Electromagnetic solenoid valve drive circuit
US6123092A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 29, 1998 |
| Grant date | Sep 26, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 29, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T137/0318
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A circuit for driving an electromagnetic solenoid valve, used as a fuel injector in an internal combustion engine, having a needle valve biased in a closing direction by a spring and a solenoid which moves the needle valve in an opening direction when energized to inject fuel into a cylinder of the engine. The circuit includes a first booster which boosts battery voltage to a first voltage to charge a capacitor. The charged voltage is applied to the solenoid for a time period to cause the needle valve to move in the opening direction. The circuit includes a second booster which boosts the battery voltage to a second voltage, less than the first voltage, to be supplied to the solenoid to maintain the first current, enabling the period of large current application to be freely determined to ensure reliable valve operation, whereby the fuel injection can be reliably effected. After the time period has expired, the voltage supply is discontinued, enabling improvement of the valve linearity characteristics, while conserving the energy stored in the battery power source.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.