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A throttle valve for an internal combustion engine includes a cylindrical valve housing and a spherical segment valve disc mounted within the valve housing. The spherical segment valve disc seals with the valve housing without the need for abutting interference between the valve disc or throttle pla

A throttle valve for an internal combustion engine includes a cylindrical valve housing and a spherical segment valve disc mounted within the valve housing. The spherical segment valve disc seals with the valve housing without the need for abutting interference between the valve disc or throttle plate and the valve housing.

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1. A throttle valve for an internal combustion engine, comprising: a generally cylindrical valve housing having an inside diameter; anda throttle plate pivotally mounted within said valve housing, with said throttle plate comprising:a valve disc having an outer rim shaped as a spherical segment, wit

1. A throttle valve for an internal combustion engine, comprising: a generally cylindrical valve housing having an inside diameter; anda throttle plate pivotally mounted within said valve housing, with said throttle plate comprising:a valve disc having an outer rim shaped as a spherical segment, with said disc having an outside diameter proximate the inner diameter of said valve housing; anda plurality of pivots extending through apertures formed in said valve housing and into contact with said disc. 2. A throttle valve according to claim 1, further comprising a sensor for determining the rotational position of said throttle plate, with said sensor being operatively connected with at least one of said plurality of pivots. 3. A throttle valve according to claim 1, further comprising a motor assembly for positioning said throttle plate, with said motor assembly being operatively connected with at least one of said plurality of pivots. 4. A throttle valve according to claim 1, wherein said throttle plate is formed from powdered metal. 5. A throttle valve according to claim 4, wherein said throttle plate is formed from powered iron. 6. A throttle plate according to claim 1, wherein said valve housing is formed from powdered metal. 7. A throttle valve according to claim 6, wherein said valve housing is formed from powdered iron. 8. A throttle valve according to claim 3, wherein said motor assembly comprises a motor operatively connected to a gear reduction system which is operatively connected with said throttle plate. 9. A throttle valve according to claim 8, wherein said gear reduction system comprises a triple reduction gear train. 10. A throttle valve according to claim 1, wherein said outer rim of said valve disc comprises a ring-shaped structure surrounding a thinner, circular core. 11. A throttle valve according to claim 1, wherein said valve housing comprises a two-piece assembly formed by separating a perform along fracture paths extending through said pivot apertures. 12. A throttle valve according to claim 11, wherein each of said plurality of pivots is integral and unitary with sad valve disc. 13. A throttle valve according to claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of pivots comprises a stub shaft extending inwardly through one of said apertures formed in said valve housing and into one of a plurality of trunnions formed in said valve disc. 14. A throttle valve for an internal combustion engine, comprising: a generally cylindrical valve housing having a circular inside diameter; anda throttle plate pivotally mounted within said valve housing, with said throttle plate comprising:a disc having an outer rim shaped as a spherical segment, with said disc having an outside diameter proximate the inner diameter of said valve housing; anda pair of trunnions incorporated within said disc at diametrically opposite locations;a plurality of pivots extending through apertures formed in said valve housing and into said trunnions; anda throttle operator, connected with at least one of said pivots, for positioning said throttle plate. 15. A throttle valve according to claim 14, further comprising a plurality of antifriction bearing elements interposed between said pivots and races formed in opposing portions of a said valve housing. 16. A throttle valve according to claim 14, wherein said valve housing and said valve disc comprise powdered ferrous metal. 17. A throttle valve according to claim 14, wherein said valve housing and said valve disc comprises powdered metal coated with a manganese phosphate finish. 18. A throttle valve according to claim 14, wherein said trunnions are finished as part of the spherical segment comprising said throttle plate such that an outer portion of each of said trunnions remains in contact with said valve housing when said valve disc is rotated by said throttle operator. 19. A throttle valve according to claim 14, wherein said plurality of pivots comprises at least one pivot having a throttle position sensor rotor incorporated therein. 20. A throttle valve according to claim 14, wherein said plurality of pivots comprises at least one pivot having a reduction gear component incorporated therein.