Control system for electromagnetic actuator

A method for controlling an electromagnetic actuator including first and second electromagnets each of which is adapted to generate an electromagnetic attraction force upon supply of current thereto, wherein the strength of the electromagnetic attraction forces generated by the first and second electromagnets changes in accordance with an amount of current being supplied thereto;

• an armature adapted to approach one of said first and second electromagnets in response to the electromagnetic force generated by that electromagnet;
• and a spring adapted to bias said armature to a neutral position between said first and second electromagnets, said method comprising:
• decreasing the amount of current supplied to said first electromagnet, said decrease in the amount of current occurring when moving said armature from a first electromagnet side to a second electromagnet side;
• and
• initiating a supply of current to said first electromagnet when said armature moves towards said second electromagnet and when an actual moving velocity of the armature is greater than a target velocity so as to reduce the moving velocity of said armature when moving said armature from the first electromagnet side to the second electromagnet side.

A control system comprising:

• an electromagnetic actuator comprising
• first and second electromagnets each of which is adapted to generate an electromagnetic attraction force upon supply of current thereto, wherein the strength of the electromagnetic attraction forces generated by the first and second electromagnets changes in accordance with an amount of current being supplied thereto;
• an armature adapted to approach one of said first and second electromagnets in response to the electromagnetic force generated by that electromagnet;
• a spring adapted to bias said armature to a neutral position between said first and second electromagnets;
• and
• first means for decreasing the amount of current supplied to said first electromagnet, said decrease in the amount of current occurring when moving said armature from a first electromagnet side to a second electromagnet side;
• and
• second means for initiating a supply of current to said first electromagnet when said armature moves towards said second electromagnet and when an actual moving velocity of the armature is greater than a target velocity so as to reduce the moving velocity of said armature when moving said armature from the first electromagnet side to the second electromagnet side.

A control system comprising:

• an electromagnetic actuator comprising
• first and second electromagnets each of which is adapted to generate an electromagnetic attraction force upon supply of current thereto, wherein the strength of the electromagnetic attraction forces generated by the first and second electromagnets changes in accordance with an amount of current being supplied thereto;
• an armature adapted to approach one of said first and second electromagnets in response to the electromagnetic force generated by that electromagnet;
• a spring adapted to bias said armature to a neutral position between said first and second electromagnets;
• and
• a control circuit,
• wherein the control circuit is adapted to decrease the amount of current supplied to said first electromagnet, said decrease occurring when moving said armature from a first electromagnet side to a second electromagnet side,
• wherein the control circuit is adapted to initiate a supply of current to said first electromagnet when said armature moves towards said second electromagnet and when an actual moving velocity of the armature is greater than a target velocity so as to reduce the moving velocity of said armature when moving said armature from the first electromagnet side to the second electromagnet side.

A control system for an electromagnetically actuated valve comprising:

• first and second electromagnets each of which is adapted to generate an electromagnetic attraction force upon supply of current thereto, wherein the strength of the electromagnetic attraction forces generated by the first and second electromagnets changes in accordance with an amount of current being supplied thereto;
• an armature adapted to approach one of said first and second electromagnets in response to the electromagnetic force generated by that electromagnet;
• a spring adapted to bias said armature to a neutral position between said first and second electromagnets;
• and
• a control circuit,
• wherein the control circuit is adapted to decrease the amount of current supplied to said first electromagnet, said decrease in the amount of current occurring when said armature from a first electromagnet side to a second electromagnet side,
• wherein the control circuit is adapted to initiate a supply of current to said first electromagnet when said armature moves towards said second electromagnet and when an actual moving velocity of the armature is greater than a target velocity so as to reduce the moving velocity of said armature when moving said armature from the first electromagnet side to the second electromagnet side.

A control system comprising:

• an electromagnetic actuator comprising
• first and second electromagnets each of which is adapted to generate an electromagnetic attraction force upon supply of current thereto, wherein the strength of the electromagnetic attraction forces generated by the first and second electromagnets changes in accordance with an amount of current being supplied thereto;
• an armature adapted to approach one of said first and second electromagnets in response to the electromagnetic force generated by that electromagnet;
• a spring adapted to bias said armature to a neutral position between said first and second electromagnets;
• and
• a control circuit,
• wherein the control circuit is adapted to decrease the amount of current supplied to said first electromagnet, said decrease occurring when moving said armature from a first position to a second position,
• wherein at the first position said armature is closer to said first electromagnet than to said second electromagnet,
• wherein at the second position said armature is closer to said second electromagnet than to said first electromagnet,
• wherein the control circuit is adapted to initiate a supply of current to said second electromagnet when said armature moves towards said second electromagnet in response to the biasing force of said spring so as to attract said armature toward the second electromagnet when changing said armature from the first position to the second position, and
• wherein said control circuit is adapted to initiate current to said first electromagnet if a moving velocity by which the armature moves towards the second electromagnet is greater than a target velocity.