Abstract: An electromagnetic actuating system having a valve member is provided. This system can improve a response of movement of the valve member while reducing power consumption of the system. The electromagnetic actuating system includes an armature which moves with the valve member, an electromagnet which attracts the armature in a direction of movement of the valve member by being supplied with a current, and a spring which presses the armature away from the electromagnet. A permanent magnet which can exert a magnetic attracting force between the armature and the electromagnet is provided. A current controller supplies a release current to the electromagnet so that magnetic flux is generated in a direction opposite to a direction of magnetic flux generated by the permanent magnet when the armature is released from the electromagnet.

Abstract: The present invention offers a valve driving apparatus provided in an internal combustion engine. The valve driving apparatus drives an exhaust valve by using electromagnetic force. The exhaust valve is movable between an open position and a closed position. The valve driving apparatus includes an armature coupled with the exhaust valve, an electromagnetic coil for generating an electromagnetic force exerted on the exhaust valve, and a control means for controlling the electromagnetic force applied to the armature in the direction of the closed position of the exhaust valve when the exhaust valve is moving to the open position, in the fuel injection cut control, that is, combustion is suspended in the internal combustion engine. The present invention also offers a method for driving the exhaust valve, which comprises the steps of driving the electric current through the electromagnetic coil, biasing the armature and controlling the electromagnetic force applied to the armature.

Abstract: A valve driving apparatus for driving an intake and an exhaust valve uses electromagnetic force and is provided in an internal combustion engine. Each intake and exhaust valve is movable between an open position and a closed position. The valve driving apparatus includes an intake armature coupled with the intake valve, an exhaust armature coupled with the exhaust valve, an intake valve opening spring for generating a force exerted on the intake valve in the direction of the open position of the intake valve, an intake valve closing spring for generating a force exerted on the intake valve in the direction of the closed position of the intake valve, an exhaust valve opening spring for generating a force exerted on the exhaust valve in the direction of the open position of the exhaust valve, and an exhaust valve closing spring for generating a force exerted on the exhaust valve in the direction of the closed position of the exhaust valve.

Abstract: A control apparatus for a solenoid-operated valve that functions as an intake or exhaust valve of an internal combustion engine includes a lower spring biasing a valve body of the valve in a valve closing direction and upper and lower coils disposed above and below an armature for generating electromagnetic forces to move the valve body in the valve closing and valve opening directions. After a request for closing of the valve body is made, command currents are supplied to the upper and lower coils in suitable timing to increase the speed at which the valve body is seated against a valve seat. As the valve body rotates about its axis due to the action of the lower spring in the course of moving toward the valve seat, it is possible to crush and remove carbon between the valve body and the valve seat without causing local wear of the valve body.

Abstract: The present invention offers a valve driving apparatus provided in an internal combustion engine. The valve driving apparatus drives an exhaust valve by using electromagnetic force. The exhaust valve is movable between an open position and a closed position. The valve driving apparatus includes an armature coupled with the exhaust valve, an electromagnetic coil for generating an electromagnetic force exerted on the exhaust valve, and a control means for controlling the electromagnetic force applied to the armature in the direction of the closed position of the exhaust valve when the exhaust valve is moving to the open position, in the fuel injection cut control, that is, combustion is suspended in the internal combustion engine. The present invention also offers a method for driving the exhaust valve, which comprises the steps of driving the electric current through the electromagnetic coil, biasing the armature and controlling the electromagnetic force applied to the armature.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electromagnetically driven valve suited for use in an internal combustion engine and aims at achieving appropriate operating characteristics in accordance with operating conditions of the internal combustion engine at the time of opening or closing a valve body. An armature moving together with the valve body is provided and upper and lower cores are disposed on opposed sides of the armature. The upper core and the lower core accommodate upper and lower coils, respectively. An annular protrusion, formed not on the upper core but on the lower core only, has an inner diameter slightly larger than an outer diameter of the armature.

Abstract: An electromagnetic actuating system of an internal combustion engine is provided. The system can hold an armature in a fully closed position or a fully opened position when the engine is started while obviating a necessity of the initial actuation and effectively reducing power consumption of the system. The system includes an engine valve which functions as an intake valve or an exhaust valve of the internal combustion engine, an armature which moves with the engine valve, an electromagnet which attracts the armature in a direction of movement of the engine valve by being supplied with a current and a spring which presses the armature away from the electromagnet. A permanent magnet, which can exert a magnetic attracting force between the armature and the electromagnet, is provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electromagnetically driven valve suited for use in an internal combustion engine and aims at achieving appropriate operating characteristics in accordance with operating conditions of the internal combustion engine at the time of opening or closing a valve body. An armature moving together with the valve body is provided and upper and lower cores are disposed on opposed sides of the armature. The upper core and the lower core accommodate upper and lower coils, respectively. An annular protrusion, formed not on the upper core but on the lower core only, has an inner diameter slightly larger than an outer diameter of the armature.

Abstract: A cylinder head having a solenoid valve control device for operating a valve of an internal combustion engine includes a valve element which constitutes one of an intake valve and an exhaust valve of the engine. An armature is connected to the valve element to operate the valve element. A first solenoid is provided above the armature to generate an electromagnetic force to attract the armature so that the valve element is moved to a valve-closing position. A second solenoid is provided below the armature to generate an electromagnetic force to attract the armature so that the valve element is moved to a valve-opening position. An upper head is provided on a top of the cylinder head, the upper head having a through hole at a given location in the upper head, the through hole having an upper open end and a lower open end in the upper head.

Abstract: In a solenoid valve device, a valving element opens and closes a fluid passage by exerting an electromagnetic force between an armature and a core. The solenoid valve device includes a movable portion which includes the armature and the valving element. A fixed portion includes the core. An impact absorbing unit absorbs an impact of the movable portion on the fixed portion, the impact absorbing unit including a gel part which transforms a mechanical energy of the impact into a thermal energy.

Abstract: In a power unit for a vehicle, an internal combustion engine, equipped with electromagnetic valves on the respective cylinders and a generator connected to the output shaft of the engine, is provided. The electromagnetic valves are controlled by an electromagnetic valve actuating device. The generator converts at least a part of the engine output into electric power. The generated electric power is stored in a battery. The electric power stored in the battery is supplied to a motor in order to drive the vehicle. A control unit controls the output of motor in accordance with the requirement of the driver of the vehicle. Since the engine is not directly controlled by the driver, the engine can be operated at a predetermined speed range regardless of the requirements of the driver. This speed range is selected so that the maximum reliability and durability of the electromagnetic valves can be obtained.

Abstract: An electromagnetic force generated in a valve driving apparatus is rapidly decreased when a valve body moves to a position close to the end of its stroke so that a shock generated when the valve body reaches the end of the stroke is reduced. The valve body is movable between opposite ends of its stroke so as to open and close a valve provided in an internal combustion engine. An electromagnetic coil generates an electromagnetic force exerted on the valve body. A current supplied to the electromagnetic coil is controlled in accordance with an operational condition of the internal combustion engine. The current flowing in the electromagnetic coil is rapidly decreased when the valve body approaches the end of its stroke.

Abstract: A method of detecting a fault of an electromagnetically-actuated intake/exhaust valve is disclosed. A valve body is supported in neutral position by the energizing force of an elastic member, and the electromagnetic force generated by supplying a current to the coils arranged on the two sides of a plunger is applied to the plunger thereby to operate the valve. A fault is detected based on a change of the current flowing in one coil attracting and holding the plunger with the inductance change of the same coil when the plunger is switched from the position of the same coil to the position of the other coil. This method improves the fault detection accuracy for the electromagnetically-actuated intake/exhaust valve over the prior art.

Abstract: A cylinder head structure for an internal combustion engine including at least one electromagnetic valve intake or exhaust valve includes an electromagnetic driving apparatus for electromagnetically driving the valve surrounded by a head cover. A power element for supplying driving power to the electromagnetic driving apparatus is disposed on an inner surface of the head cover which is made of a thermally conductive material. The head cover may also be provided with cooling fins and a coolant passage through which coolant flows and a cooling fan for blowing cool air toward the head cover may be disposed on an inner surface of a hood of the vehicle.

Abstract: An oxygen enriched air producing apparatus includes a casing, at least one rotor rotatably disposed in the casing to thereby define a space between the casing and the rotor, and a magnetic field generating device for generating a magnetic flux extending axially within the space between the casing and the rotor. An oxygen enriched air outlet and a nitrogen enriched air outlet are formed in the casing so as to be spaced from each other in an axial direction of the space.

Abstract: An electromagnetic force generated in a valve driving apparatus is rapidly decreased when a valve body moves to a position close to the end of its stroke so that a shock generated when the valve body reaches the end of the stroke is reduced. The valve body is movable between opposite ends of its stroke so as to open and close a valve provided in an internal combustion engine. An electromagnetic coil generates an electromagnetic force exerted on the valve body. A current supplied to the electromagnetic coil is controlled in accordance with an operational condition of the internal combustion engine. The current flowing in the electromagnetic coil is rapidly decreased when the valve body approaches the end of its stroke.

Abstract: A head structure of an internal combustion engine includes a cylinder head, an electromagnetic valve driving apparatus, and a cover member. The cylinder head and the cover member provide an intake chamber. The electromagnetic valve driving apparatus is installed in the cylinder head so that it is partially extends into the intake chamber. The intake chamber is open to both an air inlet and intake port of the engine.

Abstract: An electromagnetic valve driving apparatus which drives a valve of an internal combustion engine by using an electromagnetic attractive force. The electromagnetic valve apparatus includes a plunger holder which is fixed to the valve, and a plunger which is fixed to the plunger holder. The plunger allows more magnetic flux to flow than the plunger holder.

Abstract: A valve operating apparatus includes a biasing unit which applies a biasing force to a valve element so that the valve element is held at a neutral position. A first solenoid coil generates an electromagnetic force to move the valve element in a valve-closing direction. A second solenoid coil generates an electromagnetic force to move the valve element in a valve-opening direction. A stroke-length modifying unit changes a position of the second solenoid coil relative to the first solenoid coil in an axial direction of the valve element in accordance with an operating condition of an engine so that a length of a stroke of the valve element is modified. A neutral-position modifying unit changes the neutral position of the valve element to a new neutral position in accordance with the operating condition of the engine.

Abstract: A valve driving apparatus has a second electric power source in addition to a main electric power source used in an internal combustion engine. The additional electric power source can be connected in series to the main electric power source so as to supply a high voltage to a solenoid used in the valve driving apparatus. The valve driving apparatus has an electromagnetic linear actuator for reciprocating a valve body of the electromagnetic valve apparatus so as to open or close the electromagnetic valve apparatus. The additional electric power source is provided separately from the main power source. A power source switching unit switches a voltage supplied to the electromagnetic linear actuator between the high voltage and a low voltage. The high voltage is generated by connecting the main electrical power source and the additional electric power source in series. The low voltage is generated by either one of the first electric power source and the second electric power source.