US 12,520,728 B2Granted

Energy recovery driver for PZT actuators

AssigneesSTMicroelectronics S.r.l., Politecnico Di Milano

InventorsMarco Zamprogno, Raffaele Enrico Furceri, Matteo Gianollo, Giacomo Langfelder

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

A differential piezoelectric actuator-system includes an inductor and driver-circuit having switches for transferring energy between first and second actuators and the inductor, and between a voltage-supply node and the inductor. Control circuitry determines whether a next phase in which to operate the driver-circuit is a first charging-phase or a first recovery-phase. The first charging-phase includes operating the switches in: a first sub-phase to transfer energy from the first actuator to the inductor; a second sub-phase to transfer energy from the voltage supply node to the inductor; and a third sub-phase to transfer energy from the inductor to the second actuator. The first recovery-phase includes operating the switches in: a first sub-phase to transfer energy from the first actuator to the inductor; a second sub-phase to transfer energy from the inductor to the second actuator; and a third sub-phase to transfer energy from the inductor to the voltage supply node.

Claims25

Dependent claims

A driver system for a differential piezoelectric actuator system, the driver system comprising:

an inductor;
a driver circuit comprising switches for selectively facilitating transfer of energy between first and second actuators of the differential piezoelectric actuator system and the inductor and between a voltage supply node and the inductor;
and
control circuitry configured to:
determine whether a next phase in which to operate the driver circuit is a first charging phase or a first recovery phase, based upon feedback signals;
in the first charging phase:
in a first sub-phase of the first charging phase, operate the switches to transfer energy from the first actuator to the inductor;
in a second sub-phase of the first charging phase, operate the switches to transfer energy from the voltage supply node to the inductor;
and
in a third sub-phase of the first charging phase, operate the switches to transfer energy from the inductor to the second actuator;
and
in the first recovery phase:
in a first sub-phase of the first recovery phase, operate the switches to transfer energy from the first actuator to the inductor;
in a second sub-phase of the first recovery phase, operate the switches to transfer energy from the inductor to the second actuator;
and
in a third sub-phase of the first recovery phase, operate the switches to transfer energy from the inductor to the voltage supply node.

13 more elements

A driver system for a differential piezoelectric actuator system, the driver system comprising:

an inductor;
a driver circuit comprising:
a first switch connected between a first actuator of the differential piezoelectric actuator system and a first inductor node connected to a first terminal of the inductor;
a second switch connected between the first inductor node and ground;
a third switch connected between the first inductor node and a voltage supply node;
a fourth switch connected between a second inductor node and ground, the second inductor node connected to a second terminal of the inductor;
a fifth switch connected between the voltage supply node and the second inductor node;
and
a sixth switch connected between the second inductor node and a second actuator of the differential piezoelectric actuator system;
and
control circuitry configured to:
determine whether a next phase in which to operate the driver circuit is a first charging phase, a first recovery phase, a second charging phase, or a second recovery phase based upon feedback signals;
in the first charging phase:
in a first sub-phase of the first charging phase, cause the first and fourth switches to close to transfer energy from the first actuator to the inductor;
in a second sub-phase of the first charging phase, cause the third and fourth switches to close to transfer energy from the voltage supply node to the inductor;
and
in a third sub-phase of the first charging phase, cause the second and sixth switches to close to transfer energy from the inductor to the second actuator;
in the second charging phase:
in a first sub-phase of the second charging phase, cause the second and sixth switches to close to transfer energy from the second actuator to the inductor;
in a second sub-phase of the second charging phase, cause the second and fifth switches to close to transfer energy from the voltage supply node to the inductor;
and
in a third sub-phase of the second charging phase, cause the first and fourth switches to close to transfer energy from the inductor to the first actuator;
in the first recovery phase:
in a first sub-phase of the first recovery phase, cause the first and fourth switches to close to transfer energy from the first actuator to the inductor;
in a second sub-phase of the first recovery phase, cause the second and sixth switches to close to transfer energy from the inductor to the second actuator;
and
in a third sub-phase of the first recovery phase, cause the second and fifth switches to close to transfer energy from the inductor to the voltage supply node;
and
in the second recovery phase:
in a first sub-phase of the second recovery phase, cause the second and sixth switches to close to transfer energy from the second actuator to the inductor;
in a second sub-phase of the second recovery phase, cause the first and fourth switches to close to transfer energy from the inductor to the first actuator;
and
in a third sub-phase of the second recovery phase, cause the third and fourth switches to close to transfer energy from the inductor to the voltage supply node.

30 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 17/879,066Filed 2 Aug 2022
Published: US 2024/0049603 A18 Feb 2024
Granted: 6 Jan 2026
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification7 codes

H10N 30/802
Constructional details: circuitry or processes for operating piezoelectric or electrostrictive devices not otherwise provided for, e.g. drive circuits
H02M 1/009
Converters characterised by their input or output configuration: having two or more independently controlled outputs
H02M 3/158
With automatic control of output voltage or current, e.g. switching regulators: including plural semiconductor devices as final control devices…
H02N 2/06
Producing linear motion, e.g. actuators; Linear positioners ; Linear motors: drive circuits; Control arrangements or methods