Procedure for cooling electromagnetic actuators for internal combustion engine valves

Abstract

A method and device for cooling an electromagnetic actuator device of an internal combustion engine valves. A fluid stream circulating in the internal combustion engine, especially a lubricating oil stream, is passed through each electromagnetic actuator device to cool the actuator. The amount of the fluid stream passed through the actuator is variable and is adjusted by a suitable valve arrangement in such a way that a critical component temperature of the actuators is not exceeded. An electrical actuator parameter, such as the current flowing through the coils of the actuator, which corresponds to the component's temperature is determined in an electronic control unit associated with the actuators, and is compared in the electronic control unit with the critical component temperature or a corresponding critical electrical parameter. The electronic control unit controls the valve arrangement to provide the required stream of cooling fluid.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.