Patent ID: 6840202

Claim:
In a variable cam timing phaser disposed between a first moving shaft and a second moving shaft, the phaser having a first end connected to the first moving shaft, and a second end connected to the second moving shaft; a housing connected to the first end and a rotor connected to the second end, the rotor forming at least one vane disposed within the housing and dividing the housing into an advance chamber and a retard chamber, the vane being limited by at least one physical stop caused by an inside surface of the housing; the phaser being coupled to at least one check valve; the phaser being further controlled by a feed back control loop having a control law, wherein an integrator accumulates a plurality of error signals resulting from the difference between a set point control signal and a feedback signal; the phaser further including a spool valve having a predetermined null position; a method involving the phaser comprising: moving the spool valve just off the predetermined null position; permitting control fluid to flow at a substantially slow rate; and causing the vane to be positioned at a substantial distance away from the physical stops, thereby reducing noise caused by the vane coming in contact with the housing.