SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DETECTING SOLENOID ARMATURE MOVEMENT
First Claim
1. A method for detecting actuation of an armature associated with a solenoid, comprising:
- providing a voltage potential to a solenoid coil associated with the solenoid and substantially concurrently starting a start of current timer;
measuring a current flowing through the solenoid coil;
switching the voltage potential off when the measured current reaches a predetermined maximum value;
switching the voltage potential on when the measured current reaches a predetermined minimum value;
measuring a chop period associated with the switching off and switching on of the voltage potential;
analyzing successive chop periods to detect armature movement and armature seating; and
determining armature movement and armature seating times based on the analysis.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for detecting actuation of an armature associated with a solenoid includes providing a voltage potential to a solenoid coil associated with the solenoid. The method also includes measuring a current flowing through the solenoid coil. The method further includes switching the voltage potential off when the measured current reaches a predetermined maximum value. The method also includes switching the voltage potential on when the measured current reaches a predetermined minimum value. The method further includes measuring a chop period between pulses associated with the switching on and off of the voltage potential. The method also includes analyzing successive chop periods to detect armature movement and armature seating. The method further includes determining, based on the comparison of chop periods, a pull-in time of an armature associated with the solenoid.
13 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A method for detecting actuation of an armature associated with a solenoid, comprising:
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providing a voltage potential to a solenoid coil associated with the solenoid and substantially concurrently starting a start of current timer; measuring a current flowing through the solenoid coil; switching the voltage potential off when the measured current reaches a predetermined maximum value; switching the voltage potential on when the measured current reaches a predetermined minimum value; measuring a chop period associated with the switching off and switching on of the voltage potential; analyzing successive chop periods to detect armature movement and armature seating; and determining armature movement and armature seating times based on the analysis. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An armature actuation detection system, comprising:
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a power supply selectively coupled to a solenoid coil via one or more switching elements and configured to provide a voltage output; a controller operatively coupled to the one or more switching elements and configured to; operate the one or more switching elements to selectively provide a voltage potential to the solenoid coil and substantially concurrently start a start of current timer; measure a current flowing through the solenoid coil; switch the voltage potential off when the measured current reaches a predetermined maximum value; switch the voltage potential on when the measured current reaches a predetermined minimum value; measure a chop period between pulses of the voltage potential; analyze successive chop periods to detect armature movement and armature seating; and determine armature movement and armature seating times based on the analysis. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A machine, comprising:
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a solenoid having a conductor and an armature, wherein the conductor is coiled substantially around the armature in a longitudinal direction and separated from the armature via an air gap, the armature being adapted to move relative to the conductor in the presence of an electromagnetic field generated by the conductor; an armature actuation detection system operatively coupled to the solenoid, the armature actuation detection system including; a power supply selectively coupled to a solenoid conductor via one or more switching elements and configured to provide a voltage output; a controller operatively coupled to the one or more switching elements and configured to; operate the one or more switching elements to selectively provide a voltage potential to the solenoid conductor and substantially concurrently start a start of current timer; measure a current flowing through the solenoid conductor; switch the voltage potential off when the measured current reaches a predetermined maximum value; switch the voltage potential on when the measured current reaches a predetermined minimum value; measure a chop period between pulses of the voltage potential; analyze successive chop periods to detect armature movement and armature seating; and determine armature movement and armature seating times based on the analysis. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification