US 6,147,498 A · Device for detecting fault in solenoid valve

Abstract

A device for detecting a fault in a solenoid valve prevents a feeding system from supplying a drive current to a solenoid valve coil which actuates the solenoid valve from being damaged at the time of detection of the fault. The feeding system is provided with a first switch installed between one end of the solenoid valve coil and a battery, a second switch installed between the other end of the solenoid valve coil and a ground, and a plurality of wires for connecting the battery, the first and second switches and the solenoid valve coil. A test power supply system is connected to one end or the other end of the solenoid valve coil and supplies a micro test current to the solenoid valve coil when a current from the battery to the solenoid valve coil is cut off. A controller controls an operation of the first and second switches, and detects a fault in the feeding system on the basis of a voltage at the end of the solenoid valve coil opposite the end which the test power supply system is connected in accordance with the operating state.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A device for detecting a fault in a solenoid valve comprising:

a solenoid valve coil having first and second coil ends;
a feeding system for supplying a drive current to said solenoid valve coil, said feeding system comprising:
a grounded battery,
a first switch electrically connected between said first coil end and said grounded battery, and
a second switch electrically connected between said second coil end and a ground;
a test electric power supply system electrically connected to said first coil end, said test electric power supply system being operable to provide a micro test current to said solenoid valve coil when the drive current to said solenoid valve coil is cut off;
and
a controller being operable to control said first and second switches and operable to detect a fault in said feeding system on the basis of a voltage supplied to said second coil end.

5 more elements

A device for detecting a fault in a solenoid valve comprising:

a solenoid valve coil having first and second coil ends;
a feeding system for supplying a drive current to said solenoid valve coil, said feeding system comprising:
a grounded battery,
a first switch electrically connected between said first coil end and said grounded battery, and
a second switch electrically connected between said second coil end and a ground;
a test electric power supply system electrically connected to said second coil end, said test electric power supply system providing a micro test current to said solenoid valve coil when the drive current to said solenoid valve coil is cut off;
and
a controller operable to control said first and second switches and operable to detect a fault in said feeding system on the basis of a voltage supplied to said first coil end.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Device for detecting fault in solenoid valve

Life of this patent

Device for detecting fault in solenoid valve

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20