A method for operating an electromagnetic actuator includes an actuation event utilizing a current waveform for the actuator characterized by an initial peak pull-in current in a first direction of current flow when the actuator is commanded to an actuated position; and a reversed peak current in a second opposite direction of current flow applied after the actuator is commanded to a rest position. The reversed peak current has a magnitude that is greater than the magnitude of the initial peak pull-in current.

An electromagnetic actuator includes an electrical coil and a high permeability magnetic flux path. The magnetic flux path includes a magnetic core, an armature and a flux return structure. The electromagnetic actuator further includes a flux sensor which is integrated within the actuator and is configured to detect a magnetic flux within the high permeability magnetic flux path.

A fuel piping structure includes a fuel pipe, a pressure sensor in communication with the fuel pipe through a communication channel, and a sensor holding part including a projecting part projecting to an outer-peripheral side, being connected to the fuel pipe, and holding the pressure sensor disposed therein. A ring-shaped elastic member is provided between an underside of the projecting part and the fuel pipe, the projecting part being pressed against the fuel pipe. The tip side of the sensor holding part on which a ring-shaped seal member is provided is inserted into a recessed part of the fuel pipe and in communication with the inside of the fuel pipe, and the communication channel is in communication with the recessed part. In the sensor holding part, a conduction channel for a seal test is formed from an end face of the projecting part to the seal member.

An apparatus for closed loop operation of a solenoid-activated actuator includes an external control module and a power source which are electrically and operatively coupled to an activation controller of the actuator. The external control module and the power source are located externally to the actuator. The apparatus further includes an activation controller which is integrated within the body of the actuator. The activation controller includes a control module and an actuator driver and is configured to communicate with the external control module and to receive electrical power from the power source. The apparatus additionally includes at least one sensor device which is integrated within the body of the actuator and is electrically and operatively coupled to the activation controller. The at least one sensor device is configured to measure one or more parameters during operation of the actuator and the measured parameters are provided as feedback to the activation controller.

A fuel injection device (fuel supply system) of a common rail type fuel injection system for an engine includes a pressure sensor disposed in a fuel inlet of an injector for measuring a fuel pressure at a position where the sensor is disposed and an ECU for sensing various kinds of pressure fluctuations associated with the injection including a pressure leak due to an injection operation of the injector and waving characteristics due to actual injection thereof based on sensor outputs from the pressure sensor. The ECU serially obtains the sensor outputs from the pressure sensor at intervals of 20 sec.

A method for operating a fuel injection system includes detecting the pressure prevailing in a pressure accumulator using a fuel injection valve piezo actuator that includes, in addition to the active piezo region used to actuate the closing element, a passive piezo region that acts as a pressure sensor. Using this pressure sensor, the closing element force acting on the passive piezo region, and therefore the pressure prevailing in the pressure accumulator, can be determined.