LOW POWER SOLENOID CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD
First Claim
1. A method comprising the steps of:
- (a) closing a single first switch, thereby allowing a source current to flow through an inductor;
(b) opening the single first switch, thereby forcing a charge current to flow through an energy storage device utilizing the inductance of the inductor;
(c) repeating steps a and b until the energy storage device is sufficiently charged;
(d) upon command, closing a second switch, thereby forcing a discharge current to flow from the energy storage device to the inductor causing the inductor to produce an actuating magnetic field thereby actuating a mechanical valve.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A low power solenoid control circuit including a power source in series with a sensing element and a first diode, an inductor to actuate a valve, an energy storage device to store and discharge energy into the inductor, diodes to control current flow, and switches and a controller to control the circuit. The circuit may be operated by closing a first switch, thereby allowing a source current to flow through an inductor; opening the first switch, thereby forcing a charge current to flow through an energy storage device utilizing the inductance of the inductor; repeating these steps until the energy storage device is sufficiently charged; and upon command, closing a second switch, thereby forcing a discharge current to flow from the energy storage device to the inductor causing the inductor to produce an actuating magnetic field thereby actuating a mechanical valve.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method comprising the steps of:
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(a) closing a single first switch, thereby allowing a source current to flow through an inductor; (b) opening the single first switch, thereby forcing a charge current to flow through an energy storage device utilizing the inductance of the inductor; (c) repeating steps a and b until the energy storage device is sufficiently charged; (d) upon command, closing a second switch, thereby forcing a discharge current to flow from the energy storage device to the inductor causing the inductor to produce an actuating magnetic field thereby actuating a mechanical valve. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 18)
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10. A method comprising the steps of:
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(a) opening a first SPST switch and closing a second SPST switch, thereby forward biasing a first diode, allowing a source current to flow through a capacitor charging the capacitor; (b) opening the second switch, thereby reverse biasing a second diode and maintaining the charge of the capacitor; (c) closing the first switch, thereby allowing the source current to flow through a solenoid coil; (d) opening the first switch, thereby forward biasing the second diode and forcing a charge current to flow through the capacitor utilizing the inductance of the solenoid coil; (e) repeating steps c and d until the capacitor is sufficiently charged; (f) upon command, closing both the first and second switches, thereby reverse biasing both the first and second diodes and forcing a discharge current to flow from the capacitor to the solenoid coil causing the solenoid coil to produce an actuating magnetic field thereby actuating a mechanical valve. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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19. A circuit comprising:
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a power source in series with a sensing element and a first diode between nodes a and b; an inductor between nodes a and c; a first SPST switch between nodes b and c; a second SPST switch between nodes a and d; a capacitor between nodes b and d; a second diode between nodes c and d; and a controller monitoring the sensing element and operating the switches based at least in part on input from the sensing element. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification