Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Ford Global Tech.inc

Ford Motor Company Limited

Mohammad Haghgooie

Mazen Hammoud

Ilya V Kolmanovsky

Thomas Megli

Michiel Jacques Van Nieuwstadt

Diana D Brehob

Yan Wang

William Francis Stockhausen

Eric Warren Curtis

Anna G Stefanopoulou

Woong-chul Yang

Rodney John Tabaczynski

Katherine Peterson

James Thomas Kovach

Two intake valves are independently operated by electromechanical actuators and activated by the engine electronic controller. One tumble-type intake valve and one conventional intake valve are provided in each cylinder. The valve members are individually opened and closed to achieve a desired air flow pattern in the combustion chamber to optimize combustion which increases fuel economy and reduces undesirable emissions. The opening and closing of the valve members depends on the engine speed, engine load, and other factors.

Intake valve timing in multi-valve, camless engines

An electromagnetically operated valve assembly () has a first solenoid () and a second solenoid (). An armature () having a valve stem () coupled thereto is positioned between the first solenoid () and second solenoid (). A controller () is coupled to the first solenoid (), the second solenoid (). A current sensor () is coupled to the first solenoid and generated a signal corresponding to the induced current in the first solenoid. The controller () changes a voltage applied to the first solenoid from a first polarity to a second polarity. The controller () is further configured to hold the voltage at the second polarity for a predetermined time period and a predetermined amplitude to decrease the induced current. The predetermined time period or the predetermined amplitude is determined based on the first signal.

Control methods for electromagnetic valve actuators

An intake valve phase shift in multi-valve engines to enhance air-fuel mixing and optimum combustion at all operating conditions. The intake valve members are independently operated by electro-mechanical actuators or the like, and activated and deactivated by the electronic controller of the engine. A channel or passageway in a diverter member positioned between the two intake ports in the cylinder head allows air and fuel from a closed intake port to be diverted to an open intake port and thus into the combustion chamber. The passageway preferably has a configuration with a certain curvature, orientation and position relative to the diameter of the inlet ports. The curvature is about one-half the diameter D of the inlet port, the passageway is symmetrical from port to port and directs the fuel toward the opposite sides of the ports, and the passageway is positioned about D/4 from the valve seats.

Multi-valve engine with gas exchange channel between inlet ports

A system ( ) and method for controlling an armature ( ) of an electromagnetic actuator ( ) are provided. The system ( ) includes a circuit ( ) for providing current to the coils ( ) of electromagnets ( ) disposed on either side of the armature ( ). The system ( ) also includes an electronic control unit (ECU) ( ). The ECU ( ) is configured to determine the neutral position of a virtual spring corresponding to the combination of forces acting on the armature including the magnetic force of the attracting electromagnet ( or ) and the force of a restoring spring ( or ) opposing movement of the armature ( ) towards the attracting electromagnet ( or ). The ECU ( ) is further configured to control the current in the coil ( or ) of the attracting electromagnet ( or ) responsive to the determined neutral position so as to minimize the velocity of the armature as it reaches the pole face ( or ) of the attracting electromagnet ( or ).

Control algorithm for soft-landing in electromechanical actuators

A method for controlling movement of an armature for an electromagnetic valve actuator. The armature moves between pole faces of juxtaposed solenoid coils. Voltage applied to armature capturing coil is varied in a closed-loop fashion as the armature moves through a flux initialization phase, followed by an armature landing phase whereby a soft landing of the armature is achieved during valve opening movement and valve closing movement.

Method for controlling an electromechanical actuator for a fuel air charge valve

An electromagnetic actuator for opening and closing a cylinder valve . The actuator includes an opening coil , a closing coil , a magnetic armature which is disposed between coils and which is fixedly attached to the stem or shaft portion of valve a pair of conventional valve springs and a pair of pneumatic dampers or air cushioning assemblies . Pneumatic dampers are effective to selectively decelerate the moving components of the actuator as they approach their respective seats during valve opening and valve closing events, thereby substantially reducing noise and vibration harshness (&ldquo;NVH&rdquo;).

Electromechanical valve actuator with air piston to aid in soft landing

Two intake valves are independently operated by electro-mechanical actuators and activated by the engine electronic controller. One tumble-type intake valve and one conventional intake valve are provided in each cylinder. The valve members are individually opened and closed to achieve a desired air flow pattern in the combustion chamber to optimize combustion which increases fuel economy and reduces undesirable emissions. The opening and closing of the valve members depends on the engine speed, engine load, and other factors.

An electromagnetic valve actuator (EVA) for actuating movement of a valve in a vehicle engine includes a valve assembly operatively connected to the valve for movement therewith. The valve assembly includes a shaft connected to the valve. Two armature plates are operatively associated with the shaft, and each armature plate includes a permanent magnet. An electromagnetic coil is positioned between the two armature plates for selectively electromagnetically pushing and pulling the armature plates. Two springs are engaged with the two armature plates, respectively, for biasing the armature plates in opposing directions. The permanent magnets are operative to assist the electromagnetic coil in holding the valve in a desired position to reduce power consumption or assisting in repelling the armature for accelerating valve opening or closing.

Permanent magnet enhanced electromagnetic valve actuator

A method of operating an internal combustion engine in response to a transient load includes the steps of providing an air charge quantity required to produce a commanded air-fuel mixture within the combustion chamber, providing a fuel quantity required to produce a commanded air-fuel mixture within the combustion chamber, and displacing a quantity of the air-fuel mixture from the combustion chamber in response to the transient load. The method is especially advantageous for rapidly affecting engine response to transient loads resulting from sudden load change events, such as traction control, transmission shift and driver demand events.

Method and system for transient load response in a camless internal combustion engine

A system and method for the control and preparation of the combined fuel and air mixture in a camless internal combustion engine. The system and method provide increased engine operating efficiency and lower exhaust emissions during low speed and cold engine conditions.

System and method for mixture preparation control of an internal combustion engine

A method of controlling valve landing in a camless engine including a valve movable between fully open and fully closed positions, and an electromagnetic valve actuator for actuating the valve is provided. The method includes providing at least one discrete position measurement sensor to determine when the valve is at a particular position during valve movement. The velocity of the valve is calculated at the particular position based upon current and rate of change of current in the electromagnetic valve actuator when the valve is at the particular position. Valve landing is controlled based upon the calculated velocity.

Method of controlling valve landing in a camless engine

A system and method for dynamically controlling the torque output of the various cylinders of a camless internal combustion engine. The system and method selectively alter the timing profiles of the engine's valves, effective to balance the torque outputs of the engine's cylinders.

System and method for control of cylinder output torque in an internal combustion engine

A method for starting a camless internal combustion engine in response to a start signal, the internal combustion engine having a crankshaft and multiple cylinders each having one or more actuators for electronically actuating corresponding intake and exhaust valves, the internal combustion engine being mechanically coupled via the crankshaft to a starter motor, the starter motor being activated in response to the start signal, the method including the steps of: positioning each of the valves in accordance with a predetermined valve initial position, the valves being positioned so as to allow the flow of air in and out of each of the cylinders; rotating the crankshaft via the starter to a target idle speed for the engine; activating each of the valves in accordance with a predetermined valve activation sequence when the rotational speed of the crankshaft equals or exceeds the target idle speed; and activating each of the cylinders in accordance with a predetermined cylinder activation sequence after the valves have been activated.

Method and system for starting a camless internal combustion engine

A method of operating one or more valves of a camless internal combustion engine via electronically controlled valve actuators includes the steps of measuring noise related to valve operation, deriving a control signal based at least in part on the measured noise, and applying the valve control signal to one or more of the valve actuators to reduce the effects of noise attributable to valve operation.

Method and system for operating valves of a camless internal combustion engine

A valve timing system and method,is provided which automatically compensates for variations in the compression ratios of cylinders,of an internal combustion engine,. Valve timing system,includes a controller,and actuators,which selectively actuate valves,in response to signals received from controller,. In one embodiment, controller,is effective to cause each of the cylinders,to have a substantially uniform susceptibility to knock.

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Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America

Mohammad Haghgooie