Regenerative electric driver circuit

• US 5,962,951 A
• Filed: 01/20/1998
• Issued: 10/05/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 01/20/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Face International Corp.
• Original Assignee: Face International Corp.
• Inventors: Bishop, Richard P
• Primary Examiner(s): Dougherty, Thomas M.
• Application Number:
  US09/009,026
• Time in Patent Office: 623 Days
• Field of Search: 310/316.01, 310/316.02, 310/316.03, 310/317
• US Class Current: 310/316.03
• CPC Class Codes: B06B 1/0207 Driving circuits specially adapted for particular applications, see the relevant subclass, e.g. G01; circuits for steering transducer arrays G10K11/34; basic circuits H03
• CPC Class Codes: B06B 2201/55 Piezoelectric transducer
• CPC Class Codes: B06B 2201/70 Specific application
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 19/38 with means specifically for generating vibrations , e.g. vibrating plate compactors, immersion vibrators E01C19/40, E01C19/41 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 25/032 Reciprocating, oscillating or vibrating motors

Abstract

A vibrating mechanism comprised of piezoelectric elements which vibrate at a high frequency when a voltage is applied to them. The piezoelectric elements are mounted on a rib so that their free ends extend from the rib. When the piezoelectric elements are energized the free ends vibrate with a "wing-flapping" motion. Weights may be attached to the free ends of the piezoelectric element to increase the inertial component of vibration. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the piezoelectric elements are prestressed. The invention will be an inexpensive substitute for other vibratory devices.

Claims

1. A regenerative electrical circuit, comprising:

a voltage source;

an active element;

wherein said active element comprises a signal input;

a controllable frequency generator;

wherein said controllable frequency generator comprises a power input, a variable control mechanism, a first signal output, and a second signal output;

a plurality of first signal controllable switches;

wherein said plurality of first signal controllable switches comprises a first terminal, a second terminal, and a third terminal; and

,

a plurality of second signal controllable switches;

wherein said plurality of second signal controllable switches comprises a first terminal, a second terminal, and a third terminal; and

,

wherein said power input of said controllable frequency generator is connected to said voltage source;

wherein said second terminal of said plurality of first signal controllable switches is connected to said voltage source;

wherein said second terminal of said plurality of second signal controllable switches is connected to said voltage source;

wherein said power input of said controllable frequency generator, said second terminal of said plurality of first signal controllable switches, and said second terminal of said plurality of second signal controllable switches are connected in parallel with each other;

wherein said first signal output of said controllable frequency generator is connected to said first terminal of said plurality of first signal controllable switches;

wherein said second signal output of said controllable frequency generator is connected to said first terminal of said plurality of second signal controllable switches;

wherein said third terminal of said plurality of first signal controllable switches is connected to said signal input of said active element;

wherein said third terminal of said plurality of second signal controllable switches is connected to said signal input of said active element; and

,

wherein said third terminal of said plurality of first signal controllable switches and said third terminal of said plurality of second signal controllable switches are connected in parallel with each other.

2. The regenerative electrical circuit according to claim 1, wherein said controllable frequency generator further comprises:

an oscillator chip;

wherein said oscillator chip comprises a power terminal and a signal output terminal; and

,

an inverter chip;

wherein said inverter chip comprises a power terminal, a signal input terminal and a signal output terminal; and

,

wherein said power terminal of said oscillator chip is connected to said voltage source;

wherein said power terminal of said inverter chip is connected to said voltage source;

wherein said power terminal of said oscillator chip and said power terminal of said inverter chip are connected in parallel with each other;

wherein said signal output terminal of said oscillator chip is connected to said first terminal of said plurality of first signal controllable switches and to said signal input terminal of said inverter chip;

wherein said first terminal of said first plurality of signal controllable switches and said signal input terminal of said inverter chip are connected in parallel; and

,

wherein said signal output terminal of said inverter chip is connected to said first terminal of said plurality of second signal controllable switches.

3. The regenerative electrical circuit according to claim 1, wherein said controllable frequency generator further comprises:

a first oscillator chip;

wherein said first oscillator chip comprises a power terminal and a signal output terminal;

a second oscillator chip;

wherein said second oscillator chip comprises a power terminal and a signal output terminal;

wherein said power terminal of said first oscillator chip is connected to said voltage source;

wherein said power terminal of said second oscillator chip is connected to said voltage source;

wherein said power terminal of said first oscillator chip and said power terminal of said second oscillator chip are connected in parallel with each other;

wherein said signal output terminal of said first oscillator chip is connected to said first terminal of said plurality of first signal controllable switches; and

,

wherein said signal output terminal of said second oscillator chip is connected to said first terminal of said plurality of second signal controllable switches.

4. A method of regenerating electrical energy comprising the steps of:

a) supplying voltage from a voltage source to a controllable frequency generator;

wherein said controllable frequency generator produces a first output clock signal and a second output clock signal; and

,

wherein said first output clock signal is the complement of said second output clock signal;

b) sequentially opening and closing a plurality of first signal controllable switches by said first output clock signal;

wherein said sequentially opening and closing of said plurality of first signal controllable switches alternatively disconnects and connects said voltage source with an electroactive element; and

,

c) mechanically storing energy with said electroactive element;

d) producing electricity with said electroactive element;

e) sequentially opening and closing a plurality of second signal controllable switches by said second output clock signal;

wherein said sequentially opening and closing of said plurality of second signal controllable switches alternatively disconnects and connects said electroactive element to a voltage storage device; and

,

f) charging said voltage storage device with said electricity produced with said electroactive element.