Apparatus for adjustably controlling valve movement and fuel injection

Abstract

An apparatus adjustably controls intake and exhaust valve movement and fuel injection of an engine. Valve movement and injection is adjustably controlled in response to electrical signals delivered to a piezoelectric motor which in turn delivers hydraulic signals through a single spool valve.

We claim: 
     
       1. Apparatus for adjustably controlling valve movement and fuel injection of an engine having at least one fuel injection system, one exhaust valve system, one intake valve system, a microprocessor controller for receiving input signals and delivering engine controlling electrical signals, and a liquid pressure system, comprising: a single .[.piezoelectric motor.]. .Iadd.electric motor means .Iaddend.connectable to the microprocessor controller and the liquid pressure system and being adapted to receive engine controlling electrical signals from the microprocessor and controllably delivering pressurized liquid signals to the liquid pressure system in response to said received signal; and   a spool valve having a single spool, said .Iadd.spool .Iaddend.valve having a plurality of inlets and outlets and being connectable to the liquid pressure system for receiving .Iadd.said .Iaddend.pressurized liquid signals therefrom and controllably moving the single spool of the spool valve .Iadd., .Iaddend.and .Iadd.said spool valve .Iaddend.delivering .Iadd.exhaust and intake .Iaddend.valve .Iadd.system .Iaddend.and .Iadd.fuel .Iaddend.injection .Iadd.system .Iaddend.controlling signals to the .Iadd.exhaust and intake .Iaddend.valve systems and .[.injector.]. .Iadd.the fuel injection .Iaddend.system.Iadd., .Iaddend.and .Iadd.said spool valve .Iaddend.controlling both .[.valve.]. movement .Iadd.of the exhaust and intake valve systems .Iaddend.and fuel injection .Iadd.system .Iaddend.responsive to engine controlling electrical signals received by said .[.piezoelectric motor.]. .Iadd.electric motor means.Iaddend..   
     
     
       2. An apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the .[.piezoelectric motor.]. .Iadd.electric motor means .Iaddend.includes an amplifier piston adapted to increase, to a preselected magnitude, the pressure of the pressurized liquid signals delivered from the .[.piezoelectric.]. .Iadd.electric .Iaddend.motor .Iadd.means.Iaddend.. 
     
     
       3. An apparatus, as set forth in claim 2, wherein the amplifier piston increases the liquid pressure signals to a ratio magnitude in the range of about 5:1 to about 9:1. 
     
     
       4. An apparatus, as set forth in claim 3, wherein the ratio magnitude is about 7:1. 
     
     
       5. An apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the spool of the spool valve is spring biased to a first position and movable in response to receiving the pressurized liquid signal. 
     
     
       6. An apparatus, as set forth in claim 5, including a Bellville spring and wherein the spool of the spool valve is biased by said Bellville spring. 
     
     
       7. An apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the liquid of the liquid pressure system and liquid controlling .[.systems.]. .Iadd.signals .Iaddend.is diesel fuel. 
     
     
       8. An apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the injection system and the valve systems are powered by pressurized liquid from the spool valve. 
     
     
       9. An apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the engine has a plurality of cylinders each having at least one fuel injection system, at least one exhaust valve system .[.and.]..Iadd., .Iaddend.at least one intake valve system .[.connected to.]..Iadd., .Iaddend.a respective .[.piezoelectric motor.]. .Iadd.electric motor means .Iaddend.and a respective spool valve, each of said .[.piezoelectric motors.]. .Iadd.electric motor means .Iaddend.and spool valves being connectable to a common liquid pressure system. 
     
     
       10. An apparatus, as set forth in claim 9, wherein the plurality of .[.piezoelectric motors.]. .Iadd.electric motor means .Iaddend.are connected to and receive controlling electrical signals from a single microprocessor. 
     
     
       11. An apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the liquid pressure system is a rail system. 
     
     
       12. An apparatus, as set forth in claim 11, wherein the liquid pressure rail system has a high pressure rail and a low pressure rail. 
     
     
       13. an apparatus, as set forth in claim 12, wherein the high pressure rail is maintained at a pressure in the range of about 2000 to about 4000 psia/psig. 
     
     
       14. An apparatus, as set forth in claim 13, wherein the high pressure rail is maintained at a pressure of about 3000 psia/psig. 
     
     
       15. An apparatus, as set forth in claim 12, wherein the low pressure rail is maintained at a pressure in the range of about 100 to about 300 psia/psig. 
     
     
       16. An apparatus, as set forth in claim 15, wherein the low pressure rail is maintained at a pressure of about 200 psia/psig.