A high power high temperature mechatronic actuator for the electromagnetic valve drive

Distributed mechatronic actuators for the electromagnetic valve drive offer substantial improvements compared to the traditional approach of one central control unit. The complex wiring harness for the actuator coils and the sensors can be reduced to an elementary bus for the power supply and the valve timing signals. The design requires a common optimization of the electrical, thermal and mechanical parameters. A new technology for the ceramic substrate provides low thermal resistance and high component density. This allows the application of standard semiconductors and passive components, although the cylinder head, which is used as a heat sink, can reach 125/spl deg/C. The realized system offers low landing velocities for the valves and is insensitive against electromagnetic distortion. Various thermal and mechanical tests have confirmed the simulations and expected robustness.