Abstract: An injector driver module includes: a first node that is connected to a first terminal of a fuel injector; a first switch configured to, when closed, connect a first potential of a battery to the first node; a second switch configured to, when closed, connect a second potential that is greater than the first potential to the first node; a second node that is connected to a second terminal of the fuel injector; and a third switch configured to, when closed, connect a ground potential to the second node. A switch control module is configured to, starting at a target injecting timing for a fuel injection event of the fuel injector: maintain the third switch closed; and switch the second switch using a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal having (i) a duty cycle that is less than 100 percent and (ii) a predetermined frequency.

Abstract: An injector driver module includes: a first node that is connected to a first terminal of a fuel injector; a first switch configured to, when closed, connect a first potential of a battery to the first node; a second switch configured to, when closed, connect a second potential that is greater than the first potential to the first node; a second node that is connected to a second terminal of the fuel injector; and a third switch configured to, when closed, connect a ground potential to the second node. A switch control module is configured to, starting at a target injecting timing for a fuel injection event of the fuel injector: maintain the third switch closed; and switch the second switch using a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal having (i) a duty cycle that is less than 100 percent and (ii) a predetermined frequency.

Abstract: A method of controlling a solenoid valve of an automotive system, the valve being charged by a pulse width modulated signal (PWM) and determining an actuation of an automotive system component is provided. The method comprises the following: determining a target end of command of the valve as a function of a PWM state and a time interval from a last change of PWM state; monitoring a current value, a PWM phase period and the PWM state of a last pulse width modulated signal; and correcting in the next pulse width modulated signal at least one of said current value and PWM phase period, so that a next end of command of the valve will occur at the target end of command.

Abstract: A method of controlling a solenoid valve of an automotive system, the valve being charged by a pulse width modulated signal (PWM) and determining an actuation of an automotive system component is provided. The method comprises the following: determining a target end of command of the valve as a function of a PWM state and a time interval from a last change of PWM state; monitoring a current value, a PWM phase period and the PWM state of a last pulse width modulated signal; and correcting in the next pulse width modulated signal at least one of said current value and PWM phase period, so that a next end of command of the valve will occur at the target end of command.

Abstract: A method is provided for estimating the temperature in an internal combustion engine. The method includes, but is not limited to the steps of providing a sensor resistor (RTD) in the internal combustion engine, the sensor resistor (RTD) having a predetermined resistance-temperature characteristic, measuring a sensor voltage (VRTD) across the sensor resistor (RTD), calculating a resistance value of the sensor resistor (RTD) based on the sensor voltage (VRTD) and estimating the temperature using the resistance value and the resistance-temperature characteristic. The method further comprises the steps of connecting, in series to the sensor resistor (RTD), a first branch of a current mirror arrangement, connecting a reference resistor (R0) in series to a second branch of the current mirror arrangement, measuring a reference voltage (V0) across the reference resistor (R0) and calculating the resistance value of the sensor resistor (RTD) based on the sensor voltage (VRTD) and the reference voltage (V0).

Abstract: A battery supplies power to a solenoid valve at a voltage and by a DC/DC boost converter at a boost voltage that is higher than the battery voltage. Operating parameters of the injector are stored that include at least peak high and peak low currents and peak phase duration. A pull-in phase up is performed to current into the solenoid valve when a value greater than the peak high current is reached. Current is monitored into the solenoid and switching on the battery voltage to the solenoid if the current into the solenoid is equal to or lower than, the peak low current, then monitoring the current into the solenoid and powering the solenoid at the boost voltage if the current into the solenoid is still lower than the peak low current. Otherwise powering the solenoid at the battery voltage and performing a hold phase.

Abstract: A method is provided that includes, but is not limited to the steps of driving in an on-off manner in a period of time an electronic switch in series with a respective glow plug between the terminals of a d.c. voltage supply, sensing the glow plug voltage and the glow plug current, generating analogue sense signals representative of the time integral of the glow plug voltage and current, generating analogue reference signals corresponding to the digital values of corresponding control words, comparing the sense signals to the respective reference signals and modifying the corresponding control words so as to minimize the difference between the sense signals and the reference signals, calculating the average values of the sensed voltage and current on the basis of the values of the control words at the beginning and at the end of the “on” time of the electronic switch.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling a glow plug (GP) associated with a cylinder chamber of a Diesel engine. The method includes, but is not limited to the steps of driving in an on-off manner in a period of time an electronic switch (M) connected essentially in series with the glow plug (GP) between the terminals of a d.c. voltage supply (B), sensing the voltage (V) across the glow plug (GP) and the current (I) flowing through the glow plug (GP) and performing a voltage closed loop control for controlling the temperature of the glow plug (GP). The method further includes, but is not limited to the steps of calculating a normalized current error (?I) as a function of said sensed current (I), calculating a normalized voltage error (?V) as a function of said sensed voltage (V), calculating a weight function (K) as a function of predetermined parameters (?, ?, n) and calculating a global error (?) as a function of said normalized current error (?I), normalized voltage error (?V) and weight function (K).

Abstract: An accurate control of a solenoid-operated fuel injector in a Diesel or gasoline engine specifies that a pull-in voltage (Vpull-in) higher than the generally available battery voltage (Vbatt) is applied to the injector, and that the injection is ended as quickly as possible, in order that the fuel injection closely follows the solenoid current profile. When the initial pull-in voltage is lower than the expected nominal value, a deviation of the injected fuel quantity appears with respect to the nominal quantity. This inconvenience is overcome by monitoring the actual value of a selected parameter, such as the actual value of the initial pull-in voltage (Vpull-in), and the injection start time (te) and the solenoid energizing time (ET) are correspondingly modified.

Abstract: A glow plug control unit is provided that includes a first switch for connecting power supply lines to a glow plug. The glow plug control unit further includes a voltage measurement unit for measuring the voltage at the power supply lines. A current measurement unit is built for measuring the current through the first switch and a control circuit is built for controlling the first switch and, in a current control mode, for regulating the current through the first switch.

Abstract: A method and circuit are provided for estimating the temperature in an internal combustion engine. The method includes, but is not limited to the steps of providing a sensor resistor (RTD) in the internal combustion engine, the sensor resistor (RTD) having a predetermined resistance-temperature characteristic, and estimating the temperature based on the resistance-temperature characteristic.

Abstract: A method is provided for estimating the temperature in an internal combustion engine. The method includes, but is not limited to the steps of providing a sensor resistor (RTD) in the internal combustion engine, the sensor resistor (RTD) having a predetermined resistance-temperature characteristic, measuring a sensor voltage (VRTD) across the sensor resistor (RTD), calculating a resistance value of the sensor resistor (RTD) based on the sensor voltage (VRTD) and estimating the temperature using the resistance value and the resistance-temperature characteristic. The method further comprises the steps of connecting, in series to the sensor resistor (RTD), a first branch of a current mirror arrangement, connecting a reference resistor (R0) in series to a second branch of the current mirror arrangement, measuring a reference voltage (V0) across the reference resistor (R0) and calculating the resistance value of the sensor resistor (RTD) based on the sensor voltage (VRTD) and the reference voltage (V0).

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling a glow plug (GP) associated with a cylinder chamber of a Diesel engine. The method includes, but is not limited to the steps of driving in an on-off manner in a period of time an electronic switch (M) connected essentially in series with the glow plug (GP) between the terminals of a d.c. voltage supply (B), sensing the voltage (V) across the glow plug (GP) and the current (I) flowing through the glow plug (GP) and performing a voltage closed loop control for controlling the temperature of the glow plug (GP). The method further includes, but is not limited to the steps of calculating a normalized current error (?I) as a function of said sensed current (I), calculating a normalized voltage error (?V) as a function of said sensed voltage (V), calculating a weight function (K) as a function of predetermined parameters (?, ?, n) and calculating a global error (?) as a function of said normalized current error (?I), normalized voltage error (?V) and weight function (K).

Abstract: A method is provided that includes, but is not limited to the steps of driving in an on-off manner in a period of time an electronic switch in series with a respective glow plug between the terminals of a d.c. voltage supply, sensing the glow plug voltage and the glow plug current, generating analogue sense signals representative of the time integral of the glow plug voltage and current, generating analogue reference signals corresponding to the digital values of corresponding control words, comparing the sense signals to the respective reference signals and modifying the corresponding control words so as to minimize the difference between the sense signals and the reference signals, calculating the average values of the sensed voltage and current on the basis of the values of the control words at the beginning and at the end of the “on” time of the electronic switch.

Abstract: An accurate control of a solenoid-operated fuel injector in a Diesel or gasoline engine specifies that a pull-in voltage (Vpull-in) higher than the generally available battery voltage (Vbatt) is applied to the injector, and that the injection is ended as quickly as possible, in order that the fuel injection closely follows the solenoid current profile. When the initial pull-in voltage is lower than the expected nominal value, a deviation of the injected fuel quantity appears with respect to the nominal quantity. This inconvenience is overcome by monitoring the actual value of a selected parameter, such as the actual value of the initial pull-in voltage (Vpull-in), and the injection start time (te) and the solenoid energizing time (ET) are correspondingly modified.

Abstract: A glow plug control unit is provided that comprises a first switch for connecting power supply lines to a glow plug. The glow plug control unit further comprises a voltage measurement unit for measuring the voltage at the power supply lines. A current measurement unit is built for measuring the current through the first switch and a control circuit is built for controlling the first switch and, in a current control mode, for regulating the current through the first switch.