DRIVE CIRCUIT

Abstract: A drive circuit for an inductive load l0 includes a switching device l2 connected in series with the load and controlled by a constant frequency oscillator l6. The mark/space ratio of the signal supplied to the switching device by the oscillator can be varied in accordance with the output of a comparator l8 which compares the measured instantaneous value of the current flowing in the load with a calculated value of the current.

Description: This invention relates to a drive circuit for an inductive load, the drive circuit being of the so-called constant frequency type and including a switching device connected in series with the load and a source of supply. It is frequently necessary to control and vary the average current flowing in the inductive load and this can be achieved by varying the mark/space ratio. The difficulty arises in providing a measure of the average current since from the instant of switch on the current will increase exponentially in the load and if a flywheel diode is provided, from the instant of switch off will also decrease exponentially. The object of the invention is to provide a drive circuit in a simple and convenient form. According to the invention a drive circuit of the kind specified includes means for measuring the instantaneous value of the current flowing in the device at or after a predetermined time following switch on and means for comparing the measured instantaneous value of current with a calculated value of current, and further means for adjusting the mark/space ratio to achieve the desired average current flow in the load. An example of a drive circuit in accordance with the invention is illustrated in the accompanying circuit diagram. The drive circuit is intended to control the current flowing in an inductive load represented by the inductor l0, the inductive load being for example a proportional solenoid. One terminal of the load is connected to a d.c. supply line ll and the other terminal of the load is connected by way of a switching device l2 and a resistor l3 connected in series, to the other supply line l4. The switching device may comprise a transistor. In addition, in parallel with the load l0 is a flywheel diode l5. A constant frequency oscillator l6 is provided and this is connected to one input of a control circuit l7 the output of which controls the operation of the switching device l2. The control circuit also has an input which is connected to the output of a comparator l8 by way of an integrator l8A and one input of the comparator is connected by way of a switch l9 to a point intermediate the switching device l2 and the resistor l3. The other input of the comparator is connected to a reference source 20 and the operation of the switch l9 is controlled by the output of the oscillator l6. In use, the control circuit l7 provides a square wave output signal to drive the switching device l2, the mark/space ratio being controlled by the output of the comparator l8 by way of the integrator l8A. The reference source 20 provides a voltage representative of a desired instantaneous current to one input of the comparator and a voltage representing the actual instantaneous current in the load, is applied to the other input of the comparator by way of the switch l9 at the instant the switching device l2 is turned on or at a predetermined time after it has been turned on but before it is turned off. The voltage developed across the resistor l3 is representative of the instantaneous value of current and this is compared by the comparator l8 with the desired instantaneous value. Any deviation between the actual and desired value is corrected by adjustment of the mark/space ratio, the instantaneous value of the current being representative of the average current flowing in the load l0. The reference voltage supplied by the source 20 is predetermined for given circuit conditions and any deviation of the circuit conditions tending to cause a variation in the average current flowing in the load l0 will be corrected by the circuit. For example, if the supply voltage should fall which would, in the absence of any correction, cause a reduction in the average current flowing, the mark/space ratio will be adjusted to cause the average current to be restored to the desired value. The operation of the control circuit may be controlled by a micro-computer which from the feedback signal representing the instantaneous value of current in the load l0 can control the control circuit l2 to obtain the desired average current flow in the load l0.

Claims: A drive circuit for an inductive load the drive circuit being of the constant frequency type and including a switching device connected in series with the load and a source of supply, characterised by means (l3, l9) for measuring the instantaneous value of the current flowing in the device at or after a predetermined time following switch on, means (l8) for comparing the measured instantaneous value of current with a calculated value of current, and further means (l7) for adjusting the mark/space ratio to achieve the desired average current flow in the load. A drive circuit according to Claim l characterised in that the means for comparing comprises a comparator (l8) the output of which is supplied by way of an integrator (l8A) to said further means (l7), the comparator having one input connected to a reference voltage source (20) which supplies a voltage representative of the calculated value of current and a further input which receives a voltage representative of the measured instantaneous value of the current. A drive circuit according to Claim 2 characterised by a resistor (l3) connected in series with the load (l0) and switch means (l9) through which the voltage developed across said resistor is applied to said further input of the comparator (l8). A drive circuit according to Claim 2 including an oscillator for supplying a constant frequency signal, characterised by a control circuit (l7) which receives said constant frequency signal and controls the operation of said switching device (l2), the output of said integrator (l8A) being applied to said control circuit (l7) to control the mark/space ratio of the signal applied to the switching device. A drive circuit according to Claim 3 characterised in that switch means (l2) is controlled by said constant frequency signal.

Inventors: CLIVE, ROBERT JOHN, EMERSON, KEITH ROBERT
Applicants: LUCAS INDUSTRIES PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY
Application year: 1987
Main classification: H01F7
IPC codes: H01H47, G05F1