Method for operating a fluid valve via an oscillating valve motion

• US 9,027,587 B2
• Filed: 05/28/2009
• Issued: 05/12/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Hessenauer, Juergen, Foerch, Ulrich, Schmitt, Manfred, Schumacher, Steffen, Weber, Nicole, Schell, Oliver, Ott, Christof
• Primary Examiner(s): MURPHY, KEVIN F
• Application Number:
  US12/737,322
• Publication Number:
  US 20110094590A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,175 Days
• Field of Search: 137/1, 137/487.5, 475/127, 192/85.63, 700/282, 701/51, 251/129.05, 251/129.15
• US Class Current: 137/487.5
• 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. A method for operating a fluid valve for regulating a fluid, comprising:

providing at least one movable valve component;

actuating the at least one movable valve component with the aid of at least one electrical actuating signal, wherein the actuating signal contains at least one first actuating signal portion and at least one second actuating signal portion, wherein the first actuating signal portion causes an oscillating valve motion of the valve component and the at least one second actuating signal portion causes a displacing basic motion of the valve component;

detecting pressure oscillations generated in the fluid due to the oscillating valve motion, wherein at least one of volumetric flow and a pressure of the fluid is regulated,

wherein for regulating the fluid via the at least one second actuating signal portion, the displacing basic motion of the valve component results in pressure changes in the fluid; and

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

wherein a sum of the pressure changes from the displacing basic motion of the valve component and the pressure oscillations represents overall pressure changes in the fluid, and

wherein the pressure oscillations are ascertained from the overall pressure changes by filtering.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the displacing basic motion of the valve component and the oscillating valve motion of the valve component are regulated based on at least one setpoint value.

3. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein the oscillating valve motion is regulated based on amplitudes of the pressure oscillations.

4. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein sudden variations in at least one of the pressure oscillations and the setpoint value are linearized.

5. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein a hydraulic valve is used as the fluid valve.

6. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein a solenoid valve is used as the fluid valve.

7. The method as recited in claim 6, wherein an electrical output stage receives the actuating signal and generates a valve actuating signal energizing a coil of the solenoid valve.

8. The method as recited in claim 7, wherein the valve actuating signal has an actuating frequency, and the oscillating valve motion is generated by reducing the actuating frequency.

9. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein the valve signal energizes the coil, having the reduced actuating frequency, for generating the oscillating valve motion.

10. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein the oscillating valve motion is a sinusoidal motion.

11. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein a pulse-width modulation signal is used as the actuating signal.

12. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein the fluid valve is used in an automatic transmission of a vehicle.

13. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein the fluid valve in the automatic transmission activates at least one of a transmission brake and a transmission clutch.

14. The method as recited in claim 13, 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.

15. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the pressure oscillations are ascertained from the overall pressure changes by a band-pass filter.

16. 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 actuating the at least one movable valve component with the aid of at least one electrical actuating signal, wherein the actuating signal contains at least one first actuating signal portion and at least one second actuating signal portion, wherein the first actuating signal portion causes an oscillating valve motion of the valve component and the at least one second actuating signal portion causes a displacing basic 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 at least one of volumetric flow and a pressure of the fluid is regulated,

wherein for regulating the fluid via the at least one second actuating signal portion, the displacing basic motion of the valve component results in pressure changes in the fluid;

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

wherein a sum of the pressure changes from the displacing basic motion of the valve component and the pressure oscillations represents overall pressure changes in the fluid, and

wherein the pressure oscillations are ascertained from the overall pressure changes by filtering.