US 12,379,416 B2
Solenoid system with position and temperature detection
Onno Martens, Hamburg (DE); Lars Larsson, Hamburg (DE); and Christof Heilemann, Hamburg (DE)
Assigned to Maxim Integrated Products, Inc., San Jose, CA (US)
Filed by Maxim Integrated Products, Inc., San Jose, CA (US)
Filed on Mar. 26, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/617,002.
Application 18/617,002 is a continuation of application No. 17/579,574, filed on Jan. 19, 2022, granted, now 11,977,119.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/142,653, filed on Jan. 28, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/142,721, filed on Jan. 28, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2024/0230763 A1, Jul. 11, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. G01R 31/327 (2006.01); H01F 7/06 (2006.01); H01F 7/08 (2006.01)
CPC G01R 31/3278 (2013.01) [H01F 7/064 (2013.01); H01F 7/081 (2013.01)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A solenoid detection system comprising control logic configured to:
couple to a switch controller for providing an energizing voltage, the control logic providing an AC signal, the AC signal being superimposed onto the energizing voltage;
couple to a current sensor for detecting a current through a coil of a solenoid, the current including an AC current amplitude induced by the AC signal and including a DC offset current amplitude;
determine the AC current amplitude utilizing the AC signal for synchronous demodulation;
determine the AC current amplitude is a low AC current amplitude based on an armature of the solenoid being in a retracted position, or the AC current amplitude is a high AC current amplitude based on the armature of the solenoid being in an extended position; and
determine a temperature fault based on the DC offset current amplitude falling below a DC offset current amplitude threshold.