A control device has two modes as control modes of an electric power supply to an electromagnetic solenoid, which are used when a first determining unit determines that a difference between a sensed value of a phase and a target value of the phase exceeds a permissible range. One of the modes is a special mode that is used when a second determining unit determines that the sensed value of the phase reaches a threshold value. Another one of the modes is a normal mode that is used when the second determining unit determines that the sensed value of the phase does not reach the threshold value. In the special mode, the control device controls supply of the electric power to the electromagnetic solenoid in such a manner that an opening degree of an advancing port is larger than the opening degree of the advancing port in the normal mode.

A method and device for determining a value for a valve lift of a valve of an individual cylinder of a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine are provided. The method includes determining a first exhaust-gas lambda value for fuel combustion in the individual cylinder in a first operating state of the engine by a cylinder-individual and time-resolved detection of lambda values without an artificial variation in an air/fuel ratio. The method also includes determining an air mass sucked in by all cylinders of the engine in the first operating state. The method also includes determining the value for the valve lift of the valve of the individual cylinder based on the first exhaust-gas lambda value, the determined air mass, and a correction value, wherein the correction value is based on a relationship between the valve lift and an associated air mass sucked in by all cylinders of the engine.

An apparatus and method of controlling an electronic continuously variable valve timing (CVVT) is provided. The apparatus includes a sensor disposed in a motor facing a reducer and an intelligent motor controller. The sensor determines a rotation speed of a first and second projection of a first and second rotation member and generates a sensing signal that corresponds to an output waveform of each rotation speed and inputs the signal to an intelligent motor controller coupled to the motor. The intelligent motor controller receives the signal and separates a crank shaft and cam shaft position signal. The signals are compared to detect an actual phase angle of the suction or exhaust valve. A phase deviation between the detected, actual and predetermined target phase angle is calculated.

Methods and systems are described for an engine with a cam torque actuated variable cam timing phaser. Phaser positioning control is improved by reducing inaccuracies resulting from inadvertent spool valve and/or phaser movement when the spool valve is commanded between regions. In addition, improved spool valve mapping is used to render phaser commands more consistent and robust.

A method for diagnosis of at least one valve in at least one cylinder in a combustion engine comprising the steps, at a movement of a piston in said cylinder, of detecting movements propagating in a cylinder head of the cylinder or of parts adjacent thereto in the engine, comparing values resulting from the detection step with at least one stored setpoint value, and determining the state of said at least one valve, based on the result of said comparison.

A continuously variable valve timing (CVVT) control device is provided. The CVVT control device includes an engine controlling unit (ECU) configured to output an actual phase angle and a target phase angle of an intake valve or an exhaust valve. The CVVT control device further includes an intellectual motor controller configured to receive the actual phase angle and the target phase angle from the ECU through digital communication in a vehicle. A driving current is generated for adjusting an output torque of a motor based on a phase deviation between the received actual phase angle and target phase angle.

A method for ascertaining a valve position of a valve of an internal combustion engine having a multiplicity of valves. The method includes illuminating a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine, detecting light emerging from the illuminated combustion chamber on a side, averted from the combustion chamber, of the valve for ascertainment, and determining the valve position of the valve for ascertainment by way of the detected light.

A method is proposed for synchronizing a combustion engine in a hybrid vehicle provided with an electric motor, comprising the following steps: applying an initial rotation speed setpoint value to the electric motor (typically 2,500 revolutions per minute), then synchronizing the combustion engine on the basis of the rotation signals from the camshaft and the crankshaft. In the event of a camshaft signal failure, an initial combustion engine position assumption is selected from among a plurality of possible assumptions, and injection tests are performed by adjusting the rotation speed setpoints. Once the idle speed setpoint has been reached, the rotation speed setpoint value of the electric motor is reduced to a new value (typically 2,000 revolutions per minute). If the assumption is confirmed, the speed setpoint process is stopped; if not, another assumption is tested until confirmation occurs.