The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 20, 2018
Filed:
Sep. 01, 2016
Continental Automotive Gmbh, Hannover, DE;
Continental Automotive GmbH, Hannover, DE;
Abstract
A method for identifying an overcurrent when charging a piezo actuator, by periodically connecting and disconnecting the piezo actuator to and from an energy source via a charging coil. A connection is followed by a disconnection when the charging current has reached a prescribed maximum current value and a minimum switched-on time has elapsed, and a connection is effected again when either a prescribed minimum current value has been reached or a maximum switched-off time has elapsed. An overcurrent is identified when a disconnection is effected when the minimum switched-on time has elapsed and the charging current has previously reached or exceeded a prescribed maximum current value. An overcurrent is also identified when, after a disconnection on account of the prescribed maximum current value having been reached, a connection is effected again when the maximum switched-off time has elapsed without the minimum current value having been reached.