Circuit for aiding the collapse of an electromagnetic field

Claim 1

An electronically controlled fuel supply system for internal combustion engines having electromagnetically actuable injector valve means for controlling delivery of fuel to the engine comprising: electromagnetic means operative to produce electromagnetic fields for actuating the injector valve means; computing means for generating a signal indicative of the engine demand for fuel; control means intercommunicating said computing means and said electromagnetic means responsive to said computing means signal for controllably energizing said electromagnetic means; diode means electrically connected to said electromagnetic means in shunt relation operative to be reverse biased when said electromagnetic means are energized by said control means; the injector valve means comprising a plurality of sequentially actuable electromagnetically actuated injector valve members and said diode means comprising a plurality of diode members, each having a pair of electrodes, interconnecting said electromagnetic means and connected thereto by a commonly designated electrode whereby current flow from said control means to said electromagnetic means is prevented from flowing through said diode members; the other of the diode member electrodes connected together at a common circuit point; and a zener diode member, having two electrodes, connected to said other electrodes by its electrode which bears the same designation as said other electrodes; said diode means responsive to induced current flow in said electromagnetic means following termination of said energization to be biased beyond the zener breakdown point, thereby providing a rapid discharge path for energy stored in the electromagnetic fields of said electromagnetic means.