High-efficiency driver circuit for capacitive loads

An electronic system comprising:

• a) an electronic circuit for applying a voltage waveform to a capacitive load;
• b) a switching circuit connected to the capacitive load for supplying a fraction of current demanded by the capacitive load;
• c) a control circuit for controlling the switching circuit;
• d) wherein said switching circuit comprises a transistor bridge powered between a first voltage reference and a second voltage reference;
• and
• e) an inductor connected between two opposed nodes of said bridge circuit.

An electronic system comprising:

• a) an electronic circuit for applying a voltage waveform to a capacitive load;
• b) a switching circuit connected to the capacitive load for supplying a fraction of current demanded by the capacitive load;
• c) a control circuit for controlling the switching circuit;
• d) wherein said switching circuit comprises a transistor bridge powered between a first voltage reference and a second voltage reference;
• and
• e) wherein said bridge circuit is coupled to the load through a two-way switch.

An electronic system comprising:

• a) an electronic circuit for applying a voltage waveform to a capacitive load;
• b) a switching circuit connected to the capacitive load for supplying a fraction of current demanded by the capacitive load;
• c) a control circuit for controlling the switching circuit;
• d) wherein said switching circuit comprises a transistor bridge powered between a first voltage reference and a second voltage reference;
• and
• e) a current sensor connected in downstream of said linear portion and connected to said control circuit.

An electronic system comprising:

• a) an electronic circuit for applying a voltage waveform to a capacitive load;
• b) a switching circuit connected to the capacitive load for supplying a fraction of current demanded by the capacitive load;
• c) a control circuit for controlling the switching circuit;
• d) wherein said switching circuit comprises a transistor bridge powered between a first voltage reference and a second voltage reference;
• and
• e) an additional bridge circuit configured to draw current from the capacitive load during the downward ramps of said voltage waveform.

A method for supplying current to a capacitive load, the method comprising:

• a) supplying an amount of current to the capacitive load by generating a voltage waveform from a linear electronic driving circuit connected to the capacitive load;
• b) supplying an amount of current to the capacitive load by generating a voltage waveform from a switching circuit connected to the capacitive load;
• and
• c) switching the switching circuit using a control circuit, the control circuit optimally switching said switching circuit to supply current to the capacitive load.

A method for supplying current to a capacitive load, the method comprising:

• a) supplying an amount of current to the capacitive load by generating a voltage waveform from an electronic driving circuit connected to the capacitive load;
• b) supplying an amount of current to the capacitive load by generating a voltage waveform from a switching circuit connected to the capacitive load;
• c) switching the switching circuit using a control circuit, the control circuit optimally switching said switching circuit to supply current to the capacitive load;
• d) wherein optimally switching said switching circuit comprises,
• e) charging an inductor in the switching circuit for an amount of time before connecting the switching circuit to the capacitive load,
• f) supplying an amount of current stored in the charged inductor to the capacitive load for an amount of time before redirecting current stored in the charged inductor,
• g) redirecting a remaining amount of current stored in the charged inductor by disconnecting the switching circuit from the capacitive load;
• and
• h) engaging the switching circuit to avoid decaying current in the charged inductor when the difference between the current demanded by the capacitive load and the current supplied by the driving circuit exceeds a high threshold current.

A method for supplying current to a capacitive load, the method comprising:

• a) supplying an amount of current to the capacitive load through a linear electronic driving circuit connected to the capacitive load;
• b) supplying a decaying amount of current to the capacitive load through a switching circuit connected to the capacitive load;
• and
• c) switching the switching circuit using a control circuit, the control circuit optimally switching said switching circuit to supply current to the capacitive load.

A method for supplying current to a capacitive load, the method comprising:

• a) supplying a linear amount of current to the capacitive load through an electronic driving circuit connected to the capacitive load;
• b) supplying a decaying amount of current to the capacitive load through a switching circuit connected to the capacitive load;
• c) switching the switching circuit using a control circuit, the control circuit optimally switching said switching circuit to supply current to the capacitive load;
• and
• d) engaging the switching circuit to avoid decaying current in the inductor when the difference between the current demanded by the capacitive load and the decaying current supplied by the switching circuit exceeds a high threshold current.

A method for supplying current to a capacitive load, the method comprising:

• a) supplying a linear amount of current to the capacitive load through an electronic driving circuit connected to the capacitive load;
• b) supplying a decaying amount of current to the capacitive load through a switching circuit connected to the capacitive load;
• c) switching the switching circuit using a control circuit, the control circuit optimally switching said switching circuit to supply current to the capacitive load;
• and
• d) the amount of time before disconnecting the switching circuit from the capacitive load is long enough to deliver a decaying amount of current at least equal to the difference between a high threshold current and the linear amount supplied by the driver circuit.

A method for driving a capacitive load, the method comprising:

• linearly amplifying a first input signal to generate a first drive signal;
• switching a second input signal to generate a second drive signal;
• and
• simultaneously coupling the first and second drive signals to the load.