A drive circuit for controlling a solenoid valve having a solenoid coil and a poppet that translates therein is provided. The drive circuit includes a first node, a second node, a control circuit, and a flyback circuit. The first node is configured to be energized by a power source to a first voltage. The control circuit is coupled to the first and second nodes, and is configured to: (1) selectively couple the first and second nodes in series with the solenoid coil, and periodically energize the solenoid coil using a pulse-width-modulated (PWM) signal having a frequency and a duty cycle configured to regulate a current conducted through the solenoid coil. The flyback circuit is coupled to the solenoid coil and configured to energize the second node to a second voltage with energy stored in the solenoid coil.

A current controller for controlling a current of a solenoid is applied to a solenoid valve with a self-regulating pressure function from a feedback force according to an output hydraulic pressure. The current controller includes a current detector configured to detect an actual current of the solenoid, a drive unit configured to energize the solenoid with a predetermined energization period according to a drive signal, a signal output unit that sets a duty ratio of the drive signal such that the actual current follows a target current, the signal output unit being configured to generate and output the drive signal, a target setting unit that applies a dither amplitude with a dither period longer than the energization period, and an oscillation determination unit that determines, based on a behavior of the actual current, whether excessive oscillation is occurring or is trending toward excessive oscillation.

A method for determining a current that flows through a load, wherein the current comprises a DC component and a dithering component, and the dithering component is modified in predetermined time intervals, comprises steps for recording a momentary current; determining a dithering parameter; and determining the current based on the momentary current and the dithering parameter.

A solenoid plunger movement detection system and method can include: detecting current supplied to a solenoid with a current sensor; converting the current supplied to the solenoid into a digital signal with a counter coupled to a first comparator; detecting a peak within the digital signal with a peak detector; comparing the peak to the digital signal with a second comparator coupled to the peak detector; measuring a dip from the peak and measuring a trough with the second comparator; generating a fault when the peak and the trough indicate a smooth current ramp to the solenoid; receiving configurable parameters for processing the digital signal with a signal processor; and providing configurable parameters to the counter, the second comparator, the signal processor, or a combination thereof with an interface.

To reduce collision noise caused when an electromagnetic valve of a high-pressure fuel supply pump is opened. Therefore, in a control device for controlling a high-pressure fuel supply pump including: an anchor; a fixed core configured to attract the anchor with an electromagnetic force; a suction valve configured to be opened or closed when the anchor is sucked by the fixed core; and an electromagnetic force generation unit configured to generate the electromagnetic force when applied with a driving voltage, it can be achieved by providing a control unit configured to perform control to lower a driving current from a peak current before a timing at which the anchor is sucked by the fixed core and collides in an operation state where an engine is under no load and an engine rotation speed is equal to or less than a set rotation speed.

A method is provided for controlling an actuator comprising an electromagnet and a control device, the electromagnet including a coil and a moving part that moves between a first position and a second position, the control device including a power supply member configured to supply the coil with an electric current having a voltage and an amperage and a measurement member for measuring a value of a quantity from among the voltage and the amperage. The method includes acquiring samples of the measured value, of regulating, according to a proportional-integral-derivative algorithm, the electric current to around a setpoint value that is equal to a maintenance value capable of maintaining the moving part in the second position, of comparing each sample to a predetermined threshold and of detecting a movement of the moving part if a single sample is above or equal to the threshold.

A method of controlling a solenoid valve having a solenoid coil and a poppet includes energizing a first node to a first voltage, and coupling the first node to the solenoid coil and energizing the solenoid coil using a pulse-width-modulated (PWM) signal having a frequency and a duty cycle configured to regulate a current conducted through the solenoid coil to below an opening threshold. The method further includes energizing a second node to a second voltage with energy stored in the solenoid coil, and coupling the second node to the solenoid coil and energizing the solenoid coil using a DC signal configured to increase the current to above the opening threshold. The method further includes coupling the first node to the solenoid coil and energizing the solenoid coil using the PWM signal having a frequency and duty cycle configured to regulate the current to above a closing threshold.

Provided are embodiments for operating an autonomous mode change circuit for solenoid drivers. The embodiments include initiating an operation of a solenoid, and receiving a command to control the operation of the solenoid. The embodiments also include controlling, by a drive circuit, a switch coupled to the solenoid based at least in part on the command, and detecting at least one of a current or voltage of the solenoid, and subsequently controlling the operation of the solenoid based at least in part on the detection.

A solenoid valve control apparatus includes a basic electric current value set portion configured to set a basic electric current value every first cycle, a dither electric current value set portion configured to set a dither electric current value of which a cycle corresponds to a dither cycle, a target electric current value set portion configured to set a target electric current value, an electric current detection portion configured to detect an actual electric current value, a duty ratio set portion configured to set a duty ratio every second cycle which is longer than the dither cycle, and a PWM control portion configured to perform PWM control on the solenoid on the basis of the duty ratio.

A metering valve comprising a solenoid having: a coil mounted on a core; and an armature moveable axially with respect to the core and against a return bias in response to a current in the coil; a variable capacitor having a first plate mounted for movement with the armature and a second plate fixed with respect to the core. The metering valve comprises an electronic feedback loop which is used to adjust the current in the coil based on a feedback signal derived from of the capacitance of the variable capacitor. A reference capacitor may be provided having opposing third and fourth plates at a set separation. A valve body may house the solenoid, the variable capacitor and the reference capacitor.