Electronic valve control

An apparatus for controlling an engine of a vehicle, the apparatus comprising:

• a memory configured to store one or more trained models, the one or more trained models including a valve control model;
• and
• one or more processors configured to:
• receive operator data that indicates an operator of the vehicle;
• determine, using a trained operator type model, operator preference data based on the operator data;
• receive vehicle operation data that includes sensor data corresponding to a condition of the engine, control inputs indicative of operation of the vehicle, or a combination thereof;
• input the operator preference data and the vehicle operation data to a trained valve control model;
• determine, using the trained valve control model, an operating characteristic of a valve of the engine, the valve coupled to a combustion chamber and configured to control flow into the combustion chamber, out of the combustion chamber, or both;
• and
• generate a control signal to cause an electronically controllable valve actuator to use at least one of a pneumatic pressure fluid circuit, a solenoid, or a motor to control opening or closing of the valve via movement of a valve stem to effect operation of the valve in accordance with the operating characteristic.

A method of controlling a cylinder intake valve or a cylinder exhaust valve of an engine of a vehicle, the method comprising:

• receiving, from one or more vehicle operation sensors, vehicle operation data including sensor data corresponding to a condition of the engine, control inputs indicative of operation of the vehicle, or a combination thereof;
• receiving, from one or more travel condition sensors, travel sensor data corresponding to a travel condition;
• determining, using a trained travel type model, a travel type selected from among a plurality of travel types based on the travel sensor data;
• determining, using a trained valve control model that is distinct from the trained travel type model, an operating characteristic of the cylinder intake valve or the cylinder exhaust valve based on the vehicle operation data and the selected travel type;
• and
• generating a control signal to cause an electronically controllable valve actuator to use at least one of a pneumatic pressure fluid circuit, a solenoid, or a motor to control opening or closing of the cylinder intake valve or the cylinder exhaust valve to effect operation of the cylinder intake valve or the cylinder exhaust valve in accordance with the operating characteristic.

A computer-readable storage device storing instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to:

• receive vehicle operation data that includes sensor data corresponding to a condition of an engine of a vehicle, control inputs indicative of operation of the vehicle, or a combination thereof;
• receive, from one or more travel condition sensors, travel sensor data corresponding to a travel condition;
• determine, using a trained travel type model, a travel type based on the travel sensor data;
• determine, based on the vehicle operation data and the travel type and using a trained valve control model that is distinct from the trained travel type model, an operating characteristic of a valve that is coupled to a combustion chamber and configured to control flow into the combustion chamber, out of the combustion chamber, or both;
• and
• generate a control signal to cause an electronically controllable valve actuator to use at least one of a pneumatic pressure fluid circuit, a solenoid, or a motor to control opening or closing of the valve via movement of a valve stem to effect operation of the valve in accordance with the operating characteristic.

An apparatus for controlling a cylinder intake or exhaust valve of an engine of a vehicle, the apparatus comprising:

• means for receiving vehicle operation data including sensor data corresponding to a condition of the engine, control inputs indicative of operation of the vehicle, or a combination thereof;
• means for determining, using a trained travel type model, a travel type based on travel sensor data that is received from one or more travel condition sensors and that corresponds to a travel condition;
• means for determining, using a trained valve control model that is distinct from the trained travel type model, an operating characteristic of the valve at least partially based on the vehicle operation data and the travel type, the valve corresponding to a cylinder intake valve or a cylinder exhaust valve;
• and
• means for generating a control signal to cause an electronically controllable valve actuator to use at least one of a pneumatic pressure fluid circuit, a solenoid, or a motor to control opening or closing of the valve to effect operation of the valve in accordance with the operating characteristic.

A method of controlling a valve of an engine, the valve coupled to a combustion chamber of the engine and configured to control flow into the combustion chamber, out of the combustion chamber, or both, the method comprising:

• receiving, from one or more operation sensors, operation data including sensor data corresponding to a condition of the engine, control inputs indicative of operation of equipment that includes the engine, or a combination thereof;
• determining, using a trained operator type model, operator preference data based on received operator data;
• inputting the operator preference data and the operation data to a trained valve control model that is distinct from the trained operator type model;
• determining, using the trained valve control model, an operating characteristic of the valve;
• and
• generating a control signal to effect operation of the valve in accordance with the operating characteristic, the control signal configured to cause an electronically controllable valve actuator to operate at least one of a pneumatic pressure fluid circuit, a solenoid, or a motor to control opening or closing of the valve via movement of a valve stem.

An apparatus for controlling an engine, the apparatus comprising:

• a memory configured to store one or more trained models, the one or more trained models including a valve control model;
• and
• one or more processors configured to:
• receive operation data that includes sensor data corresponding to a condition of the engine, control inputs indicative of operation of equipment that includes the engine, or a combination thereof;
• determine, using a trained operator type model, operator preference data based on received operator data;
• input the operator preference data and the operation data to a trained valve control model that is distinct from the trained operator type model;
• determine, using the trained valve control model, an operating characteristic of a cylinder intake or exhaust valve;
• and
• generate a control signal to cause an electronically controllable valve actuator, including at least one of a pneumatic pressure fluid circuit, a solenoid, or a motor coupled to the valve via a valve stem, to control opening or closing of the valve via movement of the valve stem responsive to the control signal to effect operation of the valve in accordance with the operating characteristic.