Abstract: A valve is provided including a first valve member and a second valve member. The first valve member includes a first step and a first orifice adjacent the first step. The second valve member includes a second step and a second orifice adjacent the second step. The second valve member is movable relative to the first valve member between an open position, in which the first orifice is fluidly connected the second orifice, and a closed position, in which the first orifice is substantially fluidly disconnected from the second orifice. The first and second steps are fluidly connected to the second orifice and substantially fluidly disconnected from the first orifice when the second valve member is in the closed position, and the first and second steps are fluidly connected to the first and second orifices when the second valve member is in the open position.

Abstract: A valve is provided including a first valve member and a second valve member. The first valve member includes a first step and a first orifice adjacent the first step. The second valve member includes a second step and a second orifice adjacent the second step. The second valve member is movable relative to the first valve member between an open position, in which the first orifice is fluidly connected the second orifice, and a closed position, in which the first orifice is substantially fluidly disconnected from the second orifice. The first and second steps are fluidly connected to the second orifice and substantially fluidly disconnected from the first orifice when the second valve member is in the closed position, and the first and second steps are fluidly connected to the first and second orifices when the second valve member is in the open position.

Abstract: A valve is provided including a first valve member and a second valve member. The first valve member includes a first step and a first orifice adjacent the first step. The second valve member includes a second step and a second orifice adjacent the second step. The second valve member is movable relative to the first valve member between an open position, in which the first orifice is fluidly connected the second orifice, and a closed position, in which the first orifice is substantially fluidly disconnected from the second orifice. The first and second steps are fluidly connected to the second orifice and substantially fluidly disconnected from the first orifice when the second valve member is in the closed position, and the first and second steps are fluidly connected to the first and second orifices when the second valve member is in the open position.

Abstract: A valve is provided including a first valve member and a second valve member. The first valve member includes a first step and a first orifice adjacent the first step. The second valve member includes a second step and a second orifice adjacent the second step. The second valve member is movable relative to the first valve member between an open position, in which the first orifice is fluidly connected the second orifice, and a closed position, in which the first orifice is substantially fluidly disconnected from the second orifice. The first and second steps are fluidly connected to the second orifice and substantially fluidly disconnected from the first orifice when the second valve member is in the closed position, and the first and second steps are fluidly connected to the first and second orifices when the second valve member is in the open position.

Abstract: A hydraulic circuit in fluid communication with an added motion valve system is disclosed. The hydraulic circuit in fluid communication with an added motion valve system includes at least a first valve that permits flow of a fluid in a first fluid supply channel to an added motion actuator volume by way of a first fluid port and a second fluid port and at least a second valve that permits flow of the fluid in a second fluid supply channel to the first fluid port, the second fluid port, and a third fluid port. A method for controlling a hydraulic circuit in fluid communication with an added motion valve system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A control valve assembly includes a valve body having a valve opening, a first pressure passage, a second pressure passage, and a valve body land. A valve member is received in the valve opening for movement between an open position and a closed position. The valve member includes a first valve member land and a second valve member land. The first valve member land and the valve body land cooperate to define a first metering flow passage and a second metering flow passage. The first and second metering flow passages are configured to impart a hydrodynamic force on the valve member during fluid flow through the valve body, which biases the valve member toward the open position or the closed position.

Abstract: A control valve assembly includes a valve body having a valve opening, a first pressure passage, a second pressure passage, and a valve body land. A valve member is received in the valve opening for movement between an open position and a closed position. The valve member includes a first valve member land and a second valve member land. The first valve member land and the valve body land cooperate to define a first metering flow passage and a second metering flow passage. The first and second metering flow passages are configured to impart a hydrodynamic force on the valve member during fluid flow through the valve body, which biases the valve member toward the open position or the closed position.

Abstract: An added-motion hydraulic valve system is disclosed. The added-motion hydraulic valve system includes an engine valve actuator that causes movement of an engine valve, fluid that moves through a solenoid actuator valve, and a fluid actuator housing having a volume for receiving said fluid. The volume is disposed between the engine valve actuator and an engagement end of the engine valve. A lash adjuster assembly for a valve system is also disclosed. The lash adjuster assembly includes an actuator fluid housing and an added motion hydraulic lash adjuster disposed within the actuator fluid housing. According to an embodiment, the lash adjuster assembly includes a mechanical lash adjuster actuated by a cam arrangement.

Abstract: A digital valve assembly controls a reciprocating valve element. The valve assembly has two actuator valve spools that are activated selectively by three solenoids to either of two operating positions for each valve spool. Fluid flow metering areas for the valve spools are calibrated for desired reciprocating valve timing, lift rates and closing rates.

Abstract: A hydraulic circuit comprises a temperature sensor, an added motion valve system, and a valve. The temperature sensor detects operating temperature of fluid in the hydraulic circuit. The added motion valve system includes a valve body having an actuator fluid volume. The valve adjusts flow rate quantity of fluid to the actuator fluid volume as a function of the operating temperature of the fluid.

Abstract: A hydraulic circuit is disclosed. The hydraulic circuit includes an actuating mechanism having an engine valve and an engine valve spring, an added motion valve system having a cam system, a valve in fluid communication with the actuator mechanism, and a dump valve and at least one check valve in fluid communication with the valve to allow a recovery of energy stored in an engine valve spring during closing movement of the engine valve associated with the added motion system. A method for controlling a hydraulic circuit is also disclosed.

Abstract: An added-motion hydraulic valve system is disclosed. The added-motion hydraulic valve system includes an engine valve actuator that causes movement of an engine valve, fluid that moves through a solenoid actuator valve, and a fluid actuator housing having a volume for receiving said fluid. The volume is disposed between the engine valve actuator and an engagement end of the engine valve. A lash adjuster assembly for a valve system is also disclosed. The lash adjuster assembly includes an actuator fluid housing and an added motion hydraulic lash adjuster disposed within the actuator fluid housing. According to an embodiment, the lash adjuster assembly includes a mechanical lash adjuster actuated by a cam arrangement.

Abstract: A hydraulic circuit in fluid communication with an added motion valve system is disclosed. The hydraulic circuit in fluid communication with an added motion valve system includes at least a first valve that permits flow of a fluid in a first fluid supply channel to an added motion actuator volume by way of a first fluid port and a second fluid port and at least a second valve that permits flow of the fluid in a second fluid supply channel to the first fluid port, the second fluid port, and a third fluid port. A method for controlling a hydraulic circuit in fluid communication with an added motion valve system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A multiple working surface magnetic particle device for transferring torque between two rotatable members is disclosed. The magnetic particle device includes relatively rotatable members defining a gap therebetween containing a magnetically reactive medium. The magnetically reactive medium stiffens in the presence of a magnetic field interlocking the rotatable members. The multiple working surface design allows for a reduction in the size and weight of the magnetic field source resulting in a more compact, lighter weight magnetic particle device.

Abstract: A multiple working surface magnetic particle device for transferring torque between two rotatable members is disclosed. The magnetic particle device includes relatively rotatable members defining a gap therebetween containing a magnetically reactive medium. The magnetically reactive medium stiffens in the presence of a magnetic field interlocking the rotatable members. The multiple working surface design allows for a reduction in the size and weight of the magnetic field source resulting in a more compact, lighter weight magnetic particle device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a control system and method of controlling a supercharger having an input and a pair of rotors. The method comprises providing a magnetic particle clutch having an input member, an output member and a source of magnetic flux. In the presence of a magnetic field, a magnetically reactive medium disposed between the input and output members is transformed into a torque transmitting coupling that causes the clutch to transition from a disengaged state to an engaged state. The method includes sensing a vehicle parameter and generating a signal operable to engage the clutch in response to the sensed vehicle parameter, so that the transition to the engaged state may be controlled as a function of the sensed vehicle parameter.

Abstract: A torque transfer device is provided that includes an input member for receiving torque from an external source. An output member is disposed radially inward of the input member to define a first torque transferring region therebetween. A second torque transferring region is also disposed between the input member and output member. A source of magnetic flux is operable to provide a first level of magnetic flux that transfers torque between the input and output members by activation of the first torque transferring region. The source of magnetic flux is also operable to provide a second level of magnetic flux that transfers torque between the input and output members by activation of both the first torque transferring region and the second torque transferring region. The torque transfer device substantially eliminates the “hard” or sudden engagement of conventional electromagnetic clutches.

Abstract: A torque transfer device is provided that includes an input member for receiving torque from an external source. An output member is disposed radially inward of the input member to define a first torque transferring region therebetween. A second torque transferring region is also disposed between the input member and output member. A source of magnetic flux is operable to provide a first level of magnetic flux that transfers torque between the input and output members by activation of the first torque transferring region. The source of magnetic flux is also operable to provide a second level of magnetic flux that transfers torque between the input and output members by activation of both the first torque transferring region and the second torque transferring region. The torque transfer device substantially eliminates the “hard” or sudden engagement of conventional electromagnetic clutches.

Abstract: A method of assembling a cylinder head assembly (11) for use with a cylinder block of an internal combustion engine. The method involves providing a cylinder head slab (17) defining a pattern of intake (21) and exhaust (23) poppet valves. The head slab is provided with a plurality of bolt holes (37) defining a bolt hole pattern. Next, a plurality A and B of valve activation modules, selected from a group of possible modules (15;101;201;301) is provided, each defining a plurality of bolt holes (63;109) which correspond with at least a major portion of the bolt holes (37) in the bolt hole pattern. The next step is selecting one module (15;101;201;301) and bolting it to the cylinder head slab (17).

Abstract: A water-cooled magnetorheological fluid controlled combination fan drive and water pump (60) used in a cooling system. Introducing a magnetic field within a working chamber (91) between a drive ring (74) and a driven ring (84) increases the viscosity of a magnetorheological fluid by changing the state of the magnetorheological fluid from a free flowing liquid to a semi-solid state. The shear rate of the magnetorheological fluid in an activated state creates additional torque to drive an output shaft (108), and coupled fan (110), at a higher rotational speed to cool the engine coolant flowing through a closely coupled radiator. The rotation of the drive ring (74) also rotates an attached impeller assembly (112) having impellers (114) to move engine coolant through the cooling system.