Patent · US Expired

Control method

US6457457B1 · kind B1 · utility

12Cited by
11References
4Claims
0Family size

Assignees

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateSep 16, 1998
Grant dateOct 1, 2002
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 16, 2018

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01F7/18
  • WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A method of controlling an electromagnetically operated actuator for a valve arrangement. The valve arrangement is responsive to an actuator armature. The actuator has a winding and is preferably of the two-stage lift type. The method includes applying a first, low voltage to the actuator, using a first voltage source, to generate a relatively low rate of current increase through the actuator winding, thereby to impart a force to the armature to cause the armature to move relatively slowly from a rest position to a first intermediate position. The method also includes applying a second, higher voltage to the actuator, using a second voltage source coupled to the first voltage source through a regeneration path, to generate a relatively high rate of current increase through the actuator winding, thereby to impart a force to the armature to cause the armature to move relatively quickly from the first intermediate position to a second position.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.