Abstract: A system and method for driving a relay circuit involves driving a relay circuit using a first driver circuit if a voltage of a battery supply for the relay circuit is lower than a voltage threshold and driving the relay circuit using a second driver circuit if the voltage of the battery supply for the relay circuit is higher than the voltage threshold.

Abstract: A circuit configuration is provided for switching valves with joint pulse width modulation and quenching, having a first switch to which a pulse width modulation is applied for controlling magnetic fields of a plurality of valve inductors connected to the circuit configuration; a plurality of second switches by which the circuit configuration is able to be switched between a slow and a rapid quenching of the magnetic fields of the inductors; and a diode which is in the conducting state when the second switches are in a switching state for a slow quenching of the magnetic fields of the inductors, and which is no longer parallel to the inductors when the second switches are in a switching state for a rapid quenching of the magnetic fields of the inductors.

Abstract: A control unit has a closed-loop controller which is connected to a regulating electrovalve by way of a feedback branch, forming a closed-loop control circuit, in order to regulate the electrical coil current of the regulating electrovalve. The armature of the electrovalve is used to adjust a desired volume flow in a motor vehicle hydraulic device. The armature of the regulating electrovalve is continuously subjected to an armature oscillation in order to reduce the static friction and/or magnetic hysteresis. Inside the closed-loop controller of the closed-loop control circuit itself, the nominal current, which is supplied to the closed-loop controller on the input side as a command variable, is subjected to a dither signal generated inside the closed-loop controller for producing the armature oscillation, essentially synchronously to the clock cycle of the closed-loop controller.

Abstract: The invention relates to a technique for discerning a status of an armature of a high-speed solenoid at any time during its operational cycle. In high speed solenoids, motion of an armature does not occur until after a finite and indeterminate lapse of time after application of a driving voltage. In the present invention, a pulsed driving voltage is used to drive the solenoid. A resultant current in a coil of the solenoid exhibits discontinuities in its rate of change when the armature moves. Occurrences of the discontinuities are used to produce control signals and coordinate operation of the solenoids and other controllable events. Occurrence of these discontinuities exactly correlates with armature motion. Consequently, time lapse between application of voltage and motion of the armature becomes inconsequential in design of a control system. In other words, control and coordination of operation of high-speed solenoids can be performed without consideration of uncertainties of the time lapse.

Abstract: A method of detecting and attempting to correct a relay tack weld failure of its contacts is presented. This method senses the failure of a relay's contacts to open once it has been commanded to trip. This sensing may directly sense relay conditions, or may indirectly determine the failure by sensing a system parameter that shows the effects of the failure. Once the failure of the relay to open has been determined, the relay is again energized in an attempt to break loose the relay tack weld. If the relay fails to open after this first attempt, the relay may again be repulsed. Preferably a relay check timer is utilized to ensure that the system has stabilized before a repulse is attempted. A relay pulse timer may be used to control the pulse duration during these attempts. The number of attempts may also be limited.

Abstract: A method for driving a plurality of actuators having an output stage having multiple channels, by way of whose channels boost currents are conveyed to the actuators. In this method, a check is made as to whether rising edges of multiple boost currents are present simultaneously (rising edge collision). Upon the identification of simultaneously present rising edges, at least one of the boost currents is conveyed in time-offset fashion to the associated actuator.

Abstract: In an operation circuit of an electromagnetic switching device, when electric energy is discharged by discharge switches connected in series, respectively, to opening coils and closing coils, an induction current flowing in a direction opposite to a current of the coil of the excitation side is generated. The current flows through the coil on the non-excitation side due to magnetic coupling, and a magnetic flux necessary for driving is cancelled, thereby inhibiting generation of a driving force. The operation circuit includes first and second opening and closing coils, so that a moving element may be driven between those coils. This circuit includes a circuit for suppressing an over-voltage at the moment of interrupting an excitation current of a first coil and for interrupting an induction current generated through the first coil at the time of exciting the second coil.

Abstract: A power switching control device and methods for using the same to control a magnetic actuator within a power switching device are disclosed. The power switching control device uses a series of modulated current pulses to control a magnetic actuator within a power switching device. The power switching control device inputs a power signal and applies a series of modulated current pulses through the coil of the magnetic actuator in a first direction such that the actuator moves from a first position to a second position. Certain operating characteristics of a power switching device can be ascertained by analyzing the impedance of the magnetic actuator coil within the power switching device. The power switching device control device also has an improved energy management system therein. In this manner, the controller includes a voltage regulator that has the ability to switch between operating modes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a control method for the electrical actuator of a variable valve train, the actuator being embodied in the form of a worm gear in which a sensor detects a position value (measured position value) of an eccentric shaft, a control difference is generated in a feedback branch with the use of the measured position value, and the electrical actuator is actuated. To suppress interferences in the control system, an observer value is formed that is associated with the position value from the pulse duty factor of the pulse-width modulation. The observer value is composed to a comparison value formed from the measured position value. The detected measured position value is not accepted if the deviation of the observer value from the comparison value exceeds a defined limit.

Abstract: A disclosed battery supply control unit comprises a large current relay in which an excitation current continuously flows when it is in its connecting state and a small current relay in which a limited excitation current flows only at the time of changeover between its connecting state and non-connecting state. If loads require a large current, the large current relay and small current relay are maintained in the connecting state, and if the loads do not require the large current, the large current relay is maintained in the non-connecting state while the small current relay is maintained in the connecting state at least in a predetermined time.

Abstract: An arrangement for driving a pair of actuator solenoids or coils of a gas valve having two or more solenoids employs a microprocessor or similar controller and an driver circuit. An output terminal of the microprocessor provides a steady low for OFF and a pulsating output signal for ON. A transistor switching device is gated by the microprocessor, drives the first solenoid as its collector load. A rectifying diode connects the first solenoid to an accumulator capacitor, which ramps up from flyback pulses that pass through the rectifier. A negative resistance discharge device conducts when the accumulated voltage exceeds a threshold to energize the second solenoid. In a favorable embodiment the impedance of the second solenoid is higher than the first solenoid. In a second embodiment, the actuator circuit for the second solenoid can be a voltage doubling flyback driven relaxation oscillator.

Abstract: A dual solenoid-based linear motion actuator has a single input for supplying both electrical power and positioning signals for a pair of solenoid coils. A binary control signal alternates between first and second voltage levels, one of which is used for powering the dual solenoid actuator and its control electronics, and also for controllably displacing a movable element to a first of a pair of spaced apart positions terminated by electrically conductive stops. The moveable element is electrically coupled to the second voltage level so that contact with either of the stops will apply the second electrical voltage level to control logic circuitry. The actuator's input terminal is coupled to an electrical energy storage circuit, such as a battery and/or capacitor in parallel with the battery, that serves as the power supply for the actuator, extracting and storing power necessary for operating the control circuitry and energizing the solenoid coils.