Patents Assigned to FEV Motorentechnik GmbH & Co. KG
  • Patent number: 5793599
    Abstract: A method of energy-saving regulation of the attraction of an armature of a switching magnet, particularly an electromagnet for a control element in an internal combustion engine, wherein a medium voltage U.sub.Z is formed by switching to the lowest-available supply voltage U.sub.V, the medium voltage being sufficient to regulate a current I.sub.S in order to build up the magnetic field of the electromagnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: Fev Motorentechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Gunter Schmitz
  • Patent number: 5791305
    Abstract: A method is provided for monitoring a cylinder valve which is actuated by an electromagnetic actuator including an electromagnet having a magnetic core presenting a pole face and a coil wound around the magnetic core, a return spring and an armature that can be moved by the electromagnet in a direction toward the pole face counter to a force of the return spring for acting upon the cylinder valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: FEV Motorentechnik GmbH & Co KG
    Inventors: Lutz Kather, Guenter Schmitz, Ekkehard Schrey
  • Patent number: 5785018
    Abstract: An adjustment device for a cam-controlled valve operation in a piston-type internal combustion engine includes a camshaft adapted for actuating intake or exhaust valves of the piston-type internal combustion engine. The camshaft has a camshaft axis and includes an end having a guide surface. A transmission element constituting a magnetic armature is arranged for being moved back and forth in a direction of the camshaft axis. The transmission element includes an inner guide element opposite from and corresponding to the guide surface and a carrier element at a radial distance from the inner guide element that meshes with a corresponding carrier surface on a drive wheel, and is positioned for being twisted coaxially and relative to the camshaft. At least one of the guide surface on the camshaft and the carrier surface on the drive wheel is aligned in a helical shape relative to the camshaft axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: FEV Motorentechnik GmbH & Co KG
    Inventor: Michael Schebitz
  • Patent number: 5778851
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes an engine cylinder; a first intake port leading to the cylinder for introducing combustion gases thereinto; a first intake valve situated at the cylinder in the first intake port; a second intake port leading to the cylinder for introducing combustion gases thereinto; a second intake valve situated at the cylinder in the second intake port; and a throttle arrangement situated in the second intake port for varying a flow passage cross section thereof. The throttle arrangement includes a flat sliding member movable in a direction of motion thereof perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the second intake port for varying the flow passage cross section thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: FEV Motorentechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Torsten Schellhase, Raymund Tensing, Martin Pieper
  • Patent number: 5781397
    Abstract: A method is provided for adapting a control for an electromagnetic actuator for actuating an adjusting device in a system, in particular for actuating a cylinder valve in a piston engine, to operation-dictated changes in the electromagnetic actuator. The electromagnetic actuator includes at least one electromagnet, a restoring spring, an armature operately coupled to the cylinder valve and disposed for movement counter to the restoring spring. The electromagnet is energized, during an idling phase of the engine, with a current having a path deviating from a normal current in a normal mode of operation. Portions of a course over time of current through the electromagnet are detected. The detected course of current is compared with a predetermined curve. The control for the electromagnet for the normal mode is adapted if there are deviations between the detected course of the current and the predetermined curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: FEV Motorentechnik GmbH & Co KG
    Inventor: Ekkehard Schrey
  • Patent number: 5762035
    Abstract: An internal-combustion engine includes a cylinder head; a cylinder valve supported for reciprocating motion in the cylinder head to assume open and closed positions; and an electromagnetic actuator for operating the cylinder valve. The electromagnetic actuator includes a housing; and a first and a second electromagnet received in the housing and secured thereto at a fixed distance from one another. The first electromagnet has a first pole face and the second electromagnet has a second pole face oriented toward the first pole face. The actuator further has an armature positioned between the first and second pole faces for a reciprocating motion therebetween; return springs arranged for exerting oppositely oriented forces on the armature, whereby the armature executes reciprocating motion against a spring force; a connecting arrangement for coupling the armature to the stem of the cylinder valve; and a setting unit for displacing the housing relative to the cylinder valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: FEV Motorentechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Michael Schebitz
  • Patent number: 5752491
    Abstract: A method for controlling a piston-type internal combustion engine including dosing a fuel amount conditional upon a desired engine output and dosing a required air amount by controlling opening times of at least the gas intake valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1998
    Assignee: FEV Motorentechnik GmbH & Co KG
    Inventors: Guenter Schmitz, Ekkehard Schrey, Martin Pischinger
  • Patent number: 5748433
    Abstract: A method of controlling a motion of an armature away from an electromagnet of an electromagnetic actuator includes the following steps: passing an electric current through a solenoid of the electromagnet for holding the armature at the electromagnet against a resetting force; interrupting the current flow through the solenoid at a desired moment for releasing the armature from the electromagnet; and impressing a current pulse of reverse polarity on the solenoid after interrupting the current flow for launching the armature from the electromagnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: FEV Motorentechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ekkehard Schrey, Lutz Kather, Frank Van Der Staay
  • Patent number: 5746164
    Abstract: A method is provided for determining valve control times for a maximum charge for cylinders in a piston-type internal combustion engine provided with fuel injection, lambda sensor control and electromagnetically actuatable cylinder valves. The method includes setting the "intake closes" control moment to a preliminary value on all gas intake valves of the engine; changing continuously the "intake closes" control moment on the gas intake valves at least one cylinder while maintaining a constant engine rpm and determining, with the lambda sensor control at .lambda.=1, one of (1) a longest fuel injection duration and (2) a leanest operation at a constant injection duration; and storing the determined "intake closes" control moments at respective rpm's in a performance characteristic of an engine control for achieving a maximum charge in the cylinders at the respective rpm's.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: FEV Motorentechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ekkehard Schrey, Guenter Schmitz
  • Patent number: 5743221
    Abstract: A method of operating an internal-combustion engine including a plurality of cylinders; cylinder valves for admitting gases into and removing gases from the cylinders; and actuators connected to the valves for reciprocating the valves between open and closed positions. The method includes the following steps: controlling the actuators of the plurality of cylinders with a first control process as a function of load requirements arising during engine run, as long as the load requirements remain at or above a minimum value; controlling the actuators of at least one first cylinder of the plurality of cylinders with a second control process when the load requirement falls below the minimum value; and simultaneously with controlling the actuators of the first cylinder with the second control process, controlling the actuators of at least one second cylinder of the plurality of cylinders with a third control process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: FEV Motorentechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Gunter Schmitz
  • Patent number: 5742467
    Abstract: A method of controlling movements of an armature in an electromagnetic circuit which includes at least one holding solenoid applying magnetic forces to the armature and at least one resetting arrangement for applying a resetting force to the armature. The method includes the following cyclical steps: switching on a holding current to flow through the solenoid for holding the armature at the solenoid; after a predetermined period, switching off the holding current for causing the armature to begin a motion away from the solenoid; after switch-off of the holding current detecting, across the solenoid, a voltage change caused by the displacement of the armature for recognizing a starting moment of armature motion from the solenoid; and deriving a control signal from signals representing the voltage change ascertained in the course of the detecting step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Assignee: FEV Motorentechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Gunter Schmitz
  • Patent number: 5734309
    Abstract: An electromagnetic switching arrangement for operating a control device, with the arrangement having two electromagnets (1, 2) which are formed respectively from a coil (3.1, 3.2) and a magnetic yoke (4.1, 4.2), are connected to an actuatable direct-current supply (9), and are spaced from one another, with the pole faces (5) of the two magnet yokes (4.1. 4.2) facing one another. An armature (6) is disposed between the two electromagnets so that the armature can move back and forth between the pole faces (5) of the two electromagnets. The armature (6) is connected to the control device to be operated and is held by spring elements (8.1, 8.2) in an inoperative or neutral position between the two electromagnets (1, 2) when both electromagnets are currentless. At least the armature (6) is made of a material that contains a residual magnetization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignee: FEV Motorentechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Gunter Schmitz
  • Patent number: 5711259
    Abstract: A method of measuring a valve play in a reciprocating valve. The valve has open and closed positions and is operated by an electromagnetic actuator which includes an opening electromagnet, a closing electromagnet, an armature movable between pole faces by electromagnetic forces against a spring force of a return spring arrangement for moving the valve into an open position. The valve play is defined by a clearance between the armature and the valve when the armature is in contact with the pole face of the closing magnet and the valve is in the closed position. The method includes the steps of detecting a motion of the armature within the clearance as a function of the course of voltage and/or current in the closing electromagnet; and deriving the size of the valve play from an irregularity (spike) in the course of voltage and/or current. The irregularity is caused by an impacting of the armature on the valve and/or the pole face of the closing electromagnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: FEV Motorentechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Franz Pischinger, Gunter Schmitz, Martin Pischinger
  • Patent number: 5708355
    Abstract: A method of controlling an electromagnetic actuator having at least one electromagnet and an armature that can be moved by generated magnetic forces in a direction counter to the force of a restoring spring associated with the electromagnet, with the armature acting on a control element. The supply of current to the electromagnet in order to initiate the armature movement is effected by a linear regulator that regulates the coil current to a constant value, via a control member, prior to the anticipated impact of the armature on the pole face of the electromagnet. An identifying signal for armature impact is derived from changes in the control variable of the regulator (control current or control voltage) when the armature impacts during the constant-current phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Assignee: FEV Motorentechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Ekkehard Schrey
  • Patent number: 5692488
    Abstract: A method is provided for automatic calibration of an angle mark transmitter at the crankshaft of an internal combustion engine having fuel injection, Lambda sensor control and electromagnetically actuated gas cylinder valves. The control time "intake closes" is initially adjusted for all gas cylinder valves to a preliminary value. For defined marginal operating conditions, in particular speed and temperature, the control time "intake closes" for at least one gas cylinder valve is changed to determine, via the Lambda sensor control at Lambda=1, a value at which the longest fuel injection time is detected or, for a constant injection time, the leanest operation is detected. The determined control time is compared to the desired control time for an exactly adjusted angle mark transmitter on the internal combustion engine and in case of deviation is compensated for in the control for the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: FEV Motorentechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ing Ekkehard Schrey, Ing Guenter Schmitz
  • Patent number: 5691680
    Abstract: A method of recognizing armature impingement in an electromagnetic actuator having an electromagnet including a solenoid, an armature movable toward and away from the electromagnet and return means for exerting a force on the armature. The method includes the steps of maintaining a solenoid current at a predetermined magnitude I.sub.max during a predetermined period T.sub.A for capturing the armature at the electromagnet; switching off the solenoid current at a moment t.sub.1 upon lapse of the period T.sub.A ; upon lapse of a period T.sub.1 running from moment t.sub.1, oscillating the solenoid current between a lower holding current threshold I.sub.H1 and an upper holding current threshold I.sub.H2 ; detecting a current course from moment t.sub.1 ; and deriving a signal from such current course.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: FEV Motorentechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ekkehard Schrey, Lutz Kather
  • Patent number: 5682127
    Abstract: A method of switching an electromagnetic actuator which includes an armature movable along a path of travel and two electromagnets having respective solenoids, disposed at opposite ends of the path of travel for alternatingly attracting the armature. The method includes the steps of alternatingly applying a supply voltage to the electromagnets for alternatingly causing a supply current to flow therethrough for effecting a reciprocating motion of the armature; and applying an induced current, generated by an induced voltage appearing across one of the solenoids upon removal of the supply current from the one solenoid, to the other of the solenoids until the supply voltage applied to the other solenoid is greater than the induced voltage and the supply voltage across the other solenoid is capable of maintaining an attained current flow therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: FEV Motorentechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Gunter Schmitz, Stefan Grass
  • Patent number: 5671600
    Abstract: A method of reducing NO.sub.x emissions of a turbo-charged internal combustion engine. The engine has an exhaust conduit guiding an exhaust gas stream, a charge-air intake conduit guiding a charge-air stream and a turbocharger including a turbine disposed in the exhaust conduit and a compressor disposed in the charge-air intake conduit. The method comprises the steps of branching off a partial exhaust gas quantity from the exhaust gas stream upstream of the turbine as viewed in a direction of exhaust gas flow; passing the partial exhaust gas quantity through a particle filter; and introducing the partial exhaust gas quantity into the charge-air stream upstream of the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Assignee: FEV Motorentechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Franz Pischinger, Manfred Durnholz, Gerhard Lepperhoff, Georg Huthwohl
  • Patent number: 5664534
    Abstract: A flywheel system for a machine includes a rotary body affixed to a rotary shaft of the machine for rotating with the shaft as a unit; an additional rotary body forming a flywheel mass and being mounted on the shaft for rotation relative thereto; an electromagnetic device for torque-transmittingly coupling the rotary bodies to one another in a contactless manner; and a control for actuating the electromagnetic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Assignee: FEV Motorentechnik GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventor: Gunter Schmitz
  • Patent number: 5588407
    Abstract: A reciprocating piston engine, in particular an internal combustion engine with at least one cylinder in which a piston connected with a crankshaft is driven so it can move back and forth. The crankshaft (1) is connected with at least one cam disk turning with it. The cam disc has a control profile which acts as an actuator on at least one additional unit, in particular a compensating weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Assignee: FEV Motorentechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Mathias von Essen, Christoph Bollig, Werner Bick