Abstract: An in-cylinder pressure sensor obtains a high resolution pressure curve for each cylinder cycle allowing the various data to be derived for improved monitoring and control of operation of the engine. A more accurate measure of work done by the engine is obtained allowing more accurate estimation of the vehicle torque and hence real torque control. In addition engine losses can be more accurately calculated and the estimates corrected yet further by obtaining an accurate top dead centre position for the engine cylinders.

Abstract: An in-cylinder pressure sensor obtains a high resolution pressure curve for each cylinder cycle allowing the various data to be derived for improved monitoring and control of operation of the engine. A more accurate measure of work done by the engine is obtained allowing more accurate estimation of the vehicle torque and hence real torque control. In addition engine losses can be more accurately calculated and the estimates corrected yet further by obtaining an accurate top dead centre position for the engine cylinders.

Abstract: A method for controlling electromagnetic actuators for operating induction and exhaust valves in internal combustion engines where one actuator, connected to a control unit, is coupled to a respective valve having a real position and includes a movable element magnetically driven by means of a resultant force to control the movement of the said valve between a closure position and a fully open position; the control unit is further connected to a piloting unit and includes a supervision block, an open loop control block, a closed loop control block and a selector block commanded by a switching signal generated by the supervision block. The method includes the steps of: operating in an open loop control mode of the real position; operating in a closed loop control mode of the real position; and alternatively selecting the open loop control mode and the closed loop control mode.

Abstract: A method for the control of an electromagnetic actuator coupled to a respective valve and provided with a moving ferromagnetic member connected to at least one point of the valve, a pair of electromagnets disposed on opposite sides with respect to the moving ferromagnetic member and an elastic member adapted to maintain the valve in a rest position. The method comprises the stages of detecting an actual position and an actual velocity of the valve, determining a reference position and a reference velocity of the valve and minimising differences between the reference position and the actual position and between the reference velocity and the actual velocity of the valve by means of a feedback control action.

Abstract: Method for protection against overheating of electromagnetic actuators for actuation of intake and exhaust valves in internal-combustion engines, in which an actuator of an engine is connected to a respective intake or exhaust valve, and includes a mobile unit which is actuated magnetically, in order to control the movement of the said valve, and a first and a second electromagnet, which are disposed on opposite sides of the mobile unit; the actuator also being connected to a control unit, via a piloting circuit, which supplies at least one current to a current-measuring circuit, which supplies to the control unit measured values of the current.

Abstract: Method for regulation of currents during phases of stoppage in electromagnetic actuators, for actuation of intake and exhaust valves in internal-combustion engines, in which an actuator is connected to a respective intake or exhaust valve which has a position, and includes a mobile unit, which is actuated magnetically in order to control the movement of the valve, a sensor which supplies a position signal which is representative of a present position of the mobile unit, and a first and a second electromagnet, which are disposed on opposite sides of the mobile unit, and receive respectively a first and a second current; the mobile unit being disposed in a position of stoppage during phases of stoppage.

Abstract: Method for protection against overheating of electromagnetic actuators for actuation of intake and exhaust valves in internal-combustion engines, in which an actuator of an engine is connected to a respective intake or exhaust valve, and includes a mobile unit which is actuated magnetically, in order to control the movement of the said valve, and a first and a second electromagnet, which are disposed on opposite sides of the mobile unit; the actuator also being connected to a control unit, via a piloting circuit, which supplies at least one current to a current-measuring circuit, which supplies to the control unit measured values of the current.

Abstract: A method for estimating the end-of-stroke positions of moving members of electromagnetic actuators for the actuation of intake and exhaust valves in internal combustion engines in which an actuator is coupled to a respective intake or exhaust valve and comprises a moving member actuated magnetically in order to control the movement of the valve, a sensor supplying a position signal representative of a current position of this moving member and a first and a second electromagnet disposed on opposite sides of the moving member, wherein this moving member can move between a first end-of-stroke position in which it is disposed in contact with the first electromagnet and a second end-of-stroke position in which it is disposed in contact with the second electromagnet. The method comprises the stages of checking whether the condition of stationary contact of the moving member exists and determining a magnitude correlated with this current position, if the stationary condition is verified.

Abstract: A method for the control of an electromagnetic actuator coupled to a respective valve and provided with a moving member actuated magnetically, by means of a net force, in order to control the movement of the valve between a closed position and a position of maximum opening, a pair of electromagnets disposed on opposite sides with respect to the moving member and an elastic member adapted to maintain the valve in a rest position. The method comprises the stages of estimating the disturbing forces acting on the valve, calculating an actual force as a function of the objective force value and the disturbing forces and implementing this actual force value.

Abstract: Method for regulation of currents during phases of stoppage in electromagnetic actuators, for actuation of intake and exhaust valves in internal-combustion engines, in which an actuator is connected to a respective intake or exhaust valve which has a position, and includes a mobile unit, which is actuated magnetically in order to control the movement of the valve, a sensor which supplies a position signal which is representative of a present position of the mobile unit, and a first and a second electromagnet, which are disposed on opposite sides of the mobile unit, and receive respectively a first and a second current; the mobile unit being disposed in a position of stoppage during phases of stoppage.

Abstract: A method for estimating the end-of-stroke positions of moving members of electromagnetic actuators for the actuation of intake and exhaust valves in internal combustion engines in which an actuator is coupled to a respective intake or exhaust valve and comprises a moving member actuated magnetically in order to control the movement of the valve, a sensor supplying a position signal representative of a current position of this moving member and a first and a second electromagnet disposed on opposite sides of the moving member, wherein this moving member can move between a first end-of-stroke position in which it is disposed in contact with the first electromagnet and a second end-of-stroke position in which it is disposed in contact with the second electromagnet. The method comprises the stages of checking whether the condition of stationary contact of the moving member exists and determining a magnitude correlated with this current position, if the stationary condition is verified.

Abstract: A method for controlling electromagnetic actuators for operating induction and exhaust valves in internal combustion engines where one actuator, connected to a control unit, is coupled to a respective valve having a real position and includes a movable element magnetically driven by means of a resultant force to control the movement of the said valve between a closure position and a fully open position, the control unit is further connected to a piloting unit and includes a supervision block, an open loop control block, a closed loop control block and a selector block commanded by a switching signal generated by the supervision block. The method includes the steps of: operating in an open loop control mode of the real position; operating in a closed loop control mode of the real position; and alternatively selecting the open loop control mode and the closed loop control mode.