Synchronous full-bridge oscillator
AssigneeContinental Automotive Systems, Inc.
InventorPerry Czimmek
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An electronic high frequency induction heater driver, for a variable spray fuel injection system, uses a zero-voltage switching oscillator that utilizes a full H-bridge topology wherein the semiconductor switches are synchronized within the bridge for function. The induction heater driver, upon receipt of a turn-on signal, multiplies a supply voltage through a self-oscillating series resonance, wherein one component of the tank resonator circuit comprises an induction heater coil magnetically coupled to an appropriate loss component so that fuel inside a fuel component is heated to a desired temperature.
Claims10
A power oscillator for an electronic induction heater driver, the power oscillator comprising:
- an H-bridge circuit comprising high-side and low-side semiconductor switches;
- a resonant tank circuit comprising a tank circuit inductor having first and second ends and a tank circuit capacitor, the tank circuit being electrically connected between legs of the H-bridge in a topological location of a conventional H-bridge load, the tank circuit inductor being configured to be able to inductively heat a fuel injector;
- and
- at least one energy replenishment inductor electrically in series with the H-bridge and configured to provide current to the tank circuit inductor;
- wherein the H-bridge circuit and the resonant tank circuit form a self-sustaining oscillator generating a sine wave signal, and
- wherein the H-bridge circuit and energy replenishment inductor are configured to provide current to the first end of the tank circuit inductor during a first half of the sine wave and provide current to the second end of the tank circuit during a second half of the sine wave.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.