Patent ID: 6382252
Filing Date: 2002-05-07
Classification: E03C,Y10T

Abstract:
Control apparatus comprising a plurality of fluid control valves, respective solenoid actuators coupled to the valves and a controller for supplying control signals to the valves, wherein each solenoid actuator is a magnetic bistable solenoid actuator for opening and closing the respective valve, the actuator comprising an armature movable between two positions corresponding to the open and closed states of the valve and electromechanical drive means for being driven by respective electrical drive pulses to move the armature between said positions; the armature then remaining in the position to which the armature is moved; the apparatus including for each actuator respective input signal forming means for controlling the actuators and output signal forming means connected to the actuator and operable for supplying said respective electrical drive pulses; a micro processor-based control circuit, the corresponding input signal forming means and the corresponding output signal forming means for controlling the valves independently one from another; input signal supply means for providing control signals to the control circuit; and a local power supply connected to said control circuit and said output signal forming means and operable for supplying the power for driving the control apparatus and said pulses.