Unipolar canister purge valve

A method for operating a valve, comprising the steps of:

• providing a housing having a inlet port and an outlet port;
• providing a valve shaft having a permanent magnet and a valve element, wherein said valve element is movable between a closed position wherein said inlet port is closed and an open position wherein said inlet port is opened;
• generating a first magnetic field having a polarity that is oriented to cause a magnetic attraction with said magnet to move said magnet and thus said valve element to said open position;
• and
• generating a second magnetic field having a polarity that is oriented to cause said magnet to be repelled to move said magnet and thus said valve element to said closed position.

An evaporative emission control system, wherein said system is in fluid communication with a fuel tank that generates fuel vapors, comprising:

• a vapor collection canister in fluid communication with said fuel tank for absorbing fuel vapors in said system;
• a vent valve in fluid communication with said canister for enabling venting of said canister to atmosphere;
• a leak detection monitor for determining whether there are leaks in said system which are greater than a predetermined level;
• a canister purge valve for purging said canister, said canister purge valve further comprising:
• a housing having an inlet port in fluid communication with said canister and an outlet port in fluid communication with an intake manifold of an engine;
• a guide element located in said housing, said guide element including a bobbin section;
• a valve shaft slidably mounted to said guide element, said valve shaft having a permanent magnet and a valve element wherein said valve element is movable between a closed position wherein said inlet port is closed and an open position wherein said inlet port is opened;
• a pick coil formed on said bobbin adjacent said magnet, wherein said pick coil generates a first magnetic field having a polarity that is oriented to cause a magnetic attraction with said magnet to move said magnet and thus said valve element to said open position;
• a release coil formed on said bobbin adjacent to said magnet, wherein said release coil generates a second magnetic field having a polarity that is oriented to cause said magnet to be repelled to move said magnet and thus said valve element to said closed position;
• and
• an electronic engine control unit for controlling opening and closing of said vent valve and said canister purge valve to enable purging of said canister and performance of an on board diagnostic procedure, wherein said engine control unit includes drivers for energizing said pick and release coils.