Patent ID: 7225770

Claim:
An electromagnetic valve actuator (EVA) system for controlling the operation of a valve in an internal combustion engine comprising a valve having a valve stem with a valve head at one end, the valve being reciprocable along a longitudinal central axis of the stem to alternatingly move the head between a first position and a second position, the electromagnetic valve actuator system comprising: a first coil positioned on a first laminated core having a gap and a thickness; a second coil positioned on a second laminated core having a gap and a thickness, the gap in the first laminated core and the gap in the second laminated core being aligned; an armature on the valve stem and reciprocable therewith passing through the gap of the first laminated core and the gap of the second laminated core, such that when more than half of the armature is centered in either the gap of the first laminated core or the gap of the second laminated core, at least a portion of the armature extends slightly past the thickness of the first laminated core or the thickness of the second laminated core, respectively, and is exposed to a small magnetic force: and wherein when more than half of the armature is centered in the gap of the first laminated core, and the second laminated core is energized, the magnetic force on the armature increases until more than half of the armature is centered in the gap of the second laminated core and the magnetic force is zero; wherein when more than half of the armature is centered in the gap of the second laminated core, and the first laminated core is energized, the magnetic force on the armature increases until more than half of the armature is centered in the gap of the first laminated core, and the magnetic force is zero.