Piezoelectric devices and methods and circuits for driving same
First Claim
1. A drive circuit which produces a drive signal for a device having a piezoelectric actuator, wherein the drive circuit is arranged to change dynamically the drive signal during real time operation of the device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A drive circuit produces a drive signal for a device having a piezoelectric actuator. In some example embodiments, the drive circuit dynamically changes the drive signal (e.g., a shape of the waveform of the drive signal) during real time operation of the device. In the same or distinct other example embodiments, the drive circuit generates the drive signal in accordance with an analog input signal to the drive circuit. The analog input signal can be or bear, for example, an indication of resonance of the piezoelectric actuator; an indication of temperature; an indication of viscosity; and/or, an indication of one of a desired voltage and a desired frequency of the drive signal. The analog input signal can be obtained from a user input device. In the same or distinct other example embodiments, the drive circuit generates the drive signal in dependence upon an operational parameter of the device. The operational parameter of the device can be a sensed parameter such as, for example, resonance of the piezoelectric actuator or temperature of fluid. In the same or distinct other example embodiments, the drive circuit generates the drive signal so that a waveform of the drive signal is shaped in dependence upon a sensor signal which is obtained from a sensor. The sensor may be situated internal in the device (e.g., in a pump chamber), elsewhere in or proximate the device, or in or proximate a served device to which is serviced by the device. Method of operations for the drive circuits and devices utilizing the drive circuits and operating according to the method are also disclosed.
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Citations
152 Claims
- 1. A drive circuit which produces a drive signal for a device having a piezoelectric actuator, wherein the drive circuit is arranged to change dynamically the drive signal during real time operation of the device.
- 18. A drive circuit which produces a digital drive signal for a device having a piezoelectric actuator, wherein the drive circuit is arranged to generate the drive signal in accordance with an analog input signal to the drive circuit.
- 25. A drive circuit which produces a drive signal for a device having a piezoelectric actuator, wherein the drive circuit is arranged to generate the drive signal whereby a waveform of the drive signal is shaped in dependence upon an operational parameter of the device.
- 32. A drive circuit which produces a drive signal for a device having a piezoelectric actuator, wherein the drive circuit is arranged to generate the drive signal whereby a waveform of the drive signal is shaped in dependence upon a sensor signal which is obtained from a sensor.
- 40. A drive circuit which produces a drive signal for a device having a piezoelectric actuator, wherein the drive circuit is arranged to generate the drive signal whereby one of voltage and frequency of the drive signal is determined in dependence upon an input signal to the drive circuit.
- 44. A drive circuit which produces a drive signal for a pump having a piezoelectric actuator, wherein the drive circuit is arranged to generate the drive signal whereby the drive signal varies over time so that an essentially non-continuous dosage of fluid is delivered by the pump.
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48. A piezoelectric-actuated device comprising:
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a piezoelectric actuator which is responsive to a drive signal; and
a drive circuit which produces the drive signal, the drive circuit being arranged to change dynamically the drive signal during real time operation of the device. - View Dependent Claims (49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 69, 70, 91, 92, 93, 94)
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65. A piezoelectric-actuated device comprising:
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a piezoelectric which is responsive to a digital drive signal; and
a drive circuit which produces the drive signal, the drive circuit being arranged to generate the drive signal in accordance with an analog input signal to the drive circuit. - View Dependent Claims (66, 67, 68, 71, 72)
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73. A piezoelectric-actuated device comprising:
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a piezoelectric actuator which is responsive to a drive signal; and
a drive circuit which produces the drive signal, the drive circuit being arranged to generate the drive signal in dependence upon an operational parameter of the device. - View Dependent Claims (74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80)
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81. A piezoelectric-actuated device comprising:
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a piezoelectric actuator which is responsive to a drive signal;
a sensor which generates a sensor signal; and
a drive circuit which produces the drive signal, the drive circuit being arranged to generate the drive signal in dependence upon the sensor signal. - View Dependent Claims (82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89)
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90. A piezoelectric-actuated device comprising:
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a piezoelectric actuator which is responsive to a drive signal; and
a drive circuit which produces the drive signal, the drive circuit being arranged to generate the drive signal whereby one of voltage and frequency of the drive signal is determined in dependence upon an input signal to the drive circuit.
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95. A piezoelectric-actuated device comprising:
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a piezoelectric actuator which is responsive to a drive signal; and
a drive circuit which produces the drive signal, the drive circuit being arranged to generate the drive signal whereby the drive signal varies over time so that the device is operated essentially non-continuously. - View Dependent Claims (96, 97, 98, 99)
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100. A method of operating a device having a piezoelectric actuator which is responsive to a drive signal, the method comprising:
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dynamically changing the drive signal during real time operation of the device;
actuating the piezoelectric actuator in response to the drive signal. - View Dependent Claims (101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117)
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118. A method of operating a device having a piezoelectric actuator which is responsive to a drive signal, the method comprising:
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generating the drive signal in accordance with an analog input signal to the drive circuit;
actuating the piezoelectric actuator in response to the drive signal. - View Dependent Claims (119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125)
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126. A method of operating a device having a piezoelectric actuator which is responsive to a drive signal, the method comprising:
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generating the drive signal in dependence upon an operational parameter of the device;
actuating the piezoelectric actuator in response to the drive signal. - View Dependent Claims (127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133)
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134. A method of operating a device having a piezoelectric actuator which is responsive to a drive signal, the method comprising:
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generating the drive signal in dependence upon a sensor signal;
actuating the piezoelectric actuator in response to the drive signal. - View Dependent Claims (135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142)
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143. A method of operating a device having a piezoelectric actuator which is responsive to a drive signal, the method comprising:
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generating the drive signal whereby one of voltage and frequency of the drive signal is determined in dependence upon an input signal to the drive circuit;
actuating the piezoelectric actuator in response to the drive signal - View Dependent Claims (144, 145, 146, 147)
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- 148. A method of operating a device having a piezoelectric actuator which is responsive to a drive signal, the method comprising varying the drive signal varies over time so that the device operates essentially non-continuously.
Specification