A driver for a controllable switch, a method of driving the controllable switch and a power converter employing the driver or the method. The driver receives a control signal and operates the controllable switch. In one embodiment, the driver includes a switching network coupled to the controllable switch and including first and second complementary drive switches. The driver also includes a capacitor coupled between control terminals of the first and second complementary drive switches, and a diode coupled between a bias energy source and the capacitor. The first and second complementary switches cooperate to produce a drive signal as a function of the control signal and a level of the bias energy source.

Driver for a controllable switch in a power converter

A new methodology for dealing with the Electric-Magnetic Anti-skid Braking System (EMABS) and recycling the regenerating energy on braking is proposed. Developing a dynamic damper which comprising positive and negative type resistors connected in series becomes a fast switch with adaptation, attenuation and fast recovery system properties, is a crucial turnkey. For braking purpose, the most general configuration is to couple the fast switches to the stator and rotor coils in an AC alternator that is driven by the vehicle's wheels or propellers. After performing the dynamic impedance matching in this braking system, the EMABS effect and recycling of the regenerating energy on braking are accordingly obtained.

Energy attenuating device with the dynamical and adaptive damping feature

A control system is adapted to control an internal combustion engine, which has a battery for electric start operation and a mechanical starter for manual start operation. The control system includes a transformer configured to generate a high voltage output for providing a spark, and a power regulation circuit having an input adapted to receive the high voltage output and generate a low voltage supply. A battery charging circuit includes a switching element adapted to receive the low voltage supply and operatively couple the low voltage supply to the battery to charge the battery. The battery charging circuit includes a disconnecting circuitry diode operatively coupled to the switching element so that if a voltage level of the battery falls below a predetermined value, the disconnecting circuitry diode turns off the transistor to electrically disconnect the battery from the low voltage supply and disable the electric start operation. The mechanical starter is configured to start the engine if the battery is insufficiently charged to drive the electric motor to start the engine.

Battery charging and isolation system for gas engine

An arrangement for monioring multiple channel solenoid currents wherein a plurality of separately controllable solenoid coils (10a, 10b, 10c) are coupled commonly by a single current measurement element (24) to one side of a current supply (16, 18).

Multiple channel solenoid current monitor

An electric motor, having a stator ( 465 ), a rotor ( 470 ), and an apparatus for evaluating a signal provided for controlling said motor ( 110 ), comprises a receiving unit ( 430, 440 ) for receiving a control signal (PWM_mod), which is a pulse width modulated signal (PWM) onto which a data signal (DIR, DATA) is modulated. An evaluation unit ( 440 ) is provided for evaluating the modulated control signal (PWM_mod). The unit is configured to extract, from the modulated control signal (PWM_mod), data provided for operation of the motor ( 110 ). The control apparatus includes a signal generator ( 450 ) configured to generate, on the basis of the extracted or ascertained data provided for operation of the motor ( 110 ), at least one control signal for the motor ( 110 ), such as a commanded direction of rotation. Piggybacking other control data onto the PWM power level signal reduces hardware investment, by permitting omission of a signal lead which would otherwise be required in the motor structure.

Electric motor, and device for generating a signal for controlling the same

This invention relates to driving solenoid and motor loads while providing the means for fast turn on and fast turn off. Many applications including automotive fuel injector drivers, Anti-Skid Braking (ABS) solenoid and motor drivers, and other electro-mechanical motion control require the ability to quickly turn on or off a number of devices. The invention utilizes a bridge architecture to drive the loads and to turn on and off individual devices. The invention employs a diode and a switch for each device controlled plus a single master diode and a single master switch. The invention thereby reduces the number of components needed to control N devices to 2*N+2 from prior art half bridge circuit 4*N. Novel techniques and algorithms are used to multiplex the single master switch and control multiple inductive devices. The system provides redundant control and error checking means to preclude single point failure mechanisms.

Peter J. Carlson

Papers

PWM multiplexed solenoid driver