Patent ID: 7558043

Claim:
An amperage control for an electrically operated valve, comprising: a. a process control apparatus generating a plurality of electrical operating data signals, each signal corresponding to an operating parameter of the electrically operated valve; b. a valve control apparatus transmitting a voltage to the electrically operated valve to control the operation of the valve, the valve control apparatus receiving at least one operating data signal generated by the process control apparatus; c. the electrically controlled valve having a current flow created therein upon receiving the voltage from the valve control apparatus; d. a current sensing apparatus sensing the flow of current in said electrically controlled valve, said current sensing apparatus creating an electrical signal responsive to the current flow in said electrically controlled valve; e. said signal created by the current sensing apparatus applied to said valve control apparatus, said valve control apparatus control, the operation of said electrically controlled valve responsive to said signal created by the current sensing apparatus; a first impulse current, which is one of a number of regulated current intervals of the flow of current in said electrically controlled valve, delivered by the valve control apparatus to set the valve in motion toward an open state during a first time phase; a first low current, which is one of the regulated current intervals of the flow of current in said electrically controlled valve, delivered by the valve control apparatus to stabilize the valve in the open state during a second time phase, the first low current having a lower amplitude than an amplitude of the first impulse current; a substantially zero current, which is one of the regulated current intervals of the flow of current in said electrically controlled valve, delivered by the valve control apparatus for an electrically idle interval during a third time phase, to conserve energy, as well as to allow magnetic forces to dissipate prior to a following reverse condition; a second impulse current, which is one of the regulated current intervals of the flow of current in said electrically controlled valve and which is polarized oppositely to the first impulse current, delivered by the valve control apparatus to set the valve into motion toward a closed state during a fourth time phase; and a second low current, which is one of the regulated current intervals of the flow of current in said electrically controlled valve and which is polarized oppositely to the first low current, delivered by the valve control apparatus to stabilize the valve in the closed state during a fifth time phase, the second low current having a lower amplitude than an amplitude of the first impulse current.