Abstract: A control circuit for controlling solenoid valves for fuel metering in an internal combustion engine (banks I and II) includes a recharge circuit having a throttle coil in series with a diode and with a storage capacitor, as well as an FET power transistor connected in parallel with the series circuit of the diode and the storage capacitor. The solenoid valves of the individual banks are switched off during the rapid extinguishing with a voltage produced by the recharge circuit. To minimize the influence of the supply voltage, which comprises a wide range, the HS-FET is switched off during the rapid extinguishing phases.

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: A fuel injection timing control system for a direct injection spark ignition internal combustion engine which is operated at an ultra-lean burn combustion or at a pre-mixture charged combustion. In the system, a fuel injection start timing limit by which injection of the determined fuel injection amount should be started and a fuel injection end timing limit by which injection of the determined fuel injection amount should be ended are determined based at least on the detected engine speed in accordance with predetermined data so as to avoid smoke from occurring in the engine, and when a determined fuel injection amount can not be injected within a time of period defined by the limits, a desired fuel injection start or end timing or the determined fuel injection amount is corrected, thereby ensuring the engine torque drop to a minimum extent, while surely avoiding smoke to occur.

Abstract: The injector has a nozzle closed by a rod which is movable by the fuel pressure in a control chamber having a discharge conduit closed by a plug controlled by an electromagnet. The rod is movable, from a closed position closing the nozzle, to effect a maximum travel, so that the amount of fuel injected following the maximum travel is greater than a maximum amount of fuel required by the power curve. To classify the injectors, a series of injectors is prepared with corresponding rods movable from the closed position to effect the maximum travel; and the amount of fuel injected by each injector, after two strokes of the respective rod smaller than the maximum travel, is tested.

Abstract: Using a control coil having a high response characteristic suited to valve opening and a hold coil suited to a hold to valve open during fuel injection using a small current, during the valve opening time, a high voltage is applied to the control coil suited to the valve opening operation and, during the time the valve is to be held open a low and stabilized voltage is applied to the hold coil. In a fuel injection apparatus, drive manner employed during a valve opening time and a valve hold time is optimized.

Abstract: A device for controlling fuel injection preventing the wasteful consumption of electric power and expanding the dynamic range for controlling the amount of fuel.

Abstract: A driving apparatus for an electromagnetic valve which supplies fuel to an engine comprises a conduction control circuit and a current-limit-value setting circuit. The conduction control circuit turns on and off an FET so that a conduction current flowing through a coil of the electromagnetic valve has a magnitude equal to a predetermined current limit value while a microcomputer is outputting a driving signal to the conduction control circuit. The predetermined current limit value used in the conduction control circuit is set at a first current limit value during a predetermined period starting at a point of time the microcomputer outputs the driving signal. When the predetermined period has lapsed, the predetermined current limit value is switched from the first current limit value to a second current limit value which is smaller than the first current limit value.

Abstract: A start-assist circuit for increasing the fuel-injection voltage during the startup of an internal combustion engine having fuel injectors, a starter solenoid, and a battery is provided. The boost circuit receives the battery DC power and then boosts the battery voltage to provide an output having a level sufficient for a fuel injection solenoid during the start process.

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: In order to obtain an amount of fuel injection determined by a target fuel injection amount determining unit (51) from an injector (32) supplied with high-pressure fuel from a high-pressure pump (2), there is provided a reference injection period determining unit (52) responsive to a target fuel amount signal (Qt) for determining a reference injection period (Tr) and a correction amount calculating unit (53) responsive to the reference injection period (Tr) and the rotational speed (R) of a high-pressure pump (2) for calculating a correction amount (F) for correcting the error caused by decrease in fuel pressure during the period of fuel injection, whereby an actual injection period (Ta) is determined by correcting the reference injection period (Tr) by the correction value (F). As a result, the injection pulse width can be controlled so as to precisely supply the desired amount of fuel from the injector (32).

Abstract: In a port fuel injection lean burn engine, attaching of fuel spray onto a wall surface, which is a problem at atomizing injected fuel, is reduced, and the quality and shaping state of the mixed gas in cylinders of the engine is improved.

Abstract: An outboard motor engine includes a plurality of cylinders. A fuel injector is disposed to inject a charge of fuel into an intake system. The fuel injector can form a portion of a direct injection system or a manifold injection system. The engine includes a processor that cycles each of the fuel injectors prior to energizing a fuel pump, a starter motor, or another electrical component of the outboard motor. By energizing the fuel injectors in sequence, a higher level of voltage can be applied to each fuel injector. In addition, by energizing the fuel injectors prior to energizing other electrical components, a higher level of voltage can be applied to each fuel injector.

Abstract: A method and a device for driving at least one solenoid valve used for controlling the injection of fuel into an internal combustion engine. At the start of the driving (activation), the solenoid valve is supplied with a booster voltage that is elevated as compared to that used for the further driving. The energy and/or power output received by the solenoid valve at the start of the driving is able to be influenced as a function of the operating state of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: The invention concerns an injection module comprising a ramp (10) to be connected to a supply pump and several injectors (12) connected to the ramp each provided with electric control means for opening and closing them. The module comprises means for storing a calibrating function of each of the injectors (12) and supply the function in a form that can be used by a computing unit (24) controlling the electric means for opening and closing the injectors.

Abstract: A fuel injection control device expanding the dynamic range for controlling the amount of fuel and preventing the wasteful consumption of electric power. The device comprises fuel pressure regulator means 4 for adjusting the fuel pressure Pf, various sensors 3 inclusive of a fuel pressure sensor, injector drive means 5A for opening the valve body of an injector 2, and injection control means 1A for controlling the fuel pressure regulator means and the injector drive means depending on the operation conditions, wherein the injection control means 1A includes a holding current control unit 16A that variably sets the injector holding current iha depending on the fuel pressure in order to control the valve-opening time by controlling the exciting current ia and the excitation time of the injector, and variably sets the holding current to a minimum required value so that the holding current decreases with a decrease in the fuel pressure.

Abstract: A system for controlling a fuel injector in accordance with an injection control strategy for an engine includes programmable control logic to provide selectable threshold signals for comparator circuits and/or control logic configured to receive various control signals in the control circuit and determine one or more timing signals. The programmable control logic allows the drive circuit to be modified, without changing any hardware, to accommodate injectors having different characteristics and to change the pulse modulation strategy. The control logic that receives the control signals produces injection timing signals to allow enhanced monitoring and control over the fuel is injection process.

Abstract: An inductive load driving device in which the rise of load current at an initial stage of driving can be executed at high speed includes a plurality of step-up circuits (21, 31), for alternately applying a high voltage to the same inductive load within a predetermined period of time, to thereby allow each load current to rise at a high speed; a holding current output circuit (43), for applying a predetermined voltage to the same inductive load after the load current has risen, to thereby hold the load current at a predetermined value; a plurality of switching means (46, 47), adapted to be switched in such a manner that the respective outputs of the plurality of step-up circuits (21, 31) and the holding current output circuit (43) can be alternately connected to the same inductive load; and a control logic circuit (44), for switching the plurality of switching means (46, 47) in a predetermined sequence.

Abstract: A method for deciding the combustion state of each cylinder on the basis of an ion current signal generated between gaps of an ignition plug in an internal combustion engine, and a fuel control system which reduces a fuel injection quantity while suppressing the combustion change of each cylinder and reduces a non-combustion composition in an engine exhaust gas after starting of engine.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine with electronic components controlled from a central unit, where electrical leads as conductive connection for power transmission and data transmission between the electronic components of the internal combustion engine are avoided completely wherever possible. The electronic components to be controlled from a central unit are arranged, together with the central unit, on the engine in a space that is fully enclosed by a metal housing part, power is supplied to at least some of the electronic components by high frequency electromagnetic waves generated and radiated without cables by a high frequency source arranged in the space enclosed by the metal housing part and the components to be supplied with power by the radiated electromagnetic waves from the high frequency source each have at least one receiving device for receiving the electromagnetic waves.

Abstract: A controller for cylinder injection type injectors is constructed so that current detection element for detecting currents flowing through injector coils are inserted between a connection point of first switching element and the nodes of reverse current blocking diodes and current commutation diodes, respectively, and over-current detection element do not include circuits for temporarily interrupting over-current detection operations based on output signals of over-excitation signal generation element. That is, the current detection element are arranged at paths not admitting the flow of over-excitation currents, so that power dissipations at the current detection element can be reduced. Further, the circuits for temporarily interrupting the operations of the over-current detection element while over-excitation currents are being supplied are dispensed with.

Abstract: A method is provided for injecting fuel into an internal combustion engine. The method includes providing the engine with a plurality of fuel injectors, each including an electromechanical mechanism for receiving fuel under pressure via a fuel supply system and for injecting a measured amount of fuel into the engine in response to a command signal whose duration is indicative of the amount of fuel to be injected. The command signal is determined based upon a measured throttle position, engine speed and engine load. A resistance of a solenoid coil of the electromechanical mechanism is then calculated and the command signal is adjusted by incrementing or decrementing the command signal to compensate for variations in the measured resistance of the solenoid coil of electromechanical mechanism due to temperature variations.

Abstract: A method and a device for controlling a load, in particular a solenoid valve for controlling the quantity of fuel to be injected. The load receives a bias current value before being activated. This bias current value is adapted.

Abstract: The control device drives a power output stage, in particular of a fuel pump or a fuel injection valve. The control device has a series circuit with a highside switch, a first resistor and a first capacitor. A second capacitor is connected between a lowside switch and the highside switch. A further series circuit includes the first resistor, a second resistor and a second capacitor and is connected in parallel with the second capacitor. A further resistor is connected between the supply voltage terminal and the lowside switch.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling an automatic transmission. The method initially determines if a kick down gear change is required. If so, the method determines if the throttle rate is increasing. If the throttle rate is increasing, the method determines if the throttle rate is less than a pre-selected threshold. If the throttle rate is greater than or equal to the pre-selected threshold, the kick down gear change is performed at an aggressive rate. However, if the throttle rate is less than the pre-selected threshold, the kick down gear change is performed at a slower rate.

Abstract: In an electromagnetic fuel injection valve for injecting fuel by opening/closing a fuel flowing path, including a valve seat, a valve element for opening/closing the fuel flowing path formed between the valve seat and the valve element, and a drive unit having at least one coil, for driving the valve element. The drive unit includes a first magnetomotive force generating device using the at least one coil and a second magnetomotive force generating device, the first magnetomotive force generating device and the second magnetomotive force generating device being composed so that the first magnetomotive force generating device generates and raises magnetomotive force at a larger rate of change in time in comparison with the second magnetomotive force generating device. A valve opening hold state is held by the second magnetomotive force generating device which uses a smaller current flow in comparison with the first magnetomotive force generating device.

Abstract: An injector drive circuit capable of driving an injector of an internal combustion engine without using a DC-DC converter expensive. The injector drive circuit includes a power circuit for converting a voltage outputted from a magneto mounted on the engine into a DC voltage, a capacitor charged with a voltage accumulated in a voltage accumulator, a drive current feed circuit for applying a voltage across the capacitor to a solenoid coil to feed a drive current to the solenoid coil when it is fed with an injection command signal, and a holding current feed power supply section for feeding the solenoid coil with a holding current required for keeping a valve open after the drive current fed from the capacitor to the solenoid coil passes a peak value.

Abstract: A fuel injector apparatus includes an electromagnetic fuel injector having a housing and a magnetic circuit in the housing. The magnetic circuit including an electromagnetic coil constructed and arranged to operate at a nominal voltage to open the fuel injector. The nominal voltage is substantially less that a supply voltage. Circuit structure is electrically coupled with the coil and is constructed and arranged to step-down the supply voltage to be substantially the nominal voltage at the coil.

Abstract: An apparatus for driving a piezoelectrically controlled fuel injection valve includes a piezoelectric actuator having a discharging device and preferably a power MOSFET switch connected in parallel therewith. The discharging device is turned on by a monitoring device that is likewise connected in parallel with the piezoelectric actuator if an opening time of the piezoelectric actuator exceeds a predetermined monitoring time. The discharging device and the monitoring device are constructed as an integrated circuit (ASIC) and are integrated in a valve housing. A method for operating the apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: This invention determines the output timing of the injection command signal to each of the injectors so that the fuel injection timing agrees with the basic target injection timing even when there are variations in the fuel injection timing among the injectors, and thereby improves the exhaust emission performance of the engine. The time T.sub.2 of an intersection between the straight line Lp representing an average Pa of the common rail pressure before it starts to fall and the first-degree approximation straight line Ld having a maximum inclination of fall of the common rail pressure is determined as the timing at which the common rail pressure starts to fall. Based on the time T.sub.2 and the average pressure Pa, the delay time .DELTA.Td which elapses from the output timing T.sub.0 of the injection command signal to each of the injectors to the actual fuel injection timing T.sub.1 is calculated. The output timing T.sub.0 for the injection command signal is determined as an instant the delay time .DELTA.

Abstract: The fuel injection valve controller steadily detects the completion of opening of the fuel injection valve or the completion of the needle valve lifting movement. A current flowing through the electromagnetic coil 4 which drives the fuel infection valve, is measured based on the voltage difference V across the resistor R6 connected in series with the coil 4. The circuit 21 emphasizes changes in the coil current. The signal V2 representative of emphasized coil current is supplied to the current change detecting circuit 22 which generates the output signal V3 when the coil current or voltage signal V2 temporarily decreases. The signal V3 is compared with the reference voltage Vref to issue the signal S3 showing the full opening of the fuel injection valve.

Abstract: A method for improving the transient response of a multi-port fuel injection system wherein the delivery of a pulse to an injector is fragmented into a variable number of pulse fragments and the delivery of the pulse fragments to the injector is spaced throughout a respective fueling window. The magnitude and delivery angle of each of the pulse fragments is variable and depends upon the current engine operating conditions. Calculations of the magnitude of each pulse fragment are based upon a constantly recalculated total pulse width.

Abstract: In a fuel injection control for engines, a basic transient correction coefficient is calculated to be used for correcting a basic fuel injection amount calculated based on intake air pressure. This transient correction coefficient is itself corrected by a further correction coefficient which corresponds to a fuel injection timing variable so as to overlap with the opening of an intake valve. The basic fuel injection amount is then corrected by the corrected transient correction coefficient to determine a final fuel injection amount. Thus, air-fuel mixture is controlled to a desired air-fuel ratio even when the engine is in a transient condition, thereby improving drivability and exhaust emissions.

Abstract: During the low load operation, this fuel injection control device reduces the initial armature displacement speed of the solenoid actuator that drives the open-close valve against the low fuel pressure in the balance chamber, thereby lowering impact noise produced in the solenoid portions. When the engine is determined to be idling, a command pulse width which energizes the solenoids of the solenoid actuator is calculated according to the target injection amount, the common rail pressure, and the target fuel injection timing. Since the initial period of the command pulse width, i.e., pull-in current conduction period, is set shorter than the pull-in current conduction period for the high load operation of the engine, the initial armature displacement speed of the solenoid becomes relatively slow reducing the impact noise of the armature abutting against the stopper.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling a solenoid valve wherein the flow rate of the valve relative to a specific percent duty cycle may be varied. The controller is such that after the desired flow of the solenoid valve is determined, the frequency and percent duty cycle of an output signal controlling the solenoid valve is varied. Such a controller utilizes varying frequencies to provide multiple slope flow rates with a single passage solenoid valve.

Abstract: In a process for controlling the fuel injection quantity for an internal-combustion engine in a vehicle via an electronic control unit, the actual angle of the crankshaft is detected and, as a function of the actual angle, of a defined fuel injection time and of a defined injection end angle, the required fuel injection starting angle of the crankshaft or the required injection starting point in time for a certain cylinder is determined. The injection is carried out in a time-controlled manner by triggering an injection valve, which is assigned to the certain cylinder, for the defined fuel injection time to an actual injection end angle. Furthermore, while maintaining the defined injection end angle, a short pulse is defined in the control unit as an additional fuel injection time for the certain cylinder if the actual injection end angle is before the defined injection end angle.

Abstract: An inexpensive and small-scale fuel injector control system having a number of fuel injector driving circuits smaller than the corresponding number of driven fuel injectors, in a cylinder injection type internal combustion engine having cylinders that are distanced by two strokes with respect to fuel injection timing and where no overlap occurs in the fuel injection timing. One of the ends of each of the coils of plural injectors, for the cylinders that are distanced from each other by two strokes in the fuel injection timing without overlapping each other, are simultaneously connected to an output terminal of a driving circuit, while the other ends of the coils are connected, respectively, to switching means that are turned on or off at energization/deenergization timings of coils of the fuel injectors.

Abstract: A method for signalling an energizing coil of a solenoid-operated reciprocating plunger pump employed as a fuel injection device, in which the energizing coil is energized via a current control circuit pulsed at high-frequency by an energizing current and each pulse causes an impulse movement of an armature driven by the energizing coil, and the current control circuit controls the energizing current flowing through the energizing coil as a function of a current setpoint curve, each pulse of the current setpoint curve comprises a gradually rising leading edge resulting in a corresponding gradually rising leading edge of the pulse of the energizing current in the energizing coil, the current setpoint curve being controlled so that the energizing current does not change faster than the maximum change in current possible for the minimum voltage available at the energizing coil and limited due to mutual induction.

Abstract: Pulsed-energy controllers and methods of operation thereof for driving inductive loads such as the actuator coil or coils of electromechanical actuators. The controllers utilize an inductor through which an initial current is established through a first circuit. The inductor is then switched across the actuator coil or other inductive load in a second circuit and the first circuit is opened. The back EMF of the inductor, limited by a high voltage protective device, causes a rapid rise in the current through the actuator coil, the rise being much faster than could be achieved by merely coupling the supply voltage, as used to establish the current in the inductor, directly to the actuator coil. By proper selection of the controller circuit and its parameters, the initial rapid current rise may continue to a current higher than a steady state current, after which the current will decrease to or toward the lower steady state current until the current pulse is terminated. Various embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: An electromagnetic fuel injection valve for injecting fuel by opening/closing a fuel flow path, includes a valve seat, a valve element for opening/closing the fuel flow path formed between the valve seat and the valve element, and a drive unit having at least one coil for driving the valve element. The drive unit includes a first magnetomotive force generating device using the at least one coil and a second magnetomotive force generating device, the first magnetomotive force generating device and the second magnetomotive force generating device being composed so that the first magnetomotive force generating device generates and raises its magnetomotive force at a larger rate of change in time in comparison with the second magnetomotive force generating device. A valve open state is held by the second magnetomotive force generating device which uses a smaller current flow in comparison with the first magnetomotive force generating device.

Abstract: A drive circuit for energizing an engine fuel injector coil from a power source which has energy storage means responsive to a first control signal for selectively storing energy from the power source, and means responsive to a second control signal for selectively discharging energy stored in the energy storage means into said injector coil. The stored energy is discharged into the injector coil in addition to energy from the power source, to more rapidly open the fuel injector. In a preferred embodiment, the circuit has an inductor in circuit with the fuel injector, an inductor driver switch to control the flow of current through the inductor and an injector driver switch to control the flow of current through the fuel injector.

Abstract: A fuel injector control circuit and method include first switching circuitry (128, 134, 138, 142, 148, 152, 154) to selectively apply a first electrical signal (171) to a solenoid (114) to vary a load signal (176) between a first maximum (201) threshold and a first minimum (203) threshold. Second switching circuitry (130, 132, 136, 140, 148, 154) to selectively applies a second electrical signal (198) to the load (114) to vary the load signal (176) between a second maximum (205) threshold and a second minimum (207) threshold. The second electrical signal (198) has a magnitude substantially higher than the first electrical signal. Preferably, the second maximum threshold (205) has a magnitude less than a magnitude of the first maximum threshold (201), and greater than a magnitude of the first minimum threshold (203), and the second minimum threshold (207) has a magnitude less than the magnitude of the first minimum threshold (203).

Abstract: A start-assist circuit for increasing the fuel-injection voltage during the startup of an internal combustion engine having fuel injectors, a starter solenoid, and a battery is provided. The boost circuit receives the battery DC power and then boosts the battery voltage to provide an output having a level sufficient for a fuel injection solenoid during the start process.

Abstract: A second operation mode without a hold period is used for starting up an engine when the ambient temperature is extremely low so that an electromagnetic coil remains fed with the current until the valve opening is completed, thus ensuring elimination of an injection valve cling up. A full opening of the injection valve is recognized by detecting a decrease of a coil current in the electromagnetic coil. The lower the temperature where the cling up is hardly eliminated in a short period, the longer the energizing period for the coil is provided. Consequently, such an event as failing to eliminate the cling up due to too short of the energizing period will be prevented.

Abstract: A method for controlling drive of an injector for an internal combustion engine which is capable of reducing a minimum injection quantity available for the control to increase a dynamic range of the injector is disclosed. A voltage across a solenoid coil is stepwise increased when a drive pulse is generated, so that a current fed to the solenoid coil is increased to a level higher than that of the drive current at the time when an injection valve starts port opening operation. Then, the drive current is gradually reduced toward a hold value required to hold the injection valve at a port opening position at a time-based variation ratio less than that of the drive current at the time when the voltage across the solenoid coil is stepwise decreased from a peak value, so that the voltage is stepwise reduced at the time when the drive pulse is extinguished, resulting in the drive current being extinguished.

Abstract: A fuel injection injector controller comprises high voltage generation means for stepping up voltage based on electric power from a power supply to generate a voltage higher than the power supply, first switching means being disposed on a power supply passage from the high voltage generation means to an injector for conducting when a valve of the injector is opened upon reception of a drive signal, negative voltage generation means for generating a negative-polarity voltage, and second switching means being disposed on a power supply passage from the negative voltage generation means to the injector for conducting when the valve of the injector is closed upon reception of the drive signal.

Abstract: A fuel injector control system for a cylinder injection type internal combustion engine capable of suppressing a concentrative heat generation at a voltage generating circuit, which system includes a sensor means (1) for detecting operation state of the internal combustion engine to thereby output engine operation state information (D), a control parameter arithmetic means (2) for determining arithmetically a fuel supply quantity and a fuel injection timing for the engine on the basis of the engine operation state information (D), a plurality of cylinder injection type fuel injectors (61 to 66) for injecting fuel directly and individually to cylinders (#1 to #6) of the engine, a driving circuit (5) for driving electrically the fuel injectors (61 to 66) in response to control signals (C1, . . . , C6) outputted from the control parameter arithmetic means (2), and a voltage generating circuit (4) for supplying fuel injection signals (J1, . . . , J6) to the fuel injectors (61, . . .

Abstract: A method of calibrating an injector driver system including an injector driver circuit, a logic device connected to an input line of the injector driver circuit, and an information storage device associated with the logic device, involves testing the injector driver circuit once assembled. A predetermined test is connected to the injector driver circuit. A pulse width modulated signal having a predetermined duty cycle is applied to the input line of the injector driver circuit and the corresponding current level through the test load is measured. A value indicative of the measured current level is stored in the information storage device for later retrieval during operation of the injector driver system.

Abstract: A fuel supply controller includes a passage connecting an engine and a fuel tank. An electromagnetic valve is provided in the passage to open and close the passage in stages. The controller controls the electric current flowing through the electromagnetic valve based on information related to the amount of fuel flowing from the fuel tank to the engine.

Abstract: A solenoid driving apparatus includes at least two solenoids of which driving periods do not overlap, a driving unit for driving each solenoid, and a signal generating unit for giving the driving unit a control signal information of each solenoid. The driving unit includes circuit sections jointly used with regard to the driving of each solenoid, and drives each solenoid based on the control signal information corresponding to each solenoid. The signal generating unit generates the control signal information of each solenoid which is given to the driving unit based on the drive pulse signal corresponding to each solenoid. Also, while a control signal information is given to the driving unit based on the drive pulse signal corresponding to one solenoid, the signal generating unit does not accept the input of any drive pulse signal even when a drive pulse corresponding to the other solenoid is generated by a noise.

Abstract: .?.A circuit comprising a switch series connected to a load; a first and second current recirculating branch alternately connectable parallel to the load, for reducing the current in the same; and a logic control unit for opening and closing the switch and recirculating branches, so that the load is supplied with a current rising to a peak value and then falling rapidly to and oscillating about a lower hold value; a transistor being provided for reducing the voltage supplied to the load by the first recirculating branch at the end of the fast fall phase, so as to eliminate uncontrollable operating zones and prevent the load current from falling below the hold value..!..Iadd.A device for driving an inductive load such as a fuel injector includes a drive switch and a voltage regulator that are coupled to the inductive load. The device also includes a control circuit that is coupled to the voltage regulator, the drive switch, and the inductive load.