If an engine coolant temperature is equal to or lower than a first low-temperature determination value and a battery temperature is equal to or lower than a second low-temperature determination value when a request to start up an engine is made, the advancement driving of a variable valve operating mechanism is first started. Then, when an advancement amount of the variable valve operating mechanism later becomes equal to or larger than a prescribed startup start determination value, is started.

If an engine coolant temperature is equal to or lower than a first low-temperature determination value and a battery temperature is equal to or lower than a second low-temperature determination value when a request to start up an engine is made, the advancement driving of a variable valve operating mechanism is first started. Then, when an advancement amount of the variable valve operating mechanism later becomes equal to or larger than a prescribed startup start determination value, is started.

A method includes determining a value of an operational motor current limit and setting a value of a startup current limit equal to a predetermined value in excess of the value of the operational motor current limit if a set of predetermined conditions is satisfied. The method includes determining that operation of the engine has been interrupted, operating the electric motor of the variable valve timing mechanism with a current having a magnitude that is less than or equal to the startup current limit after determining that operation of the engine has been interrupted, determining that operation of the engine has resumed, and operating the electric motor of the variable valve timing mechanism with a current having a magnitude that is less than or equal to the operational motor current limit after determining that operation of the engine has resumed.

A method includes determining a value of an operational motor current limit and setting a value of a startup current limit equal to a predetermined value in excess of the value of the operational motor current limit if a set of predetermined conditions is satisfied. The method includes determining that operation of the engine has been interrupted, operating the electric motor of the variable valve timing mechanism with a current having a magnitude that is less than or equal to the startup current limit after determining that operation of the engine has been interrupted, determining that operation of the engine has resumed, and operating the electric motor of the variable valve timing mechanism with a current having a magnitude that is less than or equal to the operational motor current limit after determining that operation of the engine has resumed.

Embodiments disclosed herein relate to internal combustion engines, combustion systems that include such internal combustion engines, and controls for controlling operation of the combustion engine. The internal combustion engine may include one or more mechanisms for injecting fuel, air, fuel-air mixture, or combinations thereof directly into one or more cylinders, and controls may operate or direct operation of such mechanisms.

The invention pertains to gas exchange in internal combustion engines using low to zero-emission fuels. The combustion engine has the ability to regulate the quantity of air/fuel mixture in the cylinder using one or more exhaust valve(s) (2) that can have adjustable opening times in order to control the gas exchange in the cylinder so that exhaust and alternatively also air can be expelled into the exhaust system. By reducing the quantity of air and thus the quantity of fuel for each cycle, that combined with reduced compression pressure means that engines can operate with a higher expansion ratio by leaving the exhaust valve(s) (2) open through a part of the compression stroke to reduce the amount of air to the combustion and reduce compression and then pressure rise before combustion. Air volume and gas exchange are regulated by compressor(s) (5) as well as opening and closing of exhaust valve(s) (2) with the exhaust valve control (4); alternatively, also intake valves for 4-stroke engines.

The invention pertains to gas exchange in internal combustion engines using low to zero-emission fuels. The combustion engine has the ability to regulate the quantity of air/fuel mixture in the cylinder using one or more exhaust valve(s) (2) that can have adjustable opening times in order to control the gas exchange in the cylinder so that exhaust and alternatively also air can be expelled into the exhaust system. By reducing the quantity of air and thus the quantity of fuel for each cycle, that combined with reduced compression pressure means that engines can operate with a higher expansion ratio by leaving the exhaust valve(s) (2) open through a part of the compression stroke to reduce the amount of air to the combustion and reduce compression and then pressure rise before combustion. Air volume and gas exchange are regulated by compressor(s) (5) as well as opening and closing of exhaust valve(s) (2) with the exhaust valve control (4); alternatively, also intake valves for 4-stroke engines.

A method of providing diagnostic information for an electromagnetic latch assembly (122) includes providing a pulse to a circuit (200) that include one or more electromagnetic latch assemblies. The circuit (200) includes coils (199) of the electromagnetic latch assemblies. Each coil is inductively coupled with an armature (131) that is mechanically coupled to a latch pin (118). The circuit (200) is pulsed and a DC current in the circuit (200) that results from the pulse is measured over a first interval to determine a primary response. The current in the circuit (200) over a second interval is measured to determine a reference response. A second pulse may be used to generate the current for the reference response. The primary response and the reference response are compared to provide diagnostic information relating to position or movement of one or more of the latch pins (118).

A method of providing diagnostic information for an electromagnetic latch assembly (122) includes providing a pulse to a circuit (200) that include one or more electromagnetic latch assemblies. The circuit (200) includes coils (199) of the electromagnetic latch assemblies. Each coil is inductively coupled with an armature (131) that is mechanically coupled to a latch pin (118). The circuit (200) is pulsed and a DC current in the circuit (200) that results from the pulse is measured over a first interval to determine a primary response. The current in the circuit (200) over a second interval is measured to determine a reference response. A second pulse may be used to generate the current for the reference response. The primary response and the reference response are compared to provide diagnostic information relating to position or movement of one or more of the latch pins (118).

A control valve includes a valve housing extending along a longitudinal axis. The valve housing defines an inlet port, a first outlet port, and a second outlet port. In addition, the control valve includes a spool guide disposed inside the valve housing and a flow guide belt disposed around the spool guide. The flow guide belt is disposed inside the valve housing. The control valve further includes a spool movably disposed in the spool guide. The spool can move relative to the valve housing along the longitudinal axis between a first spool position and a second spool position. The first outlet port is in fluid communication with the inlet port when spool is disposed in the first spool position.