Quasi resonant gate controller for a power driver

Abstract

A drive circuit for a power device includes a power transistor utilized to drive the power device. The drive circuit utilizes a resonant circuit that drives the power transistor at a high current level when the gate of the power transistor is in its Miller region. In one embodiment, the drive circuit includes dual transistors and an inductor tuned to the gate capacitance to drive the gate of the power transistor. The drive circuit may be useful in a variety of areas, such as with a valve controller for a camless engine.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to generally to gate controllers and, more particularly, to a quasi resonant gate controller for a power driver. BACKGROUND INFORMATION [0002] This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the present invention, which are described and / or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present invention. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art. [0003] Historically, mechanical systems that require great forces to actuate their moving parts have utilized mechanical and / or hydraulic actuators. As one example, an internal combustion engine contains at least one intake valve and at least one exhaust valve for each cylinder of the engine. As is well kn...

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Problems solved by technology

Furthermore, the camlobes are subject to wear, and such wear typically increases as the energy required to open the valves increases.

Because worn camlobes adversely affect the opening and closing of the valves, the efficiency of the engine typically decreases and the emissions from the engine increase.

Commercially available ECMs have been limited generally to fuel and spark controls.

However, the mass and inertia of such vehicles is much larger than that of a passenger car, thus requiring powerful braking mechanisms to enable the driver of an on-highway truck to decelerate safely.

As can be appreciated, compression brakes typically include complex mechanisms that must be added to the engine to control the valves during the braking process.

However, the power consumption, cost, size, and packaging requirements of existing electrically actuated engine valves and their corresponding control circuits have prevented such designs from becoming commercially feasible.

From this simple calculation, it can be seen that size and efficiency quickly becomes an issue.

As can be appreciated, such liquid cooling solutions introduce additional size and complexity into the packaging requirements of the control and add cost as well.

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