Adjusting ballistic valve timing
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsVince Winstead, Donald Lewis
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and method for controlling electromechanical valves operating in an engine is presented. According to the method, valve timing can be adjusted in a number of ways. The method can also compensate for changes in the natural response of the valve apparatus.
Claims25
A method to adjust timing of an electrically actuated valve, said electrically actuated valve operating in a cylinder of an internal combustion engine, the method comprising:
- opening and closing said electrically actuated valve without activating a valve opening coil, during a cycle of said cylinder;
- and
- varying the opening position of said electrically actuated valve as the closing position of said electrically actuated valve varies, during a subsequent cycle of said cylinder.
A method to adjust timing of an electrically actuated valve, said electrically actuated valve operating in a cylinder of an internal combustion engine, the method comprising:
- varying the opening position of an electrically actuated valve in response to a prior closing position of said electrically actuated valve.
A method to adjust timing of an electrically actuated valve, said electrically actuated valve operating in a cylinder of an internal combustion engine, the method comprising:
- operating a closing coil of said electrically actuated valve when said electrically actuated valve is in a substantially closed position;
- operating said closing coil after a predetermined period to close said electrically actuated valve at a first position, said first position relative to a crankshaft position;
- and
- operating said closing coil of said electrically actuated valve at a position that varies as said first position varies.
A method to adjust timing of an electrically actuated valve, said electrically actuated valve operating in a cylinder of an internal combustion engine, the method comprising:
- opening and closing said electrically actuated valve without activating a valve opening coil, during a cycle of said cylinder;
- and
- varying the opening position of said electrically actuated valve, relative to the crankshaft, in response to a signal.
A computer readable storage medium having stored data representing instructions executable by a computer to control an electrically actuated valve in a cylinder of an internal combustion engine of a vehicle, said storage medium comprising:
- instructions opening and closing said electrically actuated valve without activating a valve opening coil, during a cycle of said cylinder;
- and
- instructions for varying the opening position of said electrically actuated valve as the closing position of said electrically actuated valve varies, during a subsequent cycle of said cylinder.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.