CA1252680A - Electric vacuum regulator - Google Patents
Electric vacuum regulatorInfo
- Publication number
- CA1252680A CA1252680A CA000449374A CA449374A CA1252680A CA 1252680 A CA1252680 A CA 1252680A CA 000449374 A CA000449374 A CA 000449374A CA 449374 A CA449374 A CA 449374A CA 1252680 A CA1252680 A CA 1252680A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- vacuum
- disk
- orifice
- air pressure
- stator
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
- F02M—SUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF
- F02M26/00—Engine-pertinent apparatus for adding exhaust gases to combustion-air, main fuel or fuel-air mixture, e.g. by exhaust gas recirculation [EGR] systems
- F02M26/52—Systems for actuating EGR valves
- F02M26/55—Systems for actuating EGR valves using vacuum actuators
- F02M26/56—Systems for actuating EGR valves using vacuum actuators having pressure modulation valves
- F02M26/57—Systems for actuating EGR valves using vacuum actuators having pressure modulation valves using electronic means, e.g. electromagnetic valves
Abstract
Abstract:
ELECTRIC VACUUM REGULATOR
An electric vacuum regulator (EVR) (20) in response to a pulsed electric signal regulates its output vacuum value. The pulsed electric signal, which is generally generated in an electronic control unit (26), is typically duty cycled so as to mix input vacuum with some other source of air pressure, such as atmospheric, to achieve the desired level of output vacuum. (Figure 1)
ELECTRIC VACUUM REGULATOR
An electric vacuum regulator (EVR) (20) in response to a pulsed electric signal regulates its output vacuum value. The pulsed electric signal, which is generally generated in an electronic control unit (26), is typically duty cycled so as to mix input vacuum with some other source of air pressure, such as atmospheric, to achieve the desired level of output vacuum. (Figure 1)
Description
ELECTRIC VACUUM REGULATOR
This invention relates to vacuum regulators in general and in particular to electric or electronic vacuum regulators for use with in~ernal combustion enginesu 5In the engine systems of motor vehicles, vacuum regulators are used to control the vacuum which is created in the engine and used to operate many of the various pollution control devices~ As with any control source, and vacuum sources are no different, it is a 10requirement that the control value of the source be either regulated or always known. If the source is to be regulated or maintained at a single fixed value~ then the conventional mechanically constructed vacuum regulator comprising springs, diaphragms and orifices perform ade-15~uately.
In the modern internal combustion engine control system, computers having one or more microprocessors and read-only-memories (ROM) are being programed to generate electrical signals of various values. Rs certain engine 20operating parameters or condi~ions change, the computer through digital mapping techniques can generate unique control signals representing the present state of the engine. One such control signal may represent a vacuum level for controlling a vacuum utilization devicPO
25Combining such control signal as generated by a com-puter with a prior art vacuum regulator, the single fixed value o vacuum can be maintained. Such prior art vacuum regulators have a rubber diaphragm for separating the vacuum and atmospheric chambers. An armature is attached 30to the diaphragm, and to form the regulating part o~ the valve, a seal is placed between the armature and the rubber diaphragm. As the armature ~oves reciprocally, '3~
the ~eal wear~ causing the regulator calibration to drift. To further complicate matters, in order to complete the magnetic circuit a steel member mu~t be added thereby increasing the number of elements making up the regulator.
In order to avoid the subsequent wear and drift of regulator and to maintain accurate vacuum regulation, the pre3ent electric vacuum regulator waa developed. One element, a steel disk or armature, for example, in a specific embodiment of the invention, separates and provides a seal between the vacuum and atmo~pheric chambers and completes the magnetic circuit for the solenoid actuator. Because it seals on a bras~ seat, wear of the internal members of the regulator is virtually eliminated. ~
According to the pre~ent invention there i~ provided an electric vacuum regulator which has an input port adapted to be connected to a vacuu~ sourcé, the input port having a re~trictor coupled thereto. An output port is adapted to be connected to a vacuum utilization device, and a mixing chamber interconnect~ the input and the output ports. An orifice iB provided for communicating an air pressure source to the chamber a non-magnetic seating means encircles the orifice. A disk i9 adapted to cooperate with the ~eating means to aeal the orifice for separatine the air pressure source from the vacuum source. Spring means bia~es the di~k in a clo~ed poaltion against the orifice. A stator iB located in ali~nment with the orifice and spaced from the disk.
A shell encloses the mixing chamber, orifice, disk, spring means and the ~tator. The shell, stator and disk are magneti~able members. Coil means is magneticelly coupled to the ~tator, the ~hell and the disk and is operative in reaponse to an electrical ~0 signal for magnetically attracting the disk for con-trolling the mixing of the air from the air pressure source with the vacuum from the input port and thereby regulating the vacuum at the output port proportional to the vacuum at the input port.
These and other advantages of the electrical vacuum regulator will become apparent from the following detached description and drawings in which:
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Fig. l is a schematic block diagram of control system utilizing the positive gain electric vacuum regulator of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sec~ional view taken along an axis of a positive gain electric vacuum regulator as may be used in the system of Fig. l;
Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along an axis of a negative gain electric vacuum regulator;
Fig. 4 is a graph of the operation of the positive gain electric vacuum regulator of Fig. 2; and Fig, 5 is a graph of the operation of the negative gain electric vacuum regulator of Fig. 3.
Referring to the Figs. by the reference numerals, a system is illustrated in Fig. l as may be ~ound on an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle. The vacuum utilization device is an exhaus~ gas recirculation (EGR) valve lO which operates under certain engine operating conditions to recirculate, from the exhaust manifold 12 to the intake manifold 14, exhaust gas into the air~fuel mixture. Connected to the vacuum input 16 of the EG~ valve lO is the output port 18 of the electric vacuum regulator (EVR~ 20 and an input port 22 of a vacuum switch 24.
The vacuum switch 24 functions to determine the presence of vacuum in the vacuum line to the EGR valve lO. If a vacuum hose is off or if the diaphragm is bad or if the EVR 20 is defective or if there is any other condition which adversely affects the vacuum level, the vacuum switch 24 generates a signal to the electronic control unit (ECU) or onboard computer 26.
The functi~n of the ECU 26, as far as the present invention is concerned, is to map the curve of the output vacuum value from the electric vacuum regulator 20 against the voltage duty cycle of the electric vacuum regulator. Thust for any desired output vacuum, the ECU
26 interprets the map in a ROM and develops the appropriate voltage duty cycle signal for the electric vacuum regulator 20 to regulate the output vacuumA
The electric vacuum regulator 20 receives ~he duty cycle signal and controls the output vacuum from its output port 18 according to the duty cycle of the signal.
This is accomplished by mixing atmospheric pressure taken rom an air pressure source 27 and the vacuum pressure taken from a vacuum source such as the intake manifold 14 1~ of the engine. This is schematically represented by the line from the intake ma~ifold 14 to the input port 28 of the electric vacuum regulator 20. The atmospheric pres.sure is provided through an orifice 30 in th~
~ regulator to the mixing chamber ~.
Thus, with the system of ~ig. 1, the EGR valve 10 ; during normal engine operation is supplied with a variable vacuum signal which causes the EGR valve 10 to open a known amount and allow a calculated amount of exhaust gas to mix with the air-fuel mixture. The constant current circuit 34 maintains the current level to the eJectric vacuum regulator 20 regardless of resistance changes in the coil due to temperature or aging or due to fluctuations or changes in the battery voltage.
The system of Fig. 1 utilizes a positive gain electric vacuum regulator 20 which is defined as having the vacuum output therefrom increase as the duty cycle increases to 100~. The positive gain electric vacuum regulator 20 i5. illustrated in Fig. 2 and the graph of Fig. 4 illustrates its output characteristics for various adjustments of the stator means 36.
If the system of Fig. 1 utilized a negative gain electric vacuum regulator 21, which is illustrated in Fig. 3, the vacuum switch 24 would be omitted as an~
fai~ure of the electric vacuum regulator 21 would affect ~ (3 the operability of the engine enough to make the engine operator notice that there is a failure. The negative gain elec~ric vacuum regulator 21 is defined as having the vacuum output ~herefrom decreasing as the duty cycle increases to 100~. The graph of Fig. 5 illustrates the out~ut characteristics of the negative gain electric vacuum regulator 21 of various stator adjustments~
The failure of an EGR valve 10, independently of the characteristic of the elec~ric vacuum regulator 20, wil~
in all probability not be noticed by the engine operator because exhaust gas will not be mixed with the air-fuel mixture, but such failure will cause emissions from the engine to be changed which may or may not pass environmental testing.
The electric vacuum re~ulator 20 as illustrated in Fig. 2 has a cap 38 having at least a pair of ports 18 and 28 at one end, one being the input port 28 and the other the output port 18. ~he interior of the cap 38 forms a portion of the mixing chamber 32 interconnecting the two ports. Each port 18 and 28 is adapted to receive a vacuum hose, which is not shown, or connecting the input port 28 to a source of the vacuum 14, and for connecting the output port 18 to the utilization device ~ 16. In the embodiment of Fig. 2 at the opposite end ~ ~rorn the cap 38, there is at least one aperture 40 open to a ~ource of air pressure 27 or atmospheric pressure.
Connected to the cap 38 is a bobbin means 42 providing an area to wind an electromagetic coil 44 therearound and cooperates with the cap 38 to form the 30 remaining portion of the mixing chamber 32. The bobbin means 42 is enclosed by a shell 46 fabricated from a magnetizable material. ~he leads or ~he ends of the coil are extended to a pair of terminals which are connected to wires 48 extending ou~ward of the shell 46 for receiving the electrical control signals.
At the end of the bobbin means 42, opposite the terminals, a seating means S0 having a central orifice 30 is retained wi~hin the bobbin means 42 in Figure 2. The central orifice 30 is concentric with the central aperture of ~he bobbin means 42 which receives the stator means 36. The stator means 36 is an elongated shaft threaded at one end to provide an adjustment for positioning ~he stator means 36 in alignment with the central orifice 30 of the seating means 50. This adjustment, which may be made by means of a small hexagonal wrench or similar ~ool applied to a receptacle 52 in the end of the s~ator means 36, affects the operation of electromagnetic circuit as will hereinafter be described.
There is positioned across the seating means 50 r which is typically cylindrical in shape, a flat steel disk 54 which is free to move and is constrained only by the walls of the mixin~ chamber 32. The mixing chamber 32 interconnects. the input. port 28 and the output port 18 providing for the transfer of vacuum therebetween. In a normal state with no current applied to the coil 24 and no vacuum, the disk 54 rests upon the seatin~ means 50 encircling the orifice 30. A spring bias means 56 is positioned so as to bias the disk 54 against the seating means 50.
Located in the input port 28 upstream of the mixing chamber 32 is a bleed orifice or restrictor 58 which contrcls the amount of' vacuum flow from the input port . 28.
Ad~acent a plurality of apertures 40 in one end of the shell 46 is a filter means 60 which prevents any ; particles in the air pressure source 27 from getting into the valve. As is customary in devices of this nature, ; the filter 60 operates to make sure that the air that 3~ flows within the valve is clean of any particles which : would inhibit or hinder the operation o the valve.
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In Figure 2, once the air from the air pressure source 27 flows through the filter 60, the clean air then flows up through the central aperture 62 of the bobbin means 42. The stator means 36 has a crosshole 64 inclined to its longitudinal axis to provide for the flow air therethrough. The crosshole 64 is ~hen connec~ed with the longitudinally extending bore 66 rom the middle of the stator means 36 to the top of the stator means 36.
At the end of the s~ator means 36, this bore 66 is the central orifice 30 or supplying the air pressure source 27 to the mixing chambe~ 32 of,the vacuum regulator 20.
For the operation of ~he electric vacuum regulator 20 of Fig. 2, reference is made to FigO 4 which shows a series of curves 68-71 illustrating the relationship of the output vacuum as a percent of the voltage duty cycle of the operation of the coi]. 44. The onboard computer 26 of Fig~ 1 determines the volta~e duty cycle desired for operation of the coil 44 so that the vacuum o~ the output port 18 is a previously calculated value. This value enhances the operation of the internal combustion engine wnich is controlled in part by the uti~ization device iO
from the output port 18 of the EVR 20. When the coil 44 is not energized the position of the steel disk 54 is determined ~y the pressure of the air from the air pressure source 27, the spring force from the spring bias . means 56 and the .amount of vacuum in ~he mixing chamber 32. As the onboard computer 26 determines what is necessary for the operation of the utilization device 10 r the duty cycle signal will cause the vacuum regulator 20 ; 30 to operate at some percent duty cycle. The curves 68-71 of Fig. 4 indicate that for dif~erent adjustments of the stator means 36 the output vacuum varies with the value of the duty cycle. The fourth curve 71 indicates that . there is a point in the duty cycle with a particular 3~ stator means 36 adjustment when the magnetic force i8~ 1 retains the steel disk 54 against its seating means 50 and the output 18 and inpu~ 28 ports are substantially connected together such tha~ the input and output vacuums are equal~
With input vacuum applied to the input port 28 in the cap 38 and the output port 18 attached to a utilization device 10, a vacuum will start to build up inside the valve. This will create a force that will try to lift the disk 54 off the seating means 50. The spring force of the bias spr;ng 56 will prevent this up to the point that the vacuum ~orce will overcome it. Then the disk 54 will lift off from the seating means S0 and atmospheric air will enter through the filter 60. This will reduce the vacuum force and the spring 56 will push the disk 54 back on the seating means 50. The vacuum will build up again and the process will be repeated.
With current applied ~o the coil 4~, a magnetic field will be created in the valve. This field will pass through the shell 46, the stator means 36 and the disk 54 creating a magnetic force between the stator means 36 and the disk 54. This foLce works in ~he same direction as the spring force, so increased current will give increased regulated output vacuumO
Referring to the negative gain embodiment of Fig. 3, wherein the same reference numerals are used to identify similar elements as the embodiment of Fig, 2. The difference in this embodiment is that the vacuum force and the magnetic force from the coil 44 aid each other-and work against the force from the spring bias means 56l where in ~he embodiment of Fig. 2 the force from the spring bias means 56 and the magnetic force aid each other ~nd wor~ against the vacuum force.
In ~ig. 3 when the vacuum regulator 21 has no power applied ~o the coil 44 and no vacuum, the central orifice 30 f rom the air pressure source is closed and the input 8~3 28 and output por~s 18 are connected toge~her. In this particular conditiont the spring bias means 56 holds the disk 54 against the seating means 50 surrounding the central orifice 30 effectively closing the orifice 30.
5 Inasmuch as the stator means 36 in this particular embodiment extends into the mixing chamber 32 which is typically at a vacuum level and not at atmospheric level, a sealing means 72 must be provided along the stator means 36 to prevent any leakage of air pressure or vacuum from the mixing chamber 32. As in Fig. 2, the stator means 36 is threadably adjusted, although in Fig. 3 the bobbin means 42 is tapped to provide the thread adjustment.
- With input vacuum applied to the input port 28 in lS the cap 39 and the output port 18 attached to a utilization device 10, a vacuum will start to build up inside the valve 21. This will create a force tha~ will try to lift the disk 54 off the seat means S0. The spring force of the bias spring 56 will prevent this up
This invention relates to vacuum regulators in general and in particular to electric or electronic vacuum regulators for use with in~ernal combustion enginesu 5In the engine systems of motor vehicles, vacuum regulators are used to control the vacuum which is created in the engine and used to operate many of the various pollution control devices~ As with any control source, and vacuum sources are no different, it is a 10requirement that the control value of the source be either regulated or always known. If the source is to be regulated or maintained at a single fixed value~ then the conventional mechanically constructed vacuum regulator comprising springs, diaphragms and orifices perform ade-15~uately.
In the modern internal combustion engine control system, computers having one or more microprocessors and read-only-memories (ROM) are being programed to generate electrical signals of various values. Rs certain engine 20operating parameters or condi~ions change, the computer through digital mapping techniques can generate unique control signals representing the present state of the engine. One such control signal may represent a vacuum level for controlling a vacuum utilization devicPO
25Combining such control signal as generated by a com-puter with a prior art vacuum regulator, the single fixed value o vacuum can be maintained. Such prior art vacuum regulators have a rubber diaphragm for separating the vacuum and atmospheric chambers. An armature is attached 30to the diaphragm, and to form the regulating part o~ the valve, a seal is placed between the armature and the rubber diaphragm. As the armature ~oves reciprocally, '3~
the ~eal wear~ causing the regulator calibration to drift. To further complicate matters, in order to complete the magnetic circuit a steel member mu~t be added thereby increasing the number of elements making up the regulator.
In order to avoid the subsequent wear and drift of regulator and to maintain accurate vacuum regulation, the pre3ent electric vacuum regulator waa developed. One element, a steel disk or armature, for example, in a specific embodiment of the invention, separates and provides a seal between the vacuum and atmo~pheric chambers and completes the magnetic circuit for the solenoid actuator. Because it seals on a bras~ seat, wear of the internal members of the regulator is virtually eliminated. ~
According to the pre~ent invention there i~ provided an electric vacuum regulator which has an input port adapted to be connected to a vacuu~ sourcé, the input port having a re~trictor coupled thereto. An output port is adapted to be connected to a vacuum utilization device, and a mixing chamber interconnect~ the input and the output ports. An orifice iB provided for communicating an air pressure source to the chamber a non-magnetic seating means encircles the orifice. A disk i9 adapted to cooperate with the ~eating means to aeal the orifice for separatine the air pressure source from the vacuum source. Spring means bia~es the di~k in a clo~ed poaltion against the orifice. A stator iB located in ali~nment with the orifice and spaced from the disk.
A shell encloses the mixing chamber, orifice, disk, spring means and the ~tator. The shell, stator and disk are magneti~able members. Coil means is magneticelly coupled to the ~tator, the ~hell and the disk and is operative in reaponse to an electrical ~0 signal for magnetically attracting the disk for con-trolling the mixing of the air from the air pressure source with the vacuum from the input port and thereby regulating the vacuum at the output port proportional to the vacuum at the input port.
These and other advantages of the electrical vacuum regulator will become apparent from the following detached description and drawings in which:
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Fig. l is a schematic block diagram of control system utilizing the positive gain electric vacuum regulator of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sec~ional view taken along an axis of a positive gain electric vacuum regulator as may be used in the system of Fig. l;
Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along an axis of a negative gain electric vacuum regulator;
Fig. 4 is a graph of the operation of the positive gain electric vacuum regulator of Fig. 2; and Fig, 5 is a graph of the operation of the negative gain electric vacuum regulator of Fig. 3.
Referring to the Figs. by the reference numerals, a system is illustrated in Fig. l as may be ~ound on an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle. The vacuum utilization device is an exhaus~ gas recirculation (EGR) valve lO which operates under certain engine operating conditions to recirculate, from the exhaust manifold 12 to the intake manifold 14, exhaust gas into the air~fuel mixture. Connected to the vacuum input 16 of the EG~ valve lO is the output port 18 of the electric vacuum regulator (EVR~ 20 and an input port 22 of a vacuum switch 24.
The vacuum switch 24 functions to determine the presence of vacuum in the vacuum line to the EGR valve lO. If a vacuum hose is off or if the diaphragm is bad or if the EVR 20 is defective or if there is any other condition which adversely affects the vacuum level, the vacuum switch 24 generates a signal to the electronic control unit (ECU) or onboard computer 26.
The functi~n of the ECU 26, as far as the present invention is concerned, is to map the curve of the output vacuum value from the electric vacuum regulator 20 against the voltage duty cycle of the electric vacuum regulator. Thust for any desired output vacuum, the ECU
26 interprets the map in a ROM and develops the appropriate voltage duty cycle signal for the electric vacuum regulator 20 to regulate the output vacuumA
The electric vacuum regulator 20 receives ~he duty cycle signal and controls the output vacuum from its output port 18 according to the duty cycle of the signal.
This is accomplished by mixing atmospheric pressure taken rom an air pressure source 27 and the vacuum pressure taken from a vacuum source such as the intake manifold 14 1~ of the engine. This is schematically represented by the line from the intake ma~ifold 14 to the input port 28 of the electric vacuum regulator 20. The atmospheric pres.sure is provided through an orifice 30 in th~
~ regulator to the mixing chamber ~.
Thus, with the system of ~ig. 1, the EGR valve 10 ; during normal engine operation is supplied with a variable vacuum signal which causes the EGR valve 10 to open a known amount and allow a calculated amount of exhaust gas to mix with the air-fuel mixture. The constant current circuit 34 maintains the current level to the eJectric vacuum regulator 20 regardless of resistance changes in the coil due to temperature or aging or due to fluctuations or changes in the battery voltage.
The system of Fig. 1 utilizes a positive gain electric vacuum regulator 20 which is defined as having the vacuum output therefrom increase as the duty cycle increases to 100~. The positive gain electric vacuum regulator 20 i5. illustrated in Fig. 2 and the graph of Fig. 4 illustrates its output characteristics for various adjustments of the stator means 36.
If the system of Fig. 1 utilized a negative gain electric vacuum regulator 21, which is illustrated in Fig. 3, the vacuum switch 24 would be omitted as an~
fai~ure of the electric vacuum regulator 21 would affect ~ (3 the operability of the engine enough to make the engine operator notice that there is a failure. The negative gain elec~ric vacuum regulator 21 is defined as having the vacuum output ~herefrom decreasing as the duty cycle increases to 100~. The graph of Fig. 5 illustrates the out~ut characteristics of the negative gain electric vacuum regulator 21 of various stator adjustments~
The failure of an EGR valve 10, independently of the characteristic of the elec~ric vacuum regulator 20, wil~
in all probability not be noticed by the engine operator because exhaust gas will not be mixed with the air-fuel mixture, but such failure will cause emissions from the engine to be changed which may or may not pass environmental testing.
The electric vacuum re~ulator 20 as illustrated in Fig. 2 has a cap 38 having at least a pair of ports 18 and 28 at one end, one being the input port 28 and the other the output port 18. ~he interior of the cap 38 forms a portion of the mixing chamber 32 interconnecting the two ports. Each port 18 and 28 is adapted to receive a vacuum hose, which is not shown, or connecting the input port 28 to a source of the vacuum 14, and for connecting the output port 18 to the utilization device ~ 16. In the embodiment of Fig. 2 at the opposite end ~ ~rorn the cap 38, there is at least one aperture 40 open to a ~ource of air pressure 27 or atmospheric pressure.
Connected to the cap 38 is a bobbin means 42 providing an area to wind an electromagetic coil 44 therearound and cooperates with the cap 38 to form the 30 remaining portion of the mixing chamber 32. The bobbin means 42 is enclosed by a shell 46 fabricated from a magnetizable material. ~he leads or ~he ends of the coil are extended to a pair of terminals which are connected to wires 48 extending ou~ward of the shell 46 for receiving the electrical control signals.
At the end of the bobbin means 42, opposite the terminals, a seating means S0 having a central orifice 30 is retained wi~hin the bobbin means 42 in Figure 2. The central orifice 30 is concentric with the central aperture of ~he bobbin means 42 which receives the stator means 36. The stator means 36 is an elongated shaft threaded at one end to provide an adjustment for positioning ~he stator means 36 in alignment with the central orifice 30 of the seating means 50. This adjustment, which may be made by means of a small hexagonal wrench or similar ~ool applied to a receptacle 52 in the end of the s~ator means 36, affects the operation of electromagnetic circuit as will hereinafter be described.
There is positioned across the seating means 50 r which is typically cylindrical in shape, a flat steel disk 54 which is free to move and is constrained only by the walls of the mixin~ chamber 32. The mixing chamber 32 interconnects. the input. port 28 and the output port 18 providing for the transfer of vacuum therebetween. In a normal state with no current applied to the coil 24 and no vacuum, the disk 54 rests upon the seatin~ means 50 encircling the orifice 30. A spring bias means 56 is positioned so as to bias the disk 54 against the seating means 50.
Located in the input port 28 upstream of the mixing chamber 32 is a bleed orifice or restrictor 58 which contrcls the amount of' vacuum flow from the input port . 28.
Ad~acent a plurality of apertures 40 in one end of the shell 46 is a filter means 60 which prevents any ; particles in the air pressure source 27 from getting into the valve. As is customary in devices of this nature, ; the filter 60 operates to make sure that the air that 3~ flows within the valve is clean of any particles which : would inhibit or hinder the operation o the valve.
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In Figure 2, once the air from the air pressure source 27 flows through the filter 60, the clean air then flows up through the central aperture 62 of the bobbin means 42. The stator means 36 has a crosshole 64 inclined to its longitudinal axis to provide for the flow air therethrough. The crosshole 64 is ~hen connec~ed with the longitudinally extending bore 66 rom the middle of the stator means 36 to the top of the stator means 36.
At the end of the s~ator means 36, this bore 66 is the central orifice 30 or supplying the air pressure source 27 to the mixing chambe~ 32 of,the vacuum regulator 20.
For the operation of ~he electric vacuum regulator 20 of Fig. 2, reference is made to FigO 4 which shows a series of curves 68-71 illustrating the relationship of the output vacuum as a percent of the voltage duty cycle of the operation of the coi]. 44. The onboard computer 26 of Fig~ 1 determines the volta~e duty cycle desired for operation of the coil 44 so that the vacuum o~ the output port 18 is a previously calculated value. This value enhances the operation of the internal combustion engine wnich is controlled in part by the uti~ization device iO
from the output port 18 of the EVR 20. When the coil 44 is not energized the position of the steel disk 54 is determined ~y the pressure of the air from the air pressure source 27, the spring force from the spring bias . means 56 and the .amount of vacuum in ~he mixing chamber 32. As the onboard computer 26 determines what is necessary for the operation of the utilization device 10 r the duty cycle signal will cause the vacuum regulator 20 ; 30 to operate at some percent duty cycle. The curves 68-71 of Fig. 4 indicate that for dif~erent adjustments of the stator means 36 the output vacuum varies with the value of the duty cycle. The fourth curve 71 indicates that . there is a point in the duty cycle with a particular 3~ stator means 36 adjustment when the magnetic force i8~ 1 retains the steel disk 54 against its seating means 50 and the output 18 and inpu~ 28 ports are substantially connected together such tha~ the input and output vacuums are equal~
With input vacuum applied to the input port 28 in the cap 38 and the output port 18 attached to a utilization device 10, a vacuum will start to build up inside the valve. This will create a force that will try to lift the disk 54 off the seating means 50. The spring force of the bias spr;ng 56 will prevent this up to the point that the vacuum ~orce will overcome it. Then the disk 54 will lift off from the seating means S0 and atmospheric air will enter through the filter 60. This will reduce the vacuum force and the spring 56 will push the disk 54 back on the seating means 50. The vacuum will build up again and the process will be repeated.
With current applied ~o the coil 4~, a magnetic field will be created in the valve. This field will pass through the shell 46, the stator means 36 and the disk 54 creating a magnetic force between the stator means 36 and the disk 54. This foLce works in ~he same direction as the spring force, so increased current will give increased regulated output vacuumO
Referring to the negative gain embodiment of Fig. 3, wherein the same reference numerals are used to identify similar elements as the embodiment of Fig, 2. The difference in this embodiment is that the vacuum force and the magnetic force from the coil 44 aid each other-and work against the force from the spring bias means 56l where in ~he embodiment of Fig. 2 the force from the spring bias means 56 and the magnetic force aid each other ~nd wor~ against the vacuum force.
In ~ig. 3 when the vacuum regulator 21 has no power applied ~o the coil 44 and no vacuum, the central orifice 30 f rom the air pressure source is closed and the input 8~3 28 and output por~s 18 are connected toge~her. In this particular conditiont the spring bias means 56 holds the disk 54 against the seating means 50 surrounding the central orifice 30 effectively closing the orifice 30.
5 Inasmuch as the stator means 36 in this particular embodiment extends into the mixing chamber 32 which is typically at a vacuum level and not at atmospheric level, a sealing means 72 must be provided along the stator means 36 to prevent any leakage of air pressure or vacuum from the mixing chamber 32. As in Fig. 2, the stator means 36 is threadably adjusted, although in Fig. 3 the bobbin means 42 is tapped to provide the thread adjustment.
- With input vacuum applied to the input port 28 in lS the cap 39 and the output port 18 attached to a utilization device 10, a vacuum will start to build up inside the valve 21. This will create a force tha~ will try to lift the disk 54 off the seat means S0. The spring force of the bias spring 56 will prevent this up
2~ to the point that the vacuum force will overcome it.
Then the disk 54 will li~t off ~rom the seating means 50 and atmospheric air will enter through the filter 60.
This will reduce ~he vacuum force and the spring 56 will push the disk 54 back on the sPating means 50. The vacuum will build up again and the process repeated.
With current applied to the coil 44, a magnet;c field will be created ih the valve. This field will pass through the shell 46, the stator means 36 and the disk 54 creating a magnetic force between the sta~or means 36 and 30 the disk 54. This force works against the spring force, so increased current will giYe decreased regulated output vacuum.
In both embodiments, ~igs. 2 and 3, the magnetic circuit comprises the shell 46, the disk 54 and the 35 stator means 36. The coil 44, when supplied with a 8(~ 1 !
current, will generate the magnetic field for the magnetic circui~. It i6 to be understood in both the embodiments, that once an EVR is set up and the stator means 36 adjustment is made, only one of the curves of Fig. 4, or Fig. 5 as the case may be, is applicable as the stator means 36 is sealed in placee As previously mentioned the electric vacuum regula-tor of the present invention, either the positive gain embodiment 20 or the negative gain embodiment 2l, comprises a ~teel disk'54 which functions to separate and seal the vacuum side of the regulator from the atmospheric side and to complete the magnetic circuit.
In each of the embodimentsr the central orifice 30 is surrounded by a seating means 50 which in the preferred em~odiment is brass and non-magnetic and also is virtually wear resistant in this application. The steel disk 54 seats on the brass seating means 50 sealin~ the central orifice 30 supplying air pressure intv the mixing chamber 32 of the regulator 20 or 21.
: 20 There has thus been shown and described an electxic vacuum regulator responding to duty cycle pulse electrical signals for regulating the vacuum utilization devices within predetermined limits. As previously indicated the main or a major application of such electric vacuum regulators may be found in internal combustion engines for motor vehiclesO
Then the disk 54 will li~t off ~rom the seating means 50 and atmospheric air will enter through the filter 60.
This will reduce ~he vacuum force and the spring 56 will push the disk 54 back on the sPating means 50. The vacuum will build up again and the process repeated.
With current applied to the coil 44, a magnet;c field will be created ih the valve. This field will pass through the shell 46, the stator means 36 and the disk 54 creating a magnetic force between the sta~or means 36 and 30 the disk 54. This force works against the spring force, so increased current will giYe decreased regulated output vacuum.
In both embodiments, ~igs. 2 and 3, the magnetic circuit comprises the shell 46, the disk 54 and the 35 stator means 36. The coil 44, when supplied with a 8(~ 1 !
current, will generate the magnetic field for the magnetic circui~. It i6 to be understood in both the embodiments, that once an EVR is set up and the stator means 36 adjustment is made, only one of the curves of Fig. 4, or Fig. 5 as the case may be, is applicable as the stator means 36 is sealed in placee As previously mentioned the electric vacuum regula-tor of the present invention, either the positive gain embodiment 20 or the negative gain embodiment 2l, comprises a ~teel disk'54 which functions to separate and seal the vacuum side of the regulator from the atmospheric side and to complete the magnetic circuit.
In each of the embodimentsr the central orifice 30 is surrounded by a seating means 50 which in the preferred em~odiment is brass and non-magnetic and also is virtually wear resistant in this application. The steel disk 54 seats on the brass seating means 50 sealin~ the central orifice 30 supplying air pressure intv the mixing chamber 32 of the regulator 20 or 21.
: 20 There has thus been shown and described an electxic vacuum regulator responding to duty cycle pulse electrical signals for regulating the vacuum utilization devices within predetermined limits. As previously indicated the main or a major application of such electric vacuum regulators may be found in internal combustion engines for motor vehiclesO
Claims (3)
PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. An electric vacuum regulator comprising:
an input port adapted to be connected to a vacuum source, said input port having restrictor coupled thereto;
an output port adapted to be connected to a vacuum utilization device;
a mixing chamber interconnecting said input and said output ports;
an orifice for communicating an air pressure source with said chamber;
seating means formed as a non-magnetic member encircling said orifice;
a disk adapted to cooperate with said seating means for closing said orifice to separate the air pressure source from the vacuum source;
spring means biasing said disk in a closed position against said orifice;
stator means located in alignment with said orifice and spaced from said disk;
a shell enclosing said mixing chamber, orifice, disk, spring means and said stator means, said stator means, said shell and said disk being magnetizable members; and coil means magnetically coupled to said stator means, said ahell and said disk and operative in response to an electrical signal for magnetically attracting said disk for controlling the mixing of the air from the air pressure source with the vacuum from said input port and thereby regulating the vacuum at said output port proportional to the vacuum at said input port.
an input port adapted to be connected to a vacuum source, said input port having restrictor coupled thereto;
an output port adapted to be connected to a vacuum utilization device;
a mixing chamber interconnecting said input and said output ports;
an orifice for communicating an air pressure source with said chamber;
seating means formed as a non-magnetic member encircling said orifice;
a disk adapted to cooperate with said seating means for closing said orifice to separate the air pressure source from the vacuum source;
spring means biasing said disk in a closed position against said orifice;
stator means located in alignment with said orifice and spaced from said disk;
a shell enclosing said mixing chamber, orifice, disk, spring means and said stator means, said stator means, said shell and said disk being magnetizable members; and coil means magnetically coupled to said stator means, said ahell and said disk and operative in response to an electrical signal for magnetically attracting said disk for controlling the mixing of the air from the air pressure source with the vacuum from said input port and thereby regulating the vacuum at said output port proportional to the vacuum at said input port.
2. An electric vacuum regulator according to claim 1 wherein said stator means is adjustable for changing the air gap between said stator means and said disk thereby controlling the vacuum level at said output port.
3. An electric vacuum regulator according to claim 1 additionally including filter means between the air pressure source and said orifice for filtering out particles from the air pressure source.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US48112683A | 1983-04-01 | 1983-04-01 | |
| US481,126 | 1983-04-01 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1252680A true CA1252680A (en) | 1989-04-18 |
Family
ID=23910712
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000449374A Expired CA1252680A (en) | 1983-04-01 | 1984-03-12 | Electric vacuum regulator |
Country Status (4)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0124399A3 (en) |
| JP (1) | JPS59190453A (en) |
| AU (1) | AU2586284A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1252680A (en) |
Families Citing this family (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4567910A (en) * | 1984-11-26 | 1986-02-04 | Lectron Products, Inc. | Vacuum regulator |
| US4793372A (en) * | 1987-10-29 | 1988-12-27 | Bendix Electronics Limited | Electronic vacuum regulator (EVR) with bi-metallic armature disk temperature compensator |
| US4850384A (en) * | 1988-09-28 | 1989-07-25 | Siemens-Bendix Automotive Electronics Limited | Electric vacuum regulator |
| US5722632A (en) * | 1995-04-20 | 1998-03-03 | Borg-Warner Automotive, Inc. | Temperature-compensated exhaust gas recirculation system |
| CN102128104A (en) * | 2011-04-08 | 2011-07-20 | 无锡隆盛科技有限公司 | Power-driven EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) valve with interchangeable gas inlet and gas outlet |
Family Cites Families (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4005733A (en) * | 1975-11-17 | 1977-02-01 | General Motors Corporation | Pressure control valve |
| JPS57208378A (en) * | 1981-06-19 | 1982-12-21 | Nippon Denso Co Ltd | Negative pressure controlling valve |
| EP0077599B1 (en) * | 1981-10-16 | 1985-09-25 | Borg-Warner Corporation | Proportional solenoid valve |
-
1984
- 1984-03-12 CA CA000449374A patent/CA1252680A/en not_active Expired
- 1984-03-19 AU AU25862/84A patent/AU2586284A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1984-03-28 EP EP84400623A patent/EP0124399A3/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1984-03-30 JP JP59061281A patent/JPS59190453A/en active Pending
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| EP0124399A2 (en) | 1984-11-07 |
| EP0124399A3 (en) | 1986-01-29 |
| JPS59190453A (en) | 1984-10-29 |
| AU2586284A (en) | 1984-10-04 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |