Solenoid actuator efficiency optimization

A control device comprising:

• at least one control circuit configured to couple to a conductor and a movable mechanism and configured to perform operations comprising:
• determining a minimum drive energy capable of operating the movable mechanism, the determining comprising:
• detecting an open position of the movable mechanism in response to a first drive energy applied to the conductor at a first time,
• determining a first value of the first drive energy at the first time,
• apply a second drive energy to the conductor at a second time, the second drive energy having a second value lower than the first value,
• detecting a closed position of the movable mechanism in response to the second drive energy applied to the conductor at the second time, and
• in response to detecting the closed position of the movable mechanism, setting the first drive energy as the minimum drive energy;
• and
• apply the minimum drive energy to the conductor.

A method comprising:

• determining, by at least one control circuit, a minimum drive energy capable of operating a movable mechanism, the determining comprising:
• detecting, by the at least one control circuit, a closed position of the movable mechanism in response to a first drive energy having a first value applied to a conductor at a first time,
• applying a second drive energy to the conductor at a second time, the second drive energy having a second value higher than the first value,
• detecting, by the at least one control circuit, an open position of the movable mechanism in response to the second drive energy applied to the conductor at the second time, and
• in response to detecting the closed position of the movable mechanism, setting, by the at least one control circuit, the second drive energy as the minimum drive energy;
• and
• applying the minimum drive energy to the conductor.