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:
Apr. 29, 2003
Filed:
Nov. 01, 2000
Applicant:
Inventors:
John C. McCoy, Fayetteville, TN (US);
Lou Vierling, East Detroit, MI (US);
Assignee:
Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation, Auburn Hills, MI (US);
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
F02M 5/100 ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
F02M 5/100 ;
Abstract
A fuel injector coil control circuit includes high side and low side gates. The current through the coil is increased while being monitored by low side shunt circuitry. The current continues to increase until a predetermined value is reached. When the predetermined value is reached, the low side gate is switched off and the current begins to decay. The off time of the low side gate is controlled for a predetermined period of time. After the predetermined period of time elapses, the low side gate is switched back on, causing the current to rise again toward the predetermined value.