Wide voltage range driver circuit for a fuel injector
US6122158A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 6, 1998 |
| Grant date | Sep 19, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 6, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H47/325
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
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. The third transistor is also connected to the comparator such that the voltage at the drain of the third transistor is directed to a negative input of the comparator.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.