The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 17, 2004
Filed:
Mar. 14, 2002
Ilya V. Kolmanovsky, Ypsilanti, MI (US);
Mohammad Haghgooie, Superior Township, MI (US);
Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Dearborn, MI (US);
Abstract
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 ).