Multi-track method for energy recovery conduction period determination method, control circuit and drive circuit

Abstract

A method of determining energy recovery periods is provided for use in a control circuit configured to control an energy recovery circuit to perform a plurality of energy recovery operations. The method includes classifying the plurality of energy recovery operations into a plurality of tracks; and determining a plurality of energy recovery periods corresponding to the plurality of tracks.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a method, a control circuit, and a drive circuit, and more particularly to a method, control circuit, and drive circuit for determining the conduction period of energy recovery using a multi-track approach. Background Technology

[0002] Unless otherwise specified, the practices described below are not prior art within the scope of this application and should not be included in the prior art.

[0003] Energy recovery circuits, utilizing LC oscillations, have been used in drive circuits to drive capacitive loads, particularly in applications requiring voltage switching (see, for example, U.S. Patent Nos. 11,057,692, 18 / 396,678, and 12,107,546), offering the advantage of reduced power consumption. An energy recovery circuit essentially comprises an inductor and a switching unit coupled between a first capacitive component and a second capacitive component, each having a specific capacitance. During conduction, the energy recovery circuit generates a current between the two capacitive components, thereby recovering electrical energy stored in one of the capacitive components.

[0004] During the conduction period, the current magnitude decreases, and if the conduction period is long enough, it may eventually return to zero. If the conduction period is too long, a reverse current will be generated due to the characteristics of LC oscillation.

[0005] The conduction period cannot be too short; otherwise, residual charge (electrical energy) will not be fully recovered. On the other hand, the conduction period cannot be too long; otherwise, as mentioned earlier, a reverse current will be generated, which is undesirable. Therefore, determining the conduction period for energy recovery is an important issue in this field.

[0006] In some applications, the capacitance is not constant, especially due to significant variations in the applied voltage, which makes determining the conduction period more challenging.

[0007] Therefore, determining the conduction period of an energy recovery circuit is an important goal in this field. Summary of the Invention

[0008] Therefore, the main objective of this invention is to provide a method, a control circuit, and a drive circuit to overcome the shortcomings of prior art.

[0009] An embodiment of the present invention discloses a method for determining an energy recovery period, applied to a control circuit configured to control an energy recovery circuit to perform multiple energy recovery operations. The method includes classifying the multiple energy recovery operations into multiple tracks; and determining multiple energy recovery periods corresponding to the multiple tracks.

[0010] An embodiment of the present invention discloses a control circuit comprising a classification circuit configured to classify a plurality of energy recovery operations into a plurality of tracks; and a determination circuit configured to determine a plurality of energy recovery periods corresponding to the plurality of tracks; wherein the control circuit is configured to control an energy recovery circuit, and the energy recovery circuit performs the plurality of energy recovery operations.

[0011] An embodiment of the present invention discloses a driving circuit including an energy recovery circuit, comprising an inductor and a switching unit coupled between a first node and a second node; a control circuit configured to control the switching unit, causing the energy recovery circuit to perform a plurality of energy recovery operations; wherein the control circuit classifies the plurality of energy recovery operations into a plurality of tracks; wherein the control circuit determines a plurality of energy recovery periods corresponding to the plurality of tracks. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the energy recovery operation.

[0013] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the energy recovery operation.

[0014] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a gas pulse generating device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a driving scheme.

[0016] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a driving scheme according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 6 Plot the capacitance of a moving material relative to the applied voltage.

[0018] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of a gas pulse generating device with asymmetric initial deflection according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0019] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of a driving circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of a driving circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 10 Draw Figure 9 The waveform of the signal within the drive circuit.

[0022] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of a driving circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of a process according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] List of reference numerals

[0025] V C1 : Voltage or signal of the first node

[0026] V C2 : Voltage or signal of the second node

[0027] SW: Switching unit

[0028] I L Inductor current

[0029] C1: First capacitor

[0030] C2: Second capacitor

[0031] L: Inductor

[0032] TON: During conduction

[0033] T1, T2: Time points

[0034] T ON,1 T ON,2 During energy recovery

[0035] 11: Gas Pulse Generating Device

[0036] 113: Petal Pair

[0037] 101: First petal

[0038] 103: Second lobe

[0039] 101A: First Actuator

[0040] 103A: Second Actuator

[0041] ED1: First differential mode electrode

[0042] ED2: Second differential mode electrode

[0043] EC1: First common-mode electrode

[0044] EC2: Second common-mode electrode

[0045] SV1: First differential drive signal

[0046] SV2: Second differential drive signal

[0047] SM: Common-mode drive signal

[0048] F V Differential drive frequency

[0049] F M Common-mode drive frequency

[0050] VBM: Critical Value

[0051] T SV,ER,1 ~T SV,ER,10 :period

[0052] SVpp: Voltage

[0053] 12: Control Circuit

[0054] 140: Energy recovery circuit

[0055] SWC, SWC1, SWC2: Control signals

[0056] V in Input voltage

[0057] 22: Control Circuit

[0058] 24: Valve drive signal generator

[0059] 240: Energy recovery circuit

[0060] SW1 ER SW2 ER SW 1H SW 1L SW 2H SW 2L :switch

[0061] 220: Classification Circuit

[0062] 222: Decision Circuit

[0063] 30: Drive circuit

[0064] 26: Bias circuit

[0065] CB: Bias capacitor

[0066] RB: Bias resistor

[0067] VB: Bias voltage

[0068] VB1, VB2: Bias Levels

[0069] 60: Process

[0070] 602, 604: Steps Detailed Implementation

[0071] The technical features described in the following embodiments can be mixed or combined in various ways as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0072] In this invention, the term "coupled to" can refer to a direct or indirect connection. "Component A is coupled to component B" can mean that component A is directly connected to component B, or that component A is connected to component B through some component C.

[0073] The contents of U.S. Patent Nos. 11,057,692, 11,943,585, 12,261,567, 12,270,836, U.S. Application Nos. 19 / 424,094 and 19 / 446,931 are incorporated herein by reference.

[0074] Energy-recycling (ER) in this invention refers to the operation of transferring electrons from one capacitor to another, thereby exchanging the voltages of the two capacitors. Energy-recycling can be applied to a signal generator that produces two exchanged signals (see Nos. 11,057,692 and 12,261,567).

[0075] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the energy recovery operation. Figure 1 (a) and Figure 1 (b) Draw the circuit diagram of the ER circuit. Figure 1 (c) Draw a timing diagram showing the signal waveform. The ER circuit includes an inductor L and a switching unit SW, coupled to the first node (labeled V). C1 ) and the second node (labeled V) C2 Between, where the first node is coupled to the first capacitor C1 and the second node is coupled to the second capacitor C2.

[0076] The switching unit SW is configured to control the conduction state (i.e., ON / OFF state) of the ER circuit or the conduction state between the first and second nodes. Figure 1 (a) and Figure 1 In (b), a switch is used to represent the switching unit SW, but this is not a limitation. In subsequent embodiments, the switching unit SW may include a first switch coupled to a first terminal of the inductor L (e.g., SW1 described later). ER A second switch is coupled to a second terminal of inductor L (e.g., SW2 described later). ER (as taught in U.S. Patent No. 12,261,567).

[0077] exist Figure 1 (a) and Figure 1 In (b), capacitor C1 / C2, or simply C1 / C2, is a symbolic representation of a component having capacitive characteristics. In this invention, capacitor C1 / C2, or simply C1 / C2, refers not only to physically discrete capacitors but also to components exhibiting capacitance.

[0078] exist Figure 1 In (c), V C1 / V C2 Used to represent the signal or voltage at the first / second node, SW is used to represent the control signal used to control the (ON / OFF state) of the switching unit SW.

[0079] In this invention, the control signal of the switch and the switch itself sometimes share the same symbol.

[0080] Before time T1, V C1 > V C2 Once the switching unit SW is turned on during time T1, an inductor current I flows from capacitor C1 to capacitor C2. L (like Figure 1 As shown in (a), this leads to V C1 Decline and V C2 rise.

[0081] Before time T2, V C1 < V C2 Once the switching unit SW is turned on during time T2, an inductor current I flows from capacitor C2 to capacitor C1. L (like Figure 1 As shown in (b), this leads to V C2 Decline and V C1 rise.

[0082] In other words, during the conduction period or ER period (labeled as T) ON Within the LC (inductor-capacitor) oscillation, an LC oscillation is formed, and an inductor current I is generated due to the LC oscillation. L .

[0083] Please note that, in order to recover the electrical energy stored in the capacitor / capacitor as perfectly as possible, the ER period T ON It needs to be carefully estimated. Take time T1 as an example (where the inductor current I...). L (Mainly flowing from C1 to C2), if during the ER period T ON If the time interval is too short, residual electrons in capacitor C1 will not be fully recovered, resulting in energy waste. On the other hand, if the time interval T during ER is too short... ON If the current is too long, the LC oscillation will cause the reverse inductor current to flow from C2 to C1, which is not fully recovered and will reduce energy efficiency.

[0084] U.S. Patent No. 12,270,836 discloses a learning / adjustment / adaptation method for finding the suboptimal conduction period or ER period T. ON Please note that the mechanism disclosed in document 12,270,836 works well under the assumption that the ER period is substantially the same (e.g., Figure 1 (c) shows T1≈T2).

[0085] However, in some situations, the aforementioned assumptions may not hold true.

[0086] For example, Figure 2 Plotting T with different ER periods ON ER operation. In Figure 2 In this context, the conditions at time T1 may differ from those at time T2, resulting in an ER period T corresponding to T1. ON,1 Unlike the ER period T corresponding to T2 ON,2 .

[0087] In this situation, simply continuing to use the method taught in document 12,270,836 is insufficient. It is necessary to remedy this deficiency.

[0088] Before describing the method of the present invention, we will first introduce the application scenarios of the signal generator in a practical system.

[0089] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of an air-pulse generating (APG) device 11 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The APG device 11 includes a pair of flaps 113. The pair of flaps 113 includes a first flap 101 and a second flap 103. Furthermore, the APG device 11 includes a first actuator 101A disposed on the first flap 101 and a second actuator 103A disposed on the second flap 103. The first actuator 101A includes a first differential mode electrode ED1 and a first common mode electrode EC1, and the second actuator 103A includes a second differential mode electrode ED2 and a second common mode electrode EC2.

[0090] The first / second differential mode electrodes ED1 / ED2 receive the first / second differential mode drive signals SV1 / SV2. The first common mode electrode EC1 and the second common mode electrode EC2 receive a common mode drive signal SM.

[0091] The flap pair 113 is driven by the first and second differential mode drive signals SV1 and SV2 to perform differential mode movement, thereby forming a virtual valve 112. The flap pair 113 is driven by the common mode drive signal SM to perform common mode movement, thereby forming a pressure change. SV1 / SV2 can be regarded as valve drive signals or demodulation (drive) signals, and SM can be regarded as pressure drive signals or modulation (drive) signals.

[0092] For details regarding the operation of the flaps 113, particularly concerning the differential and common mode movements, please refer to Patent No. 11,943,585 and Application No. 19 / 424,094, which will not be elaborated here for the sake of brevity.

[0093] The drive signal generator used to generate differential-mode drive signals SV1 and SV2, or the drive signal generator used to generate common-mode drive signal SM, can perform ER operation and requires the ER. Accurate estimation of the on-time of the ER operation is crucial.

[0094] Figure 4 A driving scheme 40 of an APG device (e.g., 11 / 11') is illustrated, wherein the differential driving frequency F V (Corresponding to SV1 / SV2) is the common-mode drive frequency F M Half of (corresponding to SM), i.e., F V = 1 / 2. F M .like Figure 4 As shown, the ER operation used to generate differential-mode drive signals SV1 and SV2 always occurs during a period when the common-mode drive signal SM is greater than a threshold value VBM, for example. Therefore, the ER period T for generating SV1 and SV2 is... SV,ER,1 T SV,ER,2 T SV,ER,3 T SV,ER,4 They may be roughly the same, and the method taught in document 12,270,836 may be sufficient.

[0095] However, for F V = F M The driving scheme, during ER T SV,ER,k It will lose its consistency.

[0096] For example, Figure 5 A driving scheme 50 of an APG device (e.g., 11 / 11') is illustrated. Figure 5 In the middle, the differential mode drive frequency F V With common-mode drive frequency F M Same, i.e., F V = F M , of which F V = F M This will avoid erroneous demodulation problems (see application No. 19 / 424,094). It will also generate certain ER operations for SV1 and SV2 (e.g., Figure 5 The ER period T shown SV,ER,1 T SV,ER,3 T SV,ER,5 T SV,ER,7 T SV,ER,9 The formation of the first set of ER periods / operations corresponds to the situation where the common-mode drive signal SM is greater than the critical value VBM, resulting in another ER operation (e.g., SV1 and SV2). Figure 5 The ER period T shown SV,ER,2 T SV,ER,4 T SV,ER,6 T SV,ER,8 TSV,ER,1 0, the period / operation during which the second group of ER is formed) corresponds to another case where the common-mode drive signal SM is less than the critical value VBM.

[0097] In Figure 4 and Figure 5 , the APG device 11' depicts an equivalent circuit model representative of Figure 3 the physical APG device 11 shown in the figure.

[0098] Please note that between the differential-mode electrodes (e.g., ED1 / ED2) that receive SV1 / SV2 and the common-mode electrodes (e.g., EC1 / EC2) that receive SM, an actuating material (e.g., lead zirconate titanate (PZT)) is disposed in the actuators (101A / 103A). Please note that for certain actuating materials (such as but not limited to PZT), the capacitance and the applied voltage have a decreasing relationship, as shown in Figure 6 the figure.

[0099] Assume that C1 / C2 represent the capacitance between the electrodes (e.g., ED1 / ED2) that receive SV1 / SV2 and the electrodes (e.g., EC1 / EC2) that receive SM. Within the actuators 101A / 103A, the capacitance C1 / C2 corresponding to SM > VBM will be significantly different from the capacitance corresponding to SM < VBM. In other words, using the result of T SV,ER,2 (where SM < VBM) to adapt the subsequent T SV,ER,3 (where SM > VBM) is inappropriate.

[0100] Furthermore, the driving scheme 50 can be applied to the APG devices with F V = F M and Figure 7 asymmetric initial deflection disclosed in Application Nos. 19 / 424,094 and 19 / 446,931. For details of the APG device with asymmetric initial deflection, reference can be made to Nos. 19 / 424,094 and 19 / 446,931.

[0101] Similarly, for certain schemes (e.g., schemes with F V = F M ), it may not be sufficient to simply use the method taught in U.S. Patent No. 12,270,836 to obtain the ER period.

[0102] To remedy this situation, in the present invention, all ER operations can be classified into a plurality of tracks (e.g., two tracks in the embodiment shown in Figure 5 the figure), and the ER period determination / adaptation / estimation can be performed specifically for each track.

[0103] Figure 8This is a schematic diagram of a drive circuit 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The drive circuit 10 includes a control circuit 12 and an energy recovery (ER) circuit 140. As previously described, the ER circuit 140 is coupled to the circuit labeled V. C1 The first node and the label V C2 Between the second node. ER circuit 140 includes an inductor L and a switching unit SW. Control circuit 12, which may be implemented by digital synthesis control / logic circuitry and / or analog circuitry, is configured to generate a control signal SWC to control the conduction state of the switching unit SW. Furthermore, control circuit 12 determines the ER period T embedded in the control signal SWC. ON .

[0104] Assuming the application of drive scheme 50, control circuit 12 can classify all ER periods / operations into two tracks: one ER track (e.g., track A, containing ER periods / operations T corresponding to SM > VBM). SV,ER,1 T SV,ER,3 T SV,ER,5 T SV,ER,7 T SV,ER,9 ) and another ER orbital (e.g., orbital B, containing the ER period / operation T corresponding to SM < VBM). SV,ER,2 T SV,ER,4 T SV,ER,6 T SV,ER,8 T SV,ER,1 0). Control circuit 12 can adjust according to ER period / operation T. SV,ER,1 T SV,ER,3 ... T SV,ER,2k+1 A special determination corresponds to an ER period T of ER orbital A. SV,ER,A And according to ER period / operation T SV,ER,2 T SV,ER,4 ... T SV,ER,2k A special determination corresponds to an ER period T of ER orbital B. SV,ER,B Where k is an integer. After classification, the method taught in U.S. Patent No. 12,270,836 can be used according to T. SV,ER,1 T SV,ER,3 ... T SV,ER,2k+1 Determine T SV,ER,A and using the method taught in U.S. Patent No. 12,270,836 according to T SV,ER,2 T SV,ER,4 ... T SV,ER,2k Determine T SV,ER,B .

[0105] In one embodiment, the control circuit 12 can selectively capture signals from V. C1 V C2 V LAt least one voltage is used as the input voltage V for energy recovery operation classification. in For example, based on the input voltage V in Energy recovery operations are categorized into multiple tracks (e.g., track A and track B). In other words, the input voltage V... in It can be (at least) V C1 V C2 or V L One of them, but not limited to this.

[0106] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of a drive circuit 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The drive circuit 20 includes a control circuit 22 and a valve drive signal generator 24. The valve drive signal generator 24 includes an ER circuit 240. The ER circuit 240 includes a switch SW1. ER and SW2 ER Among them, switch SW1 ER and SW2 ER This can be considered as forming a switching unit SW (also shown in Figures 1, 2, and 8). Control circuit 22 is configured to generate control signals SWC1 and SWC2 to control switch SW1 respectively. ER and SW2 ER .

[0107] The control circuit 22 includes a classification circuit 220 and a determination circuit 222. The classification circuit 220 may be or include a digital synthesis circuit. The determination circuit 222 can be found in U.S. Patent No. 12,270,836, and will not be described in detail here for the sake of brevity.

[0108] Classification circuit 220 is configured to classify energy recovery operations into multiple tracks (e.g., track A and track B). Determination circuit 222 is configured to determine the energy recovery period T corresponding to track A and track B. SV,ER,A and T SV,ER,B .

[0109] In one embodiment, the classification circuit 220 can classify energy recovery operations according to an index. Note that the multiple energy recovery operations may correspond to multiple time indices. For example, the index k is the ER period T. SV,ER,k The time index. The digital synthesis classification circuit 220 can classify the multiple energy recovery operations into track A (corresponding to odd index) and track B (corresponding to even index).

[0110] In one embodiment, the classification circuit 220 can classify the inductor current I flowing through the inductor L based on the inductor current I. L The current direction is used to classify energy recovery operations. For certain energy recovery operations (or the first group of ER operations), the inductor current I... L From the first node (labeled as) V C1 Flowing to the second node (labeled) VC2 The classification circuit 220 can classify energy recovery operations corresponding to the first current direction into a first track (e.g., track A). For another energy recovery operation (or a second group of ER operations), the inductor current I... L From the second node (labeled) V C2 Flowing to the first node (labeled) V C1 The classification circuit 220 can classify energy recovery operations corresponding to the second current direction into a second track (e.g., track B), where the first current direction is opposite to the second current direction.

[0111] Assuming the application driver scheme 50 is used, the classification circuit 220 can classify the components corresponding to V. C1 Flow to V C2 The energy recovery operation in the direction of the current is classified as track A, and the corresponding energy recovery operation from V is classified as track A. C2 Flow to V C1 The energy recovery operation in the direction of the current is classified as track B.

[0112] In one embodiment, the classification circuit 220 can classify the plurality of energy recovery operations into a first track and a second track based on the voltage at an electrode. Specifically, the classification circuit 220 can classify the plurality of energy recovery operations into a first track corresponding to a voltage greater than a first threshold value and a second track corresponding to a voltage less than a second threshold value, wherein the first threshold value and the second threshold value may be the same or different. In one embodiment, the second threshold value may be less than the first threshold value.

[0113] For example, the classification circuit 220 can classify the voltage V at the differential mode electrode ED2. C2 Categorized energy recovery operations. In one embodiment, voltage V C1 and V C2 It swings between 0 volts and a voltage labeled SVpp. In this embodiment, the sorting circuit 220 can classify the voltage corresponding to an upcoming energy recovery operation before V. C2 < 1 / 2. SVpp energy recovery operations are classified as first orbits (e.g., orbit A), and will correspond to the V preceding the upcoming energy recovery operation. C2 > 1 / 2. SVpp's energy recovery operations are classified as second orbits (e.g., orbit B).

[0114] In other words, assuming the application of driving scheme 50, the classification circuit 220 can classify V corresponding to subsequent and continuous ER operations before them. C2 < 1 / 2. The energy recovery operation of SVpp is classified as track A, and will correspond to V before subsequent and continuous ER operations. C2 > 1 / 2. The energy recovery operation of SVpp is classified as orbit B.

[0115] In one embodiment, the classification circuit 220 can classify the plurality of energy recovery operations based on the common-mode voltage at the common-mode electrodes EC1 / EC2 (i.e., the voltage of the common-mode drive signal SM during a specific ER operation / period, where the common-mode voltage is also labeled SM). The classification circuit 220 can classify energy recovery operations corresponding to SM > VBM into a first track (e.g., track A) and energy recovery operations corresponding to SM < VBM into a second track (e.g., track B), where the voltage / level VBM can be considered a threshold value.

[0116] Assuming the application of drive scheme 50, classification circuit 220 can classify energy recovery operations corresponding to SM > VBM as track A, and energy recovery operations corresponding to SM < VBM as track B.

[0117] like Figure 9 As shown, the valve drive signal generator 24 in the drive circuit of the present invention includes a switch SW. 1H SW 1L SW 2H and SW 2L Switch SW 1H and SW 1L Coupled to the label V C1 The first node, switch SW 2H and SW 2L Coupled to the label V C2 The second node. Switch SW 1H SW 1L SW 2H and SW 2L ER switch SW1 ER SW2 ER Voltage V C1 V C2 and inductor current I L The timing diagram is shown in Figure 10 During ER conduction, T ON It is ER switch SW1 ER and SW2 ER During the period when both are ON / conducting. The operation of valve drive signal generator 24 is detailed in U.S. Patent No. 12,261,567.

[0118] Figure 9 The diagram also shows the valve drive signal generator 24 coupled to the APG device 11''. The APG device 11'' displays a representative... Figure 3 Another equivalent circuit model of the physical APG device 11 shown. Figure 9 The APG device 11'' shown is Figure 4 and Figure 5 The difference in the APG device 11' shown is that the common mode electrode is located at... Figure 9Separated in the middle, but Figure 4 and Figure 5 It is considered a merger.

[0119] To achieve Figure 7 The asymmetric initial deflection or drive scheme 50 with VB1 > VB2 shown should include a bias circuit or deflection circuit to provide a significant bias voltage to the differential mode electrode (e.g., ED1). Figure 9 The middle part is omitted.

[0120] For completeness, Figure 11 A bias / deflection circuit 26 is shown, wherein a drive circuit 30 according to an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The drive circuit 30 includes a bias circuit 26 coupled to a circuit labeled V. C1 The first node is between the first differential electrode ED1 and the first differential electrode ED1. The bias circuit 26 includes a capacitor CB and a resistor RB, wherein the resistor RB receives a bias voltage VB. The differential electrode ED1 can receive voltage V via the capacitor CB. C1 It receives the bias voltage VB via resistor RB.

[0121] See Figure 5 and Figure 11 The valve drive signals SV1 / SV2 can have an average value located at voltage VB1 / VB2. When the valve drive signals SV1 / SV2 are generated according to the drive circuit 30, Figure 5 VB1 / VB2 can be represented as VB1 = VB + 1 / 2. SVpp and VB2 = 1 / 2. SVpp.

[0122] The operation of the control circuit can be summarized as follows: Figure 12 The process 60 shown includes the following steps: Step 602: Classify the multiple energy recovery operations into multiple tracks.

[0123] Step 604: Determine the multiple energy recovery periods corresponding to the multiple orbits.

[0124] In step 602, control circuit 12 / 22 can classify the multiple energy recovery operations into track A and track B. In step 604, control circuit 12 / 22 can determine the energy recovery period T corresponding to track A and track B. SV,ER,A and T SV,ER,B .

[0125] In short, this invention employs a multi-track method to generate a more accurate ER conduction period. Please note that the multi-track method is not limited to differential-mode drive signal generation. The multi-track method (classifying ER operation into multiple tracks) can be applied to any application where environmental conditions vary in a specific pattern from the perspective of the ER circuit, and this is within the scope of this invention.

[0126] In summary, this invention classifies ER operations into multiple distinct tracks based on criteria such as time indexing, inductor current direction, or specific electrode voltage levels (e.g., common-mode voltage), for example, through a classification circuit. This multi-track approach allows the decision circuit to independently estimate and adapt the precise ER period (T) for each track. ON This mechanism effectively addresses performance degradation caused by capacitance variations and inconsistent energy recovery (ER) during complex drive schemes, ensuring optimal energy recovery and voltage exchange performance.

[0127] The foregoing outlines the features of several embodiments, enabling those skilled in the art to fully understand the various aspects of the invention. Those skilled in the art should recognize that the invention provides a basis for designing or modifying other processes and structures to achieve substantially the same functionality and / or results as the embodiments described above. Furthermore, such equivalent configurations do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention, and various changes, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from that spirit and scope.

Claims

1. A method for determining the energy recovery period, applied to a control circuit configured to control an energy recovery circuit to perform multiple energy recovery operations, the method comprising: The multiple energy recovery operations are classified into multiple orbits; and Determine the multiple energy recovery periods corresponding to the multiple orbits.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of energy recovery operations correspond to a plurality of indices, and the method comprises: Based on these multiple indices, the multiple energy recovery operations are classified into these multiple tracks.

3. The method of claim 2, comprising: Based on these multiple indices, the multiple energy recovery operations are classified into a first track and a second track; The first track corresponds to an even index, and the second track corresponds to an odd index.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the energy recovery circuit includes an inductor, and the method comprises: The multiple energy recovery operations are classified into multiple tracks based on the direction of the current flowing through the inductor.

5. The method of claim 4, comprising: Based on the direction of the current in the inductor, the multiple energy recovery operations are classified into a first track and a second track. The first track corresponds to a first current direction, and the second track corresponds to a second current direction; The direction of the first current is opposite to the direction of the second current.

6. The method of claim 1, comprising: The multiple energy recovery operations are classified into multiple tracks based on a voltage at an electrode.

7. The method of claim 6, comprising: Based on the voltage, the multiple energy recovery operations are classified into a first track and a second track; The first track corresponds to a voltage greater than a first critical value, and the second track corresponds to a voltage less than a second critical value.

8. The method as described in claim 1, The energy recovery circuit is coupled to a first differential mode electrode and a second differential mode electrode. One of the first capacitors is formed between the first differential mode electrode and a common mode electrode.

9. The method of claim 8, comprising: The multiple energy recovery operations are classified into multiple tracks based on a common-mode voltage at the common-mode electrode.

10. The method of claim 9, comprising: The multiple energy recovery operations are classified into a first track and a second track; The first track corresponds to the common-mode voltage being greater than a critical value, and the second track corresponds to the common-mode voltage being less than the critical value.

11. The method as described in claim 1, The energy recovery circuit is configured to generate a drive signal to drive a gas pulse generating device. The gas pulse generating device includes a pair of petals, and the pair of petals includes a first petal and a second petal; The gas pulse generating device includes a first actuator and a second actuator, which are respectively disposed on the first lob and the second lob; The first actuator includes a first differential mode electrode and a first common mode electrode, and the second actuator includes a second differential mode electrode and a second common mode electrode. The first common-mode electrode and the second common-mode electrode receive a common-mode voltage.

12. A control circuit, comprising: A classification circuit is configured to classify multiple energy recovery operations into multiple tracks; and A determination circuit is configured to determine multiple energy recovery periods corresponding to the multiple orbits; The control circuit is configured to control an energy recovery circuit, and the energy recovery circuit performs the plurality of energy recovery operations.

13. The control circuit as described in claim 12, These multiple energy recovery operations correspond to multiple indices; The classification circuit categorizes the multiple energy recovery operations into a first track and a second track based on the multiple indices. The first track corresponds to an even index, and the second track corresponds to an odd index.

14. The control circuit as described in claim 12, The energy recovery circuit includes an inductor; The classification circuit categorizes the multiple energy recovery operations into a first track and a second track based on the current direction of an inductor. The first track corresponds to a first current direction, and the second track corresponds to a second current direction; The direction of the first current is opposite to the direction of the second current.

15. The control circuit as described in claim 12, The classification circuit classifies the multiple energy recovery operations into a first track and a second track based on a voltage at an electrode. The first track corresponds to a voltage greater than a first critical value, and the second track corresponds to a voltage less than a second critical value.

16. The control circuit as described in claim 12, The energy recovery circuit is coupled to a first differential mode electrode and a second differential mode electrode. One of the first capacitors is formed between the first differential mode electrode and a common mode electrode.

17. The control circuit as described in claim 16, The classification circuit classifies the multiple energy recovery operations into a first track and a second track based on a common-mode voltage at the common-mode electrode. The first track corresponds to the common-mode voltage being greater than a critical value, and the second track corresponds to the common-mode voltage being less than the critical value.

18. The control circuit as described in claim 12, The energy recovery circuit is configured to generate a drive signal to drive a gas pulse generating device. The gas pulse generating device includes a pair of petals, and the pair of petals includes a first petal and a second petal; The gas pulse generating device includes a first actuator and a second actuator, which are respectively disposed on the first lob and the second lob; The first actuator includes a first differential mode electrode and a first common mode electrode, and the second actuator includes a second differential mode electrode and a second common mode electrode. The first common-mode electrode and the second common-mode electrode receive a common-mode voltage.

19. The control circuit as described in claim 12, The energy recovery circuit includes an inductor and a switching unit. The switching unit is controlled by the control circuit to be turned on during the plurality of energy recovery operations.

20. A driving circuit, comprising: An energy recovery circuit includes an inductor and a switching unit coupled between a first node and a second node; and A control circuit is configured to control the switching unit, causing the energy recovery circuit to perform multiple energy recovery operations; The control circuit classifies the multiple energy recovery operations into multiple tracks; The control circuit determines the multiple energy recovery periods corresponding to the multiple orbits.

21. The driving circuit as described in claim 20, These multiple energy recovery operations correspond to multiple indices; The control circuit classifies the multiple energy recovery operations into a first track and a second track based on the multiple indices. The first track corresponds to an even index, and the second track corresponds to an odd index.

22. The driving circuit as described in claim 20, The control circuit classifies the multiple energy recovery operations into a first track and a second track according to the direction of the current flowing through the inductor. The first track corresponds to a first current direction, and the second track corresponds to a second current direction; The direction of the first current is opposite to the direction of the second current.

23. The driving circuit as described in claim 20, comprising: A first switch, a second switch, a third switch, and a fourth switch; The energy recovery circuit is coupled between a first node and a second node; The first switch and the second switch are coupled to the first node, and the third switch and the fourth switch are coupled to the second node.

24. The driving circuit as described in claim 23, The drive circuit is configured to drive a gas pulse generating device. The gas pulse generating device includes a pair of petals, and the pair of petals includes a first petal and a second petal; The gas pulse generating device includes a first actuator and a second actuator, which are respectively disposed on the first lob and the second lob; The lobe pair undergoes a differential mode motion; The first actuator includes a first differential mode electrode coupled to the first node, and the second actuator includes a second differential mode electrode coupled to the second node.

25. The driving circuit as described in claim 24, The lobe pair performs a common-mode motion based on a common-mode voltage.

26. The driving circuit as described in claim 25, The control circuit classifies the multiple energy recovery operations into a first track and a second track based on the common-mode voltage at the common-mode electrode. The first track corresponds to the common-mode voltage being greater than a critical value, and the second track corresponds to the common-mode voltage being less than the critical value.

27. The driving circuit as described in claim 25, The differential mode motion corresponds to a differential mode frequency, and the common mode motion corresponds to a common mode frequency. The differential mode frequency is the same as the common mode frequency.

28. The driving circuit as described in claim 24, The lobe has an asymmetric initial deflection when performing the differential motion.

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