Method for balancing a current controller

• US 5,973,488 A
• Filed: 06/24/1998
• Issued: 10/26/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Fackler, Rupert
• Primary Examiner(s): Wong, Peter S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Vu, Bao Q.
• Application Number:
  US09/104,012
• Time in Patent Office: 489 Days
• Field of Search: 323/273, 323/283, 323/284, 323/285
• US Class Current: 323/283
• CPC Class Codes: G05F 1/10 Regulating voltage or current G05F1/02 takes precedence; for electric railways B60M3/02

Abstract

The invention is directed to a method for balancing a current controller for controlling a current. The current controller is configured to adjust the current to a desired value of current while considering an actual value of the current determined by a measurement. The current controller is balanced while considering the deviation between the real magnitude of the current and the actual value applied to adjust the current.

Claims

1. A method for balancing a current controller for controlling a current, the current controller functioning to adjust the current to a desired value of current while considering an actual value of the current determined by a first measurement, the method comprising the steps of:

comparing the deviation between the real magnitude of the current determined by a second measurement and the actual value applied to adjust the current;

storing said deviation in said current controller; and

,

using the stored deviation in normal operation.

2. The method of claim 1, comprising the further steps of:

providing a measurement resistor arranged in the current path and possibly burdened with tolerances; and

,

determining said actual value by using said measurement resistor.

3. The method of claim 1, comprising the further steps of:

providing a measurement circuit including a calibrated resistor; and

,

determining the real magnitude of the current via said measurement circuit.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said current controller provides current to a load with said current being adjusted by said current controller;

and, wherein the method comprises the step of using said measurement circuit in lieu of said load.

5. The method of claim 4, comprising the further step of determining the deviation for at least two current flows having respectively different magnitudes.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein a voltage is applied to said measurement circuit;

and, the method comprising the further step of effecting said current flows of respectively different magnitudes by adjusting said voltage.

7. A method for balancing a current controller for controlling a current, the current controller functioning to adjust the current to a desired value of current while considering an actual value of the current determined by a measurement, the method comprising the steps of:

balancing said current controller while considering the deviation between the real magnitude of the current and the actual value applied to adjust the current;

providing a measurement circuit including a calibrated resistor;

determining the real magnitude of the current via said measurement circuit;

said current controller providing current to a load with said current being adjusted by said current controller;

using said measurement circuit in lieu of said load;

determining the deviation for at least two current flows having respectively different magnitudes;

applying a voltage to said measurement circuit;

effecting said current flows of respectively different magnitudes by adjusting said voltage; and

,

sequentially connecting at least two load resistors of respectively different resistance values to said current controller to cause said current flows.

8. The method of claim 7, comprising the further step of correcting the stored deviation with said actual value or other magnitude.