Patent · US Expired

Oscillator using a time constant circuit based on cyclic heating and cooling

US5994971A · kind A · utility

5Cited by
3References
24Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateDec 22, 1997
Grant dateNov 30, 1999
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 22, 2017

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH03K3/0231
  • WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A clock generator or oscillator circuit for use in an integrated circuit for generating a clock signal includes a 555 timer circuit. The time constant circuit of the 555 timer includes a heater element for generating heat and a transducer for converting heat generated by the heater element into electrical energy. The clock signal is generated in response to the heating and cooling of the heater element.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.