Abstract: An electromagnetic actuating device (1) having a housing (2) and two actuator pins (3, 4) that are supported in the housing so as to be movable independently of each other between a retracted rest position and an extended working position, and locking pins (7, 8) that hold the actuator pins in the rest position via locking mechanisms and that can be moved relative to the actuator pins in the movement direction of the actuator pins. A force is applied to the locking pins in the extension direction by further spring elements (15), and the locking pins are moved in the retraction direction by electromagnetic force application in order to unlock the locking mechanisms. The actuating device is an electromagnet (22) associated with the locking pins in common and having a reversible direction of the magnetic field, and the end sections (19) of the locking pins facing away from the actuator pins are provided with bipolar permanent magnets (20, 21) that are oriented with opposite polarities in the movement direction.

Abstract: A valve device for an internal combustion engine includes a drive unit. A drive housing in which the drive unit is arranged. A valve unit is configured to be moved by the drive unit. The valve unit comprises a valve rod and a valve closure member. A flow housing comprises a fluid inlet channel and a fluid outlet channel. A connection cross section of the fluid inlet channel and the fluid outlet channel is configured to be controlled by the valve closure member. A pressure detection chamber is fluidically connected with the fluid inlet channel. A pressure sensor is arranged in the pressure detection chamber and is integrated in the drive housing. The pressure sensor comprises a pressure detection surface arranged in a plane. A normal of the pressure detection surface is arranged so as to be perpendicular to a direction of a fluid flow into the pressure detection chamber.

Abstract: A method for controlling a variable valve apparatus of an internal combustion engine and a system thereof is disclosed. A method for controlling a variable valve apparatus of an internal combustion engine may include: setting a target cam phase corresponding to a current operation state of an engine received from a vehicle controller via a controller area network (CAN) bus; determining whether a deviation of the current cam phase from the target cam phase is greater than a predetermined deviation; calculating a proportion-integral-derivation (PID) sliding surface based on the target cam phase; calculating a control current for controlling a cam phase to move on the sliding surface in a case when the deviation is greater than the predetermined deviation; and operating the variable valve device so that the current cam phase can follow the target cam phase by converting the calculated control current to a driving duty ratio.

Abstract: A head assembly for an internal combustion engine includes an electromagnetic valve actuation system. The head has an intake or exhaust passage defined therein. A valve is disposed in the passage and is operable to selectively open and close the passage. The head has a cooling passage defined therein for passage of a cooling fluid. An electromagnetic actuator has a piston in mechanical communication with the valve and a coil in fluid communication with the cooling passage. The electromagnetic actuator is operable to move the valve between a closed and an open position.

Abstract: A combustion management system for a combustion engine having at least one cylinder with an intake means comprising a sliding port valve and an intake solenoid poppet valve arranged in series and provided at a distance from the cylinder ends, and an exhaust solenoid poppet valve provided at each of the cylinder ends, the system comprising: a valve control means for controlling the intake solenoid poppet valve and the exhaust solenoid poppet valve independently of the position of the piston moving within the cylinder to control the compression and expansion ratios, wherein the piston moves over and past the intake means during each stroke.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling a valve (13) in a thermal engine (10), the valve having a closed position and an opened position, the method comprising at least one step of opening the valve, said step including at least one phase (I) for bringing the valve into an open position and a phase (II) for maintaining the valve in an intermediate position between the closed position and the opened position. The invention also relates to a device for implementing this method and to a method for supplying an engine with an oxidant.

Abstract: An electrical engine comprising an engine valve, where the engine valve opens and closes upon activation; a piston connected to the engine valve, where the engine valve opens and closes a set of intake and exhaust ports within the piston; a solenoid attached to the engine valve, where the solenoid receives a first signal; an electronic engine control unit housed within the electrical engine, where the electronic engine control unit sends the first signal to the solenoid; a first signal wire between the electronic engine control unit and the solenoid, where the first signal wire permits passage of the first signal; an engine sensor connected to the piston, where the engine sensor gages how the piston operates; and a second signal wire between the electronic engine control unit and the engine sensor, wherein the second signal wire sends a second signal from the sensor to the electronic engine control unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a valve control system for an engine including at least one cylinder (1, 2, 3, 4) with valves (5, 6), wherein said system comprises valve electromagnetic actuation members (7, 9, 10) associated with a management unit (11, 15) that controls the actuation members, said system comprising a member (11, 12, 13) for detecting a malfunction of the actuation members and a member (11, 12, 13) for electrically insulating the faulty actuation member.

Abstract: A method for actuating an electromagnetic switching valve (2) which is part of a fluid system s which has different operating states and which has a solenoid (17) and an armature group (19) which can be moved between a first switched position, which enables a flow of fluid, and a second switched position which blocks the flow of fluid, and has a valve-closing body (22) and a magnet armature (20) which is connected to the valve-closing body (22) in a tensile force-free frictional connection. In this context, in at least one operating state of the fluid system, intermediate excitation (30) in order to damp overshooting of the magnet armature (20) is performed between two coil excitations which move the armature group (19).

Abstract: Provided is a power unit for a vehicle including an engine main body of an engine having: a valve system capable of changing operational modes of each engine valve; valve controlling apparatuses for controlling operations of the valve system; and a crankcase housing a transmission, the engine main body being mounted on a vehicle frame. The power unit for a vehicle achieves reduction in size of the engine main body in a direction along the axis of a cylinder, and increases the freedom of arranging parts designed to be placed on an upper end portion of the engine main body. The valve controlling apparatuses are attached to the top surface of the crankcase.

Abstract: In an actuating device with at least one electrical or electromagnetic actuation unit, at least two activation sequences performed by different actuation elements of the actuation unit are associated with at least two different electrical and/or electromagnetic states of the actuation unit via electric coil units energized by current flowing in different flow directions.

Abstract: A head assembly for an internal combustion engine includes an electromagnetic valve actuation system. The head has an intake or exhaust passage defined therein. A valve is disposed in the passage and is operable to selectively open and close the passage. The head has a cooling passage defined therein for passage of a cooling fluid. An electromagnetic actuator has a piston in mechanical communication with the valve and a coil in fluid communication with the cooling passage. The electromagnetic actuator is operable to move the valve between a closed and an open position.

Abstract: A valvetrain control arrangement for an internal combustion engine. A fluid-working machine (1) has working chambers (3) of cyclically varying volume, each connected to a piston actuator (4) which is capable of moving an intake or exhaust valve in the internal combustion engine. The engine crankshaft (2) drives a crankshaft of the fluid-working machine at the same speed as the engine. Each working chamber (3) is linked to a low-pressure manifold (7) by a venting valve (6), the venting valve being normally open but electromagnetically closable by a signal from an electronic sequencing means (8) which operates in timed relationship to the engine crankshaft phase.

Abstract: Combination of a housing having a fluid passage and one or more solenoid actuated fluid control valves communicated to the fluid passage wherein a permanent magnet is disposed in fluid passage upstream of the fluid control valves to magnetically capture or getter ferrous particles in fluid prior to entry into the fluid control valve.

Abstract: The movable element of a solenoid valve is displaced by means of application to the solenoid of alternating phases at constant voltage and at zero voltage, so as to give rise to an alternation of phases of charging and discharging of the solenoid (switching), corresponding to increases and decreases of current around a substantially constant current value. The alternating phases at constant voltage and at zero voltage are controlled so that the phase at constant voltage is maintained for a pre-set time and the phase at zero voltage is terminated when the decreasing current reaches a pre-set value. Alternatively, it is possible to envisage that the phase at constant voltage will be terminated when the increasing current reaches a pre-set value and the phase at zero voltage is maintained for a pre-set time, or else again that both the phase at constant voltage and the phase at zero voltage will be terminated when the increasing current or decreasing current reaches a pre-set value.

Abstract: To improve the precision of the control of the charge of a cylinder during idling and low revs/light load operation, a bypass feeding path of low flow capacity provides the cylinder with air or mixture while the high flow capacity intake valves stay closed.

Abstract: A valve drive system comprises a power transmitting mechanism (13) that converts rotary motion of an electric motor (12) into opening and closing motion of an intake valve (3) provided in a cylinder (2) of an internal combustion engine (1) to transmit power from the electric motor (12) to the valve (3) via a cam (152); and a rotational angle restricting mechanism (16) that is provided in a motion transmission path that extends from the electric motor (12) to the cam (152) and restricts rotation of the cam (152) within a predetermined angular range that is set so that a piston (5) of the engine (1) and the intake valve (3) do not interfere with each other. The rotational angle restricting mechanism (16) comprises a flange (161) that rotates as a unit with a camshaft (151) and forms a slotted groove hole (161a) thereon; and a stopper pin (162) that is inserted into and retracted from the groove hole (161a).

Abstract: A method for controlling, during temporary stoppage, a four-stroke combustion engine including a block delimiting cylinders which define combustion chambers equipped with pistons into which opens an intake pipe and an exhaust pipe, both provided with valves that can move between open and closed positions. The method involves detecting conditions of a temporary stoppage of the engine and commanding the exhaust valves to be kept in the closed position once the engine has gone through an intake phase during the last engine cycle prior to the stoppage.

Abstract: A method for controlling cylinder air charge of an engine having a compressor is presented. In one example, the description includes a method for coordinating the control of the throttle, turbo charger, and valves such that the desired cylinder air charge may be achieved while engine pumping work may be decreased.

Abstract: An internal-combustion engine for motor vehicles, for example a petrol-fuelled engine or a gas-fuelled engine, is provided with an electronically controlled hydraulic system for variable actuation of the intake valves. The system of variable actuation of the intake valves is governed by an electronic control unit that is programmed for performing at least once, at the start of the life of the engine, an activity of supervision of the functions of self-adaptive control of the air-fuel ratio. The supervision activity is based upon identification of a constant ratio between a delta in the value of the crank angle used by the electronic control unit and the error in the estimation of the air-fuel ratio by the electronic control unit when the system of actuation of the intake valves operates in late-opening mode.

Abstract: A method of operating an engine including at least a cylinder and a valve controlled by an electric valve actuator is disclosed. In one example, a valve holding current is determined during movement of the valve. The method may be useful for determining individual holding currents for specific valve actuators.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine employing a valve regulating the passage of a fluid between the hollow interior of the combustion chamber and the atmosphere. The valve includes a valve body having a valve opening and a blade track passing around the valve opening. A guillotine blade slides linearly along the blade track between an open position in which said fluid may pass through the valve opening and a closed position in which the fluid is restricted from passing through the valve opening. A reciprocating driver moves the guillotine blade along the blade track when actuated by an electronic control signal.

Abstract: A control system for an internal combustion engine having a valve operating characteristic varying mechanism for continuously changing a lift amount of at least one intake valve of the engine. The valve operating characteristic varying mechanism includes a control shaft for changing the lift amount, a motor for rotating the control shaft, and a transmission mechanism provided between an output shaft of the motor and the control shaft for transmitting an actuating force of the motor to the control shaft. A first rotational angle sensor detects a rotational angle of the output shaft of the motor, and a second rotational angle sensor detects a rotational angle of the control shaft. A control of the lift amount of the at least one intake valve is performed according to the rotational angle detected by the first rotational angle sensor or the second rotational angle sensor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for controlling a thermal engine with valves, that comprises an engine control unit (1) and a plurality of valve actuators (3), wherein the engine control unit is connected to a communication bus (2) and the actuators are distributed into at least two sets each comprising a connection interface (4) to the communication bus, the engine control unit being designed so as to define actuator driving instructions and to transmit into the bus and for each set an individualised frame including the driving instructions for the related set.

Abstract: Periodic torque disturbances that affect cylinder valve operation are anticipated, and an appropriate reaction torque is provided by an electric motor to counteract the periodic torque disturbances to position a cylinder valve at a desired position.

Abstract: The system contains a first planar permanent magnet having a first direction of magnetization and a first opening formed therein. A second planar permanent magnet has a second direction of magnetization and a second opening formed therein. The second opening is axially aligned with the first opening. The direction of magnetization of the first planar permanent magnet opposes the direction of magnetization of the second planar permanent magnet. A plurality of stationary coils are provided, wherein at least one of the stationary coils is located within the first opening and at least one of the stationary coils is located within the second opening. A pair of extension members traverses the first opening and the second opening. A magnetizable slug is integral with each of the extension members.

Abstract: A process for controlling an internal combustion engine, in which an actual position of a reciprocating gas valve is detected by a position sensor, a positional deviation is calculated from the actual position and a zero position, a total length change of the reciprocating gas valve is calculated as a function of the temperature of the reciprocating gas valve, a valve clearance of the reciprocating gas valve is determined from the positional deviation and the total length change, and the further operation of the internal combustion engine is determined on the basis of the valve clearance.

Abstract: A valve timing control apparatus for an internal combustion engine, including a drive rotary member that is rotated by the crankshaft, a driven rotary member that transmits rotational force input from the drive rotary member, to the camshaft, and an electromagnetic mechanism that acts to vary a relative rotational phase between the drive rotary member and the driven rotary member. After an ignition switch is turned off and the engine is stopped, the electromagnetic mechanism acts to produce detent torque and hold the relative rotational phase between the drive rotary member and the driven rotary member in a predetermined phase position by the detent torque.

Abstract: It is provided an improved internal combustion engine unit. The engine unit has a piston moving in a cylinder enclosing cylinder volume, an intake valve controlling closing and opening of an intake aperture connecting the cylinder volume to an intake manifold, and an exhaust valve controlling closing and opening of an exhaust aperture connecting the cylinder volume to an exhaust manifold. The improved engine unit includes a separating aperture between the cylinder and a separation chamber, and a separating valve adapted for controlling closing and opening the separating aperture. The separation chamber is connectable to the intake manifold and to the exhaust manifold, respectively, by the intake and exhaust apertures. Opening both the separating valve and the exhaust valve enables gas flow from the cylinder volume to the exhaust manifold through the open separating aperture, the separation chamber and the open exhaust aperture.

Abstract: The invention presents new and useful improvements in the mechanical design of control elements of a reciprocating piston engine. The camshaft is replaced by electric magnetic solenoids that operate a single poppet valve for each cylinder. The invention also includes an air injector combined with a fuel injector, mounted through the engine block and into the cylinder. The injectors are located in the lower ? of the piston stroke area of said cylinder. The ability of the air injector to force air into the cylinder while the poppet valve is open will clean the cylinder of all exhaust gases. With the poppet valve closed the air and fuel injectors can inject any amount of air fuel mixture that is desired into the cylinder, resulting in the possibility of a power boost equal to that of a supercharged engine.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a valve timing change mechanism that changes the phase of an intake cam, and a lift amount change mechanism that changes lift amount by causing displacement of a control shaft. An electronic control unit performs a coordinated control in which the lift amount change mechanism is operated such that the position of the control shaft that is detected by a position detection sensor becomes the target position, and the valve timing change mechanism is operated according to a control state of the lift amount change mechanism. When a discrepancy between the actual position of the control shaft and the detected position thereof is estimated to be large, coordinated control is forbidden and the valve timing change mechanism is operated based on engine load.

Abstract: A machine includes a piston disposed in a housing and configured to reciprocate in the housing. At least one valve is coupled to the housing. A magnetically-geared valve actuation system is coupled to the at least one valve. A plurality of sensors is configured to detect a plurality of parameters related to the machine. A control system is coupled to the plurality of sensors and the magnetically-geared valve actuation system. The magnetically-geared valve actuation system is configured to actuate the at least one valve in response to reciprocation of the piston in the housing, signals originating from the sensors or control system, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A method for controlling a continuous variable valve timing apparatus that can control a phase angle of a camshaft quickly and precisely according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include: calculating a difference between a target phase angle and a current phase angle of a camshaft; determining whether the difference between the target phase angle and the current phase angle of the camshaft is larger than or equal to a predetermined value; calculating a base torque Tb based on the target phase angle if the difference between the target phase angle and the current phase angle of the camshaft is larger than or equal to the predetermined value; calculating an effective torque Teff by modifying the base torque Tb corresponding to engine speed and temperature of engine oil; and calculating an effective current Ieff corresponding to the effective torque Teff.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for controlling a valve (1) between an opened position and a closed position, that includes a valve actuation organ (8), an elastic system (17, 20) for oscillating the actuation organ between two end positions, at least one electromagnet (14, 15) associated with a control unit (23) for attracting the actuation organ towards its end positions, wherein the control unit supplies power to the electromagnet for attracting the actuation organ into a first end position when the required energy amount is at most equal to a threshold and for allowing the actuation organ to move back to the other end position when this amount is higher than the threshold. The invention also relates to a control method.

Abstract: A valve assembly for an internal combustion engine includes a stationary permanent magnet assembly having at least one permanent magnet for generating a permanent magnetic field and a movable coil assembly having at least one coil of electrically conductive material for generating a magnetic field when an electrical current is applied to the at least one coil to thereby move the coil assembly with respect to the permanent magnet assembly. A valve is connected to the coil assembly for movement therewith. The valve assembly also includes a housing with an internal cavity and spaced ports extending from the cavity to circulate liquid through the cavity and cool the valve assembly during operation.

Abstract: A throttle operation is performed after an internal combustion engine is started. Then, temperature of a catalyst is obtained based on a signal output from a temperature sensor fitted to the catalyst. It is then determined whether the temperature obtained is equal to or higher than the activation temperature. If it is determined that the temperature of the catalyst has not reached the activation temperature, the throttle operation continues. On the other hand, if it is determined that the temperature of the catalyst is equal to or higher than the activation temperature, the non-throttle operation is performed instead of the throttle operation.

Abstract: A system for communicating information between a valve controller and an engine controller is presented. The system is designed to improve the timing of data transferred between two controllers.

Abstract: A valve timing control is executed by an ECU that controls an engine and an electric-motor ECU that controls an electric motor. The ECU and the electric-motor EDU serve different functions. The ECU sets the target phase of an intake valve based on the engine operating state, and prepares a rotational speed command value for the electric motor that serves as an actuator such that a phase feedback control loop, in which the intake valve phase is caused to match the target phase, is formed. The electric-motor EDU forms a feedback control loop for the motor speed, in which the electric power supplied to the electric motor is controlled such that the electric motor rotates in accordance with the rotational speed command value.

Abstract: A mode-switching cam follower is disclosed, wherein the follower includes a body, a cam contact movably coupled to the body, and a latch member movably coupled to the body. A shape-memory alloy in communication with the latch member couples and decouples the latch member with the cam.

Abstract: The device is adapted to control the movement of a valve (1) of an internal combustion engine comprising a stem (1a) which may move in translation through an opening (2a) of a hollow guide body (2) and which ends in a mushroom head (1b) cooperating in operation with a valve seat (12) provided in a wall (13) of the engine head. The valve (1) may move in translation with respect to the hollow guide body (2) between a retracted position and a forward position in which the mushroom head (1b) respectively closes and opens the associated valve seat (12). The control device comprises an electromagnet (3) adapted, when energised, to retain the valve (1) in the retracted closed position, a first spring (7) associated with the valve (1) and tending to urge it towards the open position, and a second spring (8) also associated with the valve (1) and tending to oppose its transition into the open position.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes an electromagnetic valve actuator having an armature between upper and lower electromagnets with a stem extending through one electromagnet and guided by a bushing with increased clearance about at least a portion of the inner circumference in at least a middle portion of the bushing to reduce oil shear length and associated viscous friction in the actuator. A two-piece intake/exhaust valve guide includes a lower half with a stepped outer diameter cooperating with a counter-bored hole in the cylinder head to provide a positive stop. The upper and lower halves of the valve guide have increased clearance relative to the valve stem around at least a portion of the inner circumference to reduce oil shear length and associated viscous friction. Reducing viscous friction of the actuator and associated valve guide improves system robustness by decreasing the system sensitivity to temperature.

Abstract: A cooled exhaust gas recirculation system includes one or more cylinders, each with several valves, an intake manifold, an exhaust manifold and a cooled exhaust gas recirculation chamber. The cooled exhaust gas recirculation chamber removes a portion of the exhaust that exits the cylinders, cools the removed portion of the exhaust, and recirculates the cooled removed portion of the exhaust for reintroduction into the cylinders. The cooled recirculated exhaust is reintroduced directly to the cylinders using a dedicated valve controlled by an electronic control unit.

Abstract: An engine is operated with a first cylinder to provide a net flow of gases from the engine intake to the engine exhaust while a second cylinder returns combusted gases back to the intake to control a timing of auto-ignition combustion in the first cylinder.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an internal combustion engine comprising: a plurality of combustion chambers (41,42,43,44); an air induction system (45,45A,45B,46,47) for delivering air to each combustion chamber (41,42,43,44); a fuel system for delivering fuel to each combustion chamber (41,42,43,44); an exhaust system (48,50) for relaying combusted gases from the combustion chambers (41,42,43,44) to atmosphere; and an exhaust recirculation system (49,51) to relay combusted gases from the exhaust system (48,50) to at least one of the combustion chambers (42,43). The engine has a chamber deactivation operating mode in which at least one combustion chamber (41,44) is active and receives fuel and air which are combusted therein and at least one other combustion chamber (42,43) is deactivated and is supplied with no fuel by the fuel system. In the chamber deactivation operating mode the exhaust gas recirculation system (49,51) supplies combusted gas to the (or each) deactivated combustion chamber (42,43).

Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator including an actuating member associated with an armature and able to move between two extreme positions under the action of an elastic member and two electromagnets that attract the armature to one of the extreme positions, where the electromagnets each include a coil, a core for channeling a flux of the coil so that it forms a return path in the armature, and permanent magnets associated with the core so that the latter channels a flux of the permanent magnets so that it forms a return path in the armature, where the permanent magnets of one of the electromagnets exert a force on the armature sufficient to retain the armature in the associated extreme position against the springs, and where the permanent magnets of the other electromagnet exerts a force on the armature insufficient to retain the armature in the associated extreme position against the springs.

Abstract: An ECU transmits a pulsed operation command signal, indicating operation commands for an electric motor used as a VVT actuator, to an electric-motor EDU. The electric-motor EDU recognizes the combination of the direction in which the actuator should be operated (actuator operation direction) and the control mode based on the duty ratio of the operation command signal, and the rotational speed command value based on the frequency of the operation command signal. The electric-motor EDU controls the electric motor according to the control commands. The duty ratio indicating the combination is set such that even if the duty ratio is falsely recognized, a false recognition concerning the actuator operation direction is prevented, such false recognition causing the valve phase to change in an undesirable direction, and even if the actuator operation direction is falsely recognized, the rate of change in the phase is restricted.

Abstract: In a valve drive train device, in particular for a valve drive of an internal combustion engine, with a switching unit comprising an actuator with a solenoid unit and with a control unit for monitoring switching operations of the switching unit provided for switching an axially displaceable cam element by means of a switch gate, the control unit for monitoring the switching unit is taking into account at least one characteristic value of a voltage integral over a voltage which is induced in a coil of the switching unit during the switching operation and is adjusting the value with respect to a characteristic limit value stored in the control unit.

Abstract: A method of operating an engine for a vehicle having at least a first cylinder, the method comprising of operating the first cylinder to provide at least one of compression braking and expansion braking by holding one of an intake valve and an exhaust valve of the first cylinder closed while opening, closing, and opening the other of the intake valve and the exhaust valve during a cycle of the first cylinder and during a first vacuum level of an intake manifold upstream of the first cylinder; and operating the first cylinder to provide at least one of compression braking and expansion braking by operating both the intake valve and the exhaust valve of the first cylinder during a cycle of the first cylinder to allow at least some air to flow through the first cylinder during a second vacuum level of the intake manifold.

Abstract: A control system for a plant can include a feedback control input which can be calculated so that a controlled output of said plant coincides with a target value. A hold control input can be calculated according to an operating condition of said plant. A control input to said plant is set to the feedback control input when a control deviation between the controlled output and a target value is greater than a predetermined threshold value, and the control input is set to the hold control input when the control deviation is equal to or less than the predetermined threshold value. The feedback control input is made to gradually approach to or coincide with the hold control input when the control input is set to the hold control input.

Abstract: An electromagnetically-driven valve includes intake valves that are provided in a gasoline engine and that are arranged side by side; a valve plate that connects the intake valves to each other, wherein driving force that is generated by electromagnetic force is transferred to the valve plate; and a changing mechanism that is fitted to the valve plate. The changing mechanism changes the valve drive state between the two-valve drive state, in which both of the intake valves are driven, and the one-valve drive state, in which one of the intake valves is driven and the other intake valve is stopped.