Method for supplying an inductive load

A method for supplying power to an inductive load comprising:

• an H-bridge switching structure coupled to a positive power supply and to an electrical ground and including a first, a second, a third and a fourth switch that are distributed over two branches of the H-bridge, said four switches being positioned with respect to said inductive load such that closing a first pair of switches formed by the first and third switches allows a current to flow through the inductive load in a forward direction, and that closing a second pair of switches, comprising the second and fourth switches, allows a current to flow through the inductive load in a reverse direction,
• current measurement means designed to measure a current through each switch,
• the power supply method comprising:
• a) supplying power to the inductive load for a first given duration by way of the first pair of switches or of the second pair of switches,
• b) reducing an accumulated current in the inductive load after the step of supplying power to the inductive load, for a second given duration, by closing a third pair of switches formed by the second and third switches, or by closing a fourth pair of switches, formed by the first and fourth switches,
• the method further comprising upon detection of an anomaly by way of the current measurement means during step a) or step b):
• c) identifying the switch out of the four switches that caused the circuit break,
• d) identifying whether the anomaly was detected during step a) or step b),
• if the anomaly is detected in step a):
• h) performing step b) with another pair of switches for a third duration,
• i) identifying the origin of the anomaly,
• if the anomaly is detected in step b):
• j) identifying the origin of the anomaly.