IP Library Granted Patent US 9,768,373
Granted Patent B2
US 9,768,373 · App. 14/604,452 · Granted Sep 19, 2017

Switched resonant ultrasonic power amplifier system

Inventors: James H. Orszulak (Nederland, CO); James W. McPherson (Boulder, CO)
Assignee: Covidien AG
H01L41/042A61N7/00B06B1/0253B06B1/0261A61N2007/0056B06B2201/76
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,768,373
App. No.
14/604,452
Granted
Sep 19, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

A switched resonant power amplifier system for ultrasonic transducers is disclosed. The system includes an amplifier that receives and processes a driver output signal for generating a drive signal that is provided to an ultrasonic device for controlling output of the ultrasonic device. An output control circuit receives and processes a signal related to a feedback signal generated by the ultrasonic device and a divider reference signal, and generates a compensated clock signal that is adjusted for at least one of phase and frequency differences between the received feedback signal and the divider reference signal. A compensated drive circuit receives and processes the compensated clock signal for generating the divider reference signal, and for generating the driver output signal.

Claims (33)

1. A method for controlling an output of an ultrasonic device, the method comprising:

processing first and second input signals at a phase locked loop to generate a compensated clock signal adjusted for at least one of phase or frequency difference between the first and second input signals;

generating a counter output signal based on the compensated clock signal;

splitting the counter output signal into first and second complementary square waves;

measuring at least one of the first and second complementary square waves to obtain the second input signal; and

amplifying the first and second complementary square waves to generate a driver output signal to control an ultrasonic transducer.

2. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

receiving and processing a feedback signal related to the output of the ultrasonic transducer to generate a corresponding square wave signal; and

comparing the corresponding square wave signal to a reference signal and generating a reset signal having substantially the same frequency to the feedback signal.

3. The method according to claim 2 , wherein the feedback signal is indicative of the output of the ultrasonic transducer.

4. The method according to claim 2 , further comprising:

receiving and processing the reset signal to generate a compensated reference signal having a frequency that is substantially 180° out-of-phase with respect to the reset signal.

5. The method according to claim 4 , wherein the first input signal is the compensated reference signal and the second input signal is a divider reference signal.

6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein generating the counter output signal further includes stepping down frequency of the compensated clock signal to generate the counter output signal.

7. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

selectively adjusting at least one of a phase relationship between the first and second complementary signals or pulse width of pulses of the first and second complementary signals.

8. A method for controlling an output of an ultrasonic device, the method comprising:

supplying a driver output signal to an ultrasonic transducer;

processing first and second input signals at a phase locked loop to generate a compensated clock signal adjusted for at least one of phase or frequency difference between the first and second input signals;

generating a counter output signal based on the compensated clock signal;

splitting the counter output signal into first and second complementary square waves;

measuring at least one of the first and second complementary square waves to obtain the second input signal; and

amplifying the first and second complementary square waves to generate the driver output signal.

9. The method according to claim 8 , further comprising:

receiving and processing a feedback signal related to the output of the ultrasonic transducer to generate a corresponding square wave signal; and

comparing the corresponding square wave signal to a reference signal and generating a reset signal having substantially the same frequency to the feedback signal.

10. The method according to claim 9 , further comprising:

receiving and processing the reset signal to generate a compensated reference signal having a frequency that is substantially 180° out-of-phase with respect to the reset signal.

11. The method according to claim 10 , wherein the first input signal is the compensated reference signal and the second input signal is a divider reference signal.

12. The method according to claim 9 , wherein the feedback signal is indicative of the output of the ultrasonic transducer.

13. The method according to claim 8 , wherein generating the counter output signal further includes stepping down frequency of the compensated clock signal to generate the counter output signal.

14. The method according to claim 8 , further comprising:

selectively adjusting at least one of a phase relationship between the first and second complementary signals or pulse width of pulses of the first and second complementary signals.

Assignments (4)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 19, 2015
From: ORSZULAK, JAMES H.; MCPHERSON, JAMES W.
To: SHERWOOD SERVICES AG
Reel/Frame 035200/0290 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Mar 19, 2015
From: SHERWOOD SERVICES AG
To: COVIDIEN AG
Reel/Frame 035200/0583 →
MERGER Recorded Mar 19, 2015
From: COVIDIEN AG
To: TYCO HEALTHCARE GROUP AG
Reel/Frame 035200/0645 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Mar 19, 2015
From: TYCO HEALTHCARE GROUP AG
To: COVIDIEN AG
Reel/Frame 035200/0791 →
Continuity (8)
Continuation 13943518 · Jul 16, 2013
Continuation 13350877 · Jan 16, 2012
Continuation 12163408 · Jun 27, 2008
Continuation 10974332 · Oct 27, 2004
Provisional Application 60538202 · Jan 22, 2004
Provisional Application 60527812 · Dec 8, 2003
Provisional Application 60515826 · Oct 30, 2003
Related Publication 20150130374A1 · May 14, 2015