US 6,805,079 B1 · Method to control electromechanical valves

Abstract

A system for controlling electromechanical of an internal combustion has a valve-closing electromagnet for attracting the armature coupled to the valve to close the valve, a valve-opening electromagnet for attracting the armature to open the valve, a valve-opening spring for biasing the valve open, and a valve-closing spring for biasing the valve closed. The method includes de-energizing the valve-closing electromagnet for a predetermined time, enabling the valve to oscillate by the valve springs, and then energizing the valve-closing electromagnet to close the valve. Consequently, only the valve-closing electromagnet is energized to open and close the valve. The valve biasing springs force the valve to a location at which the valve-closing electromagnet can close the valve. This provides an electrical energy over prior methods in which both the valve-opening and valve-closing electromagnets are energized to actuate the valve.

Claims32

Dependent claims

A method for actuating a valve disposed in a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine by an electromechanical valve system having an armature operatively connected to the valve, a valve closing electromagnet capable of exhibiting an electromagnetic force for attracting the armature to close the valve, a valve opening spring for biasing the armature in a direction to open the valve, and a valve closing spring for biasing the armature in a direction to close the valve, comprising the steps of:

de-energizing the valve closing electromagnet when said valve is in a substantially fully closed position;
maintaining the valve closing electromagnet in said de-energized state for a predetermined time enabling the valve to oscillate by force of the valve opening spring and the valve closing spring;
and
energizing the valve closing electromagnet after said predetermined time to close the valve.

1 more element

A method for actuating an intake valve disposed in a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine by an electromagnetic valve apparatus having a valve closing electromagnet capable of exhibiting an electromagnetic force for attracting the armature to close the valve, a valve opening electromagnet capable of exhibiting an electromagnetic force for attracting the armature to open the valve, a valve opening spring for biasing the armature in a direction to open the valve, a valve closing spring for biasing the armature in a direction to close the valve, comprising the steps of:

actuating the valve according to a first mode when a first set of engine operating conditions are detected, said first mode further comprises the steps of de-energizing the valve closing electromagnet;
maintaining the valve closing electromagnet in said de-energized state for a first predetermined time enabling the valve to oscillate by force of the valve opening spring and the valve closing spring;
and energizing the valve closing electromagnet after said first predetermined time to close the valve;
and
actuating the valve according to a second mode when a second set of engine operating conditions are detected, said second mode further comprises the steps of de-energizing the valve closing electromagnet to allow the valve to open, energizing the valve opening electromagnet in response to said de-energizing step to attract the armature to the valve opening electromagnet thereby causing the valve to open;
de-energizing the opening electromagnet after a second predetermined time has elapsed since the valve opening electromagnet has been energized;
and energizing the valve closing electromagnet in response to said de-energizing step of the valve opening electromagnet to attract the armature to the valve closing electromagnet thereby causing the valve to close.

4 more elements

A computer readable storage medium having stored data representing instructions executable by a computer to open a valve disposed in a cylinder of an internal combustion engine, the valve is actuated by an electromechanical valve apparatus having an armature operatively connected to the valve, a valve closing electromagnet capable of exhibiting an electromagnetic force for attracting said armature to close the valve, a valve opening spring for biasing said armature in a direction to open the valve, and a valve closing spring for biasing the valve closed, comprising:

instructions to de-energize the valve closing electromagnet;
and
instructions to energize the valve closing electromagnet at a predetermined time after said de-energizing instructions, wherein said predetermined time is based on an integral number of valve periods, said valve period is the time elapsed between de-energizing the valve closing electromagnet until the valve returns to a nearly closed position for a first time when the valve closing electromagnet is maintained de-energized.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method to control electromechanical valves

Life of this patent

Method to control electromechanical valves

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims32