Heterogeneous fuel injector driver topology

Abstract

An apparatus includes a housing containing a microcontroller and injector driver circuitry including a first integrated circuit operatively coupled with and controllable by the microcontroller, a first plurality of switching devices operatively coupled with and controllable by the first integrated circuit, a second injector driver circuitry operatively coupled with and controllable by the second integrated circuit, a second injector driver circuit comprising a second integrated circuit operatively coupled with and controllable by the microcontroller and a second plurality of switching devices operatively coupled with and controllable by the second integrated circuit, and a third injector driver circuit, and a third plurality of switching devices operatively coupled to and controllable by the third integrated circuit. The third plurality of switching devices are coupled to and controllable by the third integrated circuit. Each of the first, second, and third plurality of switching devices includes a set of switches configured to drive a respective set of the plurality of pressurized injectors, one or more sets of switches configured to drive a respective single unpressurized injector.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to heterogeneous fuel injector driver topologies and electronics and related devices, processes, systems, and topologies. Background Art

[0002] Fuel injector electronics are useful for implementing computerized control of fuel injectors of internal combustion engine fuel systems. Fuel injector electronics may include a driver circuit configured to receive inputs in the form of control signals from a microcontroller and provide outputs in the form of voltages and currents, ultimately effectively operating a plurality of fuel injectors. Many proposals have been made for fuel injector electronics; however, such approaches suffer from many disadvantages, defects, and inadequacies, including those regarding flexibility, form factor, input / output (I / O) pin consumption, packaging, and combinations thereof, among other issues. There remains a significant need for the unique apparatus, processes, systems, and topologies disclosed herein below. Summary of the invention

[0003] Disclosure of Example Embodiments

[0004] For the purpose of clearly, concisely and accurately describing the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the manner and process of making and using the same, and to enable the practice, manufacture and use thereof, reference will now be made to certain exemplary embodiments (including those shown in the drawings), and specific language will be used to describe the same. However, it should be understood that no limitation on the scope of the invention is thereby created, and the present invention includes and protects such changes, modifications and further applications of the exemplary embodiments as will occur to those skilled in the art.

[0005] summary

[0006] One embodiment is an apparatus including unique fuel injector electronics. Another embodiment is a process involving unique fuel injector electronics. Still further embodiments are systems including unique fuel injector electronics. Still further embodiments, forms, objects, features, advantages, aspects and benefits should become apparent from the following description and drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Figure 1 A schematic diagram depicting certain aspects of an example internal combustion engine system in an example operating environment.

[0008] Figure 2 To depict Figure 1 Schematic diagram of certain aspects of an example internal combustion engine system.

[0009] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram depicting certain aspects of an example fuel injector circuit.

[0010] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram depicting certain aspects of an example fuel injector circuit.

[0011] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram depicting certain aspects of an example fuel injector controller.

[0012] Fig. 6A , Figure 6B and Figure 6C To depict Figure 5 A schematic diagram of certain aspects of a fuel injector controller.

[0013] Figure 7 A set of graphics depicting some aspects of the example control. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] Reference Figure 1 , an example system 100 is shown, which includes an internal combustion engine system 110 (also referred to herein as an engine system 110) and at least a portion of one or more loads 109. The system 100 can be provided in many forms, including, for example, in the form of a vehicle or vehicle drive train system (e.g., a highway vehicle or vehicle drive train system, or an off-highway vehicle or vehicle drive train system), a work machine or work machine drive train system, a generator set or generator set drive train system, or a hydraulic fracturing rig or hydraulic fracturing rig drive train system (to name a few non-limiting examples). It should be recognized that the system 100 may include many other components as will occur to those skilled in the art with the benefit and insight of this disclosure.

[0015] In the example shown, engine system 110 includes an intake air handling system 112, an engine 114, an exhaust aftertreatment system 116, a fueling system 118, and an electronic control system (ECS) 130. It should be appreciated that system 110 may include numerous other components as will occur to one of ordinary skill in the art given the benefit and insight of this disclosure.

[0016] The intake air handling system 112 may include one or more air handling ducts, air filters, compressors (such as those of a turbocharger or supercharger), coolers (such as supercharger air coolers, intercoolers, and / or aftercoolers, which may, for example, be of the air-to-air type or the air-to-liquid type), and sensors (such as temperature sensors, pressure sensors, mass flow sensors, and other types of sensors), among other components.

[0017] The engine 114 can be provided in many forms and typically includes: a block, which includes a plurality of cylinders; and a head, which is coupled to the block. The head typically includes an inlet port, an inlet valve configured to selectively open and close the inlet port, an exhaust port, an exhaust valve configured to selectively open and close the exhaust port, an injector hole, a fuel injector disposed in the injector hole, a spark plug hole, and a spark plug disposed in the spark plug hole. A plurality of pistons may be disposed in corresponding cylinders of the plurality of cylinders. A crankshaft may be coupled to the plurality of pistons and configured to convert the reciprocating motion of the plurality of pistons to provide a torque for driving a load 109, which may include internal loads of the system 110 (such as an oil pump, a valve train, a fuel pump, and other loads of the engine 114, as well as an auxiliary load of the system 110). It should be appreciated that the system 110 may include many other components as would occur to a person skilled in the art with the benefit and insight of the present disclosure.

[0018] The exhaust system 116 may include one or more exhaust treatment conduits, a turbine (such as a turbine of a turbocharger), aftertreatment components (such as oxidation catalysts, special filters, selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalysts, and / or other catalysts and aftertreatment components), and sensors (such as temperature sensors, pressure sensors, oxygen or lambda sensors, mass flow sensors, and other types of sensors), among other components.

[0019] The fueling system 118 may be configured and provided as a high pressure common rail fuel injection system, which includes a fuel supply 121, which is configured and operable to supply fuel to a high pressure fuel pump 123 via an active inlet metering (AIM) valve 122, which is actively controlled by the ECS 130, as further described herein below. The fuel supply 121 may include a low pressure fuel circuit, which includes a boost pump, which may be submerged in a tank containing a fuel reservoir. The high pressure fuel pump 123 is configured and operable to supply pressurized fuel to a high pressure common fuel rail 124, which in turn is configured and operable to supply pressurized fuel to a plurality of fuel injectors 120.

[0020] The ECS 130 preferably includes one or more programmable microcontrollers of the solid-state integrated circuit type, and one or more non-transitory storage media configured to store instructions executable by the one or more microcontrollers. For the purposes of this application, the term microcontroller should be understood to also include microprocessors, system-on-a-chip (SOC) type integrated circuits, and other types of integrated circuit processors. The ECS 130 is in operative communication with sensors or controllers of the inlet air handling system 112, the engine 114, the exhaust system 116, and the fueling system 118, and can be adapted and configured to control their operation and / or receive inputs therefrom. It should be recognized that Figure 1 The control relationships between the aforementioned components are conceptually depicted using dashed arrows, and various communication hardware and protocols may be used for implementation (such as one or more controller area networks (CAN) or other communication components).

[0021] The ECS 130 may be implemented in any of a number of ways that combine or distribute control functions across one or more control units in various ways. The ECS 130 may execute operational logic that defines various control, management, and / or regulation functions. The operational logic may be in the form of dedicated hardware (such as a hardwired state machine, an analog computing machine), programming instructions, and / or in different forms as will occur to those skilled in the art. The ECS 130 may be provided as a single component or a collection of operatively connected components; and may include digital circuits, analog circuits, or a hybrid combination of these two types. When in a multi-component form, the ECS 130 may have one or more components that are remotely located relative to other components in a distributed arrangement. The ECS 130 may include multiple processing units that are arranged to operate independently in a pipeline processing arrangement, a parallel processing arrangement, and the like. It should also be appreciated that the ECS 130 and / or any of its constituent components may include one or more signal conditioners, modulators, demodulators, arithmetic logic units (ALUs), central processing units (CPUs), limiters, oscillators, control clocks, amplifiers, signal conditioners, filters, format converters, communication ports, clamps, delay devices, storage devices, analog-to-digital (A / D) converters, digital-to-analog (D / A) converters, and / or different circuits or components as would occur to one of ordinary skill in the art to perform the desired communications.

[0022] Figure 1 100 . As described above, during typical operation of the system 100, ambient air 91 of the operating environment 99 is received as an input to the system 100, and treated emissions 93 from the system 100 are released to the operating environment 99. In some embodiments, the load 109 may at least partially comprise a portion of the operating environment 99. For example, in embodiments in which the system 100 is provided in the form of a generator set or a generator set drive train system, in addition to load components that are integrated into the system 100 even if small, one or more loads 109 may include loads at various nodes in the distributed power network. As another example, in embodiments in which the system 100 is provided in the form of a vehicle or a vehicle drive train system, in addition to load components that are integrated into the system 100 even if small, the load 109 may include forces such as wind, gravity, road friction, and other environmental load components.

[0023] Reference Figure 2, showing certain aspects of an example implementation of the system 110. In the example shown, the ECS 130 includes an electronic control unit (ECU) 131 that is in operative communication with a plurality of fuel injectors 120 and is configured to supply control signals to and receive feedback signals from the plurality of fuel injectors 120, the plurality of fuel injectors 120 being operatively coupled to and configured to inject fuel into the respective cylinders 12 of the engine 114. In the example shown, the plurality of injectors 120 are configured and provided as direct injectors that inject fuel directly into the cylinders 12. In other embodiments, one or more of the injectors may be configured and provided as port injectors that inject fuel into respective inlet ports directed from the inlet manifold 102 into the respective cylinders 12. The cylinders 12 are also operatively coupled to an exhaust manifold 132.

[0024] In the illustrated embodiment, each of the cylinders 12 is provided with fuel from two of the fuel injectors 120. Injectors 1 and 7 are configured and operable to provide fuel to cylinder 12A. Injectors 2 and 8 are configured and operable to provide fuel to cylinder 12B. Injectors 3 and 9 are configured and operable to provide fuel to cylinder 12C. Injectors 4 and 10 are configured and operable to provide fuel to cylinder 12D. Injectors 5 and 11 are configured and operable to provide fuel to cylinder 12E. Injectors 6 and 12 are configured and operable to provide fuel to cylinder 12F. The paired injectors serving each of the cylinders 12 may include one unboosted injector driven by an unboosted voltage and one boosted injector driven by a boosted voltage greater than the unboosted voltage. Injectors 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 may be configured and provided as a single, non-grouped unboosted injector. Injectors 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 may be configured and provided as boost injectors and may be provided in multiple injector groups. Injectors 1 and 2 may be configured and provided as a first boost injector group. Injectors 3 and 4 may be configured and provided as a second boost injector group. Injectors 5 and 6 may be configured and provided as a third boost injector group.

[0025] Reference Figure 3 , an example circuit 270 for actuating an injector 7 is shown, the injector 7 being provided and configured in the form of a single unboosted injector. The circuit 270 includes a high-side switch 271 and a low-side switch 273, each of which is configured and provided in the form of a power MOSFET. In other embodiments, the high-side switch 271 and the low-side switch 273 may be configured and provided as another type of switch in other embodiments, such as, for example, an IGBT or another type of switching device.

[0026] The source terminal of the high side switch 271 is operatively coupled to the injector 7. The drain terminal of the high side switch 271 is operatively coupled to the unboosted voltage source (Vbat). The gate terminal of the high side switch 271 is operatively coupled to the high side switch control signal (INJ_7_HS).

[0027] A drain terminal of the low side switch 273 is operatively coupled to the injector 7. A source terminal of the low side switch 273 is operatively coupled to the current sensor 275. A gate terminal of the low side switch 273 is operatively coupled to the low side switch control signal (INJ_7_LS).

[0028] The current sensor 275 includes a shunt resistor 277 operatively coupled to the low side switch 273 and ground. The current sensor 275 includes a comparator 279 having inputs coupled at respective nodes across the shunt resistor 277. The output of the current sensor 275 is provided as a current sensor signal (INJ_7_CS).

[0029] The high-side switch 271 and the low-side switch 273 may be controlled by a control signal (INJ_7_HS) and a control signal (INJ_7_LS), respectively, to selectively cause current to flow through the injector 7, effectively actuating the injector 7. The current flowing through the injector 7 may be detected by a current sensor 275 and provided as feedback in the form of a current sensor signal (INJ_7_CS).

[0030] It should be appreciated that circuits substantially similar to circuit 270 may be provided and utilized in conjunction with injectors 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12. Such substantially similar circuits may receive control inputs and provide feedback outputs similar to those of circuit 270, but configured for controlling and sensing, for example, injectors 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12, as in conjunction with the injectors 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12. Fig. 6A , Figure 6B and Figure 6C Described.

[0031] It will be appreciated that a circuit substantially similar to circuit 270 may be provided and utilized in conjunction with a single injector. Figure 6BAs shown in , circuit 270' may be provided for injector 8, circuit 270" may be provided for injector 10, and circuit 270'" may be provided for an AIM valve. Such circuits may be substantially similar to circuit 270, but have inputs and outputs corresponding to injector 8, injector 10, and the AIM valve. Circuit 270' may receive control inputs and provide feedback outputs similar to those of circuit 270, but is configured for controlling and sensing injector 8. Circuit 270" may receive control inputs and provide feedback outputs similar to those of circuit 270, but is configured for controlling and sensing injector 10. Circuit 270'" may receive control inputs and provide feedback outputs similar to those of circuit 270, but is configured for controlling and sensing an AIM valve.

[0032] like Figure 6C As shown in , circuit 270"" may be provided for injector 9, circuit 270""' may be provided for injector 11, and circuit 270""" may be provided for injector 12. Such circuits may be substantially similar to circuit 270, but have inputs and outputs corresponding to injector 89, injector 11, and injector 12. Circuit 270"" may receive control inputs and provide feedback outputs similar to those of circuit 270, but configured for controlling and sensing injector 9. Circuit 270""' may receive control inputs and provide feedback outputs similar to those of circuit 270, but configured for controlling and sensing injector 11. Circuit 270""' may receive control inputs and provide feedback outputs similar to those of circuit 270, but configured for controlling and sensing injector 12.

[0033] Reference Figure 4 , an example circuit 280 for actuating injector 1 and injector 2 is shown, and injector 1 and injector 2 are provided and configured in the form of a boost injector group. Circuit 280 includes a high-side switch 281, a high-side switch 282, a low-side switch 283, and a low-side switch 284, each of which is configured and provided in the form of a power MOSFET. In other embodiments, high-side switch 281, high-side switch 282, low-side switch 283, and low-side switch 284 may be configured and provided as another type of switch in other embodiments, such as, for example, an IGBT or another type of switching device.

[0034] The source terminal of high side switch 281 is operatively coupled to injector 1 and injector 2 via reverse blocking diode 291. The drain terminal of high side switch 281 is operatively coupled to an unboosted voltage source (Vbat). The gate terminal of high side switch 281 is operatively coupled to a high side switch control signal (INJ_1&2_HS).

[0035] The source terminal of high side switch 282 is operatively coupled to injector 1 and injector 2. The drain terminal of high side switch 282 is operatively coupled to a boost voltage source (Vboost). The gate terminal of high side switch 282 is operatively coupled to a high side boost switch control signal (INJ_1&2_HSB).

[0036] A drain terminal of the low side switch 283 is operatively coupled to Injector 1. A source terminal of the low side switch 283 is operatively coupled to the current sensor 285. A gate terminal of the low side switch 283 is operatively coupled to the low side switch control signal (INJ_1_LS).

[0037] The current sensor 285 includes a shunt resistor 287 operatively coupled to the low side switch 283 and ground. The current sensor 285 includes a comparator 289 having inputs coupled at respective nodes across the shunt resistor 287. The output of the current sensor 275 is provided as a current sensor signal (INJ_1_CS).

[0038] A drain terminal of the low side switch 284 is operatively coupled to the injector 2. A source terminal of the low side switch 284 is operatively coupled to the current sensor 286. A gate terminal of the low side switch 284 is operatively coupled to the low side switch control signal (INJ_2_LS).

[0039] The current sensor 286 includes a shunt resistor 288 operatively coupled to the low side switch 284 and ground. The current sensor 286 includes a comparator 290 having inputs coupled at respective nodes across the shunt resistor 288. The output of the current sensor 286 is provided as a current sensor signal (INJ_2_CS).

[0040] High-side switch 281, high-side switch 282, low-side switch 283 and low-side switch 284 can be controlled by control signal INJ_1&2_HS, boost control signal INJ_1&2_HSB, control signal INJ_1_LS and control signal INJ_2_LS, respectively, to selectively allow non-boosted or boosted current to flow through injector 1 and / or injector 2, effectively actuating injector 1 and / or injector 2. The current flowing through injector 1 can be detected by current sensor 285 and provided as feedback in the form of current sensor signal (INJ_1_CS). The current flowing through injector 2 can be detected by current sensor 286 and provided as feedback in the form of current sensor signal (INJ_2_CS).

[0041] It should be appreciated that circuits substantially similar to circuit 280 may be provided and utilized in conjunction with other boost injector groups. Figure 6BAs shown in FIG. 2 , circuit 280′ may be provided for injector 3 and injector 4 and may include substantially similar circuitry to circuit 280, but with inputs and outputs corresponding to injector 3 and injector 4. Thus, circuit 280′ may receive control inputs and provide feedback outputs similar to those of circuit 280, but configured for controlling and sensing injector 3 and injector 4. Figure 6C As shown in FIG. 2 , circuit 280 ″ may be provided for injector 5 and injector 6 and may include circuitry substantially similar to circuit 280 , but with inputs and outputs corresponding to the injectors. Thus, circuit 280 ″ may receive control inputs and provide feedback outputs similar to those of circuit 280 , but configured for controlling and sensing injectors 5 and injector 6 .

[0042] Reference Figure 5 , an example electronic control unit (ECU) 131 is shown, which may be provided as a component of the ECS 130. In the example shown, the ECU 131 includes a housing 210 that houses a circuit board 212, on which a microcontroller unit (MCU) 220, a plurality of driver integrated circuits (driver ICs) 530, 550, and 570, and a plurality of power switches (including power switch 330, power switch 350, and power switch 370) are mounted. In the embodiment shown, the MCU 220 is operatively coupled to the driver ICs 530, 550, and 570 via a plurality of conductors, which are configured and provided in the form of conductive traces 313, 315, and 317, respectively.

[0043] In the illustrated embodiment, the driver IC 530 is operatively coupled to the power switch 330 via a plurality of conductors configured and provided in the form of conductive traces 233 of the circuit board 212. The power switch 330 is operatively coupled to the pins 263 of the ECU interface 251 via a plurality of conductors configured and provided in the form of conductive traces 243 of the circuit board 212. The plurality of pins 263 of the ECU interface 251 are in turn operatively coupled to corresponding conductors of the harness conductors 573, which in turn are operatively coupled to the injector 430.

[0044] In the illustrated embodiment, the driver IC 550 is operatively coupled to the power switch 350 via a plurality of conductors configured and provided in the form of conductive traces 235 of the circuit board 212. The power switch 350 is operatively coupled to the pins 265 of the ECU interface 251 via a plurality of conductors configured and provided in the form of conductive traces 245 of the circuit board 212. The plurality of pins 265 of the ECU interface 251 are in turn operatively coupled to corresponding conductors of the harness conductors 575, which in turn are operatively coupled to the injector 450 and the AIM valve 422.

[0045] In the illustrated embodiment, the driver IC 570 is operatively coupled to the power switch 370 via a plurality of conductors configured and provided in the form of conductive traces 237 of the circuit board 212. The power switch 370 is operatively coupled to the pins 267 of the ECU interface 251 via a plurality of conductors configured and provided in the form of conductive traces 247 of the circuit board 212. The plurality of pins 267 of the ECU interface 251 are in turn operatively coupled to corresponding conductors 577 of the wiring harness, which in turn are operatively coupled to the injector 470.

[0046] Reference Fig. 6A , Figure 6B and Figure 6C , showing Figure 5 Further aspects of the exemplary electronic control unit (ECU) 131 of FIG. 131 are described below. It should be appreciated that in addition to Fig. 6A , Figure 6B and Figure 6C ECU 131 may include other aspects, components, and features in addition to and / or as an alternative to those shown.

[0047] like Fig. 6A As shown in FIG. 2 , MCU 220 includes a communication bus component configured and provided in the form of a serial peripheral interface (SPI) 205. Other components of MCU 220 (such as one or more processing cores, one or more non-transitory memory units, and / or other MCU components) may be operatively coupled to SPI 205, as indicated by the adjacent arrows and ellipses shown.

[0048] The SPI 205 is adapted and configured to provide bidirectional digital communication between the MCU 220 as a master device and the driver IC 530 as a slave device, which may include, among other logic signals, a master-out slave-in (MOSI) communication from the MCU 220 to the driver IC 530, and a master-in slave-out (MISO) communication from the driver IC 530 to the MCU 220. It should be appreciated that in some embodiments, other types of communication buses and associated communications and architectures may be utilized. The SPI 205 may be configured to utilize two input / output pins of the MCU 220 to provide bidirectional MOSI and MISO communications between the MCU 220 and the driver IC 530.

[0049] SPI 205 may be used to communicate information related to the operation of one or more fuel injectors from driver IC 530 to MCU 220. For example, driver IC 530 may be configured and operable to receive and process analog feedback signals associated with circuit 270 or circuit 280, such as current sensor signal (INJ_1_CS), current sensor signal (INJ_2_CS), and current sensor signal (INJ_7_CS). Driver IC 530 may be configured and operable to determine digital information indicative of one or more of the current sensor signals mentioned above and communicate such digital information to MCU 220. Such communications may allow MCU 220 to perform closed-loop feedback control of a fuel injector associated with circuit 270 and / or circuit 280 and diagnostics regarding the fuel injector.

[0050] MCU 220 includes a real-time or near real-time interface component configured and provided in the form of a timer module (TM) 207. Other components of MCU 220 (such as one or more processing cores, one or more memory units, and / or other components) may be operatively coupled to TM 207, as indicated by the adjacent arrows and ellipses shown. TM 207 is adapted and configured to provide injector phase and injector pulse signals, which may be received and utilized by driver IC 530 to determine, for example, a control output for an injector, as described below in conjunction with Figure 7 In the example shown, the TM 207 outputs to the driver IC 530 a phase signal for injector 1 (INJ_1_Phase), a pulse signal for injector 1 (INJ_1_pulse), a phase signal for injector 2 (INJ_2_Phase), a pulse signal for injector 2 (INJ_2_pulse), a phase signal for injector 7 (INJ_7_Phase), and a pulse signal for injector 7 (INJ_7_pulse).

[0051] In the illustrated embodiment, the MCU 220 may include feedback signal conditioning components configured and provided in the form of an analog-to-digital converter (A2D) 209. Other components of the MCU 220, such as one or more processing cores, one or more memory units, and / or other components, may be operatively coupled to the A2D 209, as indicated by the adjacent arrows and ellipses shown.

[0052] The driver IC 530 may be configured to transmit analog information indicative of the above-mentioned current sensor signals to the A2D 209 of the MCU 220. For example, the driver IC 530 may be configured to transmit an analog feedback signal for injector 1 (INJ_1_FB), an analog feedback signal for injector 2 (INJ_2_FB), and an analog feedback signal for injector 7 (INJ_7_FB), which may be the same as, related to, or otherwise indicative of the current sensor signal (INJ_1_CS), the current sensor signal (INJ_2_CS), and the current sensor signal (INJ_7_CS), respectively. The driver IC 530 may be configured to pass or amplify, attenuate, filter, scale, or otherwise process the above-mentioned current sensor signals so that the above-mentioned feedback signals are suitable for and compatible with the input requirements of the A2D 209 of the MCU 220. Such communications and processing may provide a redundant or fail-safe signal path, allowing the MCU 220 to perform closed-loop feedback control of and diagnostics regarding a fuel injector associated with the circuit 270 and / or the circuit 280. In embodiments where such redundancy or fail-safety is not implemented, the pin connections and communications from the driver IC 530 and the MCU 220 may be omitted, and the A2D 209 of the MCU 220 may optionally be dedicated to other signal processing, left unused, or omitted entirely.

[0053] MCU 220 includes additional input-output components (I / O) 202, which can be configured and provided in the form of general microcontroller inputs or outputs. Other components of MCU 220 (such as, one or more processing cores, one or more memory units and / or other components) can be operatively connected to I / O 202, as indicated by the adjacent arrows and ellipsis shown. I / O 202 is adapted and configured to provide communication of many input and output signals between MCU 220 and driver IC 530. In the example shown, MCU 220 can provide reset signal RST, enable signal (EN) and clock signal (CLK) to driver IC 530 via I / O 202, and driver IC 530 can provide interrupt request signal (IRQ) to MCU 220 via I / O 202.

[0054] The driver IC 530 may determine the high-side switch control signal and the low-side switch control signal in response to the phase signal for a given injector and the pulse signal for a given injector. The driver IC 530 may make such determinations for each of the high-side and low-side switch control signals associated with it. By way of example, the operation of the driver IC 530 will now be further described with respect to a particular injector, recognizing that the principles so described may be applied to other injectors and other driver ICs disclosed herein.

[0055] Figure 7 Depicted are certain aspects of an example determination that may be performed by the driver IC 530 with respect to the injector 7. Graph 710 shows a pulse voltage signal 711 as a function of time, which corresponds to a pulse signal (INJ_7_pulse) for the injector 7. Graph 720 shows a phase voltage signal 722 as a function of time, which corresponds to a phase signal (INJ_7_Phase) for the injector 7. Graph 730 shows an injector current signal 733 as a function of time, which corresponds to a current sensor signal (INJ_7_CS). The driver IC 530 may determine a command by multiplying the pulse voltage signal 711 and the phase voltage signal 722, which is effective to actuate the injector 7 in a manner indicated by the injector current signal 733. From time t_0 to time t_1, the phase voltage signal 722 is zero, and the product of the phase voltage signal 722 and the pulse voltage signal is zero, resulting in the injector current signal 733 being equal to zero.

[0056] At time t_1, the phase voltage signal 722 transitions from zero to a non-zero value (v_on), and the product of the phase voltage signal 722 and the pulse voltage signal 711 causes the injector current signal 733 to rise to a maximum overshoot current value (i_max) (due to the operation of the injector's inductive load and the opening force of the injector's solenoid armature), and then stabilizes at a first injector opening current (i_h1), the magnitude of which varies with the pulse voltage signal 711 and the maximum duty cycle 712 of the phase voltage signal 722. The driver IC 530 may determine and set the high-side switch control signal (INJ_7_HS) to an opening value within a first high-side predetermined duration, and may determine and set the low-side switch control signal (INJ_7_LS) to an opening value within a first low-side predetermined duration to provide the illustrated injector operation.

[0057] At time t_2, the phase voltage signal remains at a non-zero value (v_on), the pulse voltage signal 711 transitions to a lower magnitude duty cycle 714, and the product of the phase voltage signal 722 and the pulse voltage signal 711 causes the injector current signal 733 to drop and stabilize at a second injector on current (i_h1) whose magnitude varies with the lower magnitude duty cycle 714 of the pulse voltage signal 711 and the phase voltage signal 722. The driver IC 530 may determine and set the high-side switch control signal (INJ_7_HS) to an on value within a second high-side predetermined duration that may be smaller than the first high-side predetermined duration, and may determine and set the low-side switch control signal (INJ_7_LS) to an on value within a second low-side predetermined duration to provide the illustrated injector operation.

[0058] At time t_3 , the phase voltage signal transitions to zero, and the product of the phase voltage signal 722 and the pulse voltage signal 711 drops to zero, which causes the injector current signal 733 to drop to zero.

[0059] It should be recognized that Figure 7 The example of is only one of several modulation and control signal determination techniques that can be utilized by the driver IC 530 to determine that the switch control signal is effective in responding to the phase and pulse signals to actuate the injector. For example, various embodiments can utilize delta modulation, delta-sigma modulation, space vector modulation, time ratio or other control techniques associated with the control shown and described herein. The related control operations can be distributed among the MCU 220 and one or more driver ICs 530, or substantially located in one or the other.

[0060] It should also be appreciated that such techniques can be applied by the driver IC 530 to control operations of multiple high-side switches to select between closing the high-side switches to selectively provide a non-boosted voltage or a boosted voltage, for example, in response to changes in the pulse voltage signal and / or changes in the phase voltage signal. In conjunction with such operations, the driver IC 530 can also provide a boost voltage signal (Vboost) to the boost supply section 293, which can be used to provide a boost voltage source (Vboost). Thus, for example, in response to a pulse signal (INJ_1_pulse) for injector 1, a phase signal (INJ_1_Phase) for injector 1, a pulse signal (INJ_2_pulse) for injector 2, and a phase signal (INJ_2_Phase) for injector 2, the driver IC 530 may utilize one or more of the aforementioned techniques or operations to determine the control signal INJ_1&2_HS, the boost control signal INJ_1&2_HSB, the control signal INJ_1_LS, and the control signal INJ_2_LS.

[0061] like Figure 6B As shown in FIG. 1 , SPI 205 may be adapted and configured to be combined with the above Fig. 6A The I / O 202 can also be adapted and configured to provide bidirectional digital communication between the MCU 220 and the driver IC 550 in a manner substantially similar to the manner described above. Fig. 6AThe communication of many input and output signals is provided between the MCU 220 and the driver IC 550 in a manner substantially similar to that described. It should be appreciated that certain pins of the MCU 220 may be reused or shared among multiple devices, for example, a clock signal (CLK) may be provided from a single pin to multiple driver ICs. In other examples, device addressing or multiplexing techniques may be used for reuse or sharing of MCU pins. The SPI 205 may be configured to utilize two input / output pins of the MCU 220 to provide bidirectional MOSI and MISO communication between the MCU 220 and the driver IC 550.

[0062] SPI 205 may be used to communicate information about the operation of one or more fuel injectors from driver IC 550 to MCU 220. For example, driver IC 550 may be configured and operable to receive and process analog feedback signals associated with circuit 270', circuit 270", circuit 270'", or circuit 280', such as current sensor signal (INJ_3_CS), current sensor signal (INJ_4_CS), current sensor signal (INJ_8_CS), current sensor signal (INJ_10_CS), current sensor signal (INJ_AIM_CS). Driver IC 550 may be configured and operable to determine digital information indicative of one or more of the current sensor signals mentioned above and communicate such digital information to MCU 220. Such communications may allow MCU 220 to perform closed-loop feedback control of, and diagnostics regarding, fuel injectors associated with circuit 270', circuit 270", and / or circuit 280'. Such communications may allow MCU 220 to perform closed-loop feedback control of, and diagnostics regarding, an AIM valve associated with circuit 270'".

[0063] TM 207 may provide a phase signal (INJ_3_Phase) for injector 3, a pulse signal (INJ_3_pulse) for injector 3, a phase signal (INJ_4_Phase) for injector 4, a pulse signal (INJ_4_pulse) for injector 4, a phase signal (INJ_8_Phase) for injector 8, a pulse signal (INJ_8_pulse) for injector 8, a phase signal (INJ_10_Phase) for injector 10, a pulse signal (INJ_10_pulse) for injector 10, and a phase signal (AIM_Phase) for an active inlet metering (AIM) valve, a pulse signal (AIM_pulse) for an AIM valve to driver IC 550. Driver IC 550 may then process the received signals to determine control signals using techniques and operations substantially similar to those described in conjunction with driver IC 530. It will be appreciated that an AIM valve may be provided and configured to control fuel flow into a fuel pump that may be provided, for example, in the fueling system 118 or another fueling system.

[0064] In response to the pulse signal (INJ_3_pulse) for injector 3, the phase signal (INJ_3_Phase) for injector 3, the pulse signal (INJ_4_pulse) for injector 4, and the phase signal (INJ_4_Phase) for injector 4, the driver IC 550 can determine the control signal INJ_3&4_HS, the boost control signal INJ_3&4_HSB, the control signal INJ_3_LS, and the control signal INJ_4_LS.

[0065] The driver IC 550 may determine the control signal INJ_8_HS and the control signal INJ_8_LS in response to the pulse signal (INJ_8_pulse) for the injector 8 and the phase signal (INJ_8_Phase) for the injector 8. The driver IC 550 may determine the control signal INJ_10_HS and the control signal INJ_10_LS in response to the pulse signal (INJ_10_pulse) for the injector 10 and the phase signal (INJ_10_Phase) for the injector 10. The driver IC 550 may determine the control signal AIM_HS and the control signal AIM_LS in response to the pulse signal (AIM_pulse) for the AIM valve and the phase signal (AIM_Phase) for the AIM valve.

[0066] The driver IC 550 may be configured to transmit analog information indicative of the above-mentioned current sensor signals to the A2D 209 of the MCU 220. For example, the driver IC 550 may be configured to transmit an analog feedback signal for injector 3 (INJ_3_FB), an analog feedback signal for injector 4 (INJ_4_FB), an analog feedback signal for injector 8 (INJ_8_FB), an analog feedback signal for injector 10 (INJ_10_FB), and an analog feedback signal for the AIM valve (AIM_FB), which may be the same as, related to, or otherwise indicative of the current sensor signal (INJ_3_CS), the current sensor signal (INJ_4_CS), the current sensor signal (INJ_8_CS), the current sensor signal (INJ_10_CS), and the current sensor signal (INJ_AIM_CS), respectively. The driver IC 550 may be configured to pass or amplify, attenuate, filter, scale or otherwise process the above-mentioned current sensor signal so that the above-mentioned feedback signal is suitable for and compatible with the input requirements of the A2D 209 of the MCU 220. The driver IC 570 may be configured to pass or amplify, attenuate, filter, scale or otherwise process the above-mentioned current sensor signal so that the above-mentioned feedback signal is suitable for and compatible with the input requirements of the A2D 209 of the MCU 220. Such communication and processing may provide a redundant or fail-safe signal path, allowing the MCU 220 to perform closed-loop feedback control of a fuel injector associated with the circuit 270 and / or the circuit 280 and diagnostics about the fuel injector. In embodiments where such redundancy or fail-safety is not implemented, pin connections and communications from the driver IC 530 and the MCU 220 may be omitted, and the A2D 209 of the MCU 220 may be optionally dedicated to other signal processing, left unused, or omitted entirely.

[0067] like Figure 6C As shown in FIG. 1 , SPI 205 may be adapted and configured to be combined with the above Fig. 6A The I / O 202 can also be adapted and configured to provide bidirectional digital communication between the MCU 220 and the driver IC 570 in a manner substantially similar to the manner described above. Fig. 6AThe communication of many input and output signals is provided between the MCU 220 and the driver IC 570 in a manner substantially similar to that described. It should be appreciated that certain pins of the MCU 220 may be reused or shared among multiple devices, for example, a clock signal (CLK) may be provided from a single pin to multiple driver ICs. In other examples, device addressing or multiplexing techniques may be used for reuse or sharing of MCU pins. The SPI 205 may be configured to provide bidirectional MOSI and MISO communication between the MCU 220 and the driver IC 570 using two input / output pins of the MCU 220.

[0068] SPI 205 may be used to communicate information about the operation of one or more fuel injectors from driver IC 570 to MCU 220. For example, driver IC 570 may be configured and operable to receive and process analog feedback signals associated with circuit 270", circuit 270""', circuit 270""" or circuit 280", such as current sensor signal (INJ_5_CS), current sensor signal (INJ_6_CS), current sensor signal (INJ_9_CS), current sensor signal (INJ_11_CS), and current sensor signal (INJ_12_CS). Driver IC 570 may be configured and operable to determine digital information indicative of one or more of the current sensor signals mentioned above and communicate such digital information to MCU 220. Such communications may allow MCU 220 to perform closed-loop feedback control of a fuel injector associated with circuit 270", circuit 270""', circuit 270""" and / or circuit 280", and diagnostics regarding the fuel injector.

[0069] TM 207 may provide a phase signal for injector 5 (INJ_5_Phase), a pulse signal for injector 5 (INJ_5_pulse), a phase signal for injector 6 (INJ_6_Phase), a pulse signal for injector 6 (INJ_6_pulse), a phase signal for injector 9 (INJ_9_Phase), a pulse signal for injector 9 (INJ_9_pulse), a phase signal for injector 11 (INJ_11_Phase), a pulse signal for injector 11 (INJ_11_pulse), a phase signal for injector 12 (INJ_12_Phase), and a pulse signal for injector 12 (INJ_12_pulse) to driver IC 570. Driver IC 570 may then process the received signals to determine control signals using techniques and operations substantially similar to those described in conjunction with driver IC 530.

[0070] In response to the pulse signal (INJ_5_pulse) for injector 3, the phase signal (INJ_5_Phase) for injector 3, the pulse signal (INJ_6_pulse) for injector 4, and the phase signal (INJ_6_Phase) for injector 4, the driver IC 570 can determine the control signal INJ_5&6_HS, the boost control signal INJ_5&6_HSB, the control signal INJ_5_LS, and the control signal INJ_6_LS.

[0071] In response to the pulse signal (INJ_9_pulse) for injector 9 and the phase signal (INJ_9_Phase) for injector 9, the driver IC 570 may determine the control signal INJ_9_HS and the control signal INJ_9_LS. In response to the pulse signal (INJ_11_pulse) for injector 11 and the phase signal (INJ_11_Phase) for injector 11, the driver IC 570 may determine the control signal INJ_11_HS and the control signal INJ_11_LS. In response to the pulse signal (INJ_12_pulse) for injector 12 and the phase signal (INJ_12_Phase) for injector 12, the driver IC 570 may determine the control signal INJ_12_HS and the control signal INJ_12_LS.

[0072] The driver IC 570 may be configured to transmit analog information indicative of the above-mentioned current sensor signals to the A2D 209 of the MCU 220. For example, the driver IC 570 may be configured to transmit an analog feedback signal for injector 5 (INJ_5_FB), an analog feedback signal for injector 6 (INJ_6_FB), an analog feedback signal for injector 9 (INJ_9_FB), an analog feedback signal for injector 11 (INJ_11_FB), and an analog feedback signal for injector 12 (INJ_12_FB), which may be the same as, related to, or otherwise indicative of the current sensor signal (INJ_5_CS), the current sensor signal (INJ_6_CS), the current sensor signal (INJ_9_CS), the current sensor signal (INJ_11_CS), and the current sensor signal (INJ_12_CS), respectively. Such communications and processing may provide a redundant or fail-safe signal path, allowing the MCU 220 to perform closed-loop feedback control of and diagnostics regarding a fuel injector associated with the circuit 270 and / or the circuit 280. In embodiments where such redundancy or fail-safety is not implemented, the pin connections and communications from the driver IC 530 and the MCU 220 may be omitted, and the A2D 209 of the MCU 220 may optionally be dedicated to other signal processing, left unused, or omitted entirely.

[0073] The A2D 209 may receive analog signals indicative of injector currents from the driver IC 570. In the example shown, the driver IC 570 outputs analog feedback signals for injector 5 (INJ_5_FB), for injector 6 (INJ_6_FB), for injector 9 (INJ_9_FB), for injector 11 (INJ_11_FB), and for injector 12 (INJ_12_FB) to the A2D 209 of the MCU 220.

[0074] like Figures 6A-6C As shown in FIG. 2 , as few as thirty-one (31) input / output pins of MCU 220 may be utilized by driver IC 530, driver IC 550, and driver IC 570 for driving the fuel injectors of the circuits associated therewith. In particular, twenty-one (21) pins of MCU 220 may be used to provide the above-mentioned pulse signals and phase signals utilized in controlling the above-mentioned fuel injectors, six (6) pins of MCU 220 may be utilized by SPI 205, and one (1) input of MCU 220 may be used for the above-mentioned reset, enable, interrupt, and clock signals. Thus, the disclosed circuit may provide a microcontroller pin to fuel injector ratio of less than eight to three (8:3).

[0075] In some embodiments, as few as two (2) additional input / output pins of the MCU 220, for a total of thirty-three (33) input / output pins, may be utilized by the driver IC 550 for driving the AIM valve associated therewith. Thus, the disclosed circuit may provide a ratio of microcontroller pins to fuel injectors and AIM valves of less than seventeen to six (17:6).

[0076] In some embodiments, as few as eight (8) additional input / output pins of MCU 220, for a total of thirty-three (41) input / output pins, may be utilized by driver IC 530, driver IC 550, and driver IC 570 to provide the above-mentioned feedback signals to A2D 209 of MCU 220. Thus, the disclosed circuit may provide a ratio of microcontroller pins to fuel injectors including redundant feedback of less than ten to three (10:3), or may provide a ratio of microcontroller pins to fuel injectors and AIM valves including redundant feedback of less than twenty-one to six (21:6).

[0077] As shown by this detailed description, the present disclosure contemplates multiple and various embodiments, including but not limited to the following example embodiments. A first example embodiment is an apparatus comprising: a microcontroller; a first injector driver circuit comprising a first integrated circuit operatively coupled to and controllable by the microcontroller, and a first plurality of switching devices operatively coupled to and controllable by the first integrated circuit; a second injector driver circuit comprising a second integrated circuit operatively coupled to and controllable by the microcontroller, and a second plurality of switching devices operatively coupled to and controllable by the second integrated circuit; a third injector driver circuit comprising a third integrated circuit operatively coupled to and controllable by the microcontroller, and a third plurality of switching devices operatively coupled to and controllable by the third integrated circuit; and a housing housing the microcontroller, the first injector driver circuit, the second injector driver circuit, and the third injector driver circuit; wherein the first injector driver circuit, the second injector driver circuit, and the third injector driver circuit are each configured to drive a different number of fuel injectors.

[0078] The second example embodiment includes the features of the first example embodiment, wherein the first injector driver circuit is configured to drive three fuel injectors, the second injector driver circuit is configured to drive four fuel injectors, and the third injector driver circuit is configured to drive five fuel injectors.

[0079] The third example embodiment includes the features of the first example embodiment, wherein each of the first plurality of switching devices, the second plurality of switching devices, and the third plurality of switching devices includes a respective set of switches configured to actuate a respective group of a plurality of boost injectors.

[0080] A fourth example embodiment includes the features of the third example embodiment, wherein each of the first plurality of switching devices, the second plurality of switching devices, and the third plurality of switching devices includes a respective second set of switches each configured to actuate a single non-boosted injector.

[0081] A fifth example embodiment includes the features of the fourth example embodiment, wherein the number of switches in the second set of switches varies among the first plurality of switching devices, the second plurality of switching devices, and the third plurality of switching devices.

[0082] The sixth example embodiment includes the features of the first example embodiment, including: a first plurality of fuel injectors operatively connected to and controllable by a first injector driver circuit; a second plurality of fuel injectors operatively connected to and controllable by a second injector driver circuit; and a third plurality of fuel injectors operatively connected to and controllable by a second injector driver circuit.

[0083] The seventh example embodiment includes the features of the first example embodiment, wherein the microcontroller, the first injector driver circuit, the second injector driver circuit, and the third injector driver circuit are coupled to a common circuit board.

[0084] An eighth example embodiment includes the features of the first example embodiment, wherein the first injector driver circuit is configured to drive a boost voltage supply.

[0085] A ninth example embodiment includes the features of the first example embodiment, wherein the second injector driver circuit is configured to drive an active inlet metering valve operatively coupled to the fuel pump.

[0086] The tenth example embodiment includes the features of the first example embodiment, wherein the first injector driver circuit, the second injector driver circuit, and the third injector driver circuit utilize any one or more of the following: (a) no more than 31 microcontroller input / output (i / o) pins to drive 12 fuel injectors, (b) no more than 33 microcontroller input / output (i / o) pins to drive 12 fuel injectors and actively control a fuel pump inlet metering valve, (c) no more than 39 microcontroller input / output (i / o) pins to drive 12 fuel injectors, wherein redundant analog signal feedback of injector current sensor information is provided to the microcontroller, and (d) no more than 41 microcontroller input / output (i / o) pins to drive 12 fuel injectors, wherein redundant analog signal feedback of injector current sensor information is provided to the microcontroller and actively control the fuel pump inlet metering valve.

[0087] The eleventh example embodiment is a process comprising: providing a housing that accommodates a microcontroller, a first injector driver circuit, a second injector driver circuit, and a third injector driver circuit, the first injector driver circuit comprising a first integrated circuit operatively connected to the microcontroller and a first plurality of switching devices operatively connected to the first integrated circuit, the second injector driver circuit comprising a second integrated circuit operatively connected to the microcontroller and a second plurality of switching devices operatively connected to the second integrated circuit, the third injector driver circuit comprising a third integrated circuit operatively connected to the microcontroller and a third plurality of switching devices operatively connected to the third integrated circuit; operating the first injector driver circuit to drive a first number of fuel injectors; operating the second injector driver circuit to drive a second number of fuel injectors different from the first number of fuel injectors; and operating the third injector driver circuit to drive a third number of fuel injectors different from the first number of fuel injectors and the second number of fuel injectors.

[0088] The twelfth example embodiment includes the features of the eleventh example embodiment, wherein the first group of fuel injectors includes three fuel injectors, the second group of fuel injectors includes four fuel injectors, and the third group of fuel injectors includes five fuel injectors.

[0089] The thirteenth example embodiment includes the features of the twelfth example embodiment, wherein a total of the first number of fuel injectors, the second number of fuel injectors, and the third number of fuel injectors is twelve fuel injectors.

[0090] The fourteenth example embodiment includes the features of the twelfth example embodiment, wherein each of the first number of fuel injectors, the second number of fuel injectors, and the third number of fuel injectors includes a respective set of switches configured to actuate a respective group of the plurality of intensification injectors.

[0091] The fifteenth example embodiment includes the features of the fourteenth example embodiment, wherein each of the first number of fuel injectors, the second number of fuel injectors, and the third number of fuel injectors includes a respective second set of switches each configured to actuate a single non-boosted injector.

[0092] A sixteenth exemplary embodiment is a system comprising: an electronic control unit including a microcontroller and an injector driver circuit, the injector driver circuit comprising a first integrated circuit operatively coupled to and controllable by the microcontroller, a first plurality of switching devices operatively coupled to and controllable by the first driver integrated circuit, a second integrated circuit operatively coupled to and controllable by the microcontroller, a second plurality of switching devices operatively coupled to and controllable by the second driver integrated circuit, and a third integrated circuit operatively coupled to and controllable by the microcontroller and a third integrated circuit operatively coupled to and controllable by the microcontroller. A third plurality of switching devices that can be controlled by a third driver integrated circuit; a first plurality of fuel injectors that are operably connected to the first integrated circuit and the first plurality of switching devices and can be controlled by the first integrated circuit and the first plurality of switching devices; a second plurality of fuel injectors that are operably connected to the second integrated circuit and the second plurality of switching devices and can be controlled by the second integrated circuit and the second plurality of switching devices; and a third plurality of fuel injectors that are operably connected to the third integrated circuit and the third plurality of switching devices and can be controlled by the third integrated circuit and the third plurality of switching devices; wherein the first plurality of fuel injectors, the second plurality of fuel injectors, and the third plurality of fuel injectors each include a different number of fuel injectors.

[0093] The seventeenth example embodiment includes the features of the sixteenth example embodiment, wherein the first plurality of fuel injectors consists of three fuel injectors, the second plurality of fuel injectors consists of four fuel injectors, and the third plurality of fuel injectors consists of five fuel injectors.

[0094] An eighteenth example embodiment includes the features of the eighteenth example embodiment, wherein each of the first plurality of fuel injectors, the second plurality of fuel injectors, and the third plurality of fuel injectors includes a group of a plurality of boost injectors.

[0095] The nineteenth example embodiment includes the features of the eighteenth example embodiment, wherein each of the first plurality of fuel injectors, the second plurality of fuel injectors, and the third plurality of fuel injectors includes a different number of individual non-boosted injectors.

[0096] The twentieth example embodiment includes the features of the nineteenth example embodiment, wherein the first plurality of fuel injectors includes one single non-boosted injector, the second plurality of fuel injectors includes two single non-boosted injectors, and the third plurality of fuel injectors includes three single non-boosted injectors.

[0097] It should be recognized that terms such as "non-transitory memory," "non-transitory storage medium," and "non-transitory storage device" refer to many types of devices and storage media that can be configured to store information, such as data or instructions that can be read or executed by a processor or other component of a computer system, and that such terms include and encompass a single or unitary device or medium that stores such information, multiple devices or media across or in which corresponding portions of such information are stored, and multiple devices or media across or in which multiple copies of such information are stored.

[0098] It should be recognized that when used in conjunction with a control method or process, an electronic control system or controller, an electronic control device, or components or operations of the foregoing, terms (such as, "determining," "determining," etc.) include a number of actions, configurations, devices, operations, and techniques, including but not limited to calculation or operation of a parameter or value, obtaining a parameter or value from a lookup table or using a lookup operation, receiving a parameter or value from a data link or network communication, receiving an electrical signal (e.g., a voltage, frequency, current, or pulse width modulated (PWM) signal) indicating a parameter or value, receiving a sensor output indicating a parameter or value, receiving other output or input indicating a parameter or value, reading a parameter or value from a storage location on a computer-readable medium, receiving a parameter or value as a runtime parameter, and / or by receiving a parameter or value that can be used to calculate an interpreted parameter, and / or by reference to a default value interpreted as a parameter value.

[0099] Although the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are shown and described in detail in the figures and the foregoing description (which will be considered illustrative and non-restrictive in nature), it is understood that only certain exemplary embodiments are shown and described, and it is desired to protect all changes and modifications that fall within the spirit of the claimed invention. It should be understood that although the use of the words (such as, preferably, preferably, preferred or more preferred) utilized in the description above indicates that the features described in this way may be more desirable, it may not be necessary, and the embodiments lacking it may be conceived to be within the scope of the present invention, and the scope is limited by the subsequent claims. When reading the claims, it is intended that when using words such as "one", "one", "at least one" or "at least a portion", it is not intended to limit the claims to only one item, unless specifically stated to the contrary in the claims. When using the language "at least a portion" and / or "a portion", the item may include part and / or the entire item, unless specifically stated to the contrary.

Claims

1. A device, comprising: Microcontroller; a first injector driver circuit comprising a first integrated circuit operatively coupled to and controllable by the microcontroller, and a first plurality of switching devices operatively coupled to and controllable by the first integrated circuit; a second injector driver circuit comprising a second integrated circuit operatively coupled to and controllable by the microcontroller, and a second plurality of switching devices operatively coupled to and controllable by the second integrated circuit; a third injector driver circuit comprising a third integrated circuit operatively coupled to and controllable by the microcontroller, and a third plurality of switching devices operatively coupled to and controllable by the third integrated circuit; as well as a housing housing the microcontroller, the first injector driver circuit, the second injector driver circuit, and the third injector driver circuit; Wherein, the first injector driver circuit, the second injector driver circuit, and the third injector driver circuit are each configured to drive a different number of fuel injectors.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The first injector driver circuit is configured to drive three fuel injectors, the second injector driver circuit is configured to drive four fuel injectors, and the third injector driver circuit is configured to drive five fuel injectors.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein: Each of the first plurality of switching devices, the second plurality of switching devices, and the third plurality of switching devices includes a respective set of switches configured to actuate a respective group of a plurality of boost injectors.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein: Each of the first plurality of switching devices, the second plurality of switching devices, and the third plurality of switching devices includes a respective second set of switches each configured to actuate a single non-boosted injector.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein: The number of switches in the second set of switches varies among the first plurality of switching devices, the second plurality of switching devices, and the third plurality of switching devices.

6. The device according to claim 1, comprising: a first plurality of fuel injectors operatively coupled to and controllable by the first injector driver circuit; a second plurality of fuel injectors operatively coupled to and controllable by the second injector driver circuit; and a third plurality of fuel injectors operatively coupled to and controllable by the second injector driver circuit.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The microcontroller, the first injector driver circuit, the second injector driver circuit, and the third injector driver circuit are coupled to a common circuit board.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The first injector driver circuit is configured to drive a boost voltage supply.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The second injector driver circuit is configured to drive an active inlet metering valve operatively coupled to a fuel pump.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The first, second and third injector driver circuits utilize no more than 31 microcontroller input / output (i / o) pins to drive 12 fuel injectors.

11. A process comprising: providing a housing containing a microcontroller, a first injector driver circuit including a first integrated circuit operatively coupled to the microcontroller and a first plurality of switching devices operatively coupled to the first integrated circuit, a second injector driver circuit including a second integrated circuit operatively coupled to the microcontroller and a second plurality of switching devices operatively coupled to the second integrated circuit, and a third injector driver circuit including a third integrated circuit operatively coupled to the microcontroller and a third plurality of switching devices operatively coupled to the third integrated circuit; operating the first injector driver circuit to drive a first number of fuel injectors; operating the second injector driver circuit to drive a second number of fuel injectors different from the first number of fuel injectors; as well as The third injector driver circuit is operated to drive a third number of fuel injectors different from the first number of fuel injectors and the second number of fuel injectors.

12. The process according to claim 11, wherein The first number of fuel injectors includes three fuel injectors, the second number of fuel injectors includes four fuel injectors, and the third number of fuel injectors includes five fuel injectors.

13. The process according to claim 12, wherein: The total of the first number of fuel injectors, the second number of fuel injectors, and the third number of fuel injectors is twelve fuel injectors.

14. The process of claim 12, wherein: Each of the first number of fuel injectors, the second number of fuel injectors, and the third number of fuel injectors includes a respective set of switches configured to actuate a respective group of a plurality of intensification injectors.

15. The process according to claim 14, wherein: Each of the first number of fuel injectors, the second number of fuel injectors, and the third number of fuel injectors includes a respective second set of switches each configured to actuate a single non-boosted injector.

16. A system, comprising: an electronic control unit comprising a microcontroller and an injector driver circuit, the injector driver circuit comprising a first integrated circuit operatively coupled to and controllable by the microcontroller, a first plurality of switching devices operatively coupled to and controllable by a first driver integrated circuit, a second integrated circuit operatively coupled to and controllable by the microcontroller, a second plurality of switching devices operatively coupled to and controllable by a second driver integrated circuit, and a third integrated circuit operatively coupled to and controllable by the microcontroller and a third plurality of switching devices operatively coupled to and controllable by a third driver integrated circuit; a first plurality of fuel injectors operatively coupled to and controllable by the first integrated circuit and the first plurality of switching devices; a second plurality of fuel injectors operatively coupled to and controllable by the second integrated circuit and the second plurality of switching devices; as well as a third plurality of fuel injectors operatively coupled to and controllable by the third integrated circuit and the third plurality of switching devices; Wherein, the first plurality of fuel injectors, the second plurality of fuel injectors, and the third plurality of fuel injectors each include a different number of fuel injectors.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein: The first plurality of fuel injectors consists of three fuel injectors, the second plurality of fuel injectors consists of four fuel injectors, and the third plurality of fuel injectors consists of five fuel injectors.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein: Each of the first plurality of fuel injectors, the second plurality of fuel injectors, and the third plurality of fuel injectors includes a group of a plurality of boost injectors.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein: Each of the first plurality of fuel injectors, the second plurality of fuel injectors, and the third plurality of fuel injectors includes a different number of individual non-boosted injectors.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein: The first plurality of fuel injectors includes one single non-boosted injector, the second plurality of fuel injectors includes two single non-boosted injectors, and the third plurality of fuel injectors includes three single non-boosted injectors.

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