Systems and methods for driving nebulizers

摘要

In various arrangements, a nebulizer element of a nebulizer may be energized with a drive signal. A phase offset of the drive signal may be measured. A phase delta may be determined. The phase delta may indicate a difference between a target phase offset and the measured phase offset. The target phase offset may indicate a non-zero target phase difference between the voltage of the drive signal and the current of the drive signal. A frequency of the drive signal may be changed to decrease the phase delta.

主权项

1. A nebulizer system, the nebulizer system comprising:
a liquid reservoir that is adapted to hold a liquid that is to be atomized; a nebulizer, comprising a nebulizer element having a plurality of apertures, wherein:
the nebulizer element is configured to vibrate to atomize the liquid drained from the liquid reservoir; andthe nebulizer element is driven by a drive signal; a driver that outputs the drive signal, the driver comprising:
a frequency generator;a phase shift detector configured to measure a phase offset of the drive signal, wherein
the phase offset indicates a phase difference between a voltage of the drive signal and a current of the drive signal;a processor configured to:
determine a phase delta, wherein:
the phase delta indicates a difference between a target phase offset and the measured phase offset, andthe target phase offset indicates a non-zero target phase difference between the voltage of the drive signal and the current of the drive signal;change a frequency of the drive signal that is output by the frequency generator to decrease the phase delta; andadjust a voltage magnitude of the drive signal in response to the frequency of the drive signal being increased, the adjusted voltage magnitude compensating for an increased flow rate caused by a negative bias pressure developing within the liquid reservoir, wherein the driver outputs the drive signal to the nebulizer element, the drive signal having the changed frequency and the adjusted voltage magnitude.