Method and device for controlling a hydraulic actuator

An internal combustion engine, comprising:

• at least one hydraulically actuated valve, the valve being assigned a transducer which generates an electrical signal, corresponding to a positioning travel of the valve;
• and
• an activator, the activator adapted to perform the steps of:
• generating at least one signal;
• and
• correcting in accordance with the signal a setpoint duration of at least one of:
• i) the drive pulse, ii) a following drive pulse assigned to the lift, and iii) a following drive pulse assigned to a partial lift.

A control unit adapted to control a gas exchange value of an internal combustion engine, the internal combustion engine having at least one control valve for opening the valve and one control valve for closing the valve, each of the control valves being capable of being driven by at least one drive pulse whose duration determines a positioning travel of the valve, the valve being opened or closed, in one lift or a plurality of partial lifts, and at least one drive pulse being assigned to each lift or each partial lift, and the valve being assigned at least one transducer which generates a signal that discloses values of a discrete positioning travel of the valve and of an assigned time or values of a discrete instant and of an assigned positioning travel, the method comprising:

• starting a drive pulse having a setpoint duration of the drive pulse for at least one of opening and closing the valve;
• generating at least one signal;
• and
• correcting in accordance with the signal the setpoint duration of at least one of i) the drive pulse, ii) a following drive pulse assigned to the lift, and iii) a following drive pulse assigned to a partial lift.