Valve bridge with integrated lost motion system
View Patent ↗A system and method of actuating one or more engine valves is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system comprises: a valve train element; a rocker arm pivotally mounted on a shaft and adapted to rotate between a first position and a second position, the rocker arm selectively receiving motion from the valve train element; a valve bridge disposed above the one or more engine valves; and a lost motion system disposed in the valve bridge.
1. A method of selectively actuating an engine valve to produce an engine valve event, said method comprising the steps of:
providing motion imparting means in selective contact with a rocker arm pivotally mounted on a rocker shaft;
providing a valve bridge in contact with said rocker arm;
providing an engine valve in contact with said valve bridge;
selectively supplying hydraulic fluid to the valve bridge; and
controlling the amount of motion imparted to the engine valve responsive to the supply of hydraulic fluid to the valve bridge.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of releasing hydraulic fluid from the valve bridge to thereby modify the engine valve event.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the engine valve event comprises a main exhaust event.
4. The method of claim 2 , wherein the engine valve event comprises a main intake event.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of providing a lost motion component in said movable valve bridge.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the step of providing a lost motion component in said valve bridge further comprises providing a piston slidably disposed in said movable valve bridge.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the step of providing a lost motion component in said valve bridge further comprises providing at least two pistons slidably disposed in said movable valve bridge.
8. A method of selectively actuating an engine valve to produce an engine valve event, said method comprising the steps of:
providing motion imparting means in selective contact with a rocker arm pivotally mounted on a rocker shaft;
providing a valve bridge in contact with said rocker arm;
providing an engine valve in contact with said valve bridge;
providing a lost motion component in said valve bridge;
selectively supplying hydraulic fluid to the lost motion component; and
controlling the amount of motion imparted to the engine valve responsive to the supply of hydraulic fluid to the lost motion component.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the step of providing a lost motion component in said valve bridge further comprises providing a piston slidably disposed in said movable valve bridge.
10. The method of claim 8 , wherein the step of providing a lost motion component in said valve bridge further comprises providing at least two pistons slidably disposed in said movable valve bridge.
11. The method of claim 8 , wherein the step of providing a lost motion component in said valve bridge further comprises providing at least three pistons slidably disposed in said movable valve bridge.
12. The method of claim 8 , further comprising providing an adjustable screw assembly in a first end of said rocker arm.
13. The method of claim 12 , further comprising providing a swivel foot at one end of said screw assembly, said swivel foot contacting said first piston.
14. The method of claim 8 , further comprising the step of releasing hydraulic fluid from the valve bridge to thereby modify the engine valve event.
15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the engine valve event comprises a main exhaust event.
16. The method of claim 14 , wherein the engine valve event comprises a main intake event.
17. The method of claim 14 , wherein the engine valve event comprises a compression release braking event.
18. The method of claim 14 , wherein the engine valve event comprises a bleeder braking event.
19. The method of claim 14 , wherein the engine valve event comprises a exhaust gas recirculation event.