Abstract: Fuel injection system comprising a piezoelectric element for controlling the amount of injected fuel and further comprising a control unit for determination of a possible fault of the piezoelectric element or of an electric circuitry driving the piezoelectric element based upon a value related to the capacitance of the piezoelectric element.

Abstract: The invention describes an apparatus and method for detecting a short circuit to a battery voltage when driving a piezoelectric element, for example, used as an actuator in a fuel injection system of an internal combustion engine. The apparatus and method are characterized in that separate switches are used for selecting a piezoelectric element to be operated and for selecting the operation that is to be performed on the piezoelectric element. A short circuit to battery voltage is detected by first activating the switches to select a piezoelectric element. For a predetermined time interval, the invention monitors for abnormal currents flowing in series with the piezoelectric element. If abnormal currents are detected, an error signal is generated indicating a short circuit to battery voltage.

Abstract: The invention describes a method and an apparatus for charging a piezoelectric element, for example, used as an actuator in a fuel injection system of an internal combustion engine. The method and apparatus are characterized in that the piezoelectric element is activated by an activation voltage having a value set as a function of manufacturing characteristics of the particular piezoelectric element and based upon, for example, a correction value for injected fuel volume.

Abstract: A Method and an apparatus for providing control parameters to or within a control system for controlling a fuel injection system are described. The method is characterized in that a plurality of control parameters is transmitted to storage means (810) within the control system by transmission means (850). The transmitted control parameters are stored within the storage means (810). Selection parameters are transmitted to selection means (800) within the control system by transmission means (840). Stored control parameters are selected in accordance with transmitted selection parameters by the selection means (800). And the selected parameters are utilized for controlling elements within the control system. The apparatus is in particular eligible for usage with a inventive method and is characterized in that a control unit (D) and an activation IC (E) are connected to each other by transmission means (840, 850). Storage means (810) are implemented in the activation IC (E).

Abstract: The invention describes an apparatus and a method for charging or discharging a piezoelectric element of a system, e.g., for a fuel injection system. The method and apparatus are characterized in that the current of a system is regulated as a function of a time characteristic and an event characteristic to achieve an effective low absolute average current.

Abstract: Method and Apparatus for Controlling System Parameters A method and an apparatus for controlling system parameters, in particular for controlling the voltage applied to piezoelectric elements (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60) within a circuit (A) for charging and discharging piezoelectric elements (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60) are described. The method is characterized by modifying at least one control parameter for the control of a system parameter, in particular a target voltage for the voltage applied to a piezoelectric element (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60), in view of at least one systematic error occurring during a first control procedure of the system parameter to obtain a corrected control parameter for a second and/or a further control of the system parameter. The apparatus is particularly eligible for use with the inventive method.

Abstract: The invention describes a method and an apparatus for charging a piezoelectric element of a fuel injection system for, for example, an internal combustion engine. The apparatus is characterized in that the piezoelectric element is activated by an activation voltage having a value set as a function of measured fuel pressure in the fuel injection system.

Abstract: The invention describes a method and apparatus for operating a fuel injection system having a piezoelectric element (10, 20, 30, 40, 50 or 60) for controlling the amount of fuel injected into a combustion engine, characterized in that the piezoelectric element (10, 20, 30, 40, 50 or 60) is controlled based upon the charge it is carrying.

Abstract: A method and a device for controlling a controller having a capacitive element. An ohmic resistor is connected in parallel to the capacitive element. The value of the ohmic resistor is determined at certain times, and then the type and/or temperature of the capacitive element is deduced on the basis of the value of the resistor.