# US 10,767,783 B2 · Method for actuating a valve

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 10,767,783 B2
- Document ID: US10767783B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/973,895
- Filed: 2018-05-08
- Published: 2018-11-08
- Granted: 2020-09-08
- Earliest claimed: 2017-05-08
- Assignees: Robert Bosch GmbH
- Applicants: Robert Bosch GmbH
- Inventors: Michael Hilden
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10767783B2

## CPC

- F16K 31/0675: {Electromagnet aspects, e.g. electric supply therefor}
- B60T 8/36: including a pilot valve responding to an electromagnetic force
- B60T 13/662: {characterised by specified functions of the control system components}
- H01F 7/18: Circuit arrangements for obtaining desired operating characteristics, e.g. for slow operation, for sequential energisation of windings, for high-speed energisation of windings
- B60T 13/68: by electrically-controlled valves {(B60T13/662 and B60T13/665 take precedence)}
- H01F 2007/1888: {using pulse width modulation}
- H01F 2007/1894: {minimizing impact energy on closure of magnetic circuit}
- F16K: VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING {(devices for emptying and evacuating the excess liquid in valves or conduits F16L55/07)}
- B60T: VEHICLE BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEMS OR PARTS THEREOF; BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEMS OR PARTS THEREOF, IN GENERAL (electrodynamic brake systems for vehicle, in general B60L; brakes per se, i.e. devices where braking effect occurs, including ultimate brake actuators, F16D); ARRANGEMENT OF BRAKING ELEMENTS ON VEHICLES IN GENERAL; PORTABLE DEVICES FOR PREVENTING UNWANTED MOVEMENT OF VEHICLES; VEHICLE MODIFICATIONS TO FACILITATE COOLING OF BRAKES
- H01F: MAGNETS; INDUCTANCES; TRANSFORMERS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR MAGNETIC PROPERTIES

## Abstract

A method for actuating a valve with a magnetic valve drive, through which electric current is passed to open the valve, to close the valve, and to hold the valve in an open or closed position, includes receiving an opening signal. The method further includes varying the electric current that is passed through the valve drive as a first current signal to open the valve in response to the received opening signal. The method further includes receiving a closing signal and varying the electric current that is passed through the valve drive as a second current signal for closing the valve in response to the received closing signal. The second current signal has at least two variations of the electric current at separate times.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for actuating a valve with a magnetic valve drive, through which electric current is passed to open the valve, to close the valve, and to hold the valve in an open or closed position, comprising:
receiving an opening signal;
varying the electric current that is passed through the valve drive as a first current signal to open the valve in response to the received opening signal;
receiving a closing signal; and
varying the electric current that is passed through the valve drive as a second current signal for closing the valve in response to the received closing signal,
wherein the second current signal has at least two variations of the electric current at separate times, a first of the at least two variations causing the valve to partly close, and a second of the at least two variations causing the valve to fully close,
wherein the at least two variations of the electric current at separate times are in the form of successive pulses at the separate times and a value of the electric current is reduced to zero between the successive pulses.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, further comprising:
operating the valve to partly close if the electric current is flowing through the valve drive; and
operating the valve to open if no electric current is flowing through the valve drive.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, further comprising:
energizing the valve for closing such that it is closed with three mutually adjoining partial strokes.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least two variations of the electric current at separate times are in the form of successive steps of a staircase.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The method according to claim 4, wherein the steps of the staircase each have a current level.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, further comprising:
operating the valve as at least one of:
(1) full strokes in a switching mode during the variation of the electric current as the first signal, and
(2) volumetric flow-dependent partial strokes in a setting mode during the variation of the electric current as the second signal.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein a computer program is configured to carry out the method.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The method according to claim 7, wherein the computer program is stored in a machine-readable memory medium.