Abstract

An electromagnetically actuated valve assembly (1) for an internal combustion engine comprises a housing (10) inside of which is a tubular linear electric motor (12) with a central axis (18) and, extending along the axis, an elongate armature body (20) that comprises an elongate main portion that is configured to move in opposite first and second axial directions (41, 42) and a poppet valve (40) having a valve stem and a valve head (46). An armature bearing (45) is configured for sliding motion of the armature body relative to the housing. A controller (16) controls the operation of the linear electric motor (12) to move axially and thereby lift and lower the valve head with respect to a valve seat (48) to open and close a valve (2, 4). A coil spring (51) exerts a force on the armature body in the second direction (42). The linear electric motor comprises a fixed winding pack and a magnet pack with an array of alternating permanent magnets within the armature body main portion. The valve assembly further comprises within the housing a solenoid actuator (14) comprising a solenoid winding (70) and a solenoid armature (60), the solenoid winding being fixed relative to the housing (1) and the solenoid armature (60) being fixed relative to an end of the main portion of the armature body and comprising a magnetic material. The controller is connected to the solenoid winding and is configured, when the poppet valve is to move in the second direction to close the cylinder valve, to energise the solenoid winding and thereby actuate the solenoid armature to move in the second direction and close the cylinder valve.

IPC Classes  ?

• F01L 9/20 - Valve-gear or valve arrangements actuated non-mechanically by electric means
• F01L 9/21 - Valve-gear or valve arrangements actuated non-mechanically by electric means actuated by solenoids
• H02K 33/16 - Motors with reciprocating, oscillating or vibrating magnet, armature or coil system with polarised armatures moving in alternate directions by reversal or energisation of a single coil system
• H02K 41/03 - Synchronous motorsMotors moving step by stepReluctance motors