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: An electromagnetic actuator for operating a setting member includes an electromagnet composed of a yoke body and a magnet coil held by the yoke body; an armature adapted to be coupled to the setting member; and a resetting spring for exerting a spring force to the armature. The spring force opposes the magnetic force generated by the electromagnet when energized. The armature is guided in a reciprocating motion which it executes in a direction of armature displacement in response to the magnetic and spring forces. The armature is provided with a plurality of throughgoing, slot-shaped apertures.

Abstract: An electromagnetic circuit for controlling armature movement includes a holding magnet having a magnet yoke provided with a pole face; a solenoid connected to the magnet yoke; a movably supported armature arranged for reciprocating motion toward and away from the pole face along a motion path; an energizing arrangement for passing a current through the solenoid; a measuring pole leg attached to the magnet yoke; and a measuring pole carried by the measuring pole leg. The measuring pole is situated along the motion path of the armature and generates a signal upon passage of the armature by the measuring pole.

Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator operating a cylinder valve of an internal-combustion engine includes first and second spaced electromagnets having pole faces oriented toward one another; an armature arranged for reciprocating motion between the pole faces; and a connecting rod having a first rod part being in an abutting contact with a first side of the armature and being a component separate therefrom. The abutting contact is such as to prevent a torque transmission between the first rod part and the armature. The connecting rod has a second rod part which is rigidly affixed to a second side of the armature and extending towards the cylinder valve.

Abstract: A method for a controlling cylinder valve drive in a piston-type internal combustion engine includes the steps of detecting vibration signals generated during operation by the cylinder valve drive or the cylinder valve, and actuating the cylinder valve drive in dependence on a value of the detected vibration signals which corresponds to the impact time or impact speed of the cylinder valves.

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 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.

Abstract: A method of determining a combustion air ratio of a reciprocating-piston internal combustion engine includes the steps of measuring a gradient of a combustion chamber pressure as a function of a position of a piston in a piston cylinder, for at least one operating cycle of the engine. Measured signals are formed representing the gradient of the combustion chamber pressure. The measured signals are digitized and entered into a programmed evaluation unit, where they are evaluated on the premise that energy prior to combustion and energy following or toward the end of combustion are at least approximately equal. Further, they are evaluated based on the equation ##EQU1## A value of the combustion air ratio is calculated from the evaluated digitized measured signals in an iterative computation process, and the value is displayed.