Driver circuitry

Claim 2

A driver circuit for operating devices of the type in which electrical current flows through a portion thereof so that electrical energy is stored for accomplishing a mechanical function when the stored energy exceeds a given level comprising: circuit means, connected in series with said portion, having a first resistance value when a given voltage across said serially connected circuit means and portion is a first polarity so that current flows through said serially connected circuit means and portion in a first direction and so that said current flowing in said first direction is sufficient to store sufficient energy to accomplish said function and having a second and greater resistance value when a given voltage across said serially connected circuit means and portion is the opposite polarity so that significant, but less current flows through said serially connected circuit means and portion in an opposite direction and so that said current flowing in said opposite direction will not cause sufficient energy to be stored to accomplish a function but will establish a significant voltage across said portion, and means connected to said circuit means and portion for providing said given voltage of said first polarity across said serially connected portion and circuit means, when a first input signal is received, so as to produce a voltage of said first polarity across said portion and magnetization of said portion and for providing said given voltage of said opposite polarity across said serially connected circuit means and portion when a second input signal is received so as to produce a smaller voltage of the opposite polarity across said portion causing smaller but significant current flow through said portion so that said portion is demagnetized.

Claim 3

A driver circuit as in claim 1 wherein said circuit means is a resistor and a diode connected in parallel with said resistor so that said diode conducts current when said given voltage of said first polarity is applied to said serially connected circuit means and portion and does not conduct current when said given voltage of said opposite polarity is applied to said serially connected circuit means and portion.

Claim 4

A driver circuit as in claim 1 wherein said device is a clutch and said portion is a coil and including said coil.

Claim 5

A circuit as in claim 1 further including second circuit means connected in series with another portion of another device, said serially connected second circuit means and another portion being connected in parallel with said serially connected first circuit means and portion and said second circuit means having a first resistance value when said given voltage across said serially connected second circuit means and another portion is said second polarity so that current flows through said serially connected second circuit means and another portion in said opposite direction and so that said current flowing in said first direction is sufficient to store sufficient energy to accomplish said function and having a second and greater resistance value when said given voltage across said serially connected second circuit means and another portion is said first polarity so that current flows through said serially connected second circuit means and another portion in said first direction and so that said current flowing in said first direction will not cause sufficient energy to be stored to accomplish said function, and wherein said providing means provides said given voltage of said first polarity across said serially connected another portion and second circuit means, when said first input signal is received so as to produce a voltage of said first polarity across said another portion so that said another portion is demagnetized and provides said given voltage Of said opposite polarity across said serially connected second circuit means and another portion when said second input signal is received so as to produce a larger voltage of the opposite polarity across said portion so that said portion is magnetized.

Claim 6

A circuit as in claim 1 wherein said providing means includes means for providing a DC voltage, first electronic switch means having a first condition connecting at least a portion of said DC voltage to one side of said serially connected circuit means and portion and a second condition connecting a lower voltage to said one side, second electronic switch means having a first condition connecting at least a portion of said DC voltage to the other side of said serially connected circuit means and portion and a second condition connecting a lower voltage to said other side, and third electronic switch means connected to said first and second electronic switch means for receiving said first and second input signals, causing said first switch means to shift from its first to its second condition and said second switch means to shift from its second to its first condition when said first input signal is received and causing said first switch means to shift from its second to its first condition and said second switch means to shift from its first to its second condition when said second input signal is received.

Claim 7

A circuit as in claim 5 further including a variable resister serially connected to said serially connected portion and circuit means.

Claim 8

A circuit as in claim 5 wherein said electronic switch means each includes at least a single transistor.

Claim 9

A driver circuit for operating first and second clutches in which electrical current flows through a coil thereof so that electrical energy is stored for accomplishing a mechanical clutch function when the stored energy exceeds a given level comprising: first circuit means, connected in series with said coil of said first clutch, having a first resistance value when a given voltage across said serially connected circuit means and first clutch coil is a first polarity so that current flows through said serially connected circuit means and first clutch coil in a first direction and so that said current flowing in said first direction is sufficient to store sufficient energy to accomplish said function and having a second and greater resistance value when a given voltage across said serially connected circuit means and first clutch coil is the opposite polarity so that significant but less current flows through said serially connected circuit means and first clutch coil in an opposite direction and so that said current flowing in said opposite direction will not cause sufficient energy to be stored to accomplish a function but will establish a significant voltage across said first clutch coil, means connected to said circuit means and first clutch coil for providing said given voltage of said first polarity across said serially connected first clutch and circuit means, when a first input signal is received, so as to produce a voltage of said first polarity across said first clutch coil and magnetization of said first clutch coil and for providing said given voltage of said opposite polarity across said serially connected circuit means and first clutch coil when a second input signal is received so as to produce a smaller voltage of the opposite polarity across said first clutch coil causing smaller but significant current flow through said first clutch coil so that said first clutch coil is demagnetized, and second circuit means connected in series with said second clutch coil, said serially connected second circuit means and second clutch coil being connected in parallel with said serially connected first circuit means and first clutch coil and said second circuit means having a first resistance value when said given voltage across said serially connected second circuit means and second clutch coil is said second polarity so that current flows Through said serially connected second circuit means and second clutch coil in said opposite direction and so that said current flowing in said first direction is sufficient to store sufficient energy to accomplish said function and having a second and greater resistance value when said given voltage across said serially connected second circuit means and second clutch coil is said first polarity so that current flows through said serially connected second circuit means and second clutch coil in said first direction and so that said current flowing in said first direction will not cause sufficient energy to be stored to accomplish said function, and wherein said providing means provides said given voltage of said first polarity across said serially connected second clutch coil and second circuit means, when said first input signal is received so as to produce a voltage of said first polarity across said second clutch coil so that said second clutch coil is demagnetized and provides said given voltage of said opposite polarity across said serially connected second circuit means and second clutch coil when said second input signal is received so as to produce a larger voltage of the opposite polarity across said first clutch coil so that said first clutch coil is magnetized.

Claim 10

A driver circuit for operating first and second clutches in which electrical current flows through a coil thereof so that electrical energy is stored for accomplishing a mechanical clutch function when the stored energy exceeds a given level comprising: first circuit means, connected in series with said coil of said first clutch, having a first resistance value when a given voltage across said serially connected circuit means and first clutch coil is a first polarity so that current flows through said serially connected circuit means and first clutch coil in a first direction and so that said current flowing in said first direction is sufficient to store sufficient energy to accomplish said function and having a second and greater resistance value when a given voltage across said serially connected circuit means and first clutch coil is the opposite polarity so that significant but less current flows through said serially connected circuit means and first clutch coil in an opposite direction and so that said current flowing in said opposite direction will not cause sufficient energy to be stored to accomplish a function but will establish a significant voltage across said first clutch coil, means connected to said circuit means and first clutch coil for providing said given voltage of said first polarity across said serially connected first clutch and circuit means, when a first input signal is received, so as to produce a voltage of said first polarity across said first clutch coil and magnetization of said first clutch coil and for providing said given voltage of said opposite polarity across said serially connected circuit means and first clutch coil when a second input signal is received so as to produce a smaller voltage of the opposite polarity across said first clutch coil causing smaller but significant current flow through said first clutch coil so that said first clutch coil is demagnetized, and second circuit means connected in series with said second clutch coil, said serially connected second circuit means and second clutch coil being connected in parallel with said serially connected first circuit means and first clutch coil and said second circuit means having a first resistance value when said given voltage across said serially connected second circuit means and second clutch coil is said second polarity so that current flows Through said serially connected second circuit means and second clutch coil in said opposite direction and so that said current flowing in said first direction is sufficient to store sufficient energy to accomplish said function and having a second and greater resistance value when said given voltage across said serially connected second circuit means and second clutch coil is said first polarity so that current flows through said serially connected second circuit means and second clutch coil in said first direction and so that said current flowing in said first direction will not cause sufficient energy to be stored to accomplish said function, and wherein said providing means provides said given voltage of said first polarity across said serially connected second clutch coil and second circuit means, when said first input signal is received so as to produce a voltage of said first polarity across said second clutch coil so that said second clutch coil is demagnetized and provides said given voltage of said opposite polarity across said serially connected second circuit means and second clutch coil when said second input signal is received so as to produce a larger voltage of the opposite polarity across said first clutch coil so that said first clutch coil is magnetized.

Claim 11

A driver circuit for operating devices of the type in which electrical current flows through a portion thereof so that electrical energy is stored for accomplishing a mechanical function when the stored energy exceeds a given level comprising: first circuit means, connected in series with said portion, having a first resistance value when a given voltage across said serially connected circuit means and portion is a first polarity so that current flows through said serially connected circuit means and portion in a first direction and so that said current flowing in said first direction is sufficient to store sufficient energy to accomplish said function and having a second and greater resistance value when a given voltage across said serially connected circuit means and portion is the opposite polarity so that significant but less current flows through said serially connected circuit means and portion in an opposite direction and so that said current flowing in said opposite direction will not cause sufficient energy to be stored to accomplish a function but will establish a significant voltage across said portion said circuit means including a resistor and a diode connected in parallel with said resistor so that said diode conducts current when said given voltage of said first polarity is applied to said serially connected circuit means and portion and does not conduct current when said given voltage of said opposite polarity is applied to said serially connected circuit means and portion, means connected to said circuit means and portion for providing said given voltage of said first polarity across said serially connected portion and circuit means, when a first input signal is received, so as to produce a voltage of said first polarity across said portion and magnetization of said portion and for providing said given voltage of said opposite polarity across said serially connected circuit means and portion when a second input signal is received so as to produce a smaller voltage of the opposite polarity across said portion causing smaller but significant current flow through said portion so that said portion is demagnetized and second circuit means connected in series with another portion of another device, said serially connected second circuit means and another portion being connected in parallel with said serially connected first circuit means and portion and said second circuit means having a first resistance value when said given voltage across said serially connected second circuit means and another portion is said second polarity so that current flows through said serially connected second circuit means and another portion in said opposite direction and so that said current flowing iN said first direction is sufficient to store sufficient energy to accomplish said function and having a second and greater resistance valve when said given voltage across said serially connected second circuit means and another portion is said first polarity so that current flows through said serially connected second circuit means and another portion in said first direction and so that said current flowing in said first direction will not cause sufficient energy to be stored to accomplish said function, and wherein said providing means provides said given voltage of said first polarity across said serially connected another portion and second circuit means, when said first input signal is received so as to produce a voltage of said first polarity across said another portion so that said another portion is demagnetized and provides said given voltage of said opposite polarity across said serially connected second circuit means and another portion when said second input signal is received so as to produce a larger voltage of the opposite polarity across said portion so that said portion is magnetized said second circuit means including a second resistor and a second diode connected in parallel with said second resistor so that said second diode conducts current when said given voltage of said first polarity is applied to said serially connected second circuit means and another portion and does not conduct current when said given voltage of said opposite polarity is applied to said serially connected second circuit means and another portion.

Claim 12

A driver circuit for operating devices of the type in which electrical current flows through a portion thereof so that electrical energy is stored for accomplishing a mechanical function when the stored energy exceeds a given level comprising: first circuit means, connected in series with said portion, having a first resistance value when a given voltage across said serially connected circuit means and portion is a first polarity so that current flows through said serially connected circuit means and portion in a first direction and so that said current flowing in said first direction is sufficient to store sufficient energy to accomplish said function and having a second and greater resistance value when a given voltage across said serially connected circuit means and portion is the opposite polarity so that significant but less current flows through said serially connected circuit means and portion in an opposite direction and so that said current flowing in said opposite direction will not cause sufficient energy to be stored to accomplish a function but will establish a significant voltage across said portion said circuit means including a resistor and a diode connected in parallel with said resistor so that said diode conducts current when said given voltage of said first polarity is applied to said serially connected circuit means and portion and does not conduct current when said given voltage of said opposite polarity is applied to said serially connected circuit means and portion, means connected to said circuit means and portion for providing said given voltage of said first polarity across said serially connected portion and circuit means, when a first input signal is received, so as to produce a voltage of said first polarity across said portion and magnetization of said portion and for providing said given voltage of said opposite polarity across said serially connected circuit means and portion when a second input signal is received so as to produce a smaller voltage of the opposite polarity across said portion causing smaller but significant current flow through said portion so that said portion is demagnetized and second circuit means connected in series with another portion of another device, said serially connected second circuit means and another portion being connected in parallel with said serially connected first circuit means and portion and said second circuit means having a first resistance value when said given voltage across said serially connected second circuit means and another portion is said second polarity so that current flows through said serially connected second circuit means and another portion in said opposite direction and so that said current flowing iN said first direction is sufficient to store sufficient energy to accomplish said function and having a second and greater resistance valve when said given voltage across said serially connected second circuit means and another portion is said first polarity so that current flows through said serially connected second circuit means and another portion in said first direction and so that said current flowing in said first direction will not cause sufficient energy to be stored to accomplish said function, and wherein said providing means provides said given voltage of said first polarity across said serially connected another portion and second circuit means, when said first input signal is received so as to produce a voltage of said first polarity across said another portion so that said another portion is demagnetized and provides said given voltage of said opposite polarity across said serially connected second circuit means and another portion when said second input signal is received so as to produce a larger voltage of the opposite polarity across said portion so that said portion is magnetized said second circuit means including a second resistor and a second diode connected in parallel with said second resistor so that said second diode conducts current when said given voltage of said first polarity is applied to said serially connected second circuit means and another portion and does not conduct current when said given voltage of said opposite polarity is applied to said serially connected second circuit means and another portion.

Claim 13

A driver circuit for operating devices of the type in which electrical current flows through a portion thereof so that electrical energy is stored for accomplishing a mechanical function when the stored energy exceeds a given level comprising: first circuit means, connected in series with said portion, having a first resistance value when a given voltage across said serially connected circuit means and portion is a first polarity so that current flows through said serially connected circuit means and portion in a first direction and so that said current flowing in said first direction is sufficient to store sufficient energy to accomplish said function and having a second and greater resistance value when a given voltage across said serially connected circuit means and portion is the opposite polarity so that significant, but less current flows through said serially connected circuit means and portion in an opposite direction and so that said current flowing in said opposite direction will not cause sufficient energy to be stored to accomplish a function but will establish a significant voltage across said portion, means connected to said circuit means and portion for providing said given voltage of said first polarity across said serially connected portion and circuit means, when a first input signal is received, so as to produce a voltage of said first polarity across said portion and magnetization of said portion and for providing said given voltage of said opposite polarity across said serially connected circuit means and portion when a second input signal is received so as to produce a smaller voltage of the opposite polarity across said portion causing smaller but significant current flow through said portion so that said portion is demagnetized, second circuit means connected in series with another portion of another device, said serially connected second circuit means and another portion being connected in parallel with said serially connected first circuit means and portion and said second circuit means having a first resistance value when said given voltage across said serially connected second circuit means and another portion is said second polarity so that current flows through said serially connected second circuit means and another portion in said opposite direction and so that said current flowing in said first direction is sufficient to store sufficient energy to accomplish said function and having a second and greater resistance value when said given voltage across said serially connected second circuit means and another portion is said first polarity so that current flows through said serially connected second circuit means and another portion in said first direction and so that said current flowing in said first direction will not cause sufficient energy to be stored to accomplish said function, and wherein said providing means provides said given voltage of said first polarity across said serially connected another portion and second circuit means, when said first input signal is received so as to produce a voltage of said first polarity across said another portion so that said another portion is demagnetized and provides said given voltage of said opposite polarity across said serially connected second circuit means and another portion when said second input signal is received so as to produce a larger voltage of the opposite polarity across said portion so that said portion is magnetized, said providing means including means for providing a DC voltage, first electronic switch means having a first condition connecting at least a portion of said DC voltage to one side of said serially connected circuit means and portion and a second condition connecting a lower voltage to said one side, second electronic switch means having a first condition connecting at least a portion of said DC voltage to the other side of said serially connected circuit means and portion and a second condition connecting a lower voltage to said other side, and third electronic switch means connected to said first and second electronic switch means for receiving said first and second input signals, causing said first switch means to shift from its first to its second condition and said second switch means to shift from its second to its first condition when said first input signal is received and causing said first switch means to shift from its second to its first condition and said second switch means to shift from its first to its second condition when said second input signal is received.

Claim 14

A driver circuit for operating devices of the type in which electrical current flows through a portion thereof so that electrical energy is stored for accomplishing a mechanical function when the stored energy exceeds a given level comprising: first circuit means, connected in series with said portion, having a first resistance value when a given voltage across said serially connected circuit means and portion is a first polarity so that current flows through said serially connected circuit means and portion in a first direction and so that said current flowing in said first direction is sufficient to store sufficient energy to accomplish said function and having a second and greater resistance value when a given voltage across said serially connected circuit means and portion is the opposite polarity so that significant, but less current flows through said serially connected circuit means and portion in an opposite direction and so that said current flowing in said opposite direction will not cause sufficient energy to be stored to accomplish a function but will establish a significant voltage across said portion, means connected to said circuit means and portion for providing said given voltage of said first polarity across said serially connected portion and circuit means, when a first input signal is received, so as to produce a voltage of said first polarity across said portion and magnetization of said portion and for providing said given voltage of said opposite polarity across said serially connected circuit means and portion when a second input signal is received so as to produce a smaller voltage of the opposite polarity across said portion causing smaller but significant current flow through said portion so that said portion is demagnetized, second circuit means connected in series with another portion of another device, said serially connected second circuit means and another portion being connected in parallel with said serially connected first circuit means and portion and said second circuit means having a first resistance value when said given voltage across said serially connected second circuit means and another portion is said second polarity so that current flows through said serially connected second circuit means and another portion in said opposite direction and so that said current flowing in said first direction is sufficient to store sufficient energy to accomplish said function and having a second and greater resistance value when said given voltage across said serially connected second circuit means and another portion is said first polarity so that current flows through said serially connected second circuit means and another portion in said first direction and so that said current flowing in said first direction will not cause sufficient energy to be stored to accomplish said function, and wherein said providing means provides said given voltage of said first polarity across said serially connected another portion and second circuit means, when said first input signal is received so as to produce a voltage of said first polarity across said another portion so that said another portion is demagnetized and provides said given voltage of said opposite polarity across said serially connected second circuit means and another portion when said second input signal is received so as to produce a larger voltage of the opposite polarity across said portion so that said portion is magnetized, said providing means including means for providing a DC voltage, first electronic switch means having a first condition connecting at least a portion of said DC voltage to one side of said serially connected circuit means and portion and a second condition connecting a lower voltage to said one side, second electronic switch means having a first condition connecting at least a portion of said DC voltage to the other side of said serially connected circuit means and portion and a second condition connecting a lower voltage to said other side, and third electronic switch means connected to said first and second electronic switch means for receiving said first and second input signals, causing said first switch means to shift from its first to its second condition and said second switch means to shift from its second to its first condition when said first input signal is received and causing said first switch means to shift from its second to its first condition and said second switch means to shift from its first to its second condition when said second input signal is received.