Drive circuit for an injector arrangement and a diagnostic method
First Claim
1. A drive circuit for an injector arrangement comprising a fuel injector, the drive circuit comprising a diagnostic tool (RH, RL) operable:
- a) to sense a measured voltage (VBIAS) between the injector and a known voltage level (VBAT, VGND), the measured voltage (VBIAS) being biased with respect to the known voltage (VBAT, VGND) to a predicted voltage (VPinjN, VBcalc) unless the drive circuit has a fault; and
b) to provide a fault signal on sensing of a measured voltage (VBIAS) that differs from the predicted voltage (VPinjN, VBcalc).
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention relates to a drive circuit for an injector arrangement comprising a fuel injector, and method of detecting faults in the drive circuit. The drive circuit comprises diagnostic means (RH, RL) that is operable to sense a measured voltage (VBIAS) between the injector and a known voltage level (VBAT, VGND). The measured voltage (VBIAS) is biased with respect to the known voltage (VBAT, VGND) to a predicted voltage (VPinjN, VBcalc) unless the drive circuit has a fault. A fault signal is provided on sensing of a measured voltage (VBIAS) that differs from the predicted voltage (VPinjN, VBcalc). The drive circuit may additionally, or alternatively, comprise diagnostic means (RF). The diagnostic means (RF) is operable to sense a detected current (Idect) and to provide a fault signal on detection of a fault, when the detected current (Idect) is at variance from a threshold current (Itrip).
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Citations
46 Claims
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1. A drive circuit for an injector arrangement comprising a fuel injector, the drive circuit comprising a diagnostic tool (RH, RL) operable:
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a) to sense a measured voltage (VBIAS) between the injector and a known voltage level (VBAT, VGND), the measured voltage (VBIAS) being biased with respect to the known voltage (VBAT, VGND) to a predicted voltage (VPinjN, VBcalc) unless the drive circuit has a fault; and b) to provide a fault signal on sensing of a measured voltage (VBIAS) that differs from the predicted voltage (VPinjN, VBcalc). - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A drive circuit for an injector arrangement comprising a fuel injector, the drive circuit comprising a diagnostic tool (RF) in a connection of the drive circuit to a ground potential (VGND), the diagnostic tool (RF) being operable:
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a) to sense a detected current (Idect); and b) to provide a signal on detection of a fault, wherein the signal is provided when the detected current (Idect) is at variance from a threshold current (Itrip). - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A drive circuit for an injector arrangement comprising a fuel injector, the drive circuit comprising:
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i) a first charge storage device (C1) for operative connection with the fuel injector during a charging phase so as to cause a charge current to flow therethrough; ii) a second charge storage device (C2) for operative connection with the fuel injector during a discharge phase so as to permit a discharge current to flow therethrough; iii) a switch arrangement (Q1, Q2) for operably controlling the connection of the fuel injector to the first charge storage device (C1) or the second charge storage device (C2); and iv) a diagnostic tool (RH, RL;
RF) operable to provide a signal on detection of a fault. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26)
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27. A drive circuit for an injector arrangement comprising a fuel injector, the drive circuit comprising:
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i) a first charge storage device (C1) for operative connection with the fuel injector during a charging phase so as to cause a charge current to flow therethrough; ii) a second charge storage device (C2) for operative connection with the fuel injector during a discharge phase so as to permit a discharge current to flow therethrough; iii) a switch arrangement (Q1, Q2) for operably controlling the connection of the fuel injector to the first charge storage device (C1) or the second charge storage device (C2); iv) a selector switch arrangement (SQ1, SQ2) operable to select the fuel injector into the drive circuit and to deselect the fuel injector from the drive circuit; and v) a diagnostic tool (RH, RL;
RF) operable to;a) sense a measured voltage (VBIAS) between the injector and a known voltage level (VBAT, VGND) when the injector is deselected from the drive circuit; and b) provide a short circuit fault signal on sensing of a measured voltage (VBIAS) that differs from a first predicted voltage (VPinjN, VBcalc).
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28. A drive circuit or an injector arrangement comprising a fuel injector, the drive circuit comprising:
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a selector switch arrangement (SQ1, SQ2) operable to select the fuel injector into the drive circuit and to deselect the fuel injector from the drive circuit; and a diagnostic tool (RH, RL) operable to; a) sense a measured voltage (VBIAS) between the injector and a known voltage level (VBAT, VGND) when the injector is deselected from the drive circuit; and b) provide a short circuit fault signal on sensing of a measured voltage (VBIAS) that differs from a first predicted voltage (VPinjN, VBcalc). - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31)
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32. A method of detecting faults in a drive circuit for an injector arrangement comprising a fuel injector, the method comprising:
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a) sensing a measured voltage (VBIAS) between the injector and a known voltage level (VBAT, VGND), the measured voltage (VBIAS) being biased with respect to the known voltage (VBAT, VGND) to a predicted voltage (VPinjN, VBcalc) unless the drive circuit has a fault; and b) providing a fault signal on sensing of a measured voltage (VBIAS) that differs from the predicted voltage (VPinjN, VBcalc). - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35)
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36. A method of detecting faults in a drive circuit for an injector arrangement comprising a fuel injector, the method comprising:
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a) sensing a detected current (Idect) through a connection of the drive circuit(20a) to the ground potential (VGND); and b) providing a signal when the detected current (Idect) is at variance from a threshold current (Itrip). - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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42. A method of detecting faults in a drive circuit for an injector arrangement comprising a fuel injector, the method comprising:
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a) sensing a measured voltage (VBIAS) between the injector and a known voltage level (VBAT, VGND) when the injector is deselected from the drive circuit; and b) providing a short circuit fault signal on sensing of a measured voltage (VBIAS) that differs from a first predicted voltage (VPinjN, VBcalc). - View Dependent Claims (43, 44, 45, 46)
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Specification