System and method for power-efficient charging and discharging of a capacitive load from a single source

Abstract

A system and method for efficiently charging and discharging a capacitive load from a single voltage source. The system includes a first switch for selectively connecting the voltage source to the load and a second switch for selectively providing a short across the load as may be common in the art. A particularly novel aspect of the invention resides in the provision of plural capacitive elements and a switching mechanism for selectively connecting each of the capacitive elements to the load whereby the load is gradually charged or discharged. In the illustrative embodiment, the switching mechanism includes a set of switches for selectively connecting each of the capacitive elements to the capacitive load and a switch control mechanism for selectively activating the switches.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the InventionThe present invention relates to electronic circuits and systems. More specifically, the present invention relates to power dissipation in electronic circuits and systems.2. Description of the Related ArtPower dissipation of electronic circuitry is an important design consideration for many applications. Power dissipation provides a measure of the efficiency of the system. The efficiency of the system impacts the design of the power supply for the system. That is, low efficiency leads to higher costs due to the waste of energy and the need for larger power supplies.For battery powered systems, power dissipation limits battery life. This necessitates larger batteries which increases the cost and weight of the system while limiting the applicability thereof. As an example, consider coronary pacemakers where power dissipation is a critical concern due to the difficultly of accessing the battery for replacement and the cost and inconve...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The need in the art is addressed by the present invention which, in a most general sense, provides a system and method for efficiently charging and discharging a capacitive load from a single voltage source. The inventive system includes a first switch for selectively connecting the voltage source to the load and a second switch for selectively providing a short across the load as may be common in the art. A particularly novel aspect of the invention resides in the provision of plural capacitive elements and a switching mechanism for selectively connecting each of the capacitive elements to the load whereby the load is gradually charged or discharged.

Problems solved by technology

That is, low efficiency leads to higher costs due to the waste of energy and the need for larger power supplies.

For battery powered systems, power dissipation limits battery life.

This necessitates larger batteries which increases the cost and weight of the system while limiting the applicability thereof.

As an example, consider coronary pacemakers where power dissipation is a critical concern due to the difficultly of accessing the battery for replacement and the cost and inconvenience associated with the use of larger batteries.

Accordingly, systems which exhibit considerable power dissipation often require measures such as heat sinks to protect or cool system components from the heat created by the circuit.

The use of heat sinks and the like adds to the cost, size and weight of the system and thereby limits the utility of same.

However, in addition to costly interfacing issues, attempts to lower the voltage of digital processors and the like have been limited by the fact that the trend is to higher processing speeds which cannot be attained at arbitrarily low operating voltages.

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