Patent ID: 9441594
Filing Date: 2016-09-13
CPC Classification: F02D,F02M

Claim Text:
1. A valve actuator assembly, comprising: a valve member movable between a first seat and a second seat; a spring member biasing the valve member toward the first seat; an actuator positioned to move the valve member toward the second seat against the spring member biasing when the actuator is energized, the actuator including a controller in control communication with the actuator and configured to provide a first current to the actuator for an energizing period, remove the first current to the actuator to begin a post-energizing period, identify a return current in the solenoid coil having a magnitude less than or equal to a predetermined threshold indicative of a lack of return contact between the valve member and the first seat during the post-energizing period, and provide a second current to the actuator for a second energizing period, the second current being higher than the first current in response to the lack of contact.