A method of providing diagnostic information for an electromagnetic latch assembly (122) includes providing a pulse to a circuit (200) that include one or more electromagnetic latch assemblies. The circuit (200) includes coils (199) of the electromagnetic latch assemblies. Each coil is inductively coupled with an armature (131) that is mechanically coupled to a latch pin (118). The circuit (200) is pulsed and a DC current in the circuit (200) that results from the pulse is measured over a first interval to determine a primary response. The current in the circuit (200) over a second interval is measured to determine a reference response. A second pulse may be used to generate the current for the reference response. The primary response and the reference response are compared to provide diagnostic information relating to position or movement of one or more of the latch pins (118).

The invention relates to a method for determining a characteristic value of a magnetic switch valve. The magnetic switch valve can be switched from a closed switch state into an open switch state, via the movement of a rotor by means of a switching magnet applied with current against a conservative restoring force. According to the invention, during the switching of the switch valve from the open state into the closed state, the time course of the current flowing through the switching magnet and/or of the voltage at the switching magnet is measured. The characteristic value to be measured is evaluated from this time course. It was recognised that every movement of the rotor against the switching magnet induced a voltage in same. Now the voltage at the switching magnet is regulated at a constant value, for one, the voltage induced by the movement can be observed as a control deviation in the short term. For another, the induced voltage causes a current flow through the switching magnets. Based on this, the kinematics of the rotor can be deduced. Given that the switching magnet has an ohmic resistance, energy is also dissipated via the current flow. This energy is the key to determining the switching path covered by the rotor when switching between the closed and the open state. The invention also relates to a measuring device that is particularly suitable for the method.

This invention provides two methods for detecting mechanical or electrical faults in a solenoid valve. In the first method, a force sensor is placed in the valve in such a way as to detect changes in the impact force of the plunger against the solenoid valve body or coil housing (depending upon the direction of movement of the plunger upon application of the electric current/magnetic field). A second method is provided which makes use of an accelerometer placed in such a way as to detect changes in the response of the plunger to the application of the magnetic field.

Embodiments of a discharge circuit are disclosed for quickly and safely discharging energy from an inductor load. The discharge circuit comprises a first switch, a second switch and a voltage regulator. The inductor load couples between the first switch and the second switch. During fast demagnetization, a high side switch is tuned off to decouple the load from a voltage source and the second switch is turned on. Voltage on one end of the load is pushed high and maintained at a predetermined level due to the voltage regulator. The predetermined voltage pulls down the current at the inductive load and causes temperature of the discharge circuit going up quickly. Once the temperature reaches a predetermined threshold, a comparing circuit outputs a signal to a driver and eventually pulls down voltage of the inductor load for low-power demagnetization.

A method of testing a solenoid of a directional control valve in a subsea hydrocarbon production system, the solenoid having a coil and an armature for operating the valve and the coil being energized by a drive voltage across it, the method comprises removing or reducing the drive voltage and sensing current through the coil to produce an indication of movement of the armature.

Methods and apparatuses for connecting multiple loads with a common return pin in engine control module application are disclosed. Only one of the multiple loads can be connected to a power source at a time. At the high side, each load is coupled to the power source through a respective pin at a connector. At the low side, the multiple loads share a common return pin at the connector that connects the loads to the ground. When a first load is connected to the power source at the high side, a first low side driver circuit is used to connect the first load to the ground at the low side. When a second load is connected to the power source at the high side, the second low side driver circuit is used to connect the second load to the ground at the low side.

A switching device includes at least one main contactor, a control power supply and an actuator configured to cause the main contactor to change from an open to a closed state against a force generated by the spring. The contactor has a blade and at least one terminal, the blade being configured to assume a position in contact with the terminal and a position not in contact with the terminal. The switching device includes a detection system configured to determine the contact or non-contact blade position of the main contactor, to generate at least one second signal as a function of the determined blade position of the main contactor and to transmit the second signal to the control power supply. The control power supply is configured to generate a control signal configured to keep the main contactor in the closed state upon reception of the second signal.

A method for switching over a solenoid valve having a movable valve body between a first position and a second position, wherein the method comprises at least the following method steps: a) adjusting a switching current to a pre-energization current intensity, in which the valve body remains in the present position, for a first time interval, and b) adjusting the switching current to a first switchover current intensity, which introduces a switchover movement of the valve body, for a second time interval.

An electric current detection apparatus, the electric current detection apparatus is configured to detect an electric current flowing in a solenoid configured to be electrified by a PWM control, the apparatus includes a switch, an electric current value detection portion configured to detect a first electric current value at a first timing corresponding to a timing when the switch transitions from a closed state to an open state, the electric current value detection portion being configured to detect a third electric current value at a third timing, and a second electric current value calculation portion configured to calculate a second electric current value on the basis of the first electric current value and the third electric current value, the second electric current value being an electric current value of the electric current at the second timing.

(problem) The invention is to provide to a solenoid valve drive control device and a solenoid valve comprising the solenoid valve drive control device, in which the generation of the noise that originates in inrush current can be controlled by reducing inrush current to the stray capacity of the coil, and accumulating energy in the coil, and in which the energy conservation can be attained.

(Resolution Approach) The invention is a solenoid valve drive control device of the invention, in which by controlling of the zero cross timing generation device 72, after energizing of zero cross timing to the solenoid 66 is started by the switching device 68, when the current value that flows to the solenoid 66 detected by the electric current sensing device 78 reaches predetermined setting current value Ia, an interception mode in which energizing to the solenoid 66 is intercepted by the switching device 68, after intercepting energizing to the solenoid 66 by the switching device 68, the holding current is applied to the solenoid 66 between the following zero cross timings through a snubber circuit 70, a hold mode in which the current value that flows to the solenoid is set to reach predetermined holding current value Ib or more.