Direct current power converters employing digital techniques used in electronic timekeeping apparatus
First Claim
1. In an electronic watch assembly of the type employing an accurate source of oscillations for providing a timekeeping signal, said watch including a low voltage battery for energizing circuitry included in said watch, the combination therewith of apparatus for converting said low voltage battery potential to a higher voltage level, comprising:
- a. means coupled to said accurate source of oscillations for providing at least first and second waveforms synchronized one to the other, said waveforms characterized in that said first one is at a positive level when said second one is negative and vice versa, said waveforms having no condition where both can be positive or both can be negative, as the waveforms do not overlap,b. a first capacitor having a first and second terminal,c. a second capacitor having a first and second terminal with said second terminal coupled to a point of reference potential,d. a plurality of transmission gates each having an input and output terminal and capable of operating in a low impedance state upon application of a predetermined potential level to a control electrode associated with each of said gates,e. means coupling one of said terminals of said first capacitor to an output terminal of a first one of said transmission gates and said other terminal to an output of another of said transmission gates, the input of said first transmission gate being coupled to a terminal of said low voltage battery and the input of said another gate being coupled to a point of reference potential, andf. means coupling said first terminal of said second capacitor to an output of still another transmission gate with said input of said gate coupled to a terminal of said first capacitor, said control electrodes of said gates being responsive to a selected one of said first and second waveforms to energize said gates in a predetermined sequence whereby said low battery voltage charges said capacitors via said gates in a manner to provide a different potential then said battery potential across said second capacitor, said second capacitor only being coupled to said battery during said second waveform and only when said first capacitor is not so coupled, whereby said first and second capacitors are never in parallel, andg. means for transferring said charge across said first and second capacitors to a third output capacitor.
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Abstract
A converter utilizes a low voltage battery to develop a higher potential by the use of capacitors which are charged sequentially according to digital waveforms provided by counting type circuits and gates. The charge transfer circuits afford a low impedance charging path and a high impedance discharge path via a series of transmission gate controlled capacitors.
The apparatus permits the conversion of low battery voltages while being completely compatible with ultra-miniature electronic systems.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. In an electronic watch assembly of the type employing an accurate source of oscillations for providing a timekeeping signal, said watch including a low voltage battery for energizing circuitry included in said watch, the combination therewith of apparatus for converting said low voltage battery potential to a higher voltage level, comprising:
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a. means coupled to said accurate source of oscillations for providing at least first and second waveforms synchronized one to the other, said waveforms characterized in that said first one is at a positive level when said second one is negative and vice versa, said waveforms having no condition where both can be positive or both can be negative, as the waveforms do not overlap, b. a first capacitor having a first and second terminal, c. a second capacitor having a first and second terminal with said second terminal coupled to a point of reference potential, d. a plurality of transmission gates each having an input and output terminal and capable of operating in a low impedance state upon application of a predetermined potential level to a control electrode associated with each of said gates, e. means coupling one of said terminals of said first capacitor to an output terminal of a first one of said transmission gates and said other terminal to an output of another of said transmission gates, the input of said first transmission gate being coupled to a terminal of said low voltage battery and the input of said another gate being coupled to a point of reference potential, and f. means coupling said first terminal of said second capacitor to an output of still another transmission gate with said input of said gate coupled to a terminal of said first capacitor, said control electrodes of said gates being responsive to a selected one of said first and second waveforms to energize said gates in a predetermined sequence whereby said low battery voltage charges said capacitors via said gates in a manner to provide a different potential then said battery potential across said second capacitor, said second capacitor only being coupled to said battery during said second waveform and only when said first capacitor is not so coupled, whereby said first and second capacitors are never in parallel, and g. means for transferring said charge across said first and second capacitors to a third output capacitor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. Converting apparatus for providing a predetermined potential level at an output, which level is different from a source of operating potential, comprising:
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a. means for providing at least first and second waveforms synchronized one to the other, said waveforms characterized in that said first one is at a positive level when said second one is negative and vice versa, said waveforms having no condition where both can be positive or both can be negative, as the waveforms do not overlap, b. at least first and second capacitors, each having a first and second terminal, one of said terminals of one of said capacitors being coupled to a point of reference potential, c. a plurality of transmission gates, each having an input, output, and a control electrode and adapted to provide a low impedance path between said input and output electrodes upon application of said high potential to said control electrode, d. means connecting said other terminals of said capacitors in circuit with said transmission gates, with said control electrodes responsive to either said first or second waveforms to sequentially charge said capacitors in accordance with said waveforms via said controlled low impedance paths of said transmission gates to cause one of said capacitors to develop said different potential level thereacross, wherein, due to said waveforms, one of said capacitors is only coupled to said battery when the other of said capacitors is not and said first and second capacitors are never in parallel, and e. means for transferring said charge across said first and second capictors to a third output capacitor. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification