Device and method for driving a capacitive actuator

US6078198A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Siemens Aktiengesellschaft · DE

Inventors

• Hartmut Gerken · Nittendorf, DE
• Ralf Förster · Regensburg, DE
• Martin Hecker · Laimerstadt, DE
• Richard Pirkl · Regensburg, DE
• Christian Hoffmann · Leonberg, DE
• Hellmut Freudenberg · Bad Abbach, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 10, 1998
• Grant date: Jun 20, 2000
• Expiry date: Mar 10, 2018

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F02D2041/2048
• WIPO field: Engines, pumps, turbines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A power MOSFET switch is connected in parallel to a capacitive actuator for the purpose of protecting the actuator against over-voltage. The protective power MOSFET switch is rendered conductive by a supplemental circuit when the actuator voltage exceeds a predetermined threshold limit voltage or when the control circuit emits a corresponding signal.