Method of operating an electromagnetically actuated fuel intake or exhaust valve of an internal combustion engine
First Claim
1. A method of monitoring an operational cycle of a valve actuated by electromagnetic means including a first electromagnet for moving and maintaining said valve in one of two terminal positions and a second electromagnet for moving and maintaining said valve in a second of said two terminal positions, said cycle comprising a first phase of moving said valve into one of its first and second terminal positions by energizing one of said first and second electromagnets with current increasing to a first level and a second phase of maintaining said valve in said one of said first and second terminal positions by current reduced to a lower level, said first and second electromagnets being alternatingly energized and deenergized, comprising the steps of:
- monitoring said current increase in said one of said first and second electromagnets during an interval commencing a predetermined time after the deenergization of the other of said first and second electromagnets to detect a temporary drop in the energizing current characteristic of said valve having moved into one of its said first and second terminal positions;
generating a signal in the absence of said current drop; and
moving said valve to said one of said first and second terminal positions in response to said signal.
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Abstract
A method of detecting movement of an electromagnetically actuated valve of the kind useful in internal combustion engines for controlling fuel intake or exhaust emission, by monitoring the increase in energizing current for detecting a brief drop in the rising current characteristic of the armature of the electromagnet engaging the stator. A signal generated in response to the detected current drop, or the absence thereof, may be used to control the further operation of the valve.
140 Citations
5 Claims
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1. A method of monitoring an operational cycle of a valve actuated by electromagnetic means including a first electromagnet for moving and maintaining said valve in one of two terminal positions and a second electromagnet for moving and maintaining said valve in a second of said two terminal positions, said cycle comprising a first phase of moving said valve into one of its first and second terminal positions by energizing one of said first and second electromagnets with current increasing to a first level and a second phase of maintaining said valve in said one of said first and second terminal positions by current reduced to a lower level, said first and second electromagnets being alternatingly energized and deenergized, comprising the steps of:
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monitoring said current increase in said one of said first and second electromagnets during an interval commencing a predetermined time after the deenergization of the other of said first and second electromagnets to detect a temporary drop in the energizing current characteristic of said valve having moved into one of its said first and second terminal positions; generating a signal in the absence of said current drop; and moving said valve to said one of said first and second terminal positions in response to said signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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Specification