Abstract: A drive circuit is provided in a full H-bridge and half H-bridge configuration for controlling one or more piezoelectric fuel injectors. The drive circuit includes a voltage input for receiving a voltage signal, an energy storage device coupled to the voltage input for storing an electrical charge, a bidirectional current path coupled to one or more piezoelectric injectors, an inductor coupled in series with the piezoelectric injector(s) in the bidirectional current path, and switching circuitry for controlling current flow through the piezoelectric injector(s) and the inductor to open and close the piezoelectric injector(s). The switching circuitry is controlled to provide a recirculation current to recover energy stored in the piezoelectric injector(s) for storage in the energy storage device.

Abstract: Electronic circuit arrangement for controlling at least one actuator, in particular for controlling the valves and/or the injectors of an injection system of an internal combustion engine, having at least one driver circuit (1, 2) with a control input (control line 1, control line 2) and a resetting input (RESET) for electrically controlling the actuator as a function of the data which is incoming at the control input (control line 1, control line 2), a control unit (3, 4) which is connected at the output end to the resetting input (RESET) via a resetting line and to the control input (control line 1, control line 2) of the driver circuit (1, 2) via a control line, and having a signal input (Kl15) which is connected internally to the control unit (3, 4) for the external connection of a switching element, the control unit (3, 4) placing the driver circuit (1, 2) in a predefined state when the switching element is activated via the resetting line, the signal input for the switching element being connected to th

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for electromagnetically actuating engine valves to obtain soft seating. The magnitude and duration of current pulses applied to the armature attracting coils are determined based upon a total mechanical energy and a total energy loss of the armature obtained from the armature position.

Abstract: A solenoid with two magnetically separate yoke regions, providing two distinct armature latching positions, is driven by a single effective winding. In one embodiment, the yoke regions consist of U-cores on either side of the armature and a single winding consisting of multiple turns, each turn looping through both U-cores and looping around the ends of the armature. In a second embodiment, distinct winding regions associated with the separate yoke regions are interconnected in series to make a single effective winding. Passage of the armature across a defined central position of minimum inductance is detected electrically, permitting a determination of absolute flux at a position of known inductance and thereby initializing a flux integration over time.

Abstract: There is suggested a simple and cost-economical circuit arrangement for specifying the current through an inductive component, in which the inductive component is acted on by the supply voltage through a switching element. To ensure a rapid and reliable increase of the current in a first phase of the current supply phase, the inductive component is acted on by a constant voltage generated by a constant voltage source during the first phase of the current supply phase, and is acted on by the supply voltage during a subsequent second phase of the current supply phase.

Abstract: When a solenoid drive current I is controlled toward a certain target current value IT, overshoot and undershoot relative to the target current value are repeated such that the current settles down to the target current value. The solenoid drive current is so controlled as to settle down to the target current value after the current is swung up and down. As a result, the attracting force settles down to the midway point of the variation between the attracting force characteristics in the current-increasing direction and the current-reducing direction, respectively, of the solenoid actuator. The hysteresis characteristics can be canceled out.

Abstract: A valve timing control system for an internal combustion engine is provided which is capable of ensuring reliable holding of a valve by an actuator, and attaining energy saving by efficient operation of the actuator. The valve timing control system controls valve-closing timing of a valve opened by a cam provided on a camshaft, by temporarily holding the valve. A response delay of the actuator is predicted as a response delay prediction value. Output timing is set in which a drive signal for driving the actuator is output, according to the predicted response delay prediction value. Holding timing is controlled in which the valve is held by the actuator, by outputting the drive signal to the actuator, based on the set output timing.

Abstract: A protective control unit for controlling a highside-output transistor and a lowside-output transistor connected in series is provided. The highside-output transistor has a first main electrode region connected to a power supply, a second main electrode region and a first control electrode. The lowside-output transistor has a third main electrode region connected to the second main electrode region, a fourth electrode region connected to ground and a second control electrode. And an inductive load is connected to a connecting point between the second and the third electrode regions. The protective control unit of the present invention has a highside-drive circuit. The highside-drive circuit pulls out charges stored in the highside-output transistor, through the first control electrode, during the periods when the highside-output transistor is in the end of reverse conducting state and reverse recovery state.

Abstract: A monitoring system monitors a microcomputer in which an angle calculator calculates the electrical angle of a motor using output signals from a rotation angle sensor. In the microcomputer, a control signal generator generates a coded control signal that indicates the range to which the calculated electrical angle belongs. In the monitoring system, the electrical angle detected by the rotation angle sensor is multiplied by an excitation signal provided for the rotation angle sensor, and an angle detector detects the resultant signals. Based on the detected signals, a supervisory signal generator outputs a coded supervisory signal that indicates the range to which the electrical angle detected by the rotation angle sensor belongs. Then a fault detector determines that a failure occurs in the microcomputer, if a comparator determines that the coded control signal disagrees with the coded supervisory signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to achieve an electro-mechanical interlock for a hot-swappable component. This invention prevents the misuse and possible damage to the hot-swappable component or the host data processing system due to incorrect insertion or removal of an energized hot-swappable component. One embodiment of the invention involves a method to assemble a hot-swappable power supply with an electro-mechanical interlock into the frame of a data processing system. A second embodiment of the invention involves a method to fabricate an electro-mechanical interlock with a solenoid. A third embodiment of the invention involves a hot-swappable component interlock.

Abstract: A controller for an electromagnetic actuator is provided that enables detection of a minute movement of the armature leaving the seating position and carries out pullback operation responsive to such detection. The electromagnetic actuator has a pair of springs acting on opposite directions, and an armature coupled to a mechanical element such as a exhaust/intake valve of an automobile engine. The armature is held in a neutral position given by the springs when the actuator is not activated. The actuator includes a pair of electromagnets for driving the armature between two end positions. The controller having current supplying means for supplying holding current to the electromagnet corresponding to one of the end positions when holding the armature in said one of the end positions.

Abstract: A relay controller intermittently connects a power supply across a relay coil with a controlled duty cycle whenever the relay coil is to generate a magnetic field for opening or closing the relay's contacts. The duty cycle with which the controller connects the power supply across the coil controls limits a steady-state amplitude of current passing through the coil, thereby controlling the intensity of the magnetic field the coil generates.

Abstract: A method for controlling electromagnetic actuators for operating induction and exhaust valves in internal combustion engines where one actuator, connected to a control unit, is coupled to a respective valve having a real position and includes a movable element magnetically driven by means of a resultant force to control the movement of the said valve between a closure position and a fully open position; the control unit is further connected to a piloting unit and includes a supervision block, an open loop control block, a closed loop control block and a selector block commanded by a switching signal generated by the supervision block. The method includes the steps of: operating in an open loop control mode of the real position; operating in a closed loop control mode of the real position; and alternatively selecting the open loop control mode and the closed loop control mode.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for effecting an electronic drive control of a drive coil of a protection system using an electronic device which comprises a microcontroller. The aim of the invention is to increase the serviceable life of a protection system. To this end, the invention uses a randomly selected and constantly changing delay time (tx) that occurs after a time (t2, t3) at which the supply voltage is established on the electronic device.

Abstract: An adaptive electrical manifold is comprised of switchbox assemblies containing a plurality of non-volatile MEMS relay switches, apparatus for controlling these switches, and apparatus for controlling a daisy-chained group of switchbox assemblies.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining a failure of an electromagnetic clutch, which is capable of properly determining whether or not a failure, a typically a layer short-circuit, has occurred due to a change in a resistance value of a solenoid coil of the electromagnetic clutch. The electromagnetic clutch is configured such that the engagement force thereof is varied according to an amount of current flowing through the coil. An output control value for control of the amount of current is calculated by feedback control such that an actual amount of current actually flowing through the coil becomes equal to a desired amount of current. A predetermined reference control value is stored which defines a standard for the output control value and has a standard relationship with respect to the amount of current. The actual amount of current is detected. The calculated output control value is compared with the predetermined reference control value corresponding to the detected actual amount of current.

Abstract: An electronic drive control used for controlling a drive coil of a contactor during holding operation with a pulse-width modulation. The interval time for the pulse-width modulation is temporally changed or the pulse-width ratio is continuously changed. The invention may minimize the holding power in the case of high voltages without the occurrence of problems associated with EMC and without reducing the functional reliability.

Abstract: So that an actuator drive which holds an actuator element for actuating, for example, a charge cycle valve of an internal combustion engine, in a limit position by a coil, can be switched at the correct time into the other limit position, the energization of the coil is switched off a certain time period before the time at which the actuator element is to be released from the limit position. Here, the time period is selected as a function of the supply voltage of the actuator drive and/or of the coil current during the holding in the limit position. It is also possible to adapt the time period.

Abstract: An improved method for controlling the landing velocity of an armature in an electromechanical actuator, such as a fuel injector, fuel pressure regulator, or engine valve actuator is provided. The position and velocity of an armature during a stroke is dynamically estimated by calculating the inductance and rate of change of inductance of the actuator coil in real-time as the armature moves through its stroke, compensating for non-linear permeability and magnetization effects due to changing gap, temperature, magnetic material properties or magnetic architecture, normalizing the calculated inductance value at the end of a stroke (zero gap), and mapping the value of normalized inductance to correspond to an armature position by an algebraic transformation. Inductance may be used directly as a position variable without mapping it to units of position. Rate of change of inductance may be used as a rate variable without mapping it to units of velocity.

Abstract: A drive control circuit for an electromagnetic driving device includes a magnet and a drive coil, which moves due to an electromagnetic force when an electrical current flows therethrough. The drive control circuit may include (1) a drive circuit that feeds an electrical current to the drive coil, the drive circuit including at least one voltage source, and (2) a short-circuit system that short-circuits the drive coil. The short-circuit system releases the short-circuited condition of the drive coil in accordance with an output voltage of the at least one voltage source.

Abstract: An electromechanical relay including a mechanical displacement electrical contact and a transistor parallel-connected with the electrical contact. The contact is closed for a voltage V corresponding to the forward direction of the transistor and a powering-on of the transistor that starts before the closure of the contact and ends after the closure. The contact is opened for a voltage V corresponding to the forward direction of the transistor and a powering-on of the transistor that starts before the closure of the contact and ends after the closure. Such an electromechanical relay may find particular application to electromechanical switches, hybrid relays.

Abstract: Electrical energy is charged to a dielectric by using an energizing unit. A relay apparatus includes a first electromagnetic relay and a second electromagnetic relay. One light-emitting transistor is turned on by self-maintaining the second electromagnetic relay and, then, one light-receiving transistor is turned on. Another light-emitting diode is turned on by discharging the dielectric and another light-receiving transistor is turned on. A power voltage is applied to a base of a transistor for start, and the transistor for start is turned on. The first electromagnetic relay is self-maintained, an interval between output terminals is energized, and a load is driven. Accordingly, the relay apparatus can be miniaturized with a safety function and with low costs.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method which consists in using an injector supplied with fuel whereof the pressure (Pcarb) is an increasing function of the amount of fuel (Q) to be injected, the opening of the injector being electromagnetically triggered by energizing the electric coil integral with the injector with a current peak of predetermined duration (T1). The invention is characterized in that the duration (T1) of the current peak in an increasing function of the pressure (Pcarb) of the fuel. Thus, the dynamics of the injector is increased.

Abstract: A fuel injector control system and method provides precise fuel injection timing while eliminating the need for a voltage regulator by estimating or predicting ramp times between voltage application and actual fuel injection. In one embodiment, an estimated ramp time injection is calculated from a measured voltage and is used to delay or advance application of the voltage on the coil so that the load current reaches a desired current level at a desired injection start time. In another embodiment, an actual ramp time for a given injection is measured and used to predict future ramp times. A current regulator prevents excessive emissions from being generated when controlling the load current.

Abstract: A solenoid control circuit that includes two switching networks that are selectively opened and closed in a current limit cycle to control the magnitude of the current flowing through the solenoid. The configuration of the switching networks is such that current flows through an energy dissipating resistor only when the solenoid is commanded off by the solenoid control circuit, and not during the current limit cycle. Thus, the energy dissipated by this resistor is reduced relative to other solenoid control circuits, making it more efficient, and reducing EMI emissions from the circuit while providing for a fast solenoid response.

Abstract: A switching device includes a pair of fixed coils and a pair of movable coils, with one pair being disposed between the other pair. Two of the coils may be connected back to back on opposite sides of a support plate to increase the stiffness of the coils and reduce damage due to impact between the fixed and movable coils. The coils include two sets of coils, each set including one of the fixed coils and one of the movable coils. The coil sets can be driven simultaneously or at different times to effect contact opening and closing.

Abstract: A method for control of an injector in an internal combustion engine in which for a specific engine cycle, a control unit calculates a desired value of the opening time of the injector and forwards this desired value to a drive circuit of the injector, a supervision device calculates an actual value of the opening time of the injector during the injection phase, compares this actual value with the desired value and generates an error signal if the difference between the desired value and the actual value is outside a predetermined acceptability range.

Abstract: A control circuit for an actuator (1, 1.1, 1.2), in particular for an electromagnetic actuator for an injector of an injection system for an internal combustion engine, having a power supply (Vbat) and a first switching element (Q1), which is connected to the actuator (1, 1.1, 1.2) and to the power supply (Vbat), for switching the actuator (1, 1.1, 1.2) on or off, with the first switching element (Q1) being driven by a control signal (Vin), and having an energy storage element (C1), which is connected to the actuator (1, 1.1, 1.2), for temporary storage of at least a part of the energy which is stored in the actuator (1, 1.1, 1.2), while switching off the actuator (1, 1.1, 1.2) or for feeding back at least a part of the temporarily stored energy while the actuator (1, 1.1, 1.2) is once again switched on.

Abstract: Minimizing fuel injector opening time greatly improves fuel efficiency and performance. Pre-charging the fuel injector solenoid is an inexpensive means of reducing opening time. The solenoid is pre-charged to a level that is slightly below a current level that would move an armature located near the solenoid for a known period. A larger current is then applied to the solenoid which moves the armature quickly to an open position. A current is then applied that is less than the pre-charging or valve-opening current to hold the armature in a open position. Finally, all current is removed from the solenoid, allowing the armature to return to a closed position.

Abstract: A method and device for estimating magnetic flux in an electromagnetic actuator for controlling an engine valve, whereby the actuating body, made at least partly of ferromagnetic material, is moved towards at least one electromagnet by the force of magnetic attraction generated by the electromagnet; and the value of the magnetic flux through a magnetic circuit defined by the electromagnet and by the actuating body is estimated by measuring the values assumed by various electric quantities of an electric circuit connected to the magnetic circuit, calculating the time derivative of the magnetic flux as a linear combination of the values of the electric quantities, and integrating in time the derivative of the magnetic flux.

Abstract: A method and device for driving an injector in an internal combustion engine in which a current wave which is variable over time, which comprises an initial section substantially of a pulse type and having a relatively high current intensity, an intermediate section during which the current intensity is rapidly reduced to substantially zero values and a final section having a substantially constant and relatively low current intensity, is caused to circulate through a control circuit of the injector.

Abstract: The target peak current value, where a current value is reduced in conformity to a drop in the voltage of a battery 18 is stored in target peak current storage unit 68. ON-signals are sent from current control circuit 56 to power transistor 50 in response to the injection command pulse coming from engine controller 58 so that current is applied to coil 20. Then, the current flowing to coil 20 is detected by the current detecting resistor 52. Comparator 62 compares this detected current and the target peak current value read from the target peak current storage unit 68 conforming to the voltage of battery 18. If agreement is found between these two values, OFF-signals are sent to power transistor 50 from current control circuit 56 in response to the switching command coming from comparator 62. Then, On/Off signals to effect holding of the coil 20 are sent from current control circuit 56 to power transistor 50. The linearity of the injection volume despite changes in battery voltage can be maintained.

Abstract: A micromechanical electrical systems (MEMS) metallic micromachined multiple ported electrical switch receivable on the die of an integrated circuit and within the integrated circuit package for controlling radio frequency signal paths among a plurality of switch-enabled different path choices. The switch provides desirably small signal losses in both the switch open and switch closed conditions. The switch is primarily of the single pole multiple throw mechanical type with possible use as a single input pole, multiple output poles device and provision for grounding open nodes in the interest of limiting capacitance coupling across the switch in its open condition. Cantilever beam switch element suspension is included along with normally open and normally closed switch embodiments, electrostatic switch actuation and signal coupling through the closed switch by way of increased inter electrode capacitance coupling. Switch operation from direct current to a frequency above ten gigahertz is accommodated.

Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator with a control circuit, a combinational circuit and a power section as well as with a magnetic coil, which is connected via electrical lines to the output of the power section, the output signal of the control circuit is passed on to the power section only when, in addition to the output signal of the control circuit, the combinational circuit is fed a release signal. For safety reasons, current is to flow via the magnetic coil only when the release signal is simultaneously available. For monitoring the effectiveness of the combination of the output signal of the control circuit connected upstream of the power section with the release signal with respect to the current flow via the magnetic coil, the voltage of that line which is supplied with the operating voltage on activation of the power section is fed to an evaluation circuit. The evaluation circuit has a threshold switch, which converts the voltage fed to it into a switching signal.

Abstract: A fuel injector coil control circuit includes high side and low side gates. The current through the coil is increased while being monitored by low side shunt circuitry. The current continues to increase until a predetermined value is reached. When the predetermined value is reached, the low side gate is switched off and the current begins to decay. The off time of the low side gate is controlled for a predetermined period of time. After the predetermined period of time elapses, the low side gate is switched back on, causing the current to rise again toward the predetermined value.

Abstract: Device for energising a number of coils (1) of a hook selection device for a weaving machine, comprising an electrical power supply source (V1) connected to the coils (1) and a regulating device for regulating the current intensity in the coils, comprising for each coil: a comparator (3) for comparing the current intensity in the coil (1) to a reference current intensity, and a controllable current regulator (e.g. a chopper transistor (M1)) provided for regulating the current intensity in the coil (1) in order to reach or approach this reference current intensity, whereas said regulating device comprises an electronic control circuit (2a, 2b) that is provided to control the current regulator (M1) of each coil (1) of a number of coils, in order to reduce a variance between the actual current intensity in that coil (1) and the reference current intensity measured by the comparator (3) of that coil (1).

Abstract: A control system for an electromagnetic actuator actuates an intake or exhaust valve. The actuator includes first and second electromagnets which develop an electromagnetic attraction force the strengths of which depend on the amount of current supplied thereto. A spring biases an armature between the electromagnets to a neutral position therebetween. The control system comprises a control circuit which (a) controls the amount of current supplied to the first electromagnet thereby restricting a moving velocity of the armature, at a first stage in a course of changing the armature from a first position to a second position; and (b) supplies current to the second electromagnet at a timing at which the armature approaches the second electromagnet upon the biasing force of the spring thereby attracting the armature to the second position, at a second stage in the course of changing the armature from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling an electromagnetic device is disclosed. The system includes provisions for diagnosing problems, sensing malfunctions, and monitoring faults that may occur within the system and the controlled electromagnetic device. The system provides various forms of feedback to a user. The system includes back-up operating systems in cases of failure.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a controller for an internal combustion engine having a fuel injection system, which can realize an optimum injection even with a smaller inductance of a solenoid due to a smaller fuel injection valve (injector) and has a good property of minimum amount of fuel injection.

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: The device compares a voltage representative of the supply voltage of the electromagnet with two distinct inrush thresholds and a drop-out threshold. As soon as this voltage reaches one of the inrush thresholds, the device commands switching to an inrush phase of preset duration. The first inrush threshold is representative of a voltage of about 40 to 50% of the rated supply voltage of the electromagnet, whereas the second inrush threshold is representative of 70 to 85% of this voltage. The same control device can thus be used with both an under-voltage release and a shunt release or for a circuit breaker closing electromagnet.

Abstract: The switching point in a high or medium voltage switch contains two stationary switch pieces which are of cylindrical design and led coaxially into one another, to form an annular gap. A movable bridge switch piece constructed in the form of a contact ring fits into the annular gap when the switching point is closed. An electrodynamic drive comprising two coils moves the contact ring in the axial direction. By virtue of the low mass of the contact ring, the single moving part of the switching point can be switched on and off very quickly and efficiently.

Abstract: An electromagnetic operator includes first and second coils wound coaxially. An armature partially surrounds the coils for channeling flux during energization of the coils. The armature may be formed of a bent plate and secured to a ferromagnetic support. A control circuit applies energizing signals to the coils during operation. Both coils are energized during an initial phase of operation. One of the coils is subsequently released or de-energized automatically. A timing circuit removes current from the second coil after a variable time period. The time period may be a function of the configuration of the timing circuit, such as an RC time constant, and of the energizing signal.

Abstract: The servo mechanism has an adjuster (12) and a driver (11). The driver has at least one electromagnet with a coil (113), a movable armature plate (117) and at least one spring (118a, 118b) which biases the armature plate toward a given rest position (R). A deceleration field is produced by the coil while the armature plate is moving away from the coil, and does so for a given period of time (T2).

Abstract: In an impact actuator, a piezoelectric device is driven by providing a relatively large difference between the charging time for charging the piezoelectric device in the direction of polarization and the charging time in the reverse direction of polarization. Owing to the elasticity of the piezoelectric device and a driving member, an expansion speed becomes different from a contraction speed, so that a driven member engaged with the driving member by a friction force can be moved relative to the driving member.

Abstract: A circuit for controlling a valve assembly in applications where electrical isolation of the two control signal supply lines is required to prevent damage of control circuits caused by a reverse polarity feedback signal or other transient signal. The circuit includes a solenoid having a coil. The coil has a first end and a second end. The circuit also includes a first switching circuit electrically connected to the first and second ends of the coil to allow current to pass therethrough in a first direction to move a permanent magnet against a pushpin a first axial direction. The circuit further includes a second switching circuit electrically connected to the first and second ends of the coil to allow a current to pass therethrough in a second direction to move the permanent magnet away from the pushpin in a second axial direction. Further, when either switching circuit is allowing current to flow through the coil, it electrically isolates one negative control source from the other.

Abstract: The current-regulator circuit generates a supply current by means of clocked setting electronics and by means of control electronics which deliver a pulse-width-modulated clock signal. The setting electronics comprise a storage choke and a smoothing capacitor coupled thereto. By means of two electronic switches of the setting electronics, a first potential and a second potential are applied alternately to the storage choke, so that a current flowing through the storage choke has an AC component flowing through the smoothing capacitor and a DC component flowing through the excitation circuit, the DC component serving as supply current. The current-regulator circuit proposed is particularly suitable for use in an intrinsically safe and/or field-bus-enabled electromagnetic flowmeter.

Abstract: A single package solenoid includes a package, a solenoid coil, and a control circuit. The solenoid coil and the control circuit are contained in the package. The control circuit is coupled to the solenoid coil and has a control terminal. The control circuit is configured to power the solenoid coil based on a control signal received on the control terminal.

Abstract: The fuel injection system includes an injector 7 to be electromagnetically driven, a control device 2 for outputting a drive signal having first current-carrying time T1 and second current-carrying time T2 to this injector 7, and a drive device 6 for passing a large current to open a valve of the injector 7 during the first current-carrying time T1 and passing a small current to hold the injector 7 in a valve opening state during the second current-carrying time T2. The system is constructed so that the first current-carrying time T1 is set to the time shorter than valve opening required time T0 from a current-carrying start of the injector 7 to full opening and this time difference is set to the value shorter than valve closing operation delay time from a current break of the injector 7 in the case of breaking a current in the first current-carrying time T1 to a start of a valve closing operation.

Abstract: A solenoid driver circuit includes an idling control portion for applying a very low voltage less than an activation threshold value to a solenoid from a switching circuit; a computing portion for computing the resistance value of the solenoid with the current value flowing through the solenoid and the applied voltage; and a constant-current control portion for maintaining the current flowing through the solenoid constant regardless of the temperature of the winding of the solenoid by controlling the output voltage from the switching circuit according to the resistance value. When the solenoid is activated, the supplied current is controlled constant irrespective of the temperature of the winding of the solenoid.