DESC:FORM 2

THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENT RULES, 2003

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

(See Section 10 and Rule 13)

Title of invention:
ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED ROTARY TYPE INTAKE AND EXHAUST VALVES OF AN ENGINE

Applicant:
BEML Limited
A company Incorporated in India under the Companies Act, 1956
Having address:
BEML Soudha, 23/1, 4th Main,
Sampangirama Nagar, Bengaluru - 560 027,
Karnataka, India

The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS AND PRIORITY
[001] This patent application claims priority from Indian Provisional Application 202041002471 filed on January 20, 2020.

TECHNICAL FIELD
[002] The present subject matter described herein, in general, relates to electronically controlled rotary type intake and exhaust valves of an engine.
BACKGROUND

[003] Intake and exhaust valves are used in an engine to close or open the intake and exhaust ports respectively. Generally, tappet valves are used as intake and exhaust valves. At present, in most of the engines these valves are controlled by electronic means for better efficiency and to achieve stringent emission norms. To open the intake or the exhaust port, the tappet valves are pushed inside the port. While the valve is open, the surface of valve remains in the passage of the port and obstructs the flow of intake or exhaust charge. Due to this obstruction by surface of the valve, efficiency of the engine is affected and results in poor performance of the engine.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[004] The object of the present invention is to eliminate restriction in the passages to increase the volumetric efficiency of intake and exhaust.
[005] Another object of the present invention is to maintain dynamic valve timings more precisely as suitable to get better efficiency from the engine
[006] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide electronic operation of valves with lesser effort.
[007] Yet another object of the present invention is to achieve internal EGR.
[008] Yet another object of the present invention is to avoid valve drop occurring in a conventional valve system with valve and spring loaded.
[009] Yet another object of the present invention is to achieve temperature required for after treatment system catalysts.

SUMMARY

[0010] Before the present system and method are described, it is to be understood that this application is not limited to the particular machine or an apparatus, and methodologies described, as there can be multiple possible embodiments that are not expressly illustrated in the present disclosures. It is also to be understood that the terminology used in the description is for the purpose of describing the particular versions or embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of the present application. This summary is not intended to identify essential features of the proposed subject matter nor is it intended for use in determining or limiting the scope of the proposed subject matter.
[0011] The present invention discloses an electronically controlled rotary type intake and exhaust valves of an engine. The system comprises at least one valve, a valve shaft, an actuator, solenoid and an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit controls rotary motion of the valves by actuating the actuator and linear motion by actuating the solenoid based on the certain engine and vehicle parameters. In one embodiment of the invention the certain engine and vehicle parameters may include TDC reference, speed of the engine & the vehicle, torque and temperature of the engine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawing. For the purpose of illustrating the disclosure, there is shown in the present document example constructions of the disclosure, however, the disclosure is not limited to the specific methods and apparatus disclosed in the document and the drawing:
[0013] The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figure. In the figure, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the drawing to refer like features and components.
[0014] Figure 1 illustrates a system to control rotary type intake and exhaust valves of an engine, in accordance with one embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0015] Figure 2 illustrates the system to control rotary type intake and exhaust valves of the engine, in accordance with another embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0016] Figure 3 illustrates an operating position of the rotary type intake and exhaust valves of the engine, in accordance with one embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0017] Figure 4 illustrates another operating position of the rotary type intake and exhaust valves of the engine, in accordance with one embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0018] The figure depicts various embodiments of the present disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following discussion that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] Some embodiments of this disclosure, illustrating all its features, will now be discussed in detail. The words "comprising", “having”, and "including," and other forms thereof, are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items, or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items. Although any systems and methods similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the present disclosure, the exemplary, systems and methods are now described. The disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the disclosure, which may be embodied in various forms.
[0020] Various modifications to the embodiment will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and the generic principles herein may be applied to other embodiments. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the embodiments illustrated but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features described herein.

[0021] Referring to Figure 1, in one aspect of present invention, a system to electronically control rotary type intake and exhaust valves of an engine is disclosed. The system comprises of at least one valve (1), a valve shaft (3), an actuator, solenoid and a control unit. The valve (1) is attached to one end of the valve shaft (3). The other end of the valve shaft (3) is adapted to receive a driven gear (9) wherein the driven gear (9) is engaged with a drive gear (7) which is rotated by the actuator. In one embodiment the actuator may be selected from a servo motor or a rack. The actuator rotates based on the command by an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) (not shown). The rotary motion of the actuator results in rotation of the valve (1) and eventually results in opening or closing of the intake or the exhaust port (13). The valve shaft (3) with the valve (1) and the driven gear (9) is assembled on a cylinder head (11) of the engine. The ECU can also control the linear motion of the valve shaft (3) by a solenoid to avoid the contact between the valve (1) and the cylinder head (11) surface during operation.

[0022] Referring now to figure 2, in one aspect of present invention, the valve shaft (3) comprises bearings (5) to be fitted on the surface of the cylinder head (11) to assist the rotation of valve shaft and bearing (15) mounted on valve shaft and secured in cylinder block to support the valve shaft (3) and bearing (17) mounted on gear shaft and secured in cylinder block for assisting in rotary motion of a drive gear (7).

[0023] Referring now to figure 3, in one aspect of present invention, the valve (1) is rotated to fully open the intake port or the exhaust port (13) of the engine or both ports.

[0024] Referring now to figure 4, in one aspect of present invention, the valve is rotated to partially open the intake port or the exhaust port of the engine or both ports.

[0025] The actuation of the solenoid, actuator / Servo Motor / Rack is controlled by the Electronic Control Unit. The electronic control unit will control the actuation based on,
• TDC (top dead center) reference
• Speed of engine and vehicle
• Torque
• Temperature of engine
The TDC reference and speed input will be taken by the Hall Effect sensors mounted over flywheel and the cam shaft gear or FIP shaft. The torque signal will be taken from the engine ECU.
[0026] As disclosed above, the intake and exhaust valves of the engine will be controlled by electronic servo motor and the movement of the valve (1) is rotary type (Flip-Flop). When the valve (1) is open, there is no restriction for air entering to the cylinder or exhaust gas going out from the cylinder, so volumetric efficiency will get increase.
[0027] Due to electronic control of the valve (1) by the ECU, the valve timing may be optimized more precisely with respect to speed and load to provide Variable Valve Timing (VVT). It will improve the efficiency of the engine. Also valve train components like cam shaft, cam follower, pushrod, rocker arm, springs and other related components are not required.
[0028] Due to electronic control, by feedback system, valve struck can be identified and a suitable corrective action can be taken on the particular valves to enhance safety of the engine.
[0029] The exhaust valve can be opened during intake stroke or intake valve can be opened during exhaust stroke for Internal EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) or to increase or decrease the exhaust temperature which will be required for engine fitted with after treatment system catalysts.
[0030] An electronically controlled rotary type intake and exhaust valve of an engine configured with an actuator engaged with drive gear (7) meshed with driven gear (9) to provide rotation to the valve (1). An electronic control unit actuates the actuator for rotating of the at least one valve (1) for opening or closing of the intake or the exhaust port (13). The electronic control unit controls the axial motion of the valve shaft (3) by the solenoid to avoid the friction between the valve (1) and the cylinder head (11) surface during its operation. A groove (19) is provided in the cylinder head (11) for rotation of the valve (1). The electronic control unit controls the actuation of valve (1) based on TDC (top dead center), speed of engine and vehicle, engine torque, temperature of engine. The torque signal is provided by the engine ECU and TDC reference and speed input are provided by the Hall Effect sensors mounted over flywheel and the cam shaft gear or FIP shaft. The valve (1) provides variable valve timings (VVT) to improve the efficiency of the engine. The valve (1) rotates fully or partially inside the groove (19) based on the variable valve timing (VVT). The actuator is a servo motor or rack (gear).
[0031] Exemplary embodiments discussed above may provide certain advantages. Though not required to practice aspects of the disclosure, these advantages may include those provided by the following features.
[0032] Some object of the present invention enables to increase exhaust temperature by restricting the intake air.
[0033] Some object of the present invention eliminates restriction in the passages to increase the volumetric efficiency of intake and exhaust gas.
[0034] Some object of the present invention enables to maintain dynamic valve timings more precisely as suitable to get better efficiency from the engine.
[0035] Some object of the present invention enables electronic operation of valves with lesser effort.
[0036] Some object of the present invention enables to achieve internal EGR.
[0037] Some object of the present invention enables to avoid valve drop occurring in a conventional valve system with valve and spring loaded.
[0038] Some object of the present invention enables to achieve temperature required for after treatment system catalysts.

[0039] REFERRAL NUMERALS:
Element Description Reference Numeral
Valve 1
Valve shaft 3
Bearing 5
Drive gear 7
Driven gear 9
Cylinder Head 11
Intake/ exhaust valve 13
Bearing 15
Bearing 17
Groove for rotation on valve 19
,CLAIMS:
1. An electronically controlled rotary type intake and exhaust valve of an engine comprising of:
at least one valve (1) configured to form an intake and/or exhaust valve;
at least one valve shaft (3)configured to be mounted eccentrically on valve (1) at one end and adapted for mounting on driven gear (9) at other end ;
at least one bearing (5) mounted on cylinder head (11) to assist the oscillatory movement of valve (1)and cylinder block to provide support to the valve shaft (3);
at least one bearing (15) mounted on valve shaft and secured in cylinder block for providing an intermediate support to the valve shaft (3);
at least one bearing (17) mounted on gear shaft and secured in cylinder block for assisting in rotary motion of a drive gear (7);
at least one actuator adapted to rotate the valve (1)through drive gear (7) and driven gear (9) in both directions;
at least one solenoid configured to provide an axial movement of valve shaft (3) during actuation of valve (1) ; and
an electronic control unit to control the timing of opening and closing of valve (1).

2. The electronically controlled rotary type intake and exhaust valve of an engine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the actuator is engaged with drive gear (7) meshed with driven gear (9) to provide rotation to the valve (1)

3. The electronically controlled rotary type intake and exhaust valve of an engine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said electronic control unit is configured to actuate the actuator for rotating of the at least one valve (1) for opening or closing of the intake or the exhaust port (13).

4. The electronically controlled rotary type intake and exhaust valve of an engine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said electronic control unit is configured to control the axial motion of the valve shaft (3) by the solenoid to avoid the friction between the valve (1) and the cylinder head (11) surface during its operation.

5. The electronically controlled rotary type intake and exhaust valve of an engine as claimed in claim 1, wherein a groove (19) is provided in the cylinder head (11) for rotation of the valve (1).

6.The electronically controlled rotary type intake and exhaust valve of an engine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electronic control unit is configured to control the actuation of valve (1) based on TDC (top dead center), speed of engine and vehicle, engine torque, temperature of engine.

7. The electronically controlled rotary type intake and exhaust valve of an engine as claimed in claim 1, wherein torque signal is configured to be provided by the engine ECU and TDC reference and speed input are configured to be provided by the Hall Effect sensors mounted over flywheel and the cam shaft gear or FIP shaft.

8. The electronically controlled rotary type intake and exhaust valve of an engine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said valve (1) is configured to provide variable valve timings (VVT) to improve the efficiency of the engine.

9. The electronically controlled rotary type intake and exhaust valve of an engine as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the said valve (1) is configured to be rotated fully or partially inside the groove (19)based on the variable valve timing (VVT).

10. The electronically controlled rotary type intake and exhaust valve of an engine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said actuator is a servo motor or rack.