Linear solenoid control apparatus and method having increased responsiveness features
US6687555B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 16, 1999 |
| Grant date | Feb 3, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 16, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG05B2219/41333
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A control system and method for controlling operation of a group of linear solenoids, which in turn control operation of an electrical load such as a solenoid or actuator, that exhibits increased responsiveness to a change in the target linear solenoid load current. A microcomputer cyclically generates and outputs pulse-width-modulated drive signals based on acquired drive data to establish clock periods. A switch connected between the microcomputer and the target load switchably connects the target load to a power source based on the drive data to selectively drive the target load. A feedback loop between the target load and the microcomputer provides actual target load drive data to the microcomputer, and the microcomputer adjusts the drive signals at a rate of not more than two times per cycle based on the actual drive data to converge the actual drive data to a calculated target load drive value. The present invention also provides an apparatus that prevents a drop in controller current control responsiveness due to signal response delay produced by feedback or the drive system. A converter converts input signals to digital values at a conversion cycle shorter than a cycle of t…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.