Abstract: A method of controlling functions of an internal-combustion engine having electrically operated actuators for controlling engine functions, includes the following steps: detecting control-relevant operational data by a sensor arrangement; applying the detected operational data to a first, engine-integrated electronic engine control system; controlling the actuators by control signals from the first electronic engine control system through a power unit; applying the operational data to a second, external electronic engine control system in synchronism with the operational data applied to the first electronic engine control system; generating control signals at an output of the second electronic engine control system; applying, to the power unit, control signals emanating from the second electronic engine control system for the actuator of at least one selected engine function; and simultaneously with the preceding step, removing from the power unit control signals emanating from the first electronic engine con

Abstract: A method is provided for reducing an impact speed of an armature on a pole face of an electromagnet in an electro-magnetic actuator, in which the armature moves toward the pole face against a restoring spring force when the coil of the electromagnet is charged with current. The method includes limiting a voltage applied to the coil to a predeterminable maximum value as the armature approaches the pole face so that a current flowing through the coil drops for a portion of the time of the voltage limitation.

Abstract: A method is provided for detecting play between a cylinder valve of a piston engine and an electromagnetic actuator that actuates the cylinder valve. The electromagnet has a closing electromagnet and an opening electromagnet, two restoring springs and an armature which is guided to be movable back and forth between the two electromagnets, in each case counter to a force of a respective one of the restoring springs for acting upon the cylinder valve. With the armature held at one of the electromagnets by a holding current I.sub.H, a time interval t.sub.H after turnoff of the holding current I.sub.H at the holding electromagnet until the arrival of the armature at the other one of the electromagnets is measured, and the valve play is calculated by subtracting from the time interval t.sub.H a motion time t.sub.B predetermined by the spring-mass system, comprising the armature, valve body and restoring springs, and a sticking time t.sub.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling an electromagnetic actuator having an electromagnet including a magnetic core presenting a pole face and an electromagnet coil wound around the magnetic core, a return spring and an armature connected to an actuation mechanism and movable toward the pole face by a magnetic force of the electromagnet against the force of the return spring. The method includes: detecting a time behavior and/or value of current and/or voltage present at the electromagnet coil during a time period when the armature does not move relative to the electromagnet, and deriving a value corresponding to the actual ohmic resistance and/or inductance of the electromagnet coil from the detected time behavior and/or value from the detecting step for compensating changes in the ohmic resistance of the electromagnet coil.

Abstract: A method of ascertaining the position of rest assumed by a movable armature, in response to forces of oppositely acting return springs, between two deenergized electromagnets. The method includes the following steps: measuring the inductivities of the two electromagnets; comparing the measured inductivity values to obtain a comparison value; and ascertaining the position of the armature in the position of rest between the two electromagnets from the comparison value.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.