Method and configuration for diagnosis of a capacitive actuator

US6366868B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Siemens Aktiengesellschaft · DE

Inventors

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

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 30, 2001
• Grant date: Apr 2, 2002
• Expiry date: Mar 30, 2021

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01R31/2829
• WIPO field: Engines, pumps, turbines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A method of diagnosing an actuator includes supplying a predeterminable amount of energy to an actuator through a charge-reversal circuit. Faulty functional statuses of the actuator and its supply lines and/or its drive circuits, short- or long-term interruptions, short-circuits within the actuator or its supply lines, or excessively low capacitance values may be deduced from a discrepancy between reference values and determined variables including actuator voltage, actuator current, and actuator charge. A short-circuit of an electrical connection within the actuator or an electrical connection between the drive circuit and the actuator can be deduced if the actuator voltage is less than a lower voltage value. An interruption in the electrical connection within is the actuator or an electrical connection between the drive circuit and the actuator may be deduced if an actuator peak current is less than a lower current value. An apparatus for performing the method is also provided.