Tracy L Niedzielski

US Patent:

20020109117, Aug 15, 2002

Filed:

Feb 15, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/784363

Inventors:

Robert Garrick - Rochester NY, US
Tracy Niedzielski - Hudson MA, US

International Classification:

F16K005/10

US Classification:

251/208000

Abstract:

An engine air control valve includes a throttle body having an intake air passage and a throttle valve rotatable in the passage between minimum and maximum air flow positions about a valve axis generally perpendicular to the direction of air flow through the passage. The air passage is defined by an internal wall of the throttle body, the wall including a pair of control surfaces spaced from the valve periphery with gradually increasing clearance on opposite sides of the valve axis in a low flow range. At least one of the control surfaces is interrupted by a recess forming a recessed portion of more rapidly increasing clearance extending essentially from a minimum to an intermediate air flow position of the throttle valve. The recess modifies the base flow curve of the throttle body to provide greater air flow over the low flow range of the throttle valve.