Patent ID: 6698408
Filing Date: 2004-03-02
Classification: F02M

Abstract:
A method of controlling the movement of an assembly in an internal combustion engine; said assembly including a control member being movable between a closed position, blocking communication from a first engine gas passage to a second engine gas passage, and an open position (FIG. 2); said assembly further including housing means, said control member being disposed within said housing means for reciprocable movement therein; an electromagnetic actuator operably associated with said housing means, and having an actuator output; a drive operable to transmit movement of said actuator output into reciprocating movement of said control member in response to changes in an electrical input signal, said method of controlling the movement comprising the steps of generating a compensator gain value to modify said electrical input signal, said method of controlling the movement being characterized by:(a) providing a position sensor operable to sense a position of said control member and generate a position signal representing instantaneous control member position; (b) storing a first relationship (DCTHLD) of said electrical input signal required to change said instantaneous control member position; (c) during ongoing operation of said internal combustion engine, generating a then-current, second relationship (DC) of said electrical input signal required to change said instantaneous control member position; (d) comparing said second relationship (DCTHLD) to said first relationship (DC) and generating a corresponding difference factor; and (e) using said difference factor to modify said compensator gain value correspondingly.