Patent ID: 10236108

Abstract:
A solenoid coil discharging circuit includes a rectifier, transistor, and diode. The rectifier is coupled to an alternating current signal, and provides a rectified signal in response to being coupled to the alternating current signal. The transistor is coupled to the rectifier circuit, and biased in on in response to the alternating current signal being coupled to the rectifier, thereby enabling coupling of the rectified signal to a solenoid coil. The diode is coupled to the rectifier, and discharges current from the solenoid coil in response to the alternating current signal being de-coupled from the rectifier. A method of discharging a solenoid coil includes rectifying an alternating current signal to provide a rectified signal, biasing a transistor on in response to the alternating current signal being rectified, thereby enabling coupling of the rectified signal to the solenoid coil through the transistor, and discharging current from the solenoid coil through the diode in response to discontinuing rectification of the alternating current signal.