Patent ID: 7161263
Filing Date: 2007-01-09
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
1. A piezoelectric driving and switching apparatus comprising: a) a power supply circuit comprising an inductor electrically coupled to a low voltage power supply having ground referenced positive and negative supply portions, and to a supply switching means for switching said power supply circuit between a supply open circuit configuration, a positive closed circuit configuration whereat a positive electric potential is applied to said inductor so as to force a positive direction current flow through said inductor and so as to transfer an energy thereto, and a negative closed circuit configuration whereat a negative electric potential is applied to said inductor so as to force a negative direction current flow through said inductor and so as to transfer said energy thereto; b) a piezoelectric circuit comprising a first piezoelectric load electrically coupled to said inductor and to a piezoelectric switching means for switching said piezoelectric circuit between a piezoelectric open circuit configuration, and a piezoelectric closed circuit configuration whereat said energy is transferable from said inductor to said piezoelectric load when a first direction current flow of said positive direction current flow and said negative direction current flow is produced in said inductor, and whereat said energy is transferable from said piezoelectric load to said inductor when a respective other direction current flow of said positive direction current flow and said negative direction current flow is produced in said inductor; c) a capacitive circuit comprising a capacitive load electrically coupled to said inductor and to a capacitive switching means for switching said capacitive circuit between a capacitive open circuit configuration, and a capacitive closed circuit configuration whereat said energy is transferable from said inductor to said capacitive load when said respective other direction current flow is produced in said inductor, and whereat said energy is transferable from said capacitive load to said inductor when said first direction current flow is produced in said inductor; d) a controller circuit comprising a switch control means for transmitting low voltage ground referenced switch signals to said supply switching means, said piezoelectric switching means, and said capacitive switching means so as to selectively and independently transfer: