Model-based Soft Landing Control of an Electromechanical Engine Valve Actuator

Electro-Mechanical Valve Actuators (EMVA) are a promising solution to actuate engine valves for future camless engines. Their use can increase engine power, reduce fuel consumption and pollutant emissions, and improve significantly engine efficiency. This paper is concerned with the soft landing control of a double magnet EMVA system. In particular, a force control algorithm based on a combined feedforward and feedback sliding mode control actions is presented. The aim of the control is to stabilize the system while tracking a model-based reference trajectory. It is shown by numerical simulations that the proposed control approach guarantees soft landing operation even in the presence of external force perturbations and friction force variations.