Patent ID: 7802561

Claim:
A method for controlling a valve with a valve actuating device, which is provided in the form of a piezo actuator, with a valve element, a valve body and a valve seat, the method comprising the steps of: opening the valve by moving the valve element at a predeterminable point in time from a position in contact with the valve seat into a predetermined position away from the valve seat by a discharging process of the piezo actuator, dividing the discharging process into a first discharging duration, during which a predetermined first amount of electrical energy is discharged from the piezo actuator, a subsequent holding time duration, during which the piezo actuator is not controlled, and a subsequent second discharging duration, during which a predetermined second amount of electrical energy is discharged from the piezo actuator, and dependent on the waveform of a voltage at the piezo actuator or a current through the piezo actuator which is characteristic of the oscillation behavior of the piezo actuator during the holding time duration, adapting the holding time duration and/or the first discharging duration in order to ensure precise control of the valve.