Analog timer circuit with time constant multiplication effect

• US 9,287,770 B1
• Filed: 02/04/2015
• Issued: 03/15/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Martin Kanner
• Original Assignee: Martin Kanner
• Inventors: Kanner, Martin, Bauman, Arthur
• Primary Examiner(s): Donovan, Lincoln
• Assistant Examiner(s): SKIBINSKI, THOMAS S
• Application Number:
  US14/613,505
• Publication Number:
  US 20160072381A1
• Time in Patent Office: 405 Days
• Field of Search: 327108-112, 327/102, 327141-163, 327/427, 327/434, 327/437, 327306-333, 326/82, 326/83, 326/87
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 3/07 using capacitors charged and discharged alternately by semiconductor devices with control electrode , e.g. charge pumps
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 5/135 by the use of time reference signals, e.g. clock signals

Abstract

An analog timer circuit comprises a pulse source, a charge storage element, and a charge pump coupled between the pulse source and the charge storage element. A pulse signal generated by the pulse source is utilized to charge the charge storage element via the charge pump. The analog timer may further comprise a discharge pump coupled between the pulse source and the charge storage element. The pulse signal generated by the pulse source is also utilized to discharge the charge storage element via the discharge pump. For example, the charge pump and the discharge pump may be driven by respective ones of complemented and uncomplemented versions of the pulse signal generated by the pulse source. An up/down driver circuit is configured to select between charging of the charge storage element via the charge pump and discharging of the charge storage element via the discharge pump.

Claims

1. An analog timer circuit comprising:

a pulse source;

a charge storage element;

a charge pump coupled between the pulse source and the charge storage element; and

a charge distribution circuit coupled between the charge pump and the charge storage element;

wherein the charge distribution circuit comprises first and second circuit paths separating energy from the charge pump into respective first and second portions;

the first circuit path providing the first portion of the charge pump energy to the charge storage element; and

the second circuit path diverting the second portion of the charge pump energy away from the charge storage element;

wherein a pulse signal generated by the pulse source is utilized to charge the charge storage element via the charge pump.

2. The analog timer circuit of claim 1 wherein the pulse source comprises an astable multivibrator.

3. The analog timer circuit of claim 1 wherein the pulse signal comprises an asymmetric pulse signal.

4. The analog timer circuit of claim 1 wherein a charge time constant of the analog timer circuit is controllable through adjustment of at least one of a frequency and an asymmetry of the pulse signal generated by the pulse source.

5. The analog timer circuit of claim 1 further comprising:

an inverter having an input coupled to an output of the pulse source;

the inverter receiving at its input an uncomplemented version of the pulse signal generated by the pulse source and providing at its output a complemented version of the pulse signal;

wherein the input of the charge pump is driven by one of the complemented and uncomplemented versions of the pulse signal.

6. The analog timer circuit of claim 1 wherein the charge pump and charge storage element comprise respective capacitive elements.

7. The analog timer circuit of claim 6 wherein a charge time constant of the analog timer circuit is controllable through adjustment of relative capacitance values of the respective capacitive elements of the charge pump and the charge storage element.

8. The analog timer circuit of claim 1 wherein a charge time constant of the analog timer circuit is controllable through adjustment of relative distribution of the charge pump energy between the first and second circuit paths.

9. The analog timer circuit of claim 1 further comprising:

a discharge pump coupled between the pulse source and the charge storage element;

wherein the pulse signal generated by the pulse source is utilized to discharge the charge storage element via the discharge pump.

10. The analog timer circuit of claim 9 further comprising:

an up/down driver circuit configured to select between charging of the charge storage element via the charge pump and discharging of the charge storage element via the discharge pump.

11. The analog timer circuit of claim 9 wherein the charge pump and the discharge pump are driven by respective ones of complemented and uncomplemented versions of the pulse signal generated by the pulse source.

12. The analog timer circuit of claim 9 wherein the discharge pump and charge storage element comprise respective capacitive elements.

13. The analog timer circuit of claim 12 wherein a discharge time constant of the analog timer circuit is controllable through adjustment of relative capacitance values of the respective capacitive elements of the discharge pump and the charge storage element.

14. The analog timer circuit of claim 1 wherein respective complemented and uncomplemented versions of the pulse signal generated by the pulse source are utilized to charge the charge storage element in a charge mode of operation and to discharge the charge storage element in a discharge mode of operation.

15. An analog timer circuit comprising:

a pulse source;

a charge storage element; and

a charge pump coupled between the pulse source and the charge storage element;

wherein a pulse signal generated by the pulse source is utilized to charge the charge storage element via the charge pump;

wherein the analog timer circuit further comprises;

a discharge pump coupled between the pulse source and the charge storage element; and

a discharge distribution circuit coupled between the discharge pump and the charge storage element;

wherein the discharge distribution circuit comprises first and second circuit paths separating energy from the discharge pump into respective first and second portions;

the first circuit path providing the first portion of the discharge pump energy to the charge storage element; and

the second circuit path diverting the second portion of the discharge pump energy away from the charge storage element;

wherein the pulse signal generated by the pulse source is utilized to discharge the charge storage element via the discharge pump.

16. The analog timer circuit of claim 15 wherein a discharge time constant of the analog timer circuit is controllable through adjustment of relative distribution of the discharge pump energy between the first and second circuit paths.

17. A system comprising:

an analog timer circuit;

a power control circuit having an input coupled to an output of the analog timer circuit;

a controlled component having an input coupled to an output of the power control circuit; and

a sensor circuit having an input coupled to an output of the controlled component and an output coupled to an input of the analog timer circuit;

the analog timer circuit comprising;

a pulse source;

a charge storage element;

a charge pump coupled between the pulse source and the charge storage element; and

a charge distribution circuit coupled between the charge pump and the charge storage element;

wherein the charge distribution circuit comprises first and second circuit paths separating energy from the charge pump into respective first and second portions;

the first circuit path providing the first portion of the charge pump energy to the charge storage element; and

the second circuit path diverting the second portion of the charge pump energy away from the charge storage element;

wherein a pulse signal generated by the pulse source is utilized to charge the charge storage element via the charge pump.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein the controlled component comprises a heat/cold chamber and the sensor circuit comprises a temperature sensor.

19. The system of claim 17 wherein the controlled component comprises a motor and the sensor circuit comprises a speed sensor.

20. The system of claim 17 further comprising an up/down select circuit coupled between the sensor and the analog timer circuit and configured to control selection of charge and discharge modes of operation of the analog timer circuit responsive to a sensor output signal generated by the sensor circuit.

21. The system of claim 17 wherein the analog timer circuit further comprises:

a discharge pump coupled between the pulse source and the charge storage element; and

a discharge distribution circuit coupled between the discharge pump and the charge storage element;

wherein the discharge distribution circuit comprises first and second circuit paths separating energy from the discharge pump into respective first and second portions;

the first circuit path providing the first portion of the discharge pump energy to the charge storage element; and

the second circuit path diverting the second portion of the discharge pump energy away from the charge storage element;

wherein the pulse signal generated by the pulse source is utilized to discharge the charge storage element via the discharge pump.