Self adjusting solenoid driver and method

A method of operating a fluid dispenser for dispensing a fluid onto a substrate, the fluid dispenser having a dispensing valve being movable between open and closed positions for controlling a flow of the fluid from the fluid dispenser, a solenoid having a coil in electromagnetic communication with an armature being movable through a displacement by energizing the coil, the operation of the solenoid being effective to cause the dispensing valve to move between the open and closed positions;

• the method comprising:
• providing a power supply having a voltage;
• producing an output signal having an initial peak current with a variable duration followed by a hold current, the duration of the initial peak current varying as a function of the voltage of the power supply;
• and
• applying the output signal to the coil of the solenoid, thereby automatically changing the operation of the dispensing valve as a function of the voltage of the power supply.

A method of operating an electrically operated fluid dispenser for dispensing a fluid onto a substrate, the fluid dispenser having a dispensing valve operatively connected to an electrically operated solenoid, the dispensing valve being movable between open and closed positions for controlling a flow of the fluid from the fluid dispenser, the method comprising:

• providing a power supply having a voltage;
• producing an output signal having an initial peak current with a variable duration followed by a hold current, the duration of the initial peak current varying as a function of the voltage of the power supply;
• and
• applying the output signal to the electrically operated solenoid, thereby automatically changing the operation of the dispensing valve as a function of the voltage of the power supply.

A method of operating an electrically operated fluid dispenser for dispensing a fluid onto a substrate, the fluid dispenser having a dispensing valve operatively connected to an electrically operated solenoid, the dispensing valve being movable between open and closed positions for controlling a flow of the fluid from the fluid dispenser, the method comprising:

• producing a first output signal having an initial peak current with a variable duration followed by a hold current, the duration of the initial peak current varying as a function of a first nominal voltage of a first power supply connectable to the fluid dispenser;
• applying the first output signal to the solenoid;
• producing a second output signal having an initial peak current with a variable duration followed by a hold current, the duration of the initial peak current varying as a function of a second nominal voltage of a second power supply connectable to the fluid dispenser in place of the first power supply;
• and
• applying the second output signal to the solenoid.