Patent ID: 6016040
Filing Date: 2000-01-18
Classification: F02D,H02N

Abstract:
In combination with a control circuit, a device for driving at least one capacitive actuator and controlled by the control circuit, comprising:an earth potential-free voltage source regulated by the control circuit and having a positive pole and a negative pole;a charge capacitor disposed between said positive pole and said negative pole and being charged by said earth potential-free voltage source;a first series circuit disposed in parallel with said charge capacitor and including a charge switch connected to said positive pole through which current can flow away from said positive pole and a discharge switch connected to said negative pole through which current can flow to said negative pole;an earth connection;a recharge capacitor disposed between said negative pole and said earth connection;a ring-around coil having a first side connected to a node connection point of said charge switch and said discharge switch and a second side to be connected to an actuator to be driven;a controlled power MOSFET switch having a first side connected to said earth connection and a second side to be connected to the actuator to be driven, said controlled power MOSFET switch and the actuator defining a second series circuit;at least one further controlled power MOSFET having a first side connected to said earth connection and a second side to be connected to a first side of at least one further actuator, said second side of said ring-around coil to be connected to a second side of the at least one further actuator, said at least one further controlled power MOSFET switch and the at least one further actuator defining a third series circuit connected in parallel with said second series circuit; anda diode disposed between said second side of said ring-around coil and said earth connection and through which current can flow from said earth connection to said ring-around coil.