Abstract: Pulsed-energy controllers and methods of operation thereof for driving inductive loads such as the actuator coil or coils of electromechanical actuators. The controllers utilize an inductor through which an initial current is established through a first circuit. The inductor is then switched across the actuator coil or other inductive load in a second circuit and the first circuit is opened. The back EMF of the inductor, limited by a high voltage protective device, causes a rapid rise in the current through the actuator coil, the rise being much faster than could be achieved by merely coupling the supply voltage, as used to establish the current in the inductor, directly to the actuator coil. By proper selection of the controller circuit and its parameters, the initial rapid current rise may continue to a current higher than a steady state current, after which the current will decrease to or toward the lower steady state current until the current pulse is terminated. Various embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A camless valve assembly for an internal combustion engine which utilizes a plurality of three position control valves to open and close the intake and exhaust valves of the assembly. Each valve is coupled to a plurality of hydraulically driven pins that move the valve between the open and closed positions. The flow of fluid to the pins is controlled by the three position digitally latched solenoid actuated control valves that can be switched between a first position, a second position and a neutral position. When a control valve is in the first position the fluid flows into the pins and moves the valve. When the control valve is in the second position the fluid can flow away from the pins to allow the valve to move back to the original position. When the control valve is in the neutral position the fluid does not flow so that the valve cannot move. The control valve can be switched by a controller that can move and maintain a valve at any position during any cycle of the engine.

Abstract: A positive displacement pump assembly which has an hydraulically controlled intake check valve that is controlled by a three-way solenoid control valve. The intake valve contains a one-way check valve that opens when the pump piston is on an intake stroke and normally closes when the pump piston is on a power stroke. The check valve further contains an hydraulically controlled piston that can open the check valve during the power stroke so that the output fluid of the pump flows to drain. The piston is controlled by the solenoid control valve. The control valve has a pair of digitally latched solenoids. The output pressure of the pump can be regulated by energizing one of the solenoids and applying hydraulic pressure to the piston to open the check valve during the power stroke of the pump. The pump is preferably a dual piston wobble plate pump that incorporates a pair of hydraulically controlled intake check valves that are both controlled by a single solenoid control valve.

Abstract: A flow control valve that has a solenoid operated pump that moves a poppet between an open and a closed position. The valve has a housing with an inlet, an outlet and a housing chamber that can allow fluid to flow from the inlet to the outlet. The poppet is located within the housing chamber and is adapted to move from an open position to a closed position, to control the flow of fluid through the valve. Attached to the poppet is a pump that has a first pump chamber separated from a second pump chamber by a wall. The wall has a first one way valve that allows fluid to flow from the second chamber to the first chamber. The second chamber has a diaphragm attached to a solenoid. The solenoid is provided with a series of energizing pulses that move the diaphragm and cause the second chamber to expand and contract. The pumping action of the second chamber causes fluid to flow into the first chamber. The first chamber thereby expands and moves the poppet into the open position.

Abstract: A control valve the controls the flow of a fluid. The valve has a housing with an inlet port, a cylinder port and a reservoir port. The inlet port is typically connected to a source of pressurized fluid. The cylinder port is connected to an actuator chamber and the reservoir port is connected to a fluid reservoir. The control valve has a solenoid that moves an internal valve between a first position and a second position. When the internal valve is in the first position, fluid can flow from the inlet port through the cylinder port. When the valve is in the second position, the inlet port is closed and the cylinder port is in fluid communication with the reservoir port. The housing has an internal channel that allows the supply fluid to apply a pressure on both sides of the internal valve. The fluid forces on the internal valve are opposite and offsetting, such that the solenoid force required to move the internal valve is independent of the pressure of the fluid.

Abstract: A pump which has a digitally controlled internal by-pass valve. The pump includes a housing which has a pumping chamber that contains a piston which pumps fluid from an inlet port to an outlet port of the housing. The pump also has an intake valve that moves to an open position when the pump draws in fluid and moves to a closed position when the piston pumps the fluid through the outlet port. The intake valve can be maintained in the open position by a separate hydraulic system so that the piston pumps fluid back through the inlet port and by-passes the outlet port. The separate hydraulic system includes a three-way solenoid control valve which directs fluid to the intake valve to open the valve. The control valve may contain a pair of solenoids which latch an internal spool to control the flow of fluid to the intake valve. The spool can be latched into position by a digital pulse that is provided by an electrical controller.

Abstract: A pressure balanced gas control valve which uses a bellows to hermetically seal the solenoid from the valve. The gas valve has a valve housing which has an inlet port, an outlet port and a valve seat. Within the housing is a needle valve that moves between an open position and a closed position. The needle valve cooperates with the valve seat to control the flow of gas through the valve. The needle valve is moved to the open position by a solenoid and returned to the closed position by a spring. The bellows is attached to both the needle valve and the housing to prevent gas from flowing into the solenoid and contaminating the solenoid components. The bellows has an effective pressure area which is equal to the needle valve seat area such that there is a net force on the needle valve from the gas pressure that is approximately zero when the needle valve is in the closed position. The net zero force provides a gas valve which does not require additional force to open the needle valve.

Abstract: A statically and dynamically pressure balanced fluid control valve. The valve contains a spool that is moved within an inner chamber of a valve housing by a pair of solenoids. The ports are symmetrically located on each side of a center port, wherein the resultant fluid forces on the spool are in opposite directions. The opposing forces create a net fluid force of approximately zero, so that the spool is dynamically pressure balanced when the valve is switched to a new position. The spool also has an inner channel and a pair of end openings that are in fluid communication with the inner chamber of the valve. When the spool is pulled to a new position, the end openings and inner channel allow fluid within the inner chamber to flow out of the space between the end of the spool and the housing. The flow of fluid through the end openings and inner channel prevent the formation of hydrostatic fluid pressure that will counteract the movement of the spool.