Current-protected driver circuit for ignition exciter unit
First Claim
1. A method for driving an ignition exciter unit, the ignition exciter unit having an input coupled to a first current-protected circuit and a second current-protected circuit, the method comprising:
- supplying a first current to the ignition exciter unit from the first current-protected circuit for a first time interval, wherein the first current is limited by the first current-protected circuit; and
supplying a second current to the ignition exciter unit from the second current-protected circuit after the first time interval and prior to when the ignition exciter unit begins operating.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus are provided for driving an ignition exciter unit. An apparatus is provided for a driver circuit for use with an ignition exciter unit, the driver circuit having an input terminal and an output terminal. A first current-protected circuit is coupled to the input terminal and the output terminal, wherein the first current-protected circuit is current-limited. A second current-protected circuit coupled to the input terminal and the output terminal. The driver circuit further comprises a controller coupled to the first current-protected circuit and the second current-protected circuit. The controller is configured to activate the first current-protected circuit for a first time interval and activate the second current-protected circuit after the first time interval and prior to when the ignition exciter unit begins operating.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for driving an ignition exciter unit, the ignition exciter unit having an input coupled to a first current-protected circuit and a second current-protected circuit, the method comprising:
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supplying a first current to the ignition exciter unit from the first current-protected circuit for a first time interval, wherein the first current is limited by the first current-protected circuit; and supplying a second current to the ignition exciter unit from the second current-protected circuit after the first time interval and prior to when the ignition exciter unit begins operating. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A driver circuit for use with an ignition exciter unit, the driver circuit having an input terminal and an output terminal, the driver circuit comprising:
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a first current-protected circuit coupled to the input terminal and the output terminal, the first current-protected circuit being current-limited; a second current-protected circuit coupled to the input terminal and the output terminal, wherein the first current-protected circuit and the second current-protected circuit are electrically parallel between the input terminal and the output terminal; and a controller coupled to the first current-protected circuit and the second current-protected circuit, the controller being configured to; activate the first current-protected circuit for a first time interval; and activate the second current-protected circuit after the first time interval and prior to when the ignition exciter unit begins operating. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A driver circuit for use with an ignition exciter unit, the driver circuit being coupled to an energy source and an input of the ignition exciter unit, the driver circuit comprising:
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a first current-protected switch coupled to the energy source and an input of the ignition exciter unit; a second current-protected switch coupled to the energy source and the input of the ignition exciter unit, the second current-protected switch being electrically parallel to the first current-protected switch between the energy source and the input of the ignition exciter unit; means for limiting current through the first current-protected switch; means for activating the first current-protected switch for a first time interval; and means for activating the second current-protected switch after the first time interval and prior to when the ignition exciter unit begins operating. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification