Variable travel valve apparatus for an internal combustion engine

Abstract

An apparatus includes a valve and an actuator. The valve has a portion movably disposed within a valve pocket defined by a cylinder head of an engine. The valve is configured to move relative to the cylinder head a distance between a closed position and an opened position. The portion of the valve defines a flow opening that is in fluid communication with a cylinder of an engine when the valve is in the opened position. The actuator is configured to selectively vary the distance between the closed position and the opened position.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method, comprising:
 moving a valve member in a first direction within a valve pocket defined by a cylinder head from a first configuration to a second configuration such that a gas manifold is in fluid communication with a cylinder via a plurality of valve passages defined by the valve member;   moving the valve member in a second direction opposite the first direction within the valve pocket from the second configuration to a third configuration such that the gas manifold is fluidically isolated from the cylinder; and   releasing the valve member such that the valve member moves to the first configuration.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the moving the valve member in the first direction includes pushing the valve member. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the moving the valve member in the second direction includes pulling the valve member. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the moving the valve member in the second direction includes pushing the valve member. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the gas manifold is in fluid communication with the cylinder via the plurality of valve flow passages in the first configuration. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the plurality of valve flow passages are at least partially obstructed by a portion of the cylinder head disposed between the valve member and the cylinder in the first configuration. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the valve member is a first valve member, the valve pocket is a first valve pocket, and the gas manifold is a first gas manifold, the method further comprising:
 moving a second valve member in a first direction within a second valve pocket defined by the cylinder head from a first configuration to a second configuration such that a second gas manifold is fluidically isolated from the cylinder;   moving the second valve member in a second direction opposite the first direction within the second valve pocket from the second configuration to a third configuration such that the second gas manifold is in fluidic communication with the cylinder; and   releasing the valve member such that the valve member moves to the first configuration.   
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the moving the second valve member in the first direction includes pulling the valve member. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the moving the second valve member in the first direction includes pushing the valve member. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the moving the second valve member in the second direction includes pushing the valve member. 
     
     
         31 . A method, comprising:
 applying a first current to a first electromagnetic coil of an actuation assembly such that an armature is drawn toward the first electromagnetic coil, the armature being coupled to a valve member such that the movement of the armature causes the valve member to move within a valve pocket defined by a cylinder head from a neutral configuration to an open configuration, the valve member defining a plurality of valve flow passages, a gas manifold being in fluidic communication with a cylinder via the plurality of valve flow passages in the open configuration,   ceasing the application of the first current to the first electromagnetic coil such that the valve member moves to the neutral configuration, and   applying a second current to a second electromagnetic coil of an actuation assembly such that the valve member moves to a closed configuration, the gas manifold being fluidically isolated from the cylinder in the closed configuration.   
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , further comprising:
 ceasing the application of the second current to the second electromagnetic coil such that the valve member moves to the neutral configuration.   
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein, after the ceasing of the application of the first current, the valve member moves to the neutral configuration via a force applied by a first biasing member. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein, after the ceasing of the application of the second current, the valve member moves to the neutral configuration via a force applied by a second biasing member. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein, when in the neutral configuration, the gas manifold is in fluidic communication with the cylinder and the plurality of valve flow passages are at least partially obstructed by a portion of the cylinder head disposed between the valve member and the cylinder.