Patent ID: 7394639

Claim:
A process control apparatus comprising: an actuator configured to effect changes in an industrial process; a power supply; a plurality of current switches coupled between the actuator and the power supply; and a controller coupled to the plurality of current switches, wherein the controller is configured to: selectively close one or more of the plurality of current switches so as to provide a selectable level of current from the power supply to the actuator; initially close a first of the at least two of the plurality of current switches and open a second of the at least two of the plurality of current switches so as to initially provide current to the actuator via the first of the at least two of the plurality of current switches; and close the second of the at least two of the plurality of current switches in response to a rate of increase of charge in the actuator being less than a desired amount so as to simultaneously provide current to the actuator via the at least two of the plurality of current switches.