The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 13, 2006
Filed:
Dec. 18, 2003
Gian M. Olivetti, Torino, IT;
Harald Fessler, Arbon, CH;
Richard E. Vanderpoel, Bloomfield, CT (US);
Gian M. Olivetti, Torino, IT;
Harald Fessler, Arbon, CH;
Richard E. Vanderpoel, Bloomfield, CT (US);
Other;
Abstract
Methods and systems for retaining hydraulic fluid in a hydraulic valve actuation system adapted to be installed on an internal combustion engine are disclosed. The system may include a hydraulic fluid supply connected by one or more passages to a fluid accumulator and a hydraulic valve actuator. The one or more passages may include a retaining portion elevated above portions of the fluid accumulator and/or the hydraulic valve actuator. The retaining portion may include an air vent and thus prevent back flow of all the fluid in the accumulator and/or hydraulic valve actuator to the fluid supply during periods that the engine is shut off. Retention of hydraulic fluid in the system may be further enhanced during engine shut off by selectively controlling the release of hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic valve actuator during the engine shut off process.