Single-winding dual-latching valve actuation solenoid
OwnerJoseph B. Seale, Gary E. Bergstrominventors
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A solenoid with two magnetically separate yoke regions, providing two distinct armature latching positions, is driven by a single effective winding. In one embodiment, the yoke regions consist of U-cores on either side of the armature and a single winding consisting of multiple turns, each turn looping through both U-cores and looping around the ends of the armature. In a second embodiment, distinct winding regions associated with the separate yoke regions are interconnected in series to make a single effective winding. Passage of the armature across a defined central position of minimum inductance is detected electrically, permitting a determination of absolute flux at a position of known inductance and thereby initializing a flux integration over time.
Claims11
A dual-latching solenoid system, comprising:
- a) a first yoke;
- b) a second yoke, magnetically separate from said first yoke;
- c) an armature, movable between a first latching position adjacent said first yoke and a second latching position adjacent said second yoke;
- and,
- d) a single effective winding, for controlling motion of said armature, including for maintaining said armature in said first and said second latching positions.
In a solenoid with one coil and two latching armature positions, a method for determining a time of arrival of armature position at a predetermined position between said two latching positions, said method comprising steps of:
- a) determining inductive voltage over time in said one coil;
- b) determining current over time in said one coil;
- and,
- c) determining said time of arrival, responsive to a minimum inductance of said coil.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.