System and method for efficiently boosting drive capability for high-voltage linear power amplification
AssigneeXerox Corporation
InventorRichard I. Lane
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for efficiently boosting drive capability for high-voltage linear power amplification to supply transducers in a print head is provided. A linear power amplifier to drive the transducers in the print head includes a charge pump capacitor to boost the output voltage of the amplifier above the supply rail voltage. The amplifier can provide both positive and negative output pulses to drive the transducers. A distribution switch is used to distribute the output pulses among multiple transducers and a biasing circuit provides proper sequencing and timing signals to generate smooth output pulses. A method for driving a plurality of transducers in a print head using a charge pump capacitor is also provided.
Claims20
An electronic device to drive a plurality of transducers in a print head, comprising:
- at least one first transistor operatively connected to a positive rail voltage and a terminal, the at least one first transistor configured to drive the terminal to the positive rail voltage;
- at least one second transistor operatively connected to a reference voltage and the terminal, the at least one second transistor configured to drive the terminal to the reference voltage;
- at least one capacitor operatively connected to the terminal, the capacitor configured to provide a boosted output voltage to the transducers in the print head higher than the positive rail voltage causing the print head to dispense a fluid.
A system, comprising:
- at least one nozzle;
- at least one diaphragm;
- at least one transducer configured to operate the diaphragm to dispense fluid through the nozzle;
- and
- an amplifier configured to provide a boosted output voltage to the transducer, the amplifier comprising:
- at least one first transistor operatively connected to a positive rail voltage;
- at least one second transistor operatively connected to a reference voltage;
- at least one capacitor operatively connected to the first and second transistors, the capacitor configured to provide the boosted output voltage to the transducer higher than the positive rail voltage.
A method for driving a plurality of transducers in a print head, comprising:
- supplying a positive rail voltage to at least one first transistor;
- supplying a reference voltage to at least one second transistor;
- sequentially activating the first and second transistors such that an output voltage higher than the positive rail voltage is supplied to the transducers in the print head such that the print head dispenses a fluid.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.