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US4888565A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Apparatus for generating ultrasonic signals

Assignee: Kerry Ultrasonics Ltd
•
Filing: 1988-12-15
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Granted: 1989-12-19
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Expires: 2008-12-15
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Abstract

Abstract An ultrasonic generator, particularly for use in ultrasonic cleaning systems, provides a constant ultrasonic power output for a cleaning tank or chamber. A generator output stage fed from an unsmoothed mains power supply receives signals from an oscillator via a pulse-width modulation circuit. A power control feedback loop monitors the mains current, or alternatively the output signal from the output stage, and provides a compensation signal to the pulse-width modulation circuit. A frequency control feedback loop senses the current in the output from the output stage and tunes the generator for maximum current in this output.

Inventors

  • 👤 Gordon E. Littleford
  • 👤 Roy F. Underwood

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-24 17:04
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03L; H03L7/00; H03L7/06; H03L7/16; H03L7/18; H03L7/183; B; B06; B06B; B06B1/00; B06B1/02; B06B1/0207; B06B1/0223; B06B1/0238; B06B1/0246; B06B1/0253; H03L5/00; B06B2201/00; B06B2201/70; B06B2201/71

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim 86 words
An ultrasonic generator comprising an oscillator, an output stage which is fed from a mains supply, which receives signals from the oscillator and which is arranged to provide an ultrasonic output signal, and power control means comprising sensing means to monitor the mains supply to the output stage and pulse-width modulation means connected to the sensor means and arranged to provide a correction signal to the output stage to maintain the mains supply current or the ultrasonic power output constant for a constant mains supply voltage.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 86 words
An ultrasonic generator comprising an oscillator, an output stage which is fed from a mains supply, which receives signals from the oscillator and which is arranged to provide an ultrasonic output signal, and power control means comprising sensing means to monitor the mains supply to the output stage and pulse-width modulation means connected to the sensor means and arranged to provide a correction signal to the output stage to maintain the mains supply current or the ultrasonic power output constant for a constant mains supply voltage.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 21 words
An ultrasonic generator according to claim 1, in which the output signal from said output stage is an amplitude modulated signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 21 words
An ultrasonic generator according to claim 1, in which the sensing means monitors the mains current drawn by the output stage.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 28 words
An ultrasonic generator according to claim 1, in which the sensing means comprises a current transformer which is connected into a mains supply line to the output stage.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 49 words
An ultrasonic generator according to claim 4, in which the transformer output is fed through rectifier means and filter means to produce a signal voltage proportional to the mains supply current, the signal voltage being applied to integrator means which provides a control voltage for the pulse-width modulation means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 22 words
An ultrasonic generator according to claim 5, in which the control voltage from the integrator means is a proportional gain control signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 37 words
An ultrasonic generator according to claim 5, in which the integrator means is such that an increase in the mains supply current produces a reduction in the width of the output pulses from the pulse-width modulation means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 19 words
An ultrasonic generator according to claim 1, in which the output stage is a Class D switching output stage.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 30 words
An ultrasonic generator according to claim 1, in which said oscillator is separate from said output stage, thereby to permit the output stage to be adjusted independently of the oscillator.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 35 words
An ultrasonic generator according to claim 1, which includes frequency control means arranged to sense the current in the output from the output stage and to tune the generator for maximum current in this output.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 41 words
An ultrasonic generator according to claim 10, in which the frequency control means comprises a phase-lock loop circuit having its input derived from sensing the current in the output from said output stage and having its output fed to said oscillator.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 86 words
An ultrasonic generator comprising an oscillator, an output stage which is fed from a mains supply, which receives signals from the oscillator and which is arranged to provide an ultrasonic output signal, and power control means comprising sensing means to monitor the output signal from the output stage and pulse-width modulation means connected to the sensor means and arranged to provide a correction signal to the output stage to maintain the mains supply current or the ultrasonic power output constant for a constant mains supply voltage.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 86 words
An ultrasonic generator comprising an oscillator, an output stage which is fed from a mains supply, which receives signals from the oscillator and which is arranged to provide an ultrasonic output signal, and power control means comprising sensing means to monitor the output signal from the output stage and pulse-width modulation means connected to the sensor means and arranged to provide a correction signal to the output stage to maintain the mains supply current or the ultrasonic power output constant for a constant mains supply voltage.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 76 words
An ultrasonic generator comprising a low-level oscillator, pulse-width modulation means connected to the output of the oscillator, an output stage connected to the output of the pulse-width modulation means, said output stage being connected to a mains supply and being arranged to develop an output for application to a cleaning tank or chamber, a power control feedback loop arranged to control the pulse-width modulation means, and a frequency control feedback loop arranged to control the oscillator.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 76 words
An ultrasonic generator comprising a low-level oscillator, pulse-width modulation means connected to the output of the oscillator, an output stage connected to the output of the pulse-width modulation means, said output stage being connected to a mains supply and being arranged to develop an output for application to a cleaning tank or chamber, a power control feedback loop arranged to control the pulse-width modulation means, and a frequency control feedback loop arranged to control the oscillator.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4271371A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1992-12-18 1993-06-19 1993-12-19 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1996-12-18 1997-06-19 1997-12-19 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2000-12-18 2001-06-19 2001-12-19 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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