Method of controlling fluid pressure-actuated switching component and control system for same

A method of controlling actuation of a fluid pressure-actuated engine valve lift switching component, the method comprising:

• energizing a solenoid valve according to a predetermined timing schedule stored in a controller to move a valve member of the solenoid valve;
• wherein the valve member of the solenoid valve is moved directly by magnetic flux of the solenoid valve;
• wherein the solenoid valve is operatively connected to the valve lift switching component by a control passage in a valve manifold for delivering pressurized fluid from a supply passage when the valve member moves from a valve seat to switch the valve lift switching component between a first lift mode and a second lift mode;
• wherein the valve member is positioned between the supply passage and the control passage and places the supply passage in fluid communication with the control passage when the valve member moves from the valve seat such that fluid flows past the first valve seat from the supply passage to the control passage, and prevents fluid communication between the supply passage and the control passage when the valve member is seated on the valve seat;
• sensing an operating parameter of fluid in the control passage;
• determining a difference between the sensed operating parameter and a predetermined value consistent with the predetermined timing schedule;
• wherein the sensed operating parameter is a difference in time at which two pressure sensors in the control passage reach a predetermined pressure;
• updating the stored predetermined timing schedule based on the difference;
• and
• energizing the solenoid valve based on the updated timing schedule.

A method of controlling a fluid pressure-actuated switching component, comprising:

• energizing a solenoid valve according to a predetermined timing schedule to move a valve member of the solenoid valve;
• wherein the valve member of the solenoid valve is moved directly by magnetic flux of the solenoid valve;
• wherein the solenoid valve is operatively connected to the switching component by a control passage in a valve manifold that delivers pressurized fluid from a supply passage when the valve member moves away from a first valve seat and seats on a second valve seat to thereby switch the switching component from a first mode to a second mode;
• wherein the valve member is positioned between the supply passage and the control passage and places the supply passage in fluid communication with the control passage when the valve member moves from the first valve seat and is seated on the second valve seat such that fluid flows past the first valve seat from the supply passage to the control passage, and prevents fluid communication between the supply passage and the control passage when the valve member is seated on the first valve seat and moves away from the second valve seat such that fluid exhausts through an exhaust passage past the second valve seat;
• measuring a period of time over which the valve member moves;
• calculating a difference between the measured period of time and a predetermined period of time over which the valve member moves and on which the predetermined timing schedule is at least partially based;
• adjusting the energizing of the solenoid valve based on the difference between the measured period of time and the predetermined period of time;
• and
• updating the predetermined timing schedule based on the measured period of time.