Enhanced oiling for sliding valve aspiration system

Abstract

Improved multi-section slide valves for internal combustion engines for improved aspiration comprise spaced apart, continuously pressurized, annular oil confinement zones that are defined between select groups of arrays of piston rings. The oil confinement zones are axially spaced along the length of the slide valve and continuously pressured by oil flow passageways communicating between spaced apart arrays of piston rings. During slide valve movement these pressurized oil confinement zones tend to stabilize the slide valve, preventing metal-to-metal contact such as that associated with rocking, tipping, chafing or scrubbing.

Claims

1. A slide valve system for aspirating an internal combustion engine with a reciprocating power piston, the slide valve system comprising: an intake slide valve for admitting a combustion mixture into said piston; a separate exhaust slide valve for discharging exhaust from said piston; and, each of said slide valves comprising: an elongated, substantially tubular body adapted to be reciprocated between open and closed positions within a slide valve cylinder; an annulus defined between said body and said slide valve cylinder; the tubular body comprising a connection section blocked to fluid flow for mechanical connection with a reciprocation actuator, a spaced apart open end for conducting gases, and a cutout disposed between said open end and said connection section that is in fluid flow communication with said open end; the tubular body provided with a plurality of ring arrays, each ring array comprising at least one ring; at least one oil confinement zone defined within said annulus between adjacent ring arrays; an inlet oil port continuously communicating with and admitting oil into said oil confinement zone as the slide valve moves between said open and closed positions; and, an oil outlet port continuously communicating with and draining oil from said oil confinement zone as the slide valve moves between said open and closed positions.

2. A pair of slide valves for aspirating an internal combustion engine with at least one reciprocating power piston within a power cylinder, pair of slide valves adapted to assume open and closed positions, the slide valve pair comprising: an intake slide valve for admitting a combustion mixture into said piston; a separate exhaust slide valve for discharging exhaust from said piston; and, each of said slide valves comprising: an elongated, substantially tubular body adapted to be reciprocated within a sleeve proximate a power piston; an annulus defined between said body and said sleeve; the tubular body comprising a connection section blocked to fluid flow for mechanical connection with a reciprocation actuator, a spaced apart open end for conducting gases, and a cutout disposed between said open end and said connection section that is in fluid flow communication with said open end and periodically placed in fluid flow communication with said power cylinder; the tubular body provided with a plurality or ring arrays, each ring array comprising at least one ring; at least one oil confinement zone defined within said annulus between adjacent ring arrays; at least one inlet oil port continuously communicating with and admitting oil into said oil confinement zone as the slide valve moves between open and closed positions and, at least one oil outlet port continuously communicating with and draining oil from said oil confinement zone as the slide valve moves between open and closed positions.

3. A slide valve as defined in claim 1 wherein a radiused arch is internally disposed within said slide valve body proximate said cutout for improving fluid flow.

4. A slide valve as defined in claim 2 wherein a radiused arch is internally disposed within said slide valve body proximate said cutout for improving fluid flow.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) In the following drawings, which form a part of the specification and which are to be construed in conjunction therewith, and in which like reference numerals have been employed throughout wherever possible to indicate like parts in the various views:

(2) FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, sectional view of an cylinder internal combustion engine equipped with the slide valve system constructed in accordance with the best mode of the invention known at this time;

(3) FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view derived from region 2 of FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary elevational view of a preferred slide valve, with the rings omitted for clarity;

(5) FIG. 4A is an isometric view of the preferred slide valve;

(6) FIG. 4B is a longitudinal sectional view of the preferred slide valve;

(7) FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken generally along line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

(8) FIG. 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary diagrammatic view derived from circled portion 6 of FIG. 2 showing a preferred slide valve and an annular oil pressure zone, ring arrays, and oiling ports disposed within the oil pressure zone; and,

(9) FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIG. 6, but showing a moved slide valve indicating the relative position of the oil ports after the slide valve is displaced from the position of FIG. 6, showing the oil ports still disposed within the annular oiling zone.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIOUS VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

(10) This application incorporates structure and teachings previously described in the following U.S. patents, which are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein: U.S. Pat. No. 8,210,147 issued Jul. 3, 2012, and entitled Sliding valve aspiration system; U.S. Pat. No. 8,459,227 issued Jun. 11, 2013 and entitled Sliding valve aspiration; and, U.S. Pat. No. 8,776,756 issued Jul. 15, 2014 and entitled Sliding valve aspiration.

(11) With initial reference directed now to to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the appended drawings, a single-cylinder, four-cycle internal combustion engine 10 equipped with the instant invention, is illustrated in an abbreviated fashion. The aspiration system constructed in accordance with the best mode of the invention generally designated by the reference numeral 13. It should be understood that the aspiration system as herein described is suitable for use with engines equipped with multiple cylinders, arrayed in the popular V-configuration or other configurations. The system is adapted for use with gasoline, diesel, propane and other hydrocarbon fuels.

(12) Those skilled in the art will recognize that engine has a rigid block 11 (FIG. 1) housing a primary crankshaft 12 of conventional construction that drives a reciprocating power piston 14 with a conventional connecting rod 16. The basic engine illustrated comprises a Honda thirteen-horsepower motor described in detail in the above cited patents, which is modified as hereinafter described. The engine configuration as illustrated can be varied considerably according to recognized standards known to those with skill in the art.

(13) The power piston 14 reciprocates within a cylinder 18 associated with the air-cooled engine 10. The basic construction of piston 14 is substantially conventional and is not critical to practice of the invention. While traveling during the exhaust stroke, spent gases are forced out through an exhaust sleeve valve. During an intake stroke, a fuel-air mixture is sucked inwardly through an intake sleeve valve.

(14) The instant sliding valve system is preferably disposed within a head, generally indicated by the reference numeral 22 (FIG. 1), that mounts conventionally above the piston 14 and cylinder 18 described previously. Piston 14 moves upwardly and downwardly in a direction substantially perpendicular to head 22 by crankshaft 12 and connecting rod 16 in response to firing of spark plug 70. For purposes of this invention, the term head shall generally designate that region of an internal combustion engine enclosing the combustion chambers, proximate the pistons. Such a head may be a conventional, separate part bolted atop the engine, or in some cases the head may be integral with the engine block in a single casting that is thereafter appropriately machined.

(15) With reference directed now to FIGS. 1-3, head 22 houses a pair of tubular, slide valves such as slide valve 24 for aspiration. These slide valves reciprocate within a tubular passageway in the form of a slide valve cylinder, that is preferably lined with an alloy sleeve 27, to open and close gas pathways in the manner described in detail in the previously cited Cotton patent references. In operation there will be at least one intake valve, and at least one exhaust slide valve 24 (FIGS. 1, 2), preferably mounted within sleeves. Preferably the slide valves are made from heat resistant alloys such as titanium. It is preferred that the exhaust sleeve be made of Steelite or Nickalloy heat resistant titanium steel alloy. Several alloys of titanium and/or titanium steel are available. Ordinary steel compositions however, result in heat damage and premature wear and failure. It is also preferred that the slide valve 24, and all others, are coaxially mounted in appropriately ported tubular sleeves 27 that fit into the cylinder head 22 and line up and register with the appropriate ports. While sleeveless sliding valve designs are functional, sleeves are much preferred. It is also preferred that the sleeves be coated by treating them with Nickel-boron.

(16) Slide valve 24 (i.e., FIG. 4A) slidably reciprocates within sleeve 27 (FIGS. 1, 2) concentrically disposed within tunnel 54 (FIG. 1). Sleeves 27 require oiling ports aligned with head ports described in the referenced Cotton patents. Sleeve 27 is elongated and tubular, and comprises a pair of spaced apart, open ends and an elongated, cylindrical passageway in which the slide valve 24 reciprocates. A manifold 57 exhausts gas during the exhaust stroke which traverses passageway 89 (FIG. 4A). A gently radiused arch 103 (FIGS. 1,3, 4B) at the edge of gas passage cutout 102 (FIGS. 3, 4B) leads to the smoothly configured, generally cylindrical passageway 89 that connects between cutout 102 and the exterior of the valve, passing gases exiting via manifold 57. During a piston exhaust stroke, an exhaust slide valve such as valve 24 will intake waste gases through cutout 102 and output them via open end 89 (FIG. 1) through manifold 57. During an intake stroke, fuel-air mixture will be suctioned through an intake sleeve valve similar to valve 24, entering the valve through a similar open passageway 89 and being drawn into the cylinder through a similar cutout (like cutout 102) defined in an intake sleeve valve. Passageway 89 and the cutout 102 are in fluid flow communication.

(17) With emphasis directed to FIGS. 2-3, slide valve 24 is elongated, substantially tubular, and multi-sectioned. An open connection section 80 at the right in FIG. 3 enables mechanical connection of the sleeve valve to a reciprocation actuator, such as a connecting rod 42 (FIGS. 1 and 2) that is journalled by a wrist pin 85 retained within end space 82 (FIG. 5) proximate internal closed wall 87 (FIG. 5) between orifices 84 (FIGS. 3, 4). Alternative actuator means for reciprocating the sleeve valve may be employed, such as cam-driven lifters, crankshafts, magnetic actuators and the like. In the best mode slide valve 24 has a plurality of spaced apart ring arrays. Each array preferably comprises one or more rings seated within suitable ring grooves. In the best mode there are five ring arrays, each of which has an ensemble of ring grooves seating appropriate rings.

(18) The first ring array 91 (i.e., FIG. 3) has a pair of concentric and parallel, spaced-apart ring grooves 93 and 94. The second ring array 95 comprises a similar pair of spaced-apart, concentric ring grooves 92 (FIG. 3). A third ring array 96 is spaced apart across sleeve valve cutout portion 102. The fourth ring array 97 similarly provides for a pair of rings. The fifth ring array 98 near the valve open end (FIG. 3) comprises a similar pair of rings.

(19) Referencing FIG. 6, a pair of rings 99 are seated within the ring grooves of ring array 98 (FIG. 3). Another spaced-apart pair of rings 100 (FIG. 6) are seated within the grooves of ring array 97 (FIG. 3). There are of course rings disposed in all ring arrays (not shown) assembled similarly to rings 99, 100. Each ring is preferably made of heat treated and heat resistant nickel alloy steel, and, the compressively touching ends of the rings are stepped in as seen in FIG. 6. Oiling zones are established between various pairs of ring arrays, and these zones are pressurized by oil during valve movements.

(20) An annular oil confinement zone 101 (FIG. 6) formed about the radial periphery of the slide valve 24 and the sleeve 27 is located between and confines by rings 99, 100, or between ring array 96 and ring array 97 (FIG. 6). An oil pressure port inlet port 106 passes through the sleeve 27 into the annular oil confinement zone 101. At the bottom there is an oil pressure return galley 107. Another oil pressure zone similar to zone 101 is defined generally between the ring arrays 91 and 95 (FIG. 3).

(21) As the slide valve 24 reciprocates back and forth between the positions illustrated respectively in FIGS. 6 and 7, oil input port 106 will always supply oil pressure to oil confinement zone 101. Relief is provided by oil return galley 107 (FIGS. 6, 7). The point is that with said construction, the sleeve valve 24 is continuously pressured by oil traveling between inlet port 106 and return galley 107, with pressure maintained within the annular oil confinement zone 101. Similar oil confinement zones between other ring arrays are similarly pressured during operation.

(22) Each slide valve is adapted to be displaced between an open position seen in FIG. 1 and a closed positions as described in detail in the previously cited Cotton patents. As viewed in FIG. 7, it is seen that the slide valve 24 has been displaced to the right, having moved from the position of FIG. 6. The inlet oil port 106 and outlet port 107 are still confined to the oil zone 101 between the rings 99, 100. Thus the various oil zones defined between various ring arrays on the slide valve may be semi-permanently pressured.

(23) During operation, this continuous oil pressure helps to stabilize the slide valve, preventing unwanted metal-to-metal contact. Thus valve wear caused by rocking, tipping, chafing or scrubbing is minimized.

(24) From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to obtain all the ends and objects herein set forth, together with other advantages inherent to the structure.

(25) It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations.

(26) As many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.