Method For Operating a Fluid Valve Via An Oscillating Valve Motion

• US 20110094590A1
• Filed: 05/28/2009
• Published: 04/28/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Schell, Oliver, Kissler, Jose, Hessenauer, Juergen, Weber, Nicole, Schumacher, Steffen, Foerch, Ulrich, Schmitt, Manfred, Ott, Christof
• Granted Patent: US 9,027,587 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 137/1
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/0675 Electromagnet aspects, e.g. electric supply therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 16/2013 using throttling means as controlling means
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 16/202 actuated by an electric motor
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 7/0635 by action on throttling means G05D7/0688, G05D7/0694 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0318 Processes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7761 Electrically actuated valve

Abstract

In a method for operating a fluid valve for controlling or regulating a fluid, having at least one movable valve component is displaceable with the aid of at least one electrical actuating signal which contains at least one first actuating signal portion which causes an oscillating valve motion of the valve component. Pressure oscillations generated in the fluid due to the oscillating valve motion are detected, and are used for regulation of the oscillating valve motion caused by the first actuating signal portion.

Claims

1-19. -19. (canceled)

20. A method for operating a fluid valve for regulating a fluid, comprising:

providing at least one movable valve component;

displacing said at least one movable valve component with the aid of at least one electrical actuating signal containing at least one first actuating signal portion causing an oscillating valve motion of the valve component;

detecting pressure oscillations generated in the fluid due to the oscillating valve motion; and

using the detected pressure oscillations for a regulation of the oscillating valve motion caused by the first actuating signal portion.

21. The method as recited in claim 20, wherein at least one of volumetric flow and the pressure of the fluid is regulated.

22. The method as recited in claim 21, wherein the electrical actuating signal contains at least one second actuating signal portion, and wherein for regulating the fluid via the at least one second actuating signal portion, the valve component undergoes a basic motion resulting in basic pressure changes in the fluid.

23. The method as recited in claim 22, wherein the basic motion and the oscillating valve motion are regulated based on at least one setpoint value.

24. The method as recited in claim 23, wherein the sum of the basic pressure changes and the pressure oscillations represents overall pressure changes in the fluid.

25. The method as recited in claim 24, wherein the pressure oscillations are ascertained from the overall pressure changes by one of computing or filtering.

26. The method as recited in claim 23, wherein the oscillating valve motion is regulated based on amplitudes of the pressure oscillations.

27. The method as recited in claim 23, wherein sudden variations in at least one of the pressure oscillations and the setpoint value are linearized.

28. The method as recited in claim 23, wherein a hydraulic valve is used as the fluid valve.

29. The method as recited in claim 23, wherein a solenoid valve is used as the fluid valve.

30. The method as recited in claim 23, wherein a pulse-width modulation signal is used as the actuating signal.

31. The method as recited in claim 29, wherein an electrical output stage receives the actuating signal and generates a valve actuating signal energizing a coil of the solenoid valve.

32. The method as recited in claim 31, wherein the valve actuating signal has an actuating frequency, and the oscillating valve motion is generated by reducing the actuating frequency.

33. The method as recited in claim 32, wherein the valve signal energizes the coil, having the reduced actuating frequency, for generating the oscillating valve motion.

34. The method as recited in claim 23, wherein the fluid valve is used in an automatic transmission of a vehicle.

35. The method as recited in claim 34, wherein the fluid valve in the automatic transmission activates at least one of a transmission brake and a transmission clutch.

36. The method as recited in claim 35, wherein at least one fluid gate is associated with the at least one of the transmission brake and the transmission clutch, and the overall pressure changes are fluidically detected at least one of upstream and downstream from the fluid gate.

37. The method as recited in claim 32, wherein the oscillating valve motion is essentially a sinusoidal motion.

38. A control system for operating a fluid valve for regulating a fluid, the fluid valve having at least one movable valve component, comprising:

a control unit configured to control displacing said at least one movable valve component with the aid of at least one electrical actuating signal containing at least one first actuating signal portion causing an oscillating valve motion of the valve component; and

a pressure sensor configured to detect pressure oscillations generated in the fluid due to the oscillating valve motion;

wherein the detected pressure oscillations are used for a regulation of the oscillating valve motion caused by the first actuating signal portion.