Back to results
US 7,681,539 B2Granted
Method for improving operation of an electrically operable mechanical valve
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsRichard Wineland, Craig Stephan, Jim McCarthy, Clay Maranville, Larry Elie, Allan Gale
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method to improve the performance of an electrically operable mechanical valve actuator is described. The system is capable of providing heat to targeted areas of an actuator so that valve performance may be improved during at least some operating conditions.
Claims20
A method for improving operation of an electrically controlled actuator, comprising:
- applying a current to a coil of an electrically operable mechanical valve, said current applied at a frequency that is above a natural frequency of said mechanical valve and said current at a level sufficient to produce a power density at said coil to substantially raise a temperature of an armature of said electrically operable mechanical valve.
A method for improving operation of electrically operable mechanical valves, comprising:
- applying a time-varying current to a coil of a plurality of electrically operable mechanical valves;
- said time-varying current increasing eddy current in said plurality of electrically operable mechanical valves when a temperature decreases;
- said time-varying current decreasing said eddy current in said plurality of electrically operable mechanical valves when said temperature increases;
- and
- said current being applied in an overlapping sequential one-after-the-other manner to said plurality of electrically operable mechanical valves.
2 more elements
A system to improve performance of an electrically operable mechanical valve actuator, comprising:
- an internal combustion engine;
- an electrically operable mechanical valve actuator operable as a component of said internal combustion engine;
- and
- a controller to supply a time-varying current to at least a coil of said electrically operable mechanical valve actuator, said controller adjusting said time-varying current to increase hysteresis losses in said electrically operable mechanical valve actuator as a temperature decreases, and said controller adjusting said time-varying current to decrease hysteresis losses in said electrically operable mechanical valve actuator as said temperature increases, said controller adjusting a timing of said electrically operable mechanical valve actuator as an amount of heating energy supplied to the electrically operable mechanical valve actuator varies.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.