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 solenoid is latched in an energized position by a residual magnetic field established by a pulse of current. A degaussing current is selectively applied from a capacitor to unlatch the solenoid. Fail-safe return to the de-energized position occurs when the supply of power is lost.

A valve device includes a valve having an electrodynamic actuator. The electrodynamic actuator includes a movably mounted control element having a coil and a magnet arrangement immovable relative to the coil. A driving force caused by energization of the coil and transmitted to the control element substantially is linearly dependent on the current intensity. A front-end electronic unit is connected with the coil and includes a capacitor connected in parallel to the coil. A method for controlling a valve as mentioned above provides that, upon actuation of the electrodynamic actuator, during energization of the coil by a voltage source, a capacitor connected in parallel to the coil is charged. After termination of the energization by the voltage source, the coil is energized further by a discharge of the capacitor.