Rocker latch for controlling engine valve actuation

摘要

Engine valve actuation systems and methods used to decompress an engine cylinder during engine start-up, shut-down, and for bleeder braking are disclosed. An exemplary system may include a rocker arm pivotally mounted on a rocker shaft, and a structure mounted adjacent to the rocker arm in a fixed position relative to the rocker arm. A latch piston may be slidably disposed between the rocker arm and the structure. The latch piston may be selectively extended to engage both the rocker arm and structure to limit the pivotal motion of the rocker arm and maintain the engine valves in an open condition.

主权项

1. A system for preventing a rocker arm actuated engine valve from closing, said system comprising:
a rocker arm pivotally mounted on a rocker shaft; a structure mounted adjacent to the rocker arm in a fixed position relative to the rocker arm; a latch piston slidably disposed between the rocker arm and the structure, and a latch piston actuator operatively connected to the latch piston, wherein said latch piston is adapted to assume an extended position causing the latch piston to engage both the rocker arm and the structure to limit the pivotal motion of the rocker arm, wherein the latch piston actuator is adapted to exert a force on the latch piston to cause the latch piston to assume the extended position or to retract from the extended position, and wherein the latch piston further comprises an engagement surface, external to the structure, adapted to contact the rocker arm or the structure and to maintain the latch piston in the extended position continuously according to bias applied by the rocker arm to the engagement surface of the latch piston when the latch piston actuator ceases to exert force on the latch piston.