An electromagnetic switching arrangement for operating a control device, with the arrangement having two electromagnets (1, 2) which are formed respectively from a coil (3.1, 3.2) and a magnetic yoke (4.1, 4.2), are connected to an actuatable direct-current supply (9), and are spaced from one another, with the pole faces (5) of the two magnet yokes (4.1. 4.2) facing one another. An armature (6) is disposed between the two electromagnets so that the armature can move back and forth between the pole faces (5) of the two electromagnets. The armature (6) is connected to the control device to be operated and is held by spring elements (8.1, 8.2) in an inoperative or neutral position between the two electromagnets (1, 2) when both electromagnets are currentless. At least the armature (6) is made of a material that contains a residual magnetization.
A method and an apparatus for operating a cylinder valve of an internal-combustion engine with an electromagnetic actuator for moving the cylinder valve into opposite open and closed valve end positions. The electromagnetic actuator has two spaced electromagnets provided with pole faces and being energizable with a controllable current flow, an armature operatively connected to the cylinder valve and arranged between the two electromagnets for a reciprocating motion therebetween into opposite armature end positions at the electromagnets in response to electromagnetic fields generated by the electromagnets for moving the cylinder valve into end positions thereof and return springs coupled to the armature and opposing, by a spring force, the displacements of the armature in response to the electromagnetic fields. The current supply to at least one electromagnet is so controlled and the generated electromagnetic field is so directed that in an end position of the cylinder valve the armature is held at the electromagnet against the spring force and out of contact with the pole faces of the electromagnet.
