An engine control system and method utilizes a processor and a valve controller in communication with the processor. A valve having a solenoid is in communication with the valve controller. The valve controller is configured to receive a combined selection and control signal from the processor, decode a desired electric current profile encoded in the signal, sense a control code encoded in the signal, and operate the solenoid in accordance with the decoded desired electric current profile in response to sensing the control code.

A valve-timing control apparatus varies a relative phase between a cam shaft and a crankshaft by energizing an electric motor through a power-feeding brush provided to be in contact with a slip ring. The valve-timing control apparatus includes a retaining member slidably retaining the power-feeding brush; a connector provided in the retaining member and connected to a power source; a pigtail harness including one end portion connected with the power-feeding brush, and another end portion connected with a terminal of the connector through a fixing portion; and a guide portion provided in the retaining member and including an outer circumferential surface formed in an arc-shape. The pigtail harness bends along the outer circumferential surface of the guide portion. The another end portion extends substantially in a linear arrangement from the fixing portion to a bending portion at which the pigtail harness bends along the outer circumferential surface.

A valve-timing control apparatus varies a relative phase between a cam shaft and a crankshaft by energizing an electric motor through a power-feeding brush provided to be in contact with a slip ring. The valve-timing control apparatus includes a retaining member slidably retaining the power-feeding brush; a connector provided in the retaining member and connected to a power source; a pigtail harness including one end portion connected with the power-feeding brush, and another end portion connected with a terminal of the connector through a fixing portion; and a guide portion provided in the retaining member and including an outer circumferential surface formed in an arc-shape. The pigtail harness bends along the outer circumferential surface of the guide portion. The another end portion extends substantially in a linear arrangement from the fixing portion to a bending portion at which the pigtail harness bends along the outer circumferential surface.

An electromagnetic actuator device having a core unit (12;50) having a coil means (16), which core unit is constructed for interacting with armature means (34,36,38,32,30) that are movably guided relatively to the core unit, as a reaction to an energizing of the coil means, wherein the armature means have a plurality of tappet units (30, 32), which are spatially spaced from one another and can be driven simultaneously, to which tappet units, permanent magnet means (34) are assigned in the direction towards the core unit, which permanent magnet means have a permanent magnetization along a respective movement longitudinal axis of the tappet units, wherein the plurality of tappet units that can be driven parallel to one another magnetically interacts with an identically poled end face of the core unit and the permanent magnet means have an axially identically directed permanent magnetization.

An electromagnetic actuator device having a core unit (12;50) having a coil means (16), which core unit is constructed for interacting with armature means (34,36,38,32,30) that are movably guided relatively to the core unit, as a reaction to an energizing of the coil means, wherein the armature means have a plurality of tappet units (30, 32), which are spatially spaced from one another and can be driven simultaneously, to which tappet units, permanent magnet means (34) are assigned in the direction towards the core unit, which permanent magnet means have a permanent magnetization along a respective movement longitudinal axis of the tappet units, wherein the plurality of tappet units that can be driven parallel to one another magnetically interacts with an identically poled end face of the core unit and the permanent magnet means have an axially identically directed permanent magnetization.

A valve timing control apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes: a power feeding brush including a tip end portion slidably abutted on the slip ring to feed electric power to the slip ring; and a rotation angle sensing mechanism including; a sensed portion provided to the one end portion of the motor output shaft, and a sensing portion provided to the cover member, and arranged to sense a rotation position of the sensed portion; the cover member including a recessed portion formed in an inner surface of the cover member, and recessed in an axially outward direction relative to the position of the opening end of the brush holding hole; and the sensed portion including a tip end portion inserted and disposed within the recessed portion to confront the sensing portion.

A valve timing control apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes: a power feeding brush including a tip end portion slidably abutted on the slip ring to feed electric power to the slip ring; and a rotation angle sensing mechanism including; a sensed portion provided to the one end portion of the motor output shaft, and a sensing portion provided to the cover member, and arranged to sense a rotation position of the sensed portion; the cover member including a recessed portion formed in an inner surface of the cover member, and recessed in an axially outward direction relative to the position of the opening end of the brush holding hole; and the sensed portion including a tip end portion inserted and disposed within the recessed portion to confront the sensing portion.