US 2003/0150435 A1Published application

Staged translation control algorithm for reduction in impact force

AssigneeEaton Corporation

InventorsSubbaraya Radhamohan, Simon T. Joque

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Abstract

A method of operating a control system to move an EGR valve (24) toward its seat (32), in which the control system includes an actuator (16) operable in response to an electrical position command signal (84, 86). The method comprises the steps of determining (102) if the valve is being commanded toward a closed position, and determining (106) if the valve is still at least a predetermined distance (X) from a Stage 1 Position. If both answers are affirmative, the valve is commanded toward the Stage 1 Position, then the logic determines when the valve is within a predetermined tolerance (T) of the Stage 1 Position, and when it is, the logic provides a position command signal corresponding to an unchanging position of the valve for a predetermined period of time (Y), while any overshoot of the valve position settles out, and the valve position stabilizes before the logic proceeds with the rest of the closing operations. The result is greatly reduced stress on the valve (24) and the gear train which drives the valve.

Claims5

Dependent claims

A method of operating a control system to move an object toward engagement with a stop, the control system including an actuator operable in response to an electrical position command signal to move said object toward said engagement with said stop;

the method comprising the steps of:
(a) determining if said object is being commanded toward a position within a predetermined distance of said stop;
(b) determining if said object is still at least a predetermined distance (X) from a first position (Stage 1 Position);
(c) if the answer to step (a) is affirmative and the answer to step (b) is affirmative, commanding said object to said first position (Stage 1 Position);
(d) determining if said object is within a predetermined tolerance (T) of said first position (Stage 1 Position) and when it is, providing a position command signal corresponding to a substantially unchanging position of said object for a predetermined time period (Y);
and
(e) after said predetermined time period (Y), continuing the move of said object from said first position (Stage 1 Position) toward said engagement with said stop.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.