Miguel A Raimao

US Patent:

7025326, Apr 11, 2006

Filed:

Jul 11, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/618061

Inventors:

Michael P. Lammert - Woodland Park CO, US
Miguel Angelo Raimao - Manitou Springs CO, US
Daniel D. Giordano - Colorado Springs CO, US
Christopher Wayne Turner - Windsor CO, US
Christopher Stevens Balton - Manitou Springs CO, US
Guy Robert Babbitt - Colorado Springs CO, US

Assignee:

Sturman Industries, Inc. - Woodland Park CO

International Classification:

F16K 21/04

US Classification:

251 29

Abstract:

Hydraulic engine valve actuation methods for internal combustion engines having improved energy efficiency. In hydraulic engine valve operating systems using spring returns for valve closure, the spring force is a minimum when the valve is closed and a maximum at the maximum lift. The present invention takes advantage of this difference by using a valve opening hydraulic force which is greater than the spring force when the valve is closed and less than the spring force when the valve is open at its maximum lift. The valve actuator is controlled to allow the valve, when opening, to overshoot the equilibrium condition. During the overshoot, the hydraulic actuator backfills with actuating fluid at it normal actuating pressure. When the valve velocity decays to zero or near zero, the flow of hydraulic fluid to (and from) the valve actuator may be cut off, capturing the valve substantially at the overshoot position.

US Patent:

7387095, Jun 17, 2008

Filed:

Apr 8, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/102192

Inventors:

Guy Robert Babbitt - Colorado Springs CO, US
Miguel Angelo Raimao - Manitou Springs CO, US
Charles Conrad Klose - Plainfield IL, US
Jeffrey Allen Rogers - Woodland Park CO, US
Oded Eddie Sturman - Woodland Park CO, US

Assignee:

Sturman Industries, Inc. - Woodland Park CO

International Classification:

F01L 9/02

US Classification:

123 9012, 123 9015, 123 9024, 251285, 251284

Abstract:

Hydraulic valve actuation systems and methods to provide variable lift for one or more engine air valves by way of a variable position hard stop. Various embodiments are disclosed, including embodiments controlling lift by providing a choice of two different fixed stops, three different fixed stops, stops continuously variable throughout a range of lifts, and a fixed stop and stops continuously variable throughout a range of lifts. The valves controlled by a variable position hard stop may be a single engine intake or exhaust valve, or multiple valves of any number, and of either intake or exhaust valves or both, or of one intake or one exhaust valve for one or more cylinders in engines having more than one intake or exhaust valve per cylinder. Dashpot deceleration of engine valve velocity on opening to the hard stop and on engine valve closure is disclosed, as are other aspects and embodiments of the invention.

US Patent:

7730858, Jun 8, 2010

Filed:

Jun 9, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/135414

Inventors:

Guy Robert Babbitt - Colorado Springs CO, US
Miguel Angelo Raimao - Manitou Springs CO, US
Charles Conrad Klose - Plainfield IL, US
Jeffrey Allen Rogers - Woodland Park CO, US
Oded Eddie Sturman - Woodland Park CO, US

Assignee:

Sturman Industries, Inc. - Woodland Park CO

International Classification:

F01L 9/02

US Classification:

123 9012, 123 9015, 123 9055

Abstract:

Hydraulic valve actuation systems and methods to provide variable lift for one or more engine air valves by way of a variable position hard stop. Various embodiments are disclosed, including embodiments controlling lift by providing a choice of two different fixed stops, three different fixed stops, stops continuously variable throughout a range of lifts, and a fixed stop and stops continuously variable throughout a range of lifts. The valves controlled by a variable position hard stop may be a single engine intake or exhaust valve, or multiple valves of any number, and of either intake or exhaust valves or both, or of one intake or one exhaust valve for one or more cylinders in engines having more than one intake or exhaust valve per cylinder. Dashpot deceleration of engine valve velocity on opening to the hard stop and on engine valve closure is disclosed, as are other aspects and embodiments of the invention.

US Patent:

8074614, Dec 13, 2011

Filed:

Sep 12, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/209580

Inventors:

Craig D. Marriott - Clawson MI, US
Timothy L. Neal - Ortonville MI, US
Jeff L. Swain - Flushing MI, US
Miguel A. Raimao - Colorado Springs CO, US

Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Detroit MI

International Classification:

F01L 9/02

US Classification:

123 9012, 123 9016

Abstract:

An engine assembly may include a cylinder head defining an engine coolant reservoir, a pressurized fluid supply, a valve actuation assembly, and a hydraulic fluid reservoir. The valve actuation assembly may be in fluid communication with the pressurized fluid supply and may include a valve member displaceable by a force applied by the pressurized fluid supply. The hydraulic fluid reservoir may be in fluid communication with the valve actuation assembly and in a heat exchange relation to the engine coolant reservoir.

US Patent:

8312958, Nov 20, 2012

Filed:

Dec 4, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/631552

Inventors:

Jeffrey Allen Rogers - Woodland Park CO, US
Miguel Angelo Raimao - Manitou Springs CO, US
Jeffrey T. Gardner - Woodland Park CO, US

Assignee:

Sturman Industries, Inc. - Woodland Park CO

International Classification:

B62D 5/06

US Classification:

180428, 180421, 180422

Abstract:

Power steering systems and methods to improve efficiency and performance of vehicle power steering systems. In one embodiment, there is provided an engine driven positive displacement hydraulic pump, a rotary valve coupled to a steering shaft for receiving hydraulic fluid under pressure in a rotary valve inlet and providing a differential pressure to a steering rack piston for a steering boost responsive to a torque exerted on the steering shaft, valving coupled between an output of the hydraulic pump, the rotary valve inlet and the hydraulic pump input for controllably coupling the output of the hydraulic pump to the rotary valve inlet or an input of the hydraulic pump, and a controller coupled to valving to maintain a flow rate of hydraulic fluid coupled to the rotary valve responsive to a pressure sensor output. Other embodiments are disclosed.

US Patent:

8505287, Aug 13, 2013

Filed:

Feb 27, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/395040

Inventors:

Guy Robert Babbitt - Colorado Springs CO, US
Jeffrey Allen Rogers - Woodland Park CO, US
Miguel Angelo Raimao - Manitou Springs CO, US
Jeffrey T. Gardner - Woodland Park CO, US

Assignee:

Sturman Industries, Inc. - Woodland Park CO

International Classification:

F16D 39/00

US Classification:

60327, 60416

Abstract:

Micro-hydraulic supply and storage units capable of recovering waste energy and storing energy for later use, such as for operating hydraulic valve actuation and high pressure fuel injection systems. The system includes a sump, a pump motor, an accumulator and a supply rail. Valving is provided to couple the outlet of the pump motor to the accumulator to fill the accumulator with what otherwise would be waste energy, such as when a vehicle is using its engine for braking, directing the output of the pump motor to a supply rail to maintain the pressure in the supply rail, and directing the output of the pump to a sump. The valving also allows directing an outlet of the accumulator to an inlet of the pump motor for recover of the energy in the accumulator. Other aspects of the invention are disclosed.

US Patent:

8561752, Oct 22, 2013

Filed:

Nov 19, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/681024

Inventors:

Jeffrey Allen Rogers - Woodland Park CO, US
Miguel Angelo Raimao - Colorado Springs CO, US
Jeffrey T. Gardner - Woodland Park CO, US

Assignee:

Sturman Industries, Inc. - Woodland Park CO

International Classification:

B62D 5/06

US Classification:

180421, 180422, 180428, 180441

Abstract:

Power steering systems and methods to improve efficiency and performance of vehicle power steering systems. In one embodiment, there is provided an engine driven positive displacement hydraulic pump, a rotary valve coupled to a steering shaft for receiving hydraulic fluid under pressure in a rotary valve inlet and providing a differential pressure to a steering rack piston for a steering boost responsive to a torque exerted on the steering shaft, valving coupled between an output of the hydraulic pump, the rotary valve inlet and the hydraulic pump input for controllably coupling the output of the hydraulic pump to the rotary valve inlet or an input of the hydraulic pump, and a controller coupled to valving to maintain a flow rate of hydraulic fluid coupled to the rotary valve responsive to a pressure sensor output. Other embodiments are disclosed.

US Patent:

20030015155, Jan 23, 2003

Filed:

Jun 5, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/164046

Inventors:

Christopher Turner - Fort Collins CO, US
Miguel Raimao - Manitou Springs CO, US
Guy Babbitt - Colorado Springs CO, US

International Classification:

F01L009/02

US Classification:

123/090120

Abstract:

Hydraulic engine valve actuation systems and methods for internal combustion engines. The systems utilize a proportional valve to regulate the flow of a working fluid to and from a hydraulic actuator controlling the engine valve position. The position of the proportional valve is controlled by one or more high speed valves to control various engine valve parameters, including engine valve takeoff and landing velocities. Returning all valves to a known starting position between engine valve events avoids accumulation of errors in proportional valve positioning. Embodiments using spool valves for the high speed valves and the proportional valve, and spring return and hydraulic return for the engine valve, are disclosed. A specially shaped spool in the proportional valve provides enhanced control over the engine valve operation. Various further alternate embodiments are disclosed.