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:
Aug. 29, 2000
Filed:
Sep. 21, 1999
Klaus Egger, Wenzenbach, DE;
Christian Hoffmann, Regensburg, DE;
Wendelin Klugl, Seubersdorf, DE;
Hellmut Freudenberg, Grossberg, DE;
Detlev Schoppe, Wenzenbach, DE;
Siemens Aktiengesellschaft, Munich, DE;
Abstract
An apparatus for driving a piezoelectrically controlled fuel injection valve includes a piezoelectric actuator having a discharging device and preferably a power MOSFET switch connected in parallel therewith. The discharging device is turned on by a monitoring device that is likewise connected in parallel with the piezoelectric actuator if an opening time of the piezoelectric actuator exceeds a predetermined monitoring time. The discharging device and the monitoring device are constructed as an integrated circuit (ASIC) and are integrated in a valve housing. A method for operating the apparatus is also provided.