Patent ID: 7295417

Claim:
A method for controlling an internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinders each having at least one intake and exhaust valve with at least one of the valves being operated by an electromagnetic actuator having an armature coupled to the valve and traveling between first and second electromagnets to open and close the valve in response to a control signal from an actuator control, the first electromagnet having a first coil connected in series to a second coil of the second electromagnet, the method comprising: reducing attractive force generated by the first and second electromagnets to allow a spring associated with the first electromagnet to begin moving the actuator away from the first electromagnet, movement of the actuator generating an internal voltage difference between the first and second coils to induce a current increase through the first and second coils and transfer stored energy from the first electromagnet to the second electromagnet to increase attractive force of the second electromagnet to catch the armature without reversing current flow direction through the first and second coils.