Electromagnetic actuator and methods of operation thereof
AssigneeCamcon Auto Limited
InventorsRoger Stone, Richard Tyrrell, Owen Evans, David Kelly
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A rotary electromagnetic actuator includes a biasing assembly for applying a torque to its rotor. Such an actuator may be used to operate a poppet valve of an internal combustion engine. The biasing assembly is switchable between (a) a first configuration in which the biasing assembly exerts a torque on the rotor over at least part of the range of rotation of the rotor, wherein the torque exerted varies with the rotational position of the rotor according to a torque profile, and (b) a second configuration in which the biasing assembly exerts substantially no torque on the rotor over the range of the rotor.
Claims21
An electromagnetic actuator comprising:
- a stator;
- a rotor which is rotatable relative to the stator over a range of rotation of the rotor;
- and
- a biasing assembly for applying a torque to the rotor,
- wherein the biasing assembly is switchable between:
- (a) a first configuration in which the biasing assembly exerts a torque on the rotor over at least part of the range of rotation of the rotor, wherein the torque exerted varies with the rotational position of the rotor according to a torque profile;
- and
- (b) a second configuration in which the biasing assembly exerts substantially no torque on the rotor over the range of rotation of the rotor.
A method of operating an electromagnetic actuator comprising:
- a stator;
- a rotor which is rotatable relative to the stator over a range of rotation of the rotor;
- and
- a biasing assembly for applying a torque to the rotor,
- the method comprising the step of switching the biasing assembly between:
- (a) a first configuration in which the biasing assembly exerts a torque on the rotor over at least part of the range of rotation of the rotor, wherein the torque exerted varies with the rotational position of the rotor according to a torque profile;
- and
- (b) a second configuration in which the biasing assembly exerts substantially no torque on the rotor over the range of rotation of the rotor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.