Apparatus and method for detecting a short circuit to the battery voltage when driving piezoelectric elements
Number of patents in Portfolio can not be more than 2000
United States of America Patent
Stats
-
Feb 18, 2003
Grant Date -
Dec 27, 2001
app pub date -
Apr 2, 2001
filing date -
Apr 1, 2000
priority date (Note) -
In Force
status (Latency Note)
Importance
Abstract
The invention describes an apparatus and method for detecting a short circuit to a battery voltage when driving a piezoelectric element, for example, used as an actuator in a fuel injection system of an internal combustion engine. The apparatus and method are characterized in that separate switches are used for selecting a piezoelectric element to be operated and for selecting the operation that is to be performed on the piezoelectric element. A short circuit to battery voltage is detected by first activating the switches to select a piezoelectric element. For a predetermined time interval, the invention monitors for abnormal currents flowing in series with the piezoelectric element. If abnormal currents are detected, an error signal is generated indicating a short circuit to battery voltage. If no abnormal currents are detected during the predetermined time interval, then the switches for selecting a charging or discharging operation are activated to continue with the normal cycling of the piezoelectric elements.
First Claim
Family
International Classification(s)
Cited Art Landscape
Patent Citation Ranking
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Recipient Email Address
Recipient Email Address
Comment
Recipient Email Address
Add to Portfolio(s)
To add this patent to one, or more, of your portfolios, simply click the add button.
This Patent is in these Portfolios:
Add to additional portfolios:
Last Refreshed On:
Changes done successfully