Abstract: A differential piezoelectric actuator-system includes an inductor and driver-circuit having switches for transferring energy between first and second actuators and the inductor, and between a voltage-supply node and the inductor. Control circuitry determines whether a next phase in which to operate the driver-circuit is a first charging-phase or a first recovery-phase. The first charging-phase includes operating the switches in: a first sub-phase to transfer energy from the first actuator to the inductor; a second sub-phase to transfer energy from the voltage supply node to the inductor; and a third sub-phase to transfer energy from the inductor to the second actuator. The first recovery-phase includes operating the switches in: a first sub-phase to transfer energy from the first actuator to the inductor; a second sub-phase to transfer energy from the inductor to the voltage supply node; and a third sub-phase to transfer energy from the inductor to the second actuator.

Abstract: A differential piezoelectric actuator-system includes an inductor and driver-circuit having switches for transferring energy between first and second actuators and the inductor, and between a voltage-supply node and the inductor. Control circuitry determines whether a next phase in which to operate the driver-circuit is a first charging-phase or a first recovery-phase. The first charging-phase includes operating the switches in: a first sub-phase to transfer energy from the first actuator to the inductor; a second sub-phase to transfer energy from the voltage supply node to the inductor; and a third sub-phase to transfer energy from the inductor to the second actuator. The first recovery-phase includes operating the switches in: a first sub-phase to transfer energy from the first actuator to the inductor; a second sub-phase to transfer energy from the inductor to the second actuator; and a third sub-phase to transfer energy from the inductor to the voltage supply node.

Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator-system includes an inductor and driver-circuit having switches for transferring energy between first and second actuators and the inductor, and between a voltage-supply node and the inductor. Control circuitry determines whether a next phase in which to operate the driver-circuit is a charging-phase or a recovery-phase. Either the charging-phase or recovery-phase may include, after a freewheeling sub-phase, a pre-charge sub-phase to place a given one of the switches connected to the first actuator near a zero-voltage switching condition. Either the charging-phase or recovery-phase may include, after a sub-phase in which a parasitic capacitance is charged, an additional recovery sub-phase in which the charge from the parasitic capacitance is recovered to the voltage-supply node.

Abstract: A differential piezoelectric actuator-system includes an inductor and driver-circuit having switches for transferring energy between first and second actuators and the inductor, and between a voltage-supply node and the inductor. Control circuitry determines whether a next phase in which to operate the driver-circuit is a first charging-phase or a first recovery-phase. The first charging-phase includes operating the switches in: a first sub-phase to transfer energy from the first actuator to the inductor; a second sub-phase to transfer energy from the voltage supply node to the inductor; and a third sub-phase to transfer energy from the inductor to the second actuator. The first recovery-phase includes operating the switches in: a first sub-phase to transfer energy from the first actuator to the inductor; a second sub-phase to transfer energy from the inductor to the voltage supply node; and a third sub-phase to transfer energy from the inductor to the second actuator.

Abstract: A differential piezoelectric actuator-system includes an inductor and driver-circuit having switches for transferring energy between first and second actuators and the inductor, and between a voltage-supply node and the inductor. Control circuitry determines whether a next phase in which to operate the driver-circuit is a first charging-phase or a first recovery-phase. The first charging-phase includes operating the switches in: a first sub-phase to transfer energy from the first actuator to the inductor; a second sub-phase to transfer energy from the voltage supply node to the inductor; and a third sub-phase to transfer energy from the inductor to the second actuator. The first recovery-phase includes operating the switches in: a first sub-phase to transfer energy from the first actuator to the inductor; a second sub-phase to transfer energy from the inductor to the second actuator; and a third sub-phase to transfer energy from the inductor to the voltage supply node.