim 2 , wherein each of said magnetic attraction surfaces are arranged at an obtuse angle relative to the travel axis.  
     
     
         4 . The electromagnetic valve actuator of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second electromagnets are disposed generally opposite one another and spaced apart to define an air gap therebetween.  
     
     
         5 . The electromagnetic valve actuator of  claim 4 , wherein said air gap is tapered.  
     
     
         6 . The electromagnetic valve actuator of  claim 1 , wherein the valve is an intake valve or an exhaust valve of an internal combustion engine.  
     
     
         7 . The electromagnetic valve actuator of  claim 6 , further comprising a mounting bracket for pivotally coupling said actuator arm to the engine.  
     
     
         8 . The electromagnetic valve actuator of  claim 1 , wherein said actuator arm is at least partially formed of a permanent magnet material to facilitate pivotal displacement of said actuator arm between said first and second operational positions.  
     
     
         9 . The electromagnetic valve actuator of  claim 1 , wherein said actuator arm defines a channel sized to receive a stem portion of the valve therein to pivotally engage said actuator arm to the valve.  
     
     
         10 . The electromagnetic valve actuator of  claim 9 , wherein said actuator arm includes a yoke defining said channel.  
     
     
         11 . The electromagnetic valve actuator of  claim 10 , wherein the valve includes a pair of engaging members connected to the stem portion of the valve and disposed on opposite sides of said yoke.  
     
     
         12 . The electromagnetic valve actuator of  claim 11 , wherein said pair of engaging members define a first pair of opposing convex surfaces, said yoke defining a second pair of oppositely facing convex surfaces configured to rollingly engage said first pair of opposing convex surfaces.  
     
     
         13 . An electromagnetic valve actuator for displacing a valve between an open position and a closed position along a travel axis, comprising: 
 an electromagnet having a magnetic attraction surface arranged at an obtuse angle relative to the travel axis; and    an actuator arm operatively coupled to the valve and pivotally displaceable between a first operational position arranged at an angle relative to said magnetic attraction surface and a second operational position arranged generally parallel to said magnetic attraction surface; and    wherein selective activation of said electromagnet causes said actuator arm to pivot between said first and second operational positions to correspondingly displace the valve between the open and closed positions.    
     
     
         14 . The electromagnetic valve actuator of  claim 13 , further comprising 
 a pair of electromagnets, each of said electromagnets having a magnetic attraction surface, at least one of said magnetic attraction surfaces being arranged at an obtuse angle relative to the travel axis; and    wherein said first operational position of said actuator arm is arranged generally parallel to one of said attraction surfaces, said second operational position of said actuator arm being arranged generally parallel to another of said attraction surfaces; and    wherein selective activation of said electromagnets causes said actuator arm to pivot between said first and second operational positions to correspondingly displace the valve between the open and closed positions.    
     
     
         15 . The electromagnetic valve actuator of  claim 14 , wherein each of said magnetic attraction surfaces are arranged at an obtuse angle relative to the travel axis  
     
     
         16 . The electromagnetic valve actuator of  claim 14 , wherein said pair of electromagnets are disposed generally opposite one another and spaced apart to define an air gap therebetween.  
     
     
         17 . The electromagnetic valve actuator of  claim 16 , wherein said air gap is tapered.  
     
     
         18 . The electromagnetic valve actuator of  claim 14 , wherein said actuator arm is at least partially formed of a permanent magnet material to facilitate pivotal displacement of said actuator arm between said first and second operational positions.  
     
     
         19 . An electromagnetic valve actuator for displacing a valve between an open position and a closed position along a travel axis, comprising: 
 an actuator arm operatively coupled to the valve and pivotally displaceable between a first operational position and a second operational position; and    electromagnetic means for pivotally displacing said actuator arm between said first and second operational positions to correspondingly displace the valve between the open and closed positions.    
     
     
         20 . The electromagnetic valve actuator of  claim 19 , further comprising means for pivotally coupling said actuator arm to the valve.