Variable travel valve apparatus for an internal combustion engine
An apparatus includes a valve and an actuator. The valve has a portion movably disposed within a valve pocket defined by a cylinder head of an engine. The valve is configured to move relative to the cylinder head a distance between a closed position and an opened position. The portion of the valve defines a flow opening that is in fluid communication with a cylinder of an engine when the valve is in the opened position. The actuator is configured to selectively vary the distance between the closed position and the opened position.
1. A method, comprising:
moving a valve member, in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the valve member, into a valve pocket defined by a cylinder head, via a side opening defined by the cylinder head, the valve member having a portion defining a plurality of valve flow passages, the valve member configured to be reciprocated within the valve pocket by an actuator, the portion having a first radius of curvature about the longitudinal axis of the valve member, the portion having a second radius of curvature about the longitudinal axis greater than the first radius of curvature; and
disposing a first portion of a biasing member into the valve pocket such that the first portion contacts an end portion of the valve member.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
coupling an end plate to the cylinder head such that the end plate substantially covers the side opening and a second portion of the biasing member engages the end plate; and
coupling the cylinder head to an engine block.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein portion is a tapered portion, the tapered portion is configured such that each of a width and a thickness of the tapered portion decreases linearly along the longitudinal axis of the valve member.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the valve pocket surrounds substantially the tapered portion of the valve member.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein a surface of the cylinder head defines a portion of a combustion chamber.