Piezoelectric devices and methods and circuits for driving same
First Claim
1. A method for determining a parameter for a piezoelectric actuator, the method comprising:
- applying a drive signal to the piezoelectric actuator;
controlling the drive signal so that an ascertainable electrical charge is applied to the piezoelectric actuator;
operating the piezoelectric actuator;
obtaining a feedback signal from the piezoelectric actuator;
obtaining a voltage value from the feedback signal;
using the electrical charge and the voltage value from the feedback signal to determine capacitance of the piezoelectric actuator.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A drive circuit (18) senses a parameter of a piezoelectric actuator (14) operating in a device (10) and adjusts a drive signal of the piezoelectric actuator in accordance with the parameter. The drive circuit comprises a controller (100) which controls a drive signal applied to the piezoelectric actuator (14); a feedback monitor (122) which obtains a feedback signal from the piezoelectric actuator while the piezoelectric actuator works; and, a processor (116) which uses the feedback signal to determine the parameter of the piezoelectric actuator. In one example mode, the parameter of the piezoelectric actuator which is determined by the piezoelectric actuator drive circuit is the capacitance or dielectric constant of the piezoelectric actuator. In other example modes, the parameter of the piezoelectric actuator which is determined by the piezoelectric actuator drive circuit is impedance or resonant frequency of the piezoelectric actuator.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A method for determining a parameter for a piezoelectric actuator, the method comprising:
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applying a drive signal to the piezoelectric actuator; controlling the drive signal so that an ascertainable electrical charge is applied to the piezoelectric actuator; operating the piezoelectric actuator; obtaining a feedback signal from the piezoelectric actuator; obtaining a voltage value from the feedback signal; using the electrical charge and the voltage value from the feedback signal to determine capacitance of the piezoelectric actuator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method for determining a parameter for a piezoelectric actuator, the method comprising:
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varying a drive signal applied to the piezoelectric actuator; operating the piezoelectric actuator; monitoring a feedback signal from the piezoelectric actuator as the drive signal is varied for an “
echo”
;determining a resonant frequency of the piezoelectric actuator as an inverse of a period of the echo. - View Dependent Claims (7)
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8. A drive circuit for sensing capacitance of a piezoelectric actuator operating in a device and for adjusting a drive signal of the piezoelectric actuator in accordance with the capacitance, wherein the drive circuit comprises:
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a controller for controlling a drive signal applied to the piezoelectric actuator; a feedback monitor for obtaining a feedback signal from the piezoelectric actuator while the piezoelectric actuator operates; a processor for using the feedback signal to determine the capacitance of the piezoelectric actuator; wherein the controller controls the drive signal so that an ascertainable electrical charge is applied to the piezoelectric actuator;
wherein the feedback monitor obtains a voltage value from the feedback signal; and
wherein the processor uses the electrical charge and the voltage value from the feedback signal to determine the capacitance of the piezoelectric actuator. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A drive circuit for sensing a parameter of a piezoelectric actuator operating in a device and for adjusting a drive signal of the piezoelectric actuator in accordance with the parameter, wherein the drive circuit comprises:
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a controller for controlling a drive signal applied to the piezoelectric actuator; a feedback monitor for obtaining a feedback signal from the piezoelectric actuator while the piezoelectric actuator operates;
wherein the feedback monitor obtains the feedback signal as the drive signal is varied for an “
echo”
;a processor for using the feedback signal to determine the a resonant frequency of the piezoelectric actuator as an inverse of a period of the echo. - View Dependent Claims (14)
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15. A drive circuit for sensing capacitance of a piezoelectric actuator operating in a device and for adjusting a drive signal of the piezoelectric actuator in accordance with the capacitance, wherein the drive circuit comprises:
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means for applying a drive signal to the piezoelectric actuator; means for obtaining a feedback signal from the piezoelectric actuator while the piezoelectric actuator operates; means for using the feedback signal to determine a capacitance of the piezoelectric actuator; wherein the means for applying controls the drive signal so that an ascertainable electrical charge is applied to the piezoelectric actuator;
wherein means for obtaining obtains a voltage value from the feedback signal; and
wherein the means for using uses the electrical charge and the voltage value from the feedback signal to determine the capacitance of the piezoelectric actuator. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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17. A drive circuit for sensing a parameter of a piezoelectric actuator operating in a device and for adjusting a drive signal of the piezoelectric actuator in accordance with the parameter, wherein the drive circuit comprises:
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means for applying and varying a drive signal to the piezoelectric actuator; means for obtaining a feedback signal from the piezoelectric actuator while the piezoelectric actuator operates;
wherein means for obtaining obtains the feedback signal as the drive signal is varied for an “
echo”
;means for using the feedback signal to determine a resonant frequency of the piezoelectric actuator as an inverse of a period of the echo.
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18. A piezoelectrically-actuated device comprising:
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a piezoelectric actuator which is responsive to a drive signal for pumping fluid between the inlet and outlet; and a drive circuit for sensing a capacitance of the piezoelectric actuator and for adjusting a drive signal of the piezoelectric actuator in accordance with the capacitance, wherein the drive circuit comprises; a controller for applying a drive signal to the piezoelectric actuator; a feedback monitor for obtaining a feedback signal from the piezoelectric actuator while the piezoelectric actuator operates; a processor for using the feedback signal to determine the capacitance of the piezoelectric actuator; wherein the controller controls the drive signal so that an ascertainable electrical charge is applied to the piezoelectric actuator;
wherein the feedback monitor obtains a voltage value from the feedback signal; and
wherein the processor uses the electrical charge and the voltage value from the feedback signal to determine the capacitance of the piezoelectric actuator. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A piezoelectrically-actuated device comprising:
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a piezoelectric actuator which is responsive to a drive signal for pumping fluid between the inlet and outlet; and a drive circuit for sensing a parameter of the piezoelectric actuator and for adjusting a drive signal of the piezoelectric actuator in accordance with the parameter, wherein the drive circuit comprises; a controller for applying a drive signal to the piezoelectric actuator; a feedback monitor for obtaining a feedback signal from the piezoelectric actuator while the piezoelectric actuator operates; a processor for using the feedback signal to determine the parameter of the piezoelectric actuator; wherein the controller varies the drive signal;
wherein the feedback monitorobtains the feedback signal as the drive signal is varied for an “
echo”
; and
wherein the processor determines a resonant frequency of the piezoelectric actuator as an inverse of a period of the echo. - View Dependent Claims (26)
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Specification