Harry W Buehrle

US Patent:

20020046717, Apr 25, 2002

Filed:

Aug 7, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/924947

Inventors:

Harry Buehrle - Irvine CA, US
Raymond Clark - Huntington Beach CA, US
Jarrid Gross - Fullerton CA, US
Ron Long - GardenGrove CA, US
Lance Nist - Santa Ana CA, US

International Classification:

F01L009/02

US Classification:

123/090120

Abstract:

The reciprocating valve actuation and control system includes a poppet valve moveable between a first and second position; a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid; a hydraulic actuator including an actuator piston coupled to the poppet valve and reciprocating between a first and second position responsive to flow of the pressurized hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic actuator; an electrically operated valve controlling flow of the pressurized hydraulic fluid to the actuator; and an engine computer that generates electrical pulses to control the electrically operated valve. The electrically operated valve includes a linear latching motor. The hydraulic actuator comprises a self-contained cartridge assembly including an actuator piston with dampers for damping motion of the actuator piston, limiting the actuator stroke to assure soft seating of the actuator, and to avoid overshoot during the engine valve opening stroke and the engine valve return stroke. The electro-hydraulic valves are electrically controlled by the engine computer, which generates electrical signals carried to the electro-hydraulic valves. The engine computer typically senses conventional engine variables, and optimizes performance of the valve actuation and control system according to preestablished guidelines, with information being supplied to the engine computer by sensors. The engine computer controls all aspects of engine performance, interfaces with all of the peripheral sensors, and calculates fuel parameters, ignition timing and engine valve timing based upon prior mapping of the engine. In this manner the engine can be controlled so as to provide maximum fuel economy, minimum emissions, maximum engine torque, or a compromise between these parameters.

US Patent:

61736848, Jan 16, 2001

Filed:

Jan 10, 2000

Appl. No.:

9/480098

Inventors:

Harry W. Buehrle - Irvine CA
Raymond C. Clark - Huntington Beach CA
Jarrid Gross - Fullerton CA
Ron Long - Garden Grove CA
Lance E. Nist - Santa Ana CA

International Classification:

F01L 902

US Classification:

123 9012

Abstract:

The reciprocating valve actuation and control system includes a poppet valve moveable between a first and second position; a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid; a hydraulic actuator including an actuator piston coupled to the poppet valve and reciprocating between a first and second position responsive to flow of the pressurized hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic actuator; an electrically operated valve controlling flow of the pressurized hydraulic fluid to the actuator; and an engine computer that generates electrical pulses to control the electrically operated valve. The electrically operated valve preferably comprises a three path rotary latched magnetic motor actuating a rotary valve portion having a housing, a rotor, and a stator receiving and supplying hydraulic fluid pressure to the rotor, which alternately directs the hydraulic fluid pressure to the valve cylinder for opening of the valve, or to return to the engine oil sump, for closing the valve. In a presently preferred embodiment, the hydraulic actuator comprises a self-contained cartridge assembly including an actuator piston with dampers for damping motion of the actuator piston, limiting the actuator stroke to assure soft seating of the actuator, and to avoid overshoot during the engine valve opening stroke and the engine valve return stroke. The electro-hydraulic valves are electrically controlled by the engine computer, which generates electrical signals carried to the electro-hydraulic valves.

US Patent:

53479610, Sep 20, 1994

Filed:

Oct 27, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/141647

Inventors:

Harry W. Buehrle - Irvine CA
Lance E. Nist - Santa Ana CA
Raymond C. Clark - Huntington Beach CA

International Classification:

F01L 904

US Classification:

123 9011

Abstract:

An internal combustion engine valve actuating device located directly above each cylinder which has a co-axial venturi shaped duct (20) that is removably attached with threaded capscrews (24) and sealed with an o-ring (28). The interior of the duct contains a number of inwardly facing vanes (30) that hold an electromechanical valve actuator (48) complete with an engine intake valve (50). When a pulsed electrical signal is received by the actuator, opposed electromagnetic fields are developed reciprocating the valve. A fuel injection system introduces combustible fuel into the duct at the trailing edge of the vanes. The valve actuating device may also be applied to the exhaust system, less the fuel injection, and the valve actuator may be cooled by interconnecting cavities (60) within the vanes using engine coolant or oil.

US Patent:

57620911, Jun 9, 1998

Filed:

Aug 1, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/690750

Inventors:

Daniel L. Sarne - Long Beach CA
Harry W. Buehrle - Irvine CA

International Classification:

F16K 1740

US Classification:

137 74

Abstract:

A thermal-pressure relief device, which has an adapter (20) threaded into the wall of a pressure vessel. The adapter contains an orifice (22) therethrough with a blowout disc (30) overlapping the orifice to obstruct communication with fluid inside the vessel. The disc is attached by brazing with a filler metal in the form of a temperature responsive amalgam (38), preferably a eutectic alloy. When ambient temperatures are elevated above the melting point of the amalgam, the disc is blown out, freeing the orifice, relieving the pressure within the vessel, preventing an explosion. A protective cover in the form of a cap (42) with an impact surface (40) contains the disc when it separates from the adapter and a number of vents (48) diffuse the fluid from the pressure vessel in a safe direction.

US Patent:

60240601, Feb 15, 2000

Filed:

Jun 5, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/092445

Inventors:

Harry W. Buehrle - Irvine CA
Raymond C. Clark - Huntington Beach CA
Jarrid Gross - Fullerton CA
Ron Long - Garden Grove CA
Lance E. Nist - Santa Ana CA

International Classification:

F01L 902

US Classification:

123 9012

Abstract:

The reciprocating valve actuation and control system includes a poppet valve moveable between a first and second position; a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid; a hydraulic actuator including an actuator piston coupled to the poppet valve and reciprocating between a first and second position responsive to flow of the pressurized hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic actuator; an electrically operated valve controlling flow of the pressurized hydraulic fluid to the actuator; and an engine computer that generates electrical pulses to control the electrically operated valve. The electrically operated valve preferably comprises a three path rotary latched magnetic motor actuating a rotary valve portion having a housing, a rotor, and a stator receiving and supplying hydraulic fluid pressure to the rotor, which alternately directs the hydraulic fluid pressure to the valve cylinder for opening of the valve, or to return to the engine oil sump, for closing the valve. In a presently preferred embodiment, the hydraulic actuator comprises a self-contained cartridge assembly including an actuator piston with dampers for damping motion of the actuator piston, limiting the actuator stroke to assure soft seating of the actuator, and to avoid overshoot during the engine valve opening stroke and the engine valve return stroke. The electro-hydraulic valves are electrically controlled by the engine computer, which generates electrical signals carried to the electro-hydraulic valves.

US Patent:

20010006049, Jul 5, 2001

Filed:

Jan 16, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/761214

Inventors:

Harry Buehrle - Irvine CA, US
Raymond Clark - Huntington Beach CA, US
Jarrid Gross - Fullerton CA, US
Ron Long - Garden Grove CA, US
Lance Nist - Santa Ana CA, US

International Classification:

F01L009/02
F01L001/34

US Classification:

123/090120, 123/090150

Abstract:

The reciprocating valve actuation and control system includes a poppet valve moveable between a first and second position; a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid; a hydraulic actuator including an actuator piston coupled to the poppet valve and reciprocating between a first and second position responsive to flow of the pressurized hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic actuator; an electrically operated valve controlling flow of the pressurized hydraulic fluid to the actuator; and an engine computer that generates electrical pulses to control the electrically operated valve. The electrically operated valve preferably comprises a three path rotary latched magnetic motor actuating a rotary valve portion having a housing, a rotor, and a stator receiving and supplying hydraulic fluid pressure to the rotor, which alternately directs the hydraulic fluid pressure to the valve cylinder for opening of the valve, or to return to the engine oil sump, for closing the valve. In a presently preferred embodiment, the hydraulic actuator comprises a self-contained cartridge assembly including an actuator piston with dampers for damping motion of the actuator piston, limiting the actuator stroke to assure soft seating of the actuator, and to avoid overshoot during the engine valve opening stroke and the engine valve return stroke. The electro-hydraulic valves are electrically controlled by the engine computer, which generates electrical signals carried to the electro-hydraulic valves. The engine computer typically senses conventional engine variables, and optimizes performance of the valve actuation and control system according to preestablished guidelines, with information being supplied to the engine computer by sensors. The engine computer controls all aspects of engine performance, interfaces with all of the peripheral sensors, and calculates fuel parameters, ignition timing and engine valve timing based upon prior mapping of the engine. In this manner the engine can be controlled so as to provide maximum fuel economy, minimum emissions, maximum engine torque, or a compromise between these parameters.