A fuel system includes an electronic control module (ECM), at least one injector coupled to the ECM, and a configurable output driver circuit coupled to the at least one injector. The configurable output driver circuit includes a channel that enables adaptation of ECM outputs. The configurable output driver circuit is configurable based on a value stored in a register circuit.

A fuel injection controller has terminals which can be connected to the coil of the fuel injector. A first valve-open control portion supplies the valve-opening voltage to the terminals for opening the fuel injector. The first valve-open control portion stops supplying the electric supply to the coil before the fuel injector is positioned at a full-open position. Before the fuel injector is fully closed, a small injection quantity can be obtained. A demagnetization portion forms a demagnetization circuit for demagnetizing the magnetism remaining in the coil. A normal-injection portion controls the fuel injector at full-open position.

An electromagnetically-activated actuator includes an electrical coil, an armature moveable between rest and actuated positions, and a bi-directional driver. A method for controlling an actuator event includes applying a supply voltage at a first polarity across the coil for a first duration to drive a forward current through the coil effective to move the armature away from the rest position. The forward current has a forward current peak at the end of the first duration. After the first duration, the supply voltage is applied at a second polarity across the coil for a second duration to drive a reverse current through the coil. The second duration terminates when the reverse current attains a predetermined reverse current peak, wherein the predetermined reverse current peak is coincident with the armature returning to the rest position.

A capacitive actuator is connected to an output of an apparatus which is formed with a capacitor connected between an input and a reference potential, with a full bridge with four power switching elements connected in parallel with the capacitor. To charge the capacitive actuator, a control circuit first turns on the first and third power switching elements. Current then flows from the first capacitor via a coil connected between the bridge paths and energy is stored in the coil. When a maximum current value is reached, the first and third power switching elements are switched off and magnetic energy stored in the coil decays due to current flow via the diodes of the second and fourth power switching elements. This charges the capacitive actuator. The capacitive actuator is charged to a predefined voltage by possible repeated switching of the first and third power switching elements.

An example embodiment relates to a method for switching a current in an electromagnet of a switchable solenoid valve, wherein, in successive switching cycles, the current is in each case switched on in order to close the valve against a force of a spring, and thereby the current is generated by electrical connection of the electromagnet to a voltage source. The example embodiment makes provision for the current in the electromagnet to be generated with a current direction opposite to the respective previous switching cycle in at least two successive switching cycles in a switched operation of the valve.

Temperature measuring device for measuring the temperature of a member, the member including a component controlled by a control signal, active at most during at least one limited activity interval, and transmitted to the component via two wires, a temperature probe connected to the two wires, in parallel with the component, and a diode, connected between a terminal of the component and a terminal of the probe connected to the same wire, in order to allow the passage of a current in the component only in a first direction, the temperature measurement being performed by a current flowing in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, outside of the activity interval.

A method for operating an internal combustion engine having at least two cylinders and having a single injector for central point injection of fuel into an air intake connected to the cylinders, wherein for each of the cylinders an injection quantity of the fuel and a starting time of the injection are specified and set as a function of the present engine load and the present engine speed. The invention further relates to such an internal combustion engine.

An example embodiment relates to a method for switching a current in an electromagnet of a switchable solenoid valve, wherein, in successive switching cycles, the current is in each case switched on in order to close the valve against a force of a spring, and thereby the current is generated by electrical connection of the electromagnet to a voltage source. The example embodiment makes provision for the current in the electromagnet to be generated with a current direction opposite to the respective previous switching cycle in at least two successive switching cycles in a switched operation of the valve.

A method, and associated device, for controlling a module for heating a plurality of fuel injectors of an engine of a vehicle, the heating module including a plurality of electromagnetic induction elements each connected to an injector of the plurality of fuel injectors and being configured, when an electric excitation current passes through the electromagnetic induction elements, to heat the injector by induction, the method including a step of generating an electric supply current and a step of generating, from the electric supply current, a plurality of electric excitation currents phase shifted relative to one another and materialized by electric excitation current signals, each of the electric excitation currents intended to supply one of the electromagnetic induction elements. The method being notable in that the electric excitation current signals are phase shifted such that the sum of the absolute values of the amplitudes of the signals is constant.

Current sensors measure current flowing into and out of an inductive load such as a solenoid coil and provide signals to a processor when the difference between the two measured currents exceeds a threshold. A solenoid coil and electronic devices driving it are protected from damage caused by a short circuit at the connections to the coil.