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.

Date of Patent:
Aug. 15, 2006

Filed:

Jan. 13, 2005
Applicants:

Jeffrey D. Naber, Houghton, MI (US);

Robert W. Deutsch, Sugar Grove, IL (US);

David Frankowski, Monroe, MI (US);

Monroe Goble, Wyandotte, MI (US);

Steven L. Plee, Brighton, MI (US);

Inventors:

Jeffrey D. Naber, Houghton, MI (US);

Robert W. Deutsch, Sugar Grove, IL (US);

David Frankowski, Monroe, MI (US);

Monroe Goble, Wyandotte, MI (US);

Steven L. Plee, Brighton, MI (US);

Assignee:

Motorola, Inc., Schaumburg, IL (US);

Attorneys:
Primary Examiner:
Assistant Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
F01L 9/04 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
Abstract

An apparatus and method for operating a plurality of valves in an engine uses valve actuators to move each valve. Accelerometers are used to detect acceleration of the valves and particularly the moment when they seat. A knock sensor detects an acoustic impulse made by the valves when they seat. A controller correlates signals from the sensor and accelerometers, wherein a signal from the sensor that correlates in time with a signal from an accelerometer indicates seating of the respective valve, which indicates a closure of the respective valve. The controller measures a magnitude of the acoustic impulse to be used as feedback in controlling the operation of the respective valve actuator, and provide softer landings of the valve.


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