Abstract: A valve module that can be assembled to an internal combustion engine chamber. The valve module may have a first intake valve, a second intake valve, a third intake valve, a first exhaust valve and a second exhaust valve. The valves may be driven to an open position by hydraulically driven first pins. The exhaust valves may further have hydraulically driven second pins. The additional pins may increase the hydraulic forces which allow the exhaust valves to be opened even when there is a large pressure in the combustion chamber. The first pins of the exhaust valves may be controlled by a microprocessor controlled first control valve. The second pins may be controlled by a microprocessor controlled second control valve. The separate control valves and additional hydraulic force of the second pins may allow the microprocessor to open the exhaust valves at any point during a cycle of a combustion engine.

Abstract: A fuel injector which has check valve that is hydraulically controlled by a control fluid. A volume of fuel is pressurized within a fuel chamber of the injector by an intensifier. The check valve controls the flow of fuel from the fuel chamber through at least one nozzle opening of a valve body. The flow of control fluid is controlled by a control valve which can move between a first position and a second position. When the control valve is at its first position, the control fluid creates an hydraulic force which moves the check valve to a closed position. When the control valve is at its second position, the control fluid moves the check valve to an open position to allow the pressurized fuel to be ejected or sprayed from the nozzle opening(s). The intensifier can also be hydraulically controlled by a control valve.

Abstract: A valve module that can be assembled to an internal combustion engine chamber. The valve module may have a first intake valve, a second intake valve, a third intake valve, a first exhaust valve and a second exhaust valve. The valves may be driven to an open position by hydraulically driven first pins. The exhaust valves may further have hydraulically driven second pins. The additional pins may increase the hydraulic forces which allow the exhaust valves to be opened even when there is a large pressure in the combustion chamber. The first pins of the exhaust valves may be controlled by a microprocessor controlled first control valve. The second pins may be controlled by a microprocessor controlled second control valve. The separate control valves and additional hydraulic force of the second pins may allow the microprocessor to open the exhaust valves at any point during a cycle of a combustion engine.

Abstract: A hydraulic valve control system that includes a plurality of digitally actuated magnetically-latchable four-way valves that directly or indirectly control the position of a hydraulic actuator. The digitally actuated magnetically-latchable four-way valves are controlled by a controller that can control the valves in accordance with a servo routine. The servo routine may include the computation of a plurality of cost functions and the selection of an action that corresponds to the lowest cost.

Abstract: A three position digitally latched actuator actuated fluid control valve. The control valve includes a housing which has a cylinder port, a supply port and a return port. The control valve also contains an internal valve that moves between a first position, a second position and a neutral position. In the first position the internal valve provides fluid communication between the cylinder port and the supply port. In the second position the valve provides fluid communication between the cylinder port and the return port. In the neutral position the valve prevents fluid communication between the ports. The control valve has a first actuator and a second actuator that are actuated by digital pulses to move the internal valve between the first, second and neutral positions.

Abstract: An intensified fuel injector which has at least one lateral or side drain passage. The fuel injector may include a valve body which has longitudinal axis. The valve body may have a fuel chamber that is hydraulically coupled to a fuel supply port and at least one nozzle opening. An intensifier moves within the fuel chamber. The intensifier is hydraulically coupled to an intensifier chamber and also connected to a biasing spring. The spring is located within a spring chamber that is hydraulically coupled to the drain passage. The drain passage may extend through the valve body in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body. The orientation and position drain passage minimizes the diameter or cross-sectional area of the fuel injector by eliminating a longitudinal passage typically found in fuel injectors of the prior art.

Abstract: A dynamic control valve system adapted for inflatable restraint systems for vehicles includes a control valve having an inlet in fluid communication with a source of pressurized fluid, and an outlet in fluid communication with an inlet of the air bag. The control valve includes a valve member actuatable between a flow preventing position and a position spaced away from the flow preventing position. The control valve supplies the high pressure fluid through the control valve to the inflatable restraint for inflating the inflatable restraint when the valve member is moved away from its flow preventing position. The control valve includes a valve spool which cooperates with a valve casing to define a plurality of flow paths. Consequently, the actuation of the valve member between closed and open positions is substantially independent of forces produced by flow of the high pressure fluid through the valve.

Abstract: A latching, dynamically balanced, fluid control valve. The valve includes a housing which has a supply port, a cylinder port and a return port. Fluid communication between the supply port and the cylinder port is controlled by a first valve that opens and closes a against first valve seat of the housing. Fluid communication between the supply port and the return port is controlled by a second valve that opens and closes against a second valve seat. The valves are connected to a transfer tube that is coupled to a pair of solenoids. The solenoids can be actuated to move the tube and valves between a first position, which allows fluid communication between the supply port and the cylinder port, and a second position that allows fluid communication between the supply port and the return port. The solenoids are actuated by short digital pulses that latch the transfer tube and valves into either the first or second position.

Abstract: A fuel injector that contains no springs and is controlled by a valve assembly that has more than two modes of operation. The fuel injector includes a housing which has a supply port, a drain port and a cylinder passage that is in fluid communication with an intensifier. The intensifier moves between a first position and a second position within a fuel chamber. The fuel chamber is coupled to a fuel port. Movement of the intensifier into the second position pressurizes the fuel within the fuel chamber. The pressurized fuel opens a needle valve so that fuel is ejected through an aperture of the housing. The cylinder passage is coupled to a first fluid control valve and a second fluid control valve. Each control valve can be actuated between a closed position and an open position.

Abstract: A control module which controls camless hydraulically driven intake and exhaust valves and an hydraulically driven fuel injector of an internal combustion engine. The module contains a valve assembly to control the intake valve, a valve assembly to control the exhaust valve and a valve assembly to control the fuel injector. The valve assemblies preferably each contain a pair of solenoid actuated two-way spool valves. The solenoids are actuated by digital pulses provided by an electronic assembly within the module. The solenoid actuated spool valves control the flow of a hydraulic fluid to and from the fuel injector and the intake and exhaust valves. The hydraulic fluid opens and closes the intake and exhaust valves. The hydraulic fluid also actuates the fuel injector to eject a fuel into a combustion chamber of the engine. The electronic assembly of each module can be connected to a main microprocessor which provides commands to each assembly.

Abstract: Solar powered programmable valves and methods of programming thereof are disclosed. A controller for the valves is provided having one or more solar cells for charging a large capacitor or capacitors upon illumination, which provide energy storage for the continuous powering of a very low current single chip computer controller and for providing actuating power to a latching solenoid of a pilot operated valve. Programming of the microcontroller to cause the valve to operate at subsequent times as desired is accomplished by magnetically actuating, through the sealed controller case, "yes" and "no" reed switches in response to simple prompts presented on a display. The use of solar power eliminates the need for batteries, and together with the non-intrusive programming, allows the controller to be totally sealed and free of control switches, battery cases and the like which can allow moisture entry and premature failure of the controller. Typical methods of programming the controller are disclosed.

Abstract: A camless intake/exhaust valve for an internal combustion engine that is controlled by a solenoid actuated fluid control valve. The control valve has a pair of solenoids that move a spool. Energizing one solenoid moves the spool and valve into an open position. The valve spool is maintained in the open position by the residual magnetism of the valve housing and spool even when power is no longer provided to the solenoid. Energizing the other solenoid moves the spool and valve to a closed position. The solenoids are digitally latched by short digital pulses provided by a microcontroller. The valve is therefore opened by providing a digital pulse of a short duration to one of the solenoids and closed by a digital pulse that is provided to the other solenoid. The valve may be opened by a plurality of pins. One of the pins may engage a stop so that the valve is initially opened with a relatively high force and then moved into the fully opened position with a lower force.

Abstract: The present invention is a fuel injection system having one or more fuel injectors and an electronic control system therefore. The preferred fuel injector has a double magnetic latching solenoid three-way or four-way spool valve that controls the flow of a working fluid that is used to control the discharge of fuel into the combustion chamber or intake manifold of an engine through the nozzle of the injector. The control system provides actuating current pulses to each of the solenoids to actuate and latch the solenoids to effect initiation and termination of the injection. Disclosed are control systems that provide a snap action in one or both actuating directions of the valve by electromagnetically retaining the valve in the latched condition until the force in the actuated solenoid builds to a high level, and then releasing the valve for higher acceleration to the actuated position.

Abstract: A hydraulic system with control valves that can control the movement of an actuator. The system has a first control valve and a second control valve that each contain solenoids that can switch the valves between open and closed positions. The valves are connected to a digital controller that can energize the solenoids. The controller controls the sequence of energizing such that when the first valve is opened the second valve is closed, and when the second valve is opened the first valve is closed. The valves are connected to the actuator so that the actuator moves in first direction when the first valve is opened and in a second opposite direction when the second valve is opened. The valves have an internal pressure balance that allows the solenoids to quickly switch into the open position using minimal power. The solenoids also have magnets that maintain the valves in the open position when power is terminated.

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: The present invention is a fuel injection system having one or more fuel injectors and an electronic control system therefore. The preferred fuel injector has a double magnetic latching solenoid three-way or four-way spool valve that controls the flow of a working fluid that is used to control the discharge of fuel into the combustion chamber or intake manifold of an engine through the nozzle of the injector. The control system provides actuating current pulses to each of the solenoids to actuate and latch the solenoids to effect initiation and termination of the injection. Disclosed are control systems that provide a snap action in one or both actuating directions of the valve by electromagnetically retaining the valve in the latched condition until the force in the actuated solenoid builds to a high level, and then releasing the valve for higher acceleration to the actuated 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 camless intake/exhaust valve for an internal combustion engine that is controlled by a solenoid actuated fluid control valve. The control valve has a pair of solenoids that move a spool. Energizing one solenoid moves the spool and valve into an open position. The valve spool is maintained in the open position by the residual magnetism of the valve housing and spool even when power is no longer provided to the solenoid. Energizing the other solenoid moves the spool and valve to a closed position. The solenoids are digitally latched by short digital pulses provided by a microcontroller. The valve is therefore opened by providing a digital pulse of a short duration to one of the solenoids and closed by a digital pulse that is provided to the other solenoid. The valve may be opened by a plurality of pins. One of the pins may engage a stop so that the valve is initially opened with a relatively high force and then moved into the fully opened position with a lower force.