Piezoelectric devices and methods and circuits for driving same

Details Piezoelectric devices and methods and circuits for driving same Piezoelectric devices and methods and circuits for driving same

2007-10-30

2007-10-30

Rodriguez, William H. (Department: 3746)

Pumps

Motor driven

Electric or magnetic motor

C417S322000

Reexamination Certificate

active

10816000

ABSTRACT:
A drive circuit (18) produces a drive signal for a pump (10) having a piezoelectric actuator (14), with the piezoelectric actuator (14) forming a part of the drive circuit (18) and serving to shape a waveform of the drive signal. The drive circuit (18) comprises a pulse generator (100) which generates pulses; a converter circuit (102) which receives the pulses and produces charge packets at a rate which equals a desired drive frequency; and, the piezoelectric actuator (14). The piezoelectric actuator (14) receives the charge packets and, by its capacitive nature, integrates the charge packets to shape the waveform of the drive signal. Preferably, the piezoelectric actuator (14) integrates the charge packets to yield a drive field that approximates a sine wave. In one non-limiting example embodiment, the pulse generator (100) comprises a microcontroller-based pulsed width modulator (PWM) circuit (116) and the converter circuit (102) comprises a flyback circuit.

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International Search Report and Written Opinion mailed May 16, 2007 in PCT application PCT/US05/11342.
International Search Report and Written Opinion mailed May 18, 2007 in PCT application PCT/US05/11579.

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