Positive feedback resonant transducer circuit

• US 6,246,153 B1
• Filed: 02/14/2000
• Issued: 06/12/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Face International Corp.
• Original Assignee: Face International Corp.
• Inventors: Boyd, Clark Davis, Bishop, Richard Patten
• Primary Examiner(s): Dougherty, Thomas M.
• Application Number:
  US09/503,674
• Time in Patent Office: 484 Days
• Field of Search: 310/316.01, 310/318, 310/358
• US Class Current: 310/318
• CPC Class Codes: B06B 1/0238 of a single frequency, e.g. a sine-wave
• CPC Class Codes: B06B 2201/55 Piezoelectric transducer
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 3/187 in integrated circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 30/40 with electrical input and electrical output, e.g. functioning as transformers
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 30/804 for piezoelectric transformers conversion of DC or AC power H02M; for operating discharge lamps H05B41/282

Abstract

A circuit including a transformer, preferably a laminated piezoelectric transducer, in combination with a positive feedback amplifier circuit, capable of serving: 1) to produce either an audible or ultrasonic signal; or 2) as an energy source capable of driving an auxiliary high voltage device with an initial and continuing low voltage source such as a battery.

Claims

1. A positive feedback amplifier circuit comprising:

a transformer having an input side and an output side;

a rectifier array having an input side and an output side,

said input side of said rectifier array being electrically connected to said output side of said transformer;

a low voltage power source having an input side and an output side;

a storage capacitor in series with said output side of said low voltage power source and said input side of said transformer;

wherein an output of the rectifier array is applied and added to an output of said low voltage power source to provide a supplemented voltage to said storage capacitor;

and further comprising a comparator subcircuit having an input side and an output side;

an output signal at said output side of said comparator subcircuit being a voltage pulse;

an SCR trigger subcircuit comprising a capacitor in series between a resistor and a transistor;

said transistor having a base a collector and an emitter;

said capacitor being connected to the base of said transistor; and

said comparator subcircuit being connected in series between said low voltage power source and said SCR trigger subcircuit;

an SCR having a gate, and an anode and a cathode;

said gate being connected to said collector of said transistor;

said anode being connected to said storage capacitor;

said cathode being connected to ground.

2. The electrical circuit of claim 1 wherein said transformer is a laminated, multilayered, piezoelectric transducer.

3. The electrical circuit of claim 2 wherein said laminated, multilayered, piezoelectric transducer comprises a first polarized ceramic layer having two opposing major faces disposed on opposite sides of a first longitudinal axis, a second polarized ceramic layer having two major opposing faces which are disposed on opposite sides of a second longitudinal axis, said first and second longitudinal axes being parallel to each other;

and wherein the first polarized ceramic wafer is bonded to the second polarized ceramic wafer such that a major face of the first polarized ceramic layer and a major face of the second polarized ceramic layer are in opposed spatial relation to each other;

and wherein the direction of polarization of said first polarized ceramic layer and the direction of polarization of said second polarized ceramic layer are the same.

4. The electrical circuit of claim 3 wherein said transformer is a thickness mode piezoelectric transformer.

5. The electrical circuit of claim 3 wherein said transformer is a thickness mode piezoelectric transformer with masses bonded on opposing faces.