IP Library Granted Patent US 8,901,768
Granted Patent B2
US 8,901,768 · App. 13/211,804 · Granted Dec 2, 2014

Wastegate control system for both current-controlled and on/off PWM-type solenoids

Inventors: Nicholas John Kalweit (Novi, MI); Robert J. Homer (Dexter, MI); Michael R. Grimes (Saline, MI)
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,901,768
App. No.
13/211,804
Granted
Dec 2, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

A wastegate control system includes a wastegate control module configured to operate in one of a first PWM mode and a second PWM mode. A first transistor includes a control terminal connected to the wastegate control module, a first output terminal, and a second output terminal. A clamp circuit is connected to the first output terminal and the second output terminal of the first transistor. A second transistor includes a control terminal connected to the wastegate control module, a first output terminal, and a second output terminal. A diode has an anode connected to the second output terminal of the first transistor and a cathode connected to the first output terminal of the second transistor.

Claims (27)

1. A wastegate control system, comprising:

a wastegate control module configured to operate in one of a first PWM mode and a second PWM mode;

a first transistor including:

a control terminal connected to the wastegate control module;

a first output terminal; and

a second output terminal;

a clamp circuit connected to the first output terminal and the second output terminal of the first transistor;

a second transistor including:

a control terminal connected to the wastegate control module;

a first output terminal; and

a second output terminal; and

a diode having an anode connected to the second output terminal of the first transistor and a cathode connected to the first output terminal of the second transistor.

2. The wastegate control system of claim 1 , wherein the first PWM mode is an on/off PWM mode and the second PWM mode is a current control PWM mode.

3. The wastegate control system of claim 2 , wherein

when the wastegate control module is operated in the first PWM mode, the wastegate control module outputs a first drive signal to the first transistor; and

when the wastegate control module is operated in the second. PWM mode, the wastegate control module outputs a first drive signal to the first transistor and a second drive signal to the second transistor.

4. The wastegate control system of claim 2 , wherein

when the wastegate control module is operated in the first PWM mode, a solenoid is connected to the second output of the first transistor and a relay is connected to the solenoid; and

when the wastegate control module is operated in the second PWM mode, a relay is connected to the second output of the second transistor and a solenoid is connected to the second output of the first transistor and the first output of the first transistor.

5. The wastegate control system of claim 1 , wherein the clamping circuit comprises a Zener diode.

6. The wastegate control system of claim 1 , wherein the clamping circuit comprises an avalanche field effect transistor (FET).

7. The wastegate control system of claim 1 , wherein the first transistor and the second transistor comprise metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) transistors.

8. The wastegate control system of claim 1 , further comprising:

a sensing module that senses an operating parameter of the wastegate control module in response to an event; and

a configuration module that configures the wastegate control module to operate in one of the first PWM mode and the second PWM mode based on the sensed operating parameter.

9. The wastegate control system of claim 8 , wherein the sensing module senses voltage.

10. The wastegate control system of claim 1 , wherein the wastegate control system is implemented an integrated circuit.

Assignments (3)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 7, 2014
From: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 034186/0776 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 28, 2012
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
To: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
Reel/Frame 028458/0184 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 27, 2011
From: KALWEIT, NICHOLAS JOHN; HORNER, ROBERT J.; GRIMES, MICHAEL R.
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 027131/0179 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 61489419 · May 24, 2011
Related Publication 20120303239A1 · Nov 29, 2012