Linear permanent-magnet valve actuator – The dynamic model: digital simulations, open-loop U/f and I/f operation and position estimation performance, with experiments

Linear valve actuators are used for cameless systems of internal combustion engines. The actuator works as a mechanical oscillator, which uses springs, and is controlled by electromagnets. The paper aims to: develop a dynamic circuit model with inductance dependence on position and current obtained from Finite Element Method analysis (FEM) by curve fitting; validate the dynamic model in open-loop and closed-loop U/f and I/f control experiments; introduce two new mover position estimators by using the dynamic circuit model plus FEM-derived curve-fitted (flux/ current/ position) dependencies.