Abstract: A method and device for switching power semi-conductors on and off, especially for IGBTs and MOS-FETs with inductive loads, and how they would be employed with torque-variable asynchronous machines, in ignition systems for spark ignition engines, in switch mode power supplies and power factor controllers. During a switching operation of the power semiconductor, a voltage across the semiconductor and the current through the semiconductor are measured, a time function of the voltage as well as a time function of the current are controlled, and the control of the voltage time function and the control of the current time function are effected essentially one after the other.

Abstract: The force exerted on an injector valve (4, 5), by the piezo-actuator (3) on a main injection, is determined by means of a non-linear actuator model (8) and thus the gradient (?dFHdt) of the drop-off in force after the force maximum (FHmax) and a threshold value (G) are derived, with which a gradient (?dFV/dt) determined for the pre- or post-injection is compared and, depending on the result of the comparison, the signal parameter (p) for the subsequent pre- or post-injection(s) is corrected.

Abstract: The force exerted on an injector valve (4, 5), by the piezo-actuator (3) on a main injection, is determined by means of a non-linear actuator model (8) and thus the gradient (−dFHdt) of the drop-off in force after the force maximum (FHmax) and a threshold value (G) are derived, with which a gradient (−dFV/dt) determined for the pre- or post-injection is compared and, depending on the result of the comparison, the signal parameter (p) for the subsequent pre- or post-injection(s) is corrected.

Abstract: A device for controlling an electromechanical regulator, including a controller (3a) that controls the current through a coil (113) and which, for that purpose, generates control signals for a power regulator (5a). The control signals are determined with the coil (113) operating in the free-running operating state. The control signals depend, during the movement of the armature, on the current and the time differential of the current through the coil (113).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to a device for switching on and off power semiconductors, especially IGBTs or power MOS-FETs with inductive load, such as are preferably used for the torque-variable operation of asynchronous machines, in ignition systems for spark ignition engines, in switched-mode power supplies or in power factor controllers. A voltage (UCE; UDS) dropping across the power semiconductor and a current (IC; ID) flowing through the power semiconductor are detected and their temporal progression during a switching operation is controlled. The temporal progression of the voltage (UCE; UDS) and the temporal progression of the current (IC; ID) are substantially controlled in a time-delayed manner.

Abstract: In order to control an actuator, the following steps are executed in the order indicated when an armature plate is to be moved from contact with a contact surface to contact with a contact surface on an electromagnet. A predefined amount of electrical energy is supplied to the coil. The coil is controlled into a freewheeling operating state until a first condition is satisfied. A predefined second amount of electrical energy is supplied to the coil before the armature plate is resting on the contact surface of the electromagnet. The coil controlled into a freewheeling operating state until a second condition is satisfied, whose satisfaction is an indication that the armature plate (116) is resting on the contact surface of the electromagnet.

Abstract: An electromechanical actuating drive includes at least one electromagnet with a coil and an armature having an armature plate that can move between a first contact surface on the electromagnet and a second contact surface. The position of the armature is determined as a function of the magnetic flux (&PHgr;) and the current (IS) through the coil.

Abstract: An electromechanical actuating drive includes at least one electromagnet with a coil and an armature having an armature plate that can move between a first contact surface on the electromagnet and a second contact surface. The position of the armature is determined as a function of the magnetic flux (&PHgr;) and the current (IS) through the coil.

Abstract: An actuator comprises a gas exchange valve and an electromagnetic actuating drive, having at least one electromagnet which has a coil, having an armature, whose armature plate can move between a first bearing surface on the electromagnet and a second bearing surface. A device for controlling the actuator comprises a power output stage provided for driving the coil. The power output stage has an electrical energy store which is charged by the coil in a predetermined operating state. The control unit controls the power output stage in an operating state of rapid energization when a predetermined condition is met indicating the striking of the armature plate on the first bearing surface or an imminent fallback of the armature plate to a rest position, the energy stored in the electrical energy store being fed to the coil in the operating state of rapid energization.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a geometric relation includes a device having a magnetic field source and a configuration being formed of a multiplicity of Hall elements. A magnetic induction is dependent on the relative geometric configuration between the Hall element configuration and an object having a geometric position which is to be detected. The Hall elements are disposed at a given distance from one another along a given line. An interpolation circuit interpolates the analog output signals of at least two Hall elements.

Abstract: A signal transmission protected against undesired quering is made possible with a photon-driven component and the energy supply is independent of external electrical connection. A photon-driven device has a light-receiving, monolithic semiconductor component for receiving optical energy and an optical signal for conversion into electrical energy and an electrical signal and has a light-transmitting semiconductor component for converting the electrical signal into an optical signal and for transmitting the optical signal. A radiation source for producing the optical energy and the optical signal and an optical receiver for the output optical signal from the photon-driven component are provided in a device for reading the information carried by the optical signal and produced in an electrical circuit connected to, powered by and operated by the photon-driven semiconductor component.

Abstract: A voltage limiting circuit with two-terminal network character is described which has a sharp-edged limitation characteristic curve and a short response time. According to the invention, this is achieved by means of two current mirror circuits connected to each other in a ring circuit, with a clamping transistor being at the same time a transistor of one of these current mirror circuits. A biasing current is fed from a current source into the remaining elements of the two current mirror circuits, this biasing current subjecting the semiconductor junctions of these current mirror elements to current and charging the diffusion and depletion layer capacitances thereof already prior to the limitation onset. The consequence thereof is a rapid limitation effect when the limit voltages are being reached.