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Hydraulic engine valve actuation systems and methods for internal combustion engines. The systems utilize a proportional valve to regulate the flow of a working fluid to and from a hydraulic actuator controlling the engine valve position. The position of the proportional valve is controlled by one o

Hydraulic engine valve actuation systems and methods for internal combustion engines. The systems utilize a proportional valve to regulate the flow of a working fluid to and from a hydraulic actuator controlling the engine valve position. The position of the proportional valve is controlled by one or more high speed valves to control various engine valve parameters, including engine valve takeoff and landing velocities. Returning all valves to a known starting position between engine valve events avoids accumulation of errors in proportional valve positioning. Embodiments using spool valves for the high speed valves and the proportional valve, and spring return and hydraulic return for the engine valve, are disclosed. A specially shaped spool in the proportional valve provides enhanced control over the engine valve operation. Various further alternate embodiments are disclosed.

대표청구항 ▼

Hydraulic engine valve actuation systems and methods for internal combustion engines. The systems utilize a proportional valve to regulate the flow of a working fluid to and from a hydraulic actuator controlling the engine valve position. The position of the proportional valve is controlled by one o

Hydraulic engine valve actuation systems and methods for internal combustion engines. The systems utilize a proportional valve to regulate the flow of a working fluid to and from a hydraulic actuator controlling the engine valve position. The position of the proportional valve is controlled by one or more high speed valves to control various engine valve parameters, including engine valve takeoff and landing velocities. Returning all valves to a known starting position between engine valve events avoids accumulation of errors in proportional valve positioning. Embodiments using spool valves for the high speed valves and the proportional valve, and spring return and hydraulic return for the engine valve, are disclosed. A specially shaped spool in the proportional valve provides enhanced control over the engine valve operation. Various further alternate embodiments are disclosed. t metal, said tool comprising: a base having a head formed with a peripheral portion configured to rest on the surface of the sheet metal surrounding the raised section and a central portion for positioning over the raised section; said central portion of said head forming a hammer pad having an exposed outer surface recessed from a plane of said peripheral portion and an inside surface; a hammer aligned with said hammer pad and having a distal end normally disposed adjacent said inside surface of said hammer pad; and, a hammer driver coupled to said base and said hammer for reciprocally driving said distal end of said hammer against said inside surface of said hammer pad to flex said exposed outer surface of said hammer pad outwardly to a position substantially co-extensive with the plane of said peripheral portion, thereby gradually driving the raised section of the sheet metal to a flush condition relative to the surrounding surface of the sheet metal. 8. The sheet metal forming tool of claim 7, wherein said exposed outer surface of said hammer pad is generally convex.9. The sheet metal forming tool of claim 7, wherein said exposed outer surface of said hammer pad is generally dome shaped.10. The sheet metal forming tool of claim 7, wherein said inside surface of said hammer pad is concave and said distal end of said hammer is convex to nestle within said inside surface upon impact.11. The sheet metal forming tool of claim 7, wherein said peripheral portion of said head is ring shaped. em.8. A device according to claim 1, wherein a closing means which is arranged for closing said second chamber opening comprises said analysis window.9. A device according to claim 8, wherein said closing means is movable away from said second chamber opening.10. A device according to claim 8, wherein said closing means is movable in the plane of said second chamber opening.11. A device according to claim 8, wherein said closing means is movable perpendicularly to the plane of said second chamber opening.12. A device according to claim 1, wherein said pressing means is movable at least as far as to the plane of said second chamber opening.13. A device according to claim 1, wherein said first chamber opening is arranged to be closed by means of a first closing means which is movable in the plane of said first chamber opening.14. A device according to claim 1, wherein said first chamber opening is arranged for input of said sample essentially perpendicularly in relation to the direction of the compression of said sample.15. A device according to claim 1, wherein said device is arranged to present said sample to a Near Infrared Reflection analysis system.16. A device according to claim 1, wherein said device is arranged to present said sample to a Near Infrared Transmission analysis system.17. A method for grinding a sample and presenting the sample to a spectrophotometric analysis system, said method comprising: inputting said sample into a grinding chamber through a first chamber opening, grinding said sample in said grinding chamber, compressing said grinded sample in said grinding chamber, presenting said grinded and compressed sample in said grinding chamber to said spectrophotometric analysis system, and outputting said sample from said grinding chamber through a second chamber opening, wherein said second chamber opening is separate from said first chamber opening. 18. A method according to claim 17, wherein said second chamber opening is closed during said compression of said grinded sample.19. A method according to claim 17, wherein said compression of said grinded sample is made to a predetermined compression for said presentation the spectrophotometric analysis system.20. A method according to claim 17, wherein said compression of said grinded sample stops automatically at a predetermined counter force from the sample.21. A method according to claim 17, wherein said compression of said grinded sample is made essentially perpendicularly against an analysis window for said presentation.22. A method according to claim 17, wherein said presentation is made to a Near Infrared Reflection analysis system.23. A method according to claim 17, wherein said presentation is made to a Near Infrared Transmission analysis system. of magnetic members mounted on said operation rod, each magnetic member being adjacent a respective one of said coils and positioned to cooperate with said permanent magnet so as to function as a detent mechanism for said shift actuator. ing an outlet port; and an eductor located on said fire fighting vehicle, said eductor having a first inlet port connected to the outlet port of said supply tank, a second inlet port connected to the discharge port of said multi-metering manifold valve, said eductor receiving said pressurized liquid from said supply tank, said pressurized liquid creating a vacuum within said eductor that draws said surrogate fluid into said eductor, said eductor mixing said surrogate fluid with said pressurized water to form a surrogate fluid mixture under pressure discharging said surrogate fluid mixture through the discharge port of said eductor. 2. The foam free system of claim 1 wherein said surrogate fluid mixture comprises a fluorescent yellow green dye which is an environmentally benign, biodegradable dye.3. The foam free system of claim 1 further comprising: a battery having a positive terminal and a negative terminal; a solar panel having an output; a normally open switch having a first terminal connected to the negative terminal of said battery and the output of said solar panel and a second terminal; a voltage regulator having a positive terminal connected to the positive terminal of said battery and a negative terminal connected to the second terminal of said voltage regulator and the flow indicator of said flow sensor; and a battery monitor connected to the positive terminal and the negative terminal of said voltage regulator. 4. The foam free system of claim 1 wherein the flow rate of said surrogate fluid through said multi-metering manifold valve is between about 1.8 GPM and 15 GPM, the flow rate of said surrogate fluid through said multi-metering manifold valve being set at approximately 15 GPM when a user is testing a roof turret nozzle on said fire fighting vehicle, the flow rate of said surrogate fluid through said multi-metering manifold valve being set at approximately 7.5 GPM when a user is testing a bumper turret nozzle on said fire fighting vehicle, and the flow rate of said surrogate fluid through said multi-metering valve being set at approximately 1.8 GPM when the user is testing a handline nozzle on said fire fighting vehicle.5. The foam free system of claim 1 wherein said surrogate fluid storage tank comprises a 400 gallon storage tank.6. A foam free system which provides for an environmentally safe testing of a foam delivery system on a fire fighting vehicle, comprising: a mobile platform adapted for movement to a location having said fire fighting vehicle; a surrogate fluid storage tank mounted on said mobile platform, said surrogate fluid storage tank containing an environmentally safe surrogate fluid, said surrogate fluid storage tank having an outlet port; a flow sensor located on said mobile platform, said flow sensor including a paddle wheel flow transmitter connected to the outlet port of said surrogate fluid storage tank and a flow indicator electrically connected to said paddle wheel flow transmitter, said flow indicator providing a measurement of a fluid flow rate of said surrogate fluid through the paddle wheel flow transmitter of said flow sensor; a first ball valve located on said mobile platform, said first ball valve having an inlet port connected to the paddle wheel flow transmitter of said flow sensor and an outlet port; a first flexible hose having one end connected to the outlet port of said first ball valve; a second ball valve located on said fire fighting vehicle, said second ball valve having a first inlet/outlet port connected to the other end of said first flexible hose and a second inlet/outlet port, said first ball valve and said second ball valve being open when said foam free system is testing the foam delivery system on said fire fighting vehicle, said first ball valve and said second ball valve when open allowing said surrogate fluid to flow through said first ball valve and said second ball valve; a multi-metering manifold valve located on said fire fighting vehicle, said multi-metering manifold valve having an inlet port connected to the second inlet/outlet port of said second ball valve and a discharge port, said multi-metering manifold valve controlling a flow rate of said surrogate fluid through said multi-metering manifold valve; a supply tank for providing an environmentally safe pressurized liquid, said supply tank having an outlet port; an eductor located on said fire fighting vehicle, said eductor having a first inlet port connected to the outlet port of said supply tank, a second inlet port connected to the discharge port of said multi-metering manifold valve, said eductor receiving said pressurized liquid from said supply tank, said pressurized liquid creating a vacuum within said eductor that draws said surrogate fluid into said eductor, said eductor mixing said surrogate fluid with said pressurized water to form a surrogate fluid mixture under pressure discharging said surrogate fluid mixture through the discharge port of said eductor; and a second flexible hose having one end connected to the first inlet/outlet port of said second ball valve prior to testing the foam delivery system on said fire fighting vehicle; a primary concentrate storage tank positioned at the other end of said second flexible hose, said primary concentrate storage tank receiving aqueous film forming foam concentrate drained from said foam delivery system prior to testing said foam delivery system, said second ball valve being open allowing said aqueous film forming foam concentrate drained from said foam delivery system to flow through said second ball valve and said second flexible hose into said primary concentrate storage tank. 7. The foam free system of claim 6 further comprising: a third flexible hose having one end connected to a drain port for said multi-metering manifold valve; a third ball valve having an inlet port connected to the other end of said third flexible hose and an outlet port; a drain manifold connected to the outlet port of said third ball valve; and a secondary concentrate storage tank positioned at said drain manifold to receive residual of said aqueous film forming foam concentrate passing through the drain port for said multi-metering manifold valve. 8. The foam free system of claim 7 further comprising a fourth flexible hose which includes a rod said rod being inserted into check valve located within said foam delivery system, said rod opening said check valve, said fourth flexible hose having an end positioned at said primary concentrate storage tank, said check valve when open allowing additional residual of said aqueous film forming foam concentrate to flow through said check valve and said fourth flexible hose into said primary concentrate storage tank.9. The foam free system of claim 8 further comprising a fifth flexible hose having one end positioned at said primary concentrate storage tank; and a fourth ball valve having an inlet port connected to said foam delivery system and an outlet port connected to the other end of said fifth flexible hose; said fourth ball valve when open allowing said additional residual of said aqueous film forming foam concentrate to flow through said fourth ball valve and said fifth flexible hose into said primary concentrate storage tank. 10. The foam free system of claim 6 wherein said surrogate fluid mixture comprises a fluorescent yellow green dye which is an environmentally benign, biodegradable dye.11. The foam free system of claim 6 further comprising: a battery having a positive terminal and a negative terminal; a solar panel having an output; a normally open switch having a first terminal connected to the negative terminal of said battery and the output of said solar panel and a second terminal; a voltage regulator having a positive terminal connected to the positive terminal of said battery and a negative terminal connected to the second terminal of said voltage regul ator and the flow indicator of said flow sensor; and a battery monitor connected to the positive terminal and the negative terminal of said voltage regulator. 12. The foam free system of claim 6 wherein the flow rate of said surrogate fluid through said multi-metering manifold valve is between about 1.8 GPM and 15 GPM, the flow rate of said surrogate fluid through said multi-metering manifold valve being set at approximately 15 GPM when a user is testing a roof turret nozzle on said fire fighting vehicle, the flow rate of said surrogate fluid through said multi-metering manifold valve being set at approximately 7.5 GPM when a user is testing a bumper turret nozzle on said fire fighting vehicle, and the flow rate of said surrogate fluid through said multi-metering valve being set at approximately 1.8 GPM when the user is testing the handline nozzle on said fire fighting vehicle.13. The foam free system of claim 6 wherein said surrogate fluid storage tank comprises a 400 gallon storage tank.14. A foam free system which provides for an environmentally safe testing of a foam delivery system on a fire fighting vehicle, comprising: a mobile platform adapted for movement to a location having said fire fighting vehicle; a surrogate fluid storage tank mounted on said mobile platform, said surrogate fluid storage tank containing an environmentally safe surrogate fluid, said surrogate fluid storage tank having an inlet/outlet port; a flow sensor located on said mobile platform, said flow sensor including a paddle wheel flow transmitter connected to the outlet port of said surrogate fluid storage tank and a flow indicator electrically connected to said paddle wheel flow transmitter, said flow indicator providing a measurement of a fluid flow rate of said surrogate fluid through the paddle wheel flow transmitter of said flow sensor; a first ball valve located on said mobile platform, said first ball valve having an inlet port connected to the paddle wheel flow transmitter of said flow sensor and an outlet port; a first flexible hose having one end connected to the outlet port of said first ball valve; a second ball valve located on said fire fighting vehicle, said second ball valve having a first inlet/outlet port connected to the other end of said first flexible hose and a second inlet/outlet port, said first ball valve and said second ball valve being open when said foam free system is testing the foam delivery system on said fire fighting vehicle, said first ball valve and said second ball valve when open allowing said surrogate fluid to flow through said first ball valve and said second ball valve; a multi-metering manifold valve located on said fire fighting vehicle, said multi-metering manifold valve having an inlet port connected to the second inlet/outlet port of said second ball valve and a discharge port, said multi-metering manifold valve controlling a flow rate of said surrogate fluid through said multi-metering manifold valve; a supply tank for providing an environmentally safe pressurized liquid, said supply tank having an outlet port; an eductor located on said fire fighting vehicle, said eductor having a first inlet port connected to the outlet port of said supply tank, a second inlet port connected to the discharge port of said multi-metering manifold valve, said eductor receiving said pressurized liquid from said supply tank, said pressurized liquid creating a vacuum within said eductor that draws said surrogate fluid into said eductor, said eductor mixing said surrogate fluid with said pressurized water to form a surrogate fluid mixture under pressure discharging said surrogate fluid mixture through the discharge port of said eductor; and a second flexible hose having one end connected to the first inlet/outlet port of said second ball valve prior to testing the foam delivery system on said fire fighting vehicle; a primary concentrate storage tank positioned at the other end of said se cond flexible hose, said primary concentrate storage tank receiving aqueous film forming foam concentrate drained from said foam delivery system prior to testing said foam delivery system, said second ball valve being open allowing said aqueous film forming foam concentrate drained from said foam delivery system to flow through said second ball valve and said second flexible hose into said primary concentrate storage tank; a third ball valve located on said mobile platform, said third ball valve having an inlet/outlet port connected to the inlet/outlet port of said surrogate fluid storage tank and a drain/fill connector for receiving said surrogate fluid, said surrogate fluid passing through said third ball valve to said surrogate fluid storage tank filling said surrogate fluid storage tank with said surrogate fluid; said third ball valve being closed during said environmentally safe testing of said foam delivery system. 15. The foam free system of claim 14 further comprising: a third flexible hose having one end connected to a drain port for said multi-metering manifold valve; a fourth ball valve having an inlet port connected to the other end of said third flexible hose and an outlet port; a drain manifold connected to the outlet port of said fourth ball valve; and a secondary concentrate storage tank positioned at said drain manifold to receive residual of said aqueous film forming foam concentrate passing through the drain port for said multi-metering manifold valve. 16. The foam free system of claim 15 further comprising a fourth flexible hose which includes a rod said rod being inserted into check valve located within said foam delivery system, said rod opening said check valve, said fourth flexible hose having an end positioned at said primary concentrate storage tank, said check valve when open allowing additional residual of said aqueous film forming foam concentrate to flow through said check valve and said fourth flexible hose into said primary concentrate storage tank.17. The foam free system of claim 16 further comprising: a fifth flexible hose having one end positioned at said primary concentrate storage tank; and a fifth ball valve having an inlet port connected to said foam delivery system and an outlet port connected to the other end of said fifth flexible hose; said fifth ball valve when open allowing said additional residual of said aqueous film forming foam concentrate to flow through said fifth ball valve and said fifth flexible hose into said primary concentrate storage tank. 18. The foam free system of claim 14 wherein said surrogate fluid mixture comprises a fluorescent yellow green dye which is an environmentally benign, biodegradable dye.19. The foam free system of claim 14 further comprising: a battery having a positive terminal and a negative terminal; a solar panel having an output; a normally open switch having a first terminal connected to the negative terminal of said battery and the output of said solar panel and a second terminal; a voltage regulator having a positive terminal connected to the positive terminal of said battery and a negative terminal connected to the second terminal of said voltage regulator and the flow indicator of said flow sensor; and a battery monitor connected to the positive terminal and the negative terminal of said voltage regulator. 20. The foam free system of claim 14 wherein the flow rate of said surrogate fluid through said multi-metering manifold valve is between about 1.8 GPM and 15 GPM, the flow rate of said surrogate fluid through said multi-metering manifold valve being set at approximately 15 GPM when a user is testing a roof turret nozzle on said fire fighting vehicle, the flow rate of said surrogate fluid through said multi-metering manifold valve being set at approximately 7.5 GPM when a user is testing a bumper turret nozzle on said fire fighting vehicle, and the flow rate of said surrogate fluid through said multi