Holding Means Patents (Class 361/194)
  • Publication number: 20090059458
    Abstract: A power supply protecting circuit configured to protect an electronic device includes a normally open switch, a voltage dropping circuit, a first rectifier, and a relay having a coil and switch. A power terminal of the electronic device is connected to a power terminal of a power supply, the other power terminal of the electronic device is connected to the other power terminal of the power supply via the normally open switch. The power terminal of the electronic device is connected to the other power terminal of the electronic device via the voltage dropping circuit, the first rectifier, and the coil of the relay in turn. The switch of the relay is connected in parallel to the normally open switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Applicants: HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: FA-QING XU
  • Publication number: 20090015980
    Abstract: A current detection circuit generates a pulse signal Sd based on a voltage Vd corresponding to a current I flowing through a solenoid coil, and feeds the pulse signal Sd back to a PWM circuit of a switch controller. The PWM circuit generates a pulse signal Sr having a predetermined duty ratio, based on a comparison between the fed back pulse signal Sd and a voltage value corresponding to a first current value or a second current value, and supplies the pulse signal Sr to a pulse supplying unit. The pulse supplying unit supplies the pulse signal Sr as a first pulse signal S1 and/or a second pulse signal S2 to a gate terminal G of a MOSFET.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshihiro FUKANO, Masami Yoshida, Yoshitada Doi, Shigeharu Oide
  • Publication number: 20080212254
    Abstract: A control circuit for a switching device with a relay and a switch. The control circuit is configured in such a way as to produce a hold signal for a predetermined period of time when a start signal is supplied thereto. The control circuit is also configured in such a way as to produce the hold signal for the predefined period of time independently of the course of the start signal during the predefined period of time. The control circuit is also configured in order to activate a switch output when at least one of two conditions is met. The switch enables the relay to be supplied with current when the switch output is activated, otherwise it prevents the relay from being supplied with current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2005
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Bastian Arndt, Ralf Forster, Gunther Wolfarth
  • Publication number: 20080204964
    Abstract: A bistable contactor drive circuit is provided. A series branch comprising a first relay coil and a control signal source is connected to a power supply. A third normally closed contact and an eighth normally opened contact of the first relay are connected to a positive electrode of the power supply, a first normally opened contact and a sixth normally closed contact are connected to a negative electrode of the power supply, a second movable contact is connected to a positive electrode of the bistable contactor coil, and a seventh movable contact thereof is connected to a seventh movable contact of a second relay. A negative electrode of the bistable contactor coil is connected to a second movable contact of the second relay.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2006
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: Emerson Network Power Energy System AB
    Inventor: Jie Huang
  • Publication number: 20080186645
    Abstract: A relay control apparatus includes a relay contact, a relay coil which turns on the relay contact when the relay coil is electrically conducted, and a current control unit which controls a first current and a second current. The first current is larger in a current amount per unit time than the second current. The current control unit controls to flow the first current through the relay coil until a predetermined time has elapsed from a beginning of an electrical conduction of the relay coil. The current control unit controls to start to flow the second current through the relay coil on or before the predetermined time has elapsed to maintain a turn-on state of the relay contact. The predetermined time is longer than a chattering time in which a chattering in the relay contact occurs at the beginning of the electrical conduction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Applicant: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mitsuaki MORIMOTO, Akinori MARUYAMA, Akiyoshi KANAZAWA, Takashi GO HARA
  • Patent number: 7262950
    Abstract: A relay device includes plural relay units, each having a coil for opening/closing a contact point, a base plate made of resin and having wiring metal pieces, and a control circuit mounted on the base plate for controlling current supply to the coil. The control circuit has a function of stabilizing the holding current irrespective of environmental variation. Thus, the holding current can be further reduced and heating and power consumption can be reduced without losing the function of keeping the contact point state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignees: Anden Co., Ltd., Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Hirohisa Suzuki, Koichi Sato, Koichi Tsukada, Manabu Morita, Yoshifuru Nishino
  • Patent number: 7245474
    Abstract: A circuit arrangement and also a method for controlling a bistable magnetic valve in which a magnetic valve is to be supplied with a pulse of electrical current in order to switch over the magnetic valve from a first stable state into a second stable state, comprises a power supply source to provide a supply voltage, a power supply device fed by the power supply source and able to be activated for the duration of the current pulse by an entered control signal (Enable) to create a coil current (I) flowing through the magnetic coil, with the coil current (I) being set to a setpoint, where changeover means are provided in order to reduce the setpoint of the coil current during the current pulse. This advantageously allows the power dissipation of the activation of bistable magnetic valves to be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stephan Bolz, Günter Lugert
  • Patent number: 6985345
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for operation of an electro-magnet (2, 3) connected to an intrinsically safe direct current circuit which can be switched under control between two positions for the operation of the closing body of a hydraulic valve (5, 6), whereby using of an electronic control unit, the coil windings of the electro-magnet (2, 3) are taken in the pull-in phase of the armature of the electro-magnet to an exciting current and in the retaining phase of the armature to a lower retaining current as opposed to the excitating current, and a device with which the retaining current reduction is realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: DBT Automation GmbH
    Inventors: Hemut Hermann, Hans-Udo Rheiner, Jens Titschert
  • Patent number: 6873514
    Abstract: An integrated solenoid system including a single housing containing a solenoid, a controller and one or more electrical connections. The controller includes temperature compensating means and/or voltage compensating means thereby providing predetermined, substantially constant currents to said solenoid. The housing includes an integral two-part end cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Trombetta, LLC
    Inventors: Dennis A. Maller, Todd McMahon
  • Patent number: 6845300
    Abstract: An electromagnetically operated valve assembly (28) has a first solenoid (58) and a second solenoid (60). An armature (56) having a valve stem (54) coupled thereto is positioned between the first solenoid (58) and second solenoid (60). A controller (12) is coupled to the first solenoid (58), the second solenoid (60). A current sensor (49) is coupled to the first solenoid and generated a signal corresponding to the induced current in the first solenoid. The controller (12) changes a voltage applied to the first solenoid from a first polarity to a second polarity. The controller (12) is further configured to hold the voltage at the second polarity for a predetermined time period and a predetermined amplitude to decrease the induced current. The predetermined time period or the predetermined amplitude is determined based on the first signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mohammad Haghgooie, Thomas William Megli, Yan Wang
  • Patent number: 6775114
    Abstract: An electronic drive control apparatus for controlling a drive coil of a contactor includes a microcontroller configured for generating an inverted pulse width modulated signal, and at least one semiconductor switch. A pulse-shaping stage is connected downstream of the microcontroller for varying the pulse width modulated signal. The pulse-shaping stage includes a preselectable RC combination and an inverter connected downstream of the RC combination and having a Schmitt trigger input. A preselection of the RC combination is carried out via a plurality of outputs of the microcontroller to open collector transistor stages of discharge resistors of the RC combination. The pulse width of the driving signal of the semiconductor switch is determined from the inverted pulse width modulated signal and the preselected RC combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Moeller GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Meid, Wilhelm Melchert
  • Patent number: 6760211
    Abstract: Remote activation mechanism for equipment hold down and release, composed of a fixed base (1); a disk with capacity to rotate (2); a ring (3) subdivided in independent segments; a helical torsion spring (4) mounted around the segmented, being in one end joined to the fixed base (1) and the other end to the disk (2); a retainer (5) to attach the hardware, that passes through the fixed base (1) and has means to be blocked by the segmented ring (3); a disk blocking system; and a disk liberation system (2). The disk (2) can potentially rotate from a position in which the helical torsion spring (4) is loaded hugging radially the segmented ring (3), up to a position in which the helical torsion spring (4) is unloaded, allowing the ring segments move radially away to release the retainer (5). The disk blocking system can be based on rollers or balls (12) with possibility of being inserted partially in disk grooves or in crown grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Sener, Ingenieria Y Sistemas, S.A.
    Inventors: Jose Ignacio Bueno Ruiz, Javier Vazquez Mato
  • Patent number: 6678142
    Abstract: An actuator has an actuating element and an actuating drive with an electromagnet with a coil. An armature, which can be coupled to the actuating element, can move between a first contact surface on the electromagnet and a second contact surface. An initial current or a higher holding current flows through the coil until a time at which the armature plate is reliably in contact with the contact surface of the electromagnet. An operating state of high-speed current reduction is then selected, wherein the opposite polarity of the supply voltage in comparison to the initial current flow is applied to the coil. A holding current then flows through the coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Torsten Aign, Jürgen Bastian, Thomas Burkhardt, Michael Kilger
  • Patent number: 6576951
    Abstract: Quantum computing systems and methods that use opposite magnetic moment states read the state of a qubit by applying current through the qubit and measuring a Hall effect voltage across the width of the current. For reading, the qubit is grounded to freeze the magnetic moment state, and the applied current is limited to pulses incapable of flipping the magnetic moment. Measurement of the Hall effect voltage can be achieved with an electrode system that is capacitively coupled to the qubit. An insulator or tunnel barrier isolates the electrode system from the qubit during quantum computing. The electrode system can include a pair of electrodes for each qubit. A readout control system uses a voltmeter or other measurement device that connects to the electrode system, a current source, and grounding circuits. For a multi-qubit system, selection logic can select which qubit or qubits are read.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: D-Wave Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Zdravko Ivanov, Alexander Tzalentchuk, Jeremy P. Hilton, Alexander Maassen van den Brink
  • Patent number: 6256185
    Abstract: An electrical control module and circuit for controlling a solenoid. The control circuit provides a constant voltage to a solenoid for a predetermined time period after which a pulse width modulated voltage is supplied. The circuit further includes components for reverse polarity protection, transient voltage protection, low gate drive voltage protection, reduced heat dissipation and improved magnetic drive under low input voltage conditions during application of the pulse width modulated voltage. The module may be used in conjunction with a single coil or a dual coil solenoid. The circuit may be utilized on a 12 volt or a 24 volt electrical system without adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Trombetta, LLC
    Inventor: Dennis A. Maller
  • Patent number: 6166896
    Abstract: A method of increasing a cast-off speed of an armature from a pole of an electromagnet of an electromagnetic actuator, includes the following steps: holding the armature at the pole against a force of a resetting device by maintaining an electric holding current flow through a coil of the electromagnet; and launching the armature from the pole by switching off the holding current; and at a predetermined moment during a release period of the armature from the pole, passing a cast-off current for a predetermined period through the coil. The cast-off current has a polarity opposite to the polarity of the holding current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: FEV Motorentechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Gunter Schmitz
  • Patent number: 6122158
    Abstract: A driver circuit is provided for an electromagnetic fuel injector having a coil and powered by a supply voltage. The driver circuit includes a comparator to control activation current to the coil of the fuel injector and transistor structure operatively associated with the comparator and constructed and arranged, together with said comparator, to maintain a hold current of the coil at a constant level slightly above a minimum current required to open the injector, regardless of the supply voltage value. The transistor structure includes first, second, and third transistors. The first transistor is arranged to receive an output of the comparator and to provide a constant current to the second transistor regardless of a value of the supply voltage. The second transistor is operatively associated with the supply voltage and with a high end of the coil. The third transistor is electrically connected to the lower end of the coil so as to sense, in conjunction with a resistor, a current in the coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Siemens Automotive Corporation
    Inventor: Robert E. Weber
  • Patent number: 6061224
    Abstract: A solenoid driver circuit includes an input terminal for receiving a solenoid actuation pulse, an output terminal for connection to a terminal of a solenoid coil, a pull-in current adjustment terminal, and a hold-in current duty cycle adjustment terminal. A pull-in current duration circuit includes a first input coupled to the input terminal, an output producing a pull-in current duration pulse, and a second input coupled to the pull-in current adjustment terminal. A hold-in current duty cycle control circuit includes a first input coupled to receive a triangular waveform signal, a second input coupled to the hold-in current duty cycle adjustment terminal, and a third input coupled to the output of the pull-in current duration circuit. An output transistor includes a control electrode coupled to an output terminal of the hold-in current duty cycle control circuit, and a current carrying terminal coupled to the output terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Burr-Brown Corporation
    Inventor: Dwight D. Allen
  • Patent number: 5999396
    Abstract: The circuit on which the present invention is based has a control circuit in which a switching element and a measurement resistor are connected in series with the contactor coil. A pickup current control circuit picks up the voltage at measurement resistor and controls the switching element after comparison with a reference voltage. By parallel connection of an additional shunt resistor with measurement resistor, a current approximately twenty to thirty times higher can be achieved during the pickup phase than the holding phase by setting only a single reference voltage. In the holding phase the parallel circuit is disabled so that only the measurement resistor is operative.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Bernhard Streich
  • Patent number: 5991144
    Abstract: An apparatus for tripping a circuit breaker having a trip coil. A trip circuit is coupled at a first node to a first power supply and at a second node to the trip coil. The trip circuit comprises a switch for closing in response to a control signal, a coil coupled to the switch so that current is allowed to flow through the coil when the switch closes, relay contacts operatively coupled to the coil so that the relay contacts close when current flows through the coil, and a zener diode for providing a low impedance path after the relay contacts close and for applying a holding voltage across the coil sufficient to keep the relay contacts closed while current flows through the low impedance path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Robert P. DePuy
  • Patent number: 5889646
    Abstract: In a circuit configuration and a method for triggering at least one electrically triggerable magnet with a suitably targeted triggering power, the magnet switches a switching element into a desired switching position in which the switching element is retained. After the switchover of the switching element by the magnet into the desired switching position, the magnet is at least briefly repeatedly acted upon at predetermined time intervals with a triggering power corresponding to a desired switching position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventor: Georg Strauss
  • Patent number: 5870270
    Abstract: A non-burnout controller for a switching coil is disclosed. The controller has a pulse timer, a relay switch, and an actuation switch. After being reset and actuated, the pulse timer defines a pulse having a predetermined pulse period. The relay switch has a switch actuation input for receiving the pulse and first and second switch outputs for being electrically coupled to first and second taps of the switching coil. The relay switch places a switching voltage across the outputs during the pulse period such that the switching coil has a switching current running therethrough. The relay switch places a substantially zero voltage across the outputs before and after the pulse period such that the switching coil has substantially no switching current running therethrough. The actuation switch has first and second positions. Upon being changed to the first position, the actuation switch resets the timer, whereby the switching coil has substantially no current running therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: Bachmann Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: H. Lee Riley, Kwok-Wah Leung
  • Patent number: 5815365
    Abstract: A solenoid control circuit is disclosed for providing the initial pull-in power to a magnetically-held solenoid and thereafter providing a release-pulse upon power loss to the circuit to release the solenoid. The solenoid control circuit has an AC input which is converted to a DC power supply. Power is supplied to an energy storage device after an initial time delay. After the time delay, the magnetic solenoid is tripped to its hold-in position. After being tripped, the magnetic solenoid is held in its hold-in position by the magnetic properties of the solenoid. Upon power interruption to the circuit, the solenoid is held in its tripped position for a desired period of time. After the time delay has expired, the energy storage device is discharged in an opposite direction through the magnetic solenoid, such that the magnetic solenoid is returned to its extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: Erie Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Daniel K. Stege
  • Patent number: 5805405
    Abstract: A power supply circuit, using direct current or rectified alternating current sources having output and return supply lines (a, b), for a coil of an electromagnet having at least one principal winding (B1) and a secondary winding (B2). The power supply circuit includes a first semiconductor element (T2) having a gate and a source drain path and capable of providing or blocking a supply of current to the secondary winding (B2), the source drain path connected between the secondary winding (B2) and the return supply line (b); and a switching means (10) connected between the primary winding (B1) and the gate of the first semiconductor element (T2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Schneider Electric SA
    Inventors: Karim Benkaroun, Manuel Lima, Alain Gousset
  • Patent number: 5793599
    Abstract: A method of energy-saving regulation of the attraction of an armature of a switching magnet, particularly an electromagnet for a control element in an internal combustion engine, wherein a medium voltage U.sub.Z is formed by switching to the lowest-available supply voltage U.sub.V, the medium voltage being sufficient to regulate a current I.sub.S in order to build up the magnetic field of the electromagnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: Fev Motorentechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Gunter Schmitz
  • Patent number: 5654865
    Abstract: This invention discloses a versatile power and control circuit for an electric door strike that is operable in four different modes with readily adjustable release times. In addition, the invention is directed toward the provision of a highly efficient power supply that permits miniaturization and prevents overheating in the confined space that is available for installation in a door jamb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Assignee: Hanchett Entry Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Shevlin E. Ryan
  • Patent number: 5475561
    Abstract: A solenoid circuit for particular use in a transmission controller measures the instantaneous current through the solenoid coil with the use of a current switch operating in an on mode to cause the current in the coil to increase and an off mode to cause the current in the coil to decrease so that an average current through the coil is established.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1995
    Assignee: DICKEY-John Corporation
    Inventors: Victor D. Goeckner, Ronald W. Steffen
  • Patent number: 5467248
    Abstract: A relay control circuit in which a capacitor is used as a power source of a transistor which prohibits operation of the transistor which is operated by input by switch operation. If power is no longer supplied to the entire relay control circuit while the capacitor is discharging, switch input is prohibited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho
    Inventor: Yasushi Nishibe
  • Patent number: 5461563
    Abstract: In a non-stage transmission control system, the output current instruction signal of a microcomputer is provided as a pulse-width-modulated signal, with a result that the number of signal lines from the microcomputer is reduced. Furthermore, the current feedback signal of a solenoid is applied to the microcomputer, for detection of abnormal conditions, and a quick break resistor is connected in series to a feedback diode to increase the current reduction rate of the solenoid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1995
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Munehiko Mimura
  • Patent number: 5394291
    Abstract: A method of energizing a relay comprising the steps of applying an energization signal to the relay having a voltage in excess of a rated voltage of the relay and then allowing the energization voltage to rapidly decay to a level within the rated voltage of the relay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Donald E. Janke, Joseph M. Szynal, Ronald W. Guess, Greg A. Bradley, Randall L. Carnal
  • Patent number: 5379178
    Abstract: In the case of a method and a device for triggering an electromagnetic consumer (1), which is connected in series to a switching means (2), the voltage applied to the switching means (2) is fed to a voltage comparison means (12) and compared there to the voltage of a reference voltage source (13). Dependent upon this voltage comparison, an output signal is produced at the output terminal of the voltage comparison means (12), which serves to switch over a suppressor device (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1995
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Herbert Graf, Juergen Schwenger, Werner Zimmermann, Bernd Wichert, Thomas Bielesch
  • Patent number: 5363270
    Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator having an integral capacitor and secondary coil for reducing opening and closing response times without the need for switching circuits. The secondary coil produces a magnetic field during energization which aids the primary coil in opening the actuator. A capacitor progressively reduces the current flow through the secondary coil as it charges up. During deenergization, the capacitor discharges through the secondary coil, producing a magnetic field which opposes the primary coil's residual magnetic field and aids the closing of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1994
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Brent J. Wahba
  • Patent number: 5341032
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1994
    Assignee: S.G.S.-Thomson Microelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Massimiliano Brambilla, Giampietro Maggioni
  • Patent number: 5335136
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic circuit arrangement for triggering excitation windings of electromagnetic components, provided with supplementary circuit elements, in particular free-running circuit elements, preferably solenoid valves (MV.sub.1 to MV.sub.n), whereby in order to provide a flexible open-loop control, the components are each connected in series to a controllable contact element (3). To reduce the degree of complexity of the circuit, the manufacturing price and the space requirement, it is proposed that the connecting terminals (1, 4) of this series connection lead directly, and the connections (2) between the components (MV.sub.1 to MV.sub.n) and the contact elements (3) lead via diodes (D.sub.1 to D.sub.n), respectively, to a collecting point (A, B, C), to which collecting points (A, B, C) is linked one and the same supplementary circuit-element configuration (T.sub.F,C.sub.L,10,11) shared by all components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1994
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Johannes Locher, Herbert Graf, Nestor Rodriguez-Amaya, Alfred Schmitt, Joachim Tauscher, Werner Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 5251091
    Abstract: A solenoid driving circuit for an automatic transmission in which a potential difference compensating device, such as a Darlington-connected transistor circuit, switching transistor, and/or diode, is connected between a resistance element and a power ground, and a controlling device monitors voltage values at opposite sides of the resistor element so as to detect a current value flowing across a solenoid. The controlling device determines whether the detected value of the current flowing across the solenoid is abnormal, and the controlling device shuts off the current of a solenoid driving device when it is abnormal. The potential difference compensating device is provided with a switching device, and the controlling device turns off the switching device when the monitoring current value is abnormal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1993
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasunobu Ito, Kunihiro Yamada
  • Patent number: 5245501
    Abstract: A process for controlling and measuring the movement of an armature of an electromagnetic switching member with an excitation coil is proposed, which has the following steps: a current (i) or a voltage (u1) is applied to the excitation winding (3) in order to move the armature into a first actuatable position; before the start of the movement of the armature, the current or the voltage is raised above a value at which the armature remains in the actuated position, and before termination of the movement of the armature the current or the voltage is reduced to a defined value, which suffices to hold the armature in the actuated position; finally, the temporal variations in the current or the voltage are measured after setting of the defined value, for the purpose of recognizing the termination of the armature movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1993
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Johannes Locher, Hans-Joachim Siebert, Herbert Graf, Nestor Rodriguez-Amaya, Anton Karle, Alfred Schmitt, Joachim Tauscher, Werner Zimmermann, Dominique Buisson, Lucien Hehn, Pierre Lauvin, Henri Paganon
  • Patent number: 5235490
    Abstract: A trigger circuit for an electromagnetic device, in particular a solenoid valve of an injection system for an internal-combustion engine, has a control element for causing excitation of the electromagnetic device to be lowered at least once and then raised after the electromagnetic device is activated. The control element has a delay circuit which slows down the rate at which excitation of the electromagnetic device changes during the lowering and/or raising action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1993
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Bruno Frank, Martin Muller, Helmut Rembold
  • Patent number: 5107391
    Abstract: A circuit arrangement for driving at least one electromagnetic relay provides that all of the excitation circuits can be connected to a constant voltage source in parallel relative to each other and jointly in series with the switching path of an electronic switch (FET). The electronic switch (FET) is switched through and blocked in impulsive manner whereby the pulse-duty factor is adjusted in a control unit depending on the operating voltage (U.sub.B) and the ambient temperature of the relay so that it does not fall below the minimum holding current required for the connected relays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1992
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Richard Siepmann
  • Patent number: 5105329
    Abstract: Solid state control circuitry for driving an electromagnetic armature of a battery operated electric stapler. The armature is activated by a trigger signal generated by a trigger switch which discharges an energy storage device through the armature. Energy is rapidly replenished in the energy storage device following its discharge; but if a subsequent trigger signal is not forthcoming, the control circuit reverts to a quiescent state, thereby reducing power consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1992
    Assignee: Sandor Goldner
    Inventor: Sandor Goldner
  • Patent number: 5093756
    Abstract: The invention provides a sequential delayed power supplying circuit having the steps of driving the relay RY1 through a relay-driving part after delaying by the time-delay circuit the output of a rectifying part which rectifies the output of a direct current winding of a compound insulated transformer, and supplying alternating current power sequentially to a compound insulated transformer of the second set. Stabilizing the operation of the circuit may be possible, and connecting and driving an infinite number sets may be attained according to the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1992
    Assignee: SamSung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hyuk Kim
  • Patent number: 5012606
    Abstract: A solenoid current regulating circuit for use with shotgun gunlocks wherein the circuit provides a high activation current to flow momentarily to the coil so that the bolt of the solenoid controlled gunlock can be drawn back. However, upon continued depression of the activation switch, the circuit of the present invention automatically reduces the holding current to the solenoid coil so that the coil is protected from current damage. The circuit utilizes a resistor/capacitor network having an RC constant of less than one second for providing delayed biasing of a transistor which, when in its conductive state, reduces the gain of a current source transistor thereby reducing the current for the solenoid coil and thereby reducing the current flow through the coil of the solenoid to a level sufficient to hold the solenoid active and retain the bolt in its unlocked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1991
    Inventor: James F. McNulty, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4998177
    Abstract: An electromagnetic solenoid drive apparatus for use in a vehicle for turning on an electromagnetic solenoid from a battery every time when a command switch is turned on comprises first and second resistors connected in series to each other on an electric line for flowing an electric current through the electromagnetic solenoid; a first switching element turned on in a state in which an output voltage of the battery is lower than a predetermined threshold voltage and short-circuiting both ends of the first resistor; a timer circuit operated for only a constant time in association with the turning-on operation of the command switch; and a second switching element turned on during only the operating period of the timer circuit and short-circuiting both ends of the second resistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1991
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Koji Takizawa, Yukio Takaishi, Noriyuki Suzuki, Norimasa Asai, Koki Imaeda, Shigeru Iguchi, Kenichi Onishi, Hisatoshi Ohta, Masamitsu Suzuki
  • Patent number: 4981347
    Abstract: An electrically driving system for the outer rearview mirror erects or folds the mirror body by the operation switch for rotating the incorporated motor normally or reversively. The system comprises a momentary operation switch, normal and reverse relays and limit switches for disconnecting self-holding circuits of the relays and motors from a power source independently of one another by detecting erected and folded states of the mirror. When the normal or reverse relay is rendered operative by the momentary operation switch, the incorporated motors are driven to cause rotation of a plurality of the mirrors. The mirrors are stopped independently with disconnection of motor circuit caused by the action of the limit switches when they reach to the erected or folded state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 1, 1991
    Assignee: Murakami Kameido Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kiyoshi Nakayama
  • Patent number: 4918566
    Abstract: An electronic controller, connected to a digital communication network, is responsive to commands from a master controller to control solenoid operated circuit breakers. The electronic controller also determines the status of all circuit breakers and reports back to the master controller to verify that the command from the master controller was executed and to provide historical data regarding the status of the circuit breakers. The electronic controller is synchronized to the same alternating current (AC) power source as the circuit breakers to control the operation of the respective circuit breakers to minimize electromagnetic interference (EMI) caused by the switching of the circuit breakers. The electronic controller further controls the operation of the circuit breakers to reduce the duty cycle of the power supply for the circuit breaker solenoids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1990
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: Bruce L. Brodsky, David L. Davidson
  • Patent number: 4908731
    Abstract: A bistable electromechanical transducer is disclosed having an armature reciprocable between first and second positions, a permanent magnet latching arrangement for maintaining the armature in the respective positions, and an electromagnetic repulsion arrangement operable when energized to dislodge the armature from the position in which the armature was maintained and causing it to move to the other of the positions. In a preferred embodiment, the transducer takes the form of an electronically controllable valve mechanism for use in an internal combustion engine and has an engine valve with an elongated valve stem along with the electromagnetic repulsion arrangement for causing the valve to move in the direction of stem elongation between valve-open and valve-closed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 13, 1990
    Assignee: Magnavox Government and Industrial Electronics Company
    Inventor: Willian E. Richeson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4903294
    Abstract: A coin relay adapted for use with an associated coin hopper mechanism particularly adapted for use in a microcomputer based deregulated paystation. The relay requires only minimum voltages to operate with the associated coin relay operate and release timing controlled by an assoicated microcomputer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1990
    Assignee: Palco Telecom Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Grantland, Attle D. Johnson
  • Patent number: 4890188
    Abstract: A solenoid driver system drives a solenoid, such as a solenoid in a glue applicator or any like apparatus incorporating a solenoid, and which requires control of the solenoid in response to a signal voltage. The solenoid driver system generates a turn on signal that enables the solenoid, such as that of a glue gun applicator, to energize quickly because of a rapid rise solenoid signal. A solenoid driver stage of two switching transistors and two high voltage fast recovery diodes are connected to a control pulse through a high side optical isolator and a high side buffer, and a low side optical isolator and a low side buffer. The low side circuit includes a trigger circuit and a delay circuit connected to a gate along with a free-running oscillator for periodically energizing the low side drive of the circuit in a mode as long as the input signal is energized. This ensures that the amount of current dissipated in the solenoid coil is small.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1989
    Assignee: Lockwood Technical, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Russell, Walter J. Kozacky
  • Patent number: 4883025
    Abstract: A bistable electronically controlled transducer having an armature reciprocable between first and second positions is disclosed including either a stressed spring or compressed air within a closed chamber in the transducer for causing the armature to move, and a permanent magnet latching arrangement for holding the armature in either one of the positions. An electromagnetic arrangement for temporarily neutralizing the effect of the permanent magnet latching arrangement releases the armature to move from one to the other of the positions. The transducer finds particular utility as an actuator mechanism for moving internal combustion engine valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1989
    Assignee: Magnavox Government and Industrial Electronics Company
    Inventor: William E. Richeson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4860157
    Abstract: An integrated protection unit is a circuit breaker which includes basic overcurrent protection facility along with selective electrical accessories. A molded plastic accessory access cover secured to the integrated protection unit cover protects the accessory components contained within the integrated protection unit cover from the environment. A combined overcurrent trip actuator and multiple accessory module is either field-installed or factory-installed within the integrated protection unit. A separate actuator-accessory module is selected for different combinations of accessory functions. One such actuator-accessory module provides overcurrent protection along with remote trip facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1989
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Ronald R. Russell
  • Patent number: 4812945
    Abstract: A method for providing a power management for a DC solenoid actuator includes the steps of initially supplying a first number of DC current pulses to the actuator and after a first time interval reducing the number of pulses applied to the solenoid in direct proportion to an output voltage of a source of the DC power. The method further includes the step of changing the duration of the first time period in direct proportion to the output voltage of the source of the DC power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1989
    Assignee: Honeywell Inc.
    Inventor: Anthony D'Onofrio