ENGINE VALVE SEATING VELOCITY HYDRAULIC SNUBBER

摘要

An apparatus (10) for hydraulically slowing a member (12), preferably an engine poppet valve, to an acceptable impact seating velocity as the valve (12) is moved from open to closed. The valve (12) rides within a guide body (28) having an opening (34) in an end wall (32) thereof through which a first portion (18) of the valve stem (16) extends. As the valve (12) closes, fluid is forced out of a space (50) through a first fluid exit opening (66). As the valve (12) nears its seat (44), the fluid still in the space (50) is forced out through a second fluid exit opening (68) through which the rate of flow is less than the rate of flow through the first fluid exit opening (66). As the valve (12) continues closing, fluid still in the space (50) is compressed, increasing its hydraulic pressure and creating a resistive force to further movement of the poppet valve (12), thereby slowing it to an acceptable impact velocity.