DC-AC converter circuit using resonating multi-layer piezoelectric transformer
US6052300A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 26, 1999 |
| Grant date | Apr 18, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 26, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02B20/00
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
DC-AC voltage transformation circuits are provided which use a resonating piezoelectric transformer along with complementary circuit components, to efficiently convert a DC first voltage to a transformer-output AC second voltage. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, A High Displacement Piezoelectric (HDP) transformer achieves sufficiently high voltage output to "cold fire" a gas discharge lamp. The disclosed circuit may be modified using conventional electrical sub-circuitry to pre-heat the cathodes of the lamp. The transformer circuit may be a "self resonating" circuit which relies on an initial pulse from turning on the DC power supply to cause the transformer to begin resonating. In a modified voltage converter circuit, the circuit is not "self resonating" and instead has a phase shift oscillator sub-circuit that provides small pulse signals to start the transformer resonating when the circuit is initially turned on.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.