Patent ID: 7600494

Claim:
A system to improve the performance of an electrically actuated poppet valve operable in an internal combustion engine, the system comprising: a first mode of operation including supplying an electrical current to at least a coil of the electrically actuated poppet valve, said current increasing eddy current in said electrically actuated poppet valve when a temperature is decreasing, and said current decreasing eddy current in said electrically actuated poppet valve when a temperature is increasing, said current at a frequency having a period that is less than a transit time necessary to move an armature of said electrically actuated poppet valve from an open position to a closed position, said current applied while said internal combustion engine is rotating; a second mode of operation including supplying an electrical current to actuate said electrically actuated poppet valve; and a controller to select between said first mode and said second mode in response to at least an operating condition.