Patent ID: 6216652
Filing Date: 2001-04-17
Classification: F01L

Abstract:
A method of operating an actuator for electromagnetically controlling a valve in an internal combustion engine, using an actuator having two electromagnets including an opening magnet and a closing magnet between which a retaining plate with at least one plunger oscillates, wherein each one of said electromagnets comprises a respective yoke and a respective operating coil, and wherein said respective yoke of at least one of said electromagnets has a guide sleeve supplied with lubricant for guiding said at least one plunger,said method comprising operating said actuator through an initial transient state by energizing said electromagnets before said internal combustion engine is started, andsaid method further comprising, before said initial transient state of said actuator commences, supplying a heating current to said respective operating coil of said at least one of said electromagnets of which said respective yoke has said guide sleeve, wherein said heating current causes said respective operating coil and said lubricant of said at least one of said electromagnets to be heated.