Booster for a digital hydraulic controller and method for using a booster in connection with a digital hydraulic controller

1. A device for increasing the speed of actuation of a multiplicity of digital valves arranged as a digital valve group such that the multiplicity of digital valves are connected in parallel in relation to a fluid flow source, the device comprising:

a first cable connection point, having a multiplicity of discrete first wire connectors for receiving a control signal;

wherein the device has for each of said multiplicity of discrete first wire connectors, a corresponding second cable connection point, each second cable connection point having a second wire connector and a third wire connector;

a first current supply having a first voltage and connected to a ground and having a first current output;

a second current supply having a second voltage connected to the ground and having a second current output;

wherein the second voltage is higher than the first voltage of the first current supply;

an electric circuit for each discrete first wire connector and the corresponding second cable connection point, the electric circuit further comprising:

a first electrical connection between one of said second wire connectors and the first current output without a switch therebetween;

a first semiconductor switch between the ground and the third wire connector;

a second semiconductor switch between the second wire connector and the second current output; and

a pulse former connected by an electrical conductor to each discrete first wire connector to receive a control signal, and connected to the first semiconductor switch and the second semiconductor switch, to close the first and second semiconductor switches for a first time period and to close only the first semiconductor switch during a second time period.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein there are sixteen discrete first wire connectors.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the first voltage is between 2 volts and 24 volts.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein the first voltage is between 8 volts and 12 volts.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the second voltage is between 20 volts and 90 volts.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein the second voltage is between 30 volts and 50 volts.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein the pulse former is arranged to connect the first semiconductor switch and the second semiconductor switch for at least 6 ms.

8. A device for increasing the speed of actuation of a multiplicity of digital valves arranged as a digital valve group such that the multiplicity of digital valves are connected in parallel in relation to a fluid flow source, the device comprising:

a first cable connection point, having a multiplicity of discrete first wire connectors for receiving a control signal;

wherein the device has for each of said multiplicity of discrete first wire connectors, a corresponding second cable connection point, each second cable connection point having a second wire connector and a third wire connector;

a first current supply having a first voltage and connected to a ground and having a first current output;

a second current supply having a second voltage connected to the ground and having a second current output;

wherein the second voltage is higher than the first voltage of the first current supply;

an electric circuit for each first discrete wire connector and the corresponding second cable connection point, the electric circuit further comprising:

a first electrical connection between one of the second wire connectors and the first current output through a first diode therebetween;

a first semiconductor switch between the ground and the third wire connector;

a second semiconductor switch between the second wire connector and the second current output;

a second diode connected between the third wire connector and the second current output;

a pulse former connected by an electrical conductor to each discrete first wire connector to receive a control signal, and connected to the first semiconductor switch and the second semiconductor switch, to close the first and second semiconductor switches for a first time period and to close only the first semiconductor switch during a second time period.

9. The device of claim 8 wherein the first voltage is between 2 volts and 24 volts.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein the first voltage is between 8 volts and 12 volts.

11. The device of claim 8 wherein the second voltage is between 20 volts and 90 volts.

12. The device of claim 11 wherein the second voltage is between 30 volts and 50 volts.

13. The device of claim 8 wherein the pulse former is arranged to connect the first semiconductor switch and the second semiconductor switch for at least 6 ms.

14. A device comprising:

a first cable connection point, having a multiplicity of discrete first wire connectors for receiving a control signal;

wherein the device has for each of said multiplicity of discrete first wire connectors, a corresponding second cable connection point, each second cable connection point having a second wire connector and a third wire connector;

a first current supply having a first voltage and connected to a ground and having a first current output;

a second current supply having a second voltage connected to the ground and having a second current output;

wherein the second voltage is higher than the first voltage of the first current supply;

an electric circuit for each discrete first wire connector and the corresponding second cable connection point, the electric circuit further comprising:

a first electrical connection between one of the second wire connectors and the first current output without a switch therebetween;

a first semiconductor switch between the ground and the third wire connector;

a second semiconductor switch between the second wire connector and the second current output;

a pulse former connected by an electrical conductor to each discrete first wire connector to receive a control signal, and connected to the first semiconductor switch and the second semiconductor switch, to close the first and second semiconductor switches for a first time period and to close only the first semiconductor switch during a second time period;

a digital valve group comprising:

a multiplicity of digital valves connected in parallel to a source of fluid flow;

wherein each valve of the multiplicity of digital valves has a valve stem and a magnetic coil around the valve stem;

wherein the magnetic coil has a first lead connected to one of said second wire connectors in one of the corresponding second cable connection point; and

wherein the magnetic coil has a second lead connected to one of said third wire connectors in the same corresponding second cable connection point.

15. The device of claim 14 wherein the first voltage is between 2 volts and 24 volts.

16. The device of claim 15 wherein the first voltage is between 8 volts and 12 volts.

17. The device of claim 14 wherein the second voltage is between 20 volts and 90 volts.

18. The device of claim 17 wherein the second voltage is between 30 volts and 50 volts.

19. The device of claim 14 wherein the pulse former is arranged to connect the first semiconductor switch and the second semiconductor switch for at least 6 ms.