1. A current feedback amplifier circuit, comprising:
a first input buffer (406a) that provides a first non-inverting input (IN+A) of the amplifier circuit, provides a first inverting input (IN\u2212A) of the amplifier circuit, and produces a first plurality of currents;
a second input buffer (406b) that provides a second non-inverting input (IN+B) of the amplifier circuit, provides a second inverting input (IN\u2212B) of the amplifier circuit, and produces a second plurality of currents;
first and second high impedance nodes (414a and 414b);
a plurality of current mirrors to provide currents, proportional to sums of specific currents of the first and second plurality of currents, to the high impedance nodes;
a first output buffer (408a) having an input connected to the first high impedance node (414a), and having an output that provides a first output (OUTA) of the amplifier circuit; and
a second output buffer (408b) having an input connected to the second high impedance node (414b), and having an output that provides a second output (OUTB) of the amplifier circuit;
wherein the first plurality of currents are proportional to a difference between an input voltage provided to the first non-inverting input (IN+A) of the amplifier circuit and a fraction of its associated output voltage at the first output (OUTA); and
wherein the second plurality of currents are proportional to a difference between an input voltage provided to the second non-inverting input (IN+B) of the amplifier circuit and a fraction of its associated output voltage at the second output (OUTB).
2. The amplifier circuit of claim 1, wherein a feedback resistor connects the first output (OUTA) of the amplifier circuit to the first inverting input (IN\u2212A) of the amplifier circuit.
3. The amplifier circuit of claim 2, wherein a second feedback resistor connects the second output (OUTB) of the amplifier circuit to the second inverting input (IN\u2212B) of the amplifier circuit.
4. The amplifier circuit of claim 3, wherein the first non-inverting input (IN+A) is connected to the second non-inverting input (IN+B).
5. The amplifier circuit of claim 1, wherein the first non-inverting input (IN+A) is connected to the second non-inverting input (IN+B).
6. A current feedback amplifier circuit, comprising:
an input buffer (406a) that provides a non-inverting input (IN+A) of the amplifier circuit, provides an inverting input (IN\u2212A) of the amplifier circuit, and produces a plurality of currents;
first and second high impedance nodes (414a and 414b);
a first plurality of current mirrors that provides mirrored versions of specific ones of the plurality of currents to the first high impedance node (414a);
a second plurality of current mirrors that provides mirrored versions of specific ones of the plurality of currents to the second high impedance node (414b);
a first output buffer (408a) having an input connected to the first high impedance node (414a), and having an output that provides a first output (OUTA) of the amplifier circuit; and
a second output buffer (408b) having an input connected to the second high impedance node (414b), and having an output that provides a second output (OUTB) of the amplifier circuit;
wherein the plurality of currents are proportional to a difference between an input voltage provided to the non-inverting input (IN+A) of the amplifier circuit and a fraction of its associated output voltage at the first output (OUTA).
7. The amplifier circuit of claim 6, wherein a feedback resistor connects the first output (OUTA) of the amplifier circuit to the inverting input (IN\u2212A) of the amplifier circuit.
8. The amplifier circuit of claim 7, wherein a second feedback resistor connects the second output (OUTB) of the amplifier circuit to the inverting input (IN\u2212A) of the amplifier circuit.
9. A current feedback amplifier circuit, comprising:
a first input buffer (906a) that provides a non-inverting input (IN+A) of the amplifier circuit, provides an inverting input (IN\u2212A) of the amplifier circuit, and produces a first plurality of currents;
a second input buffer (906b) that provides a second non-inverting input (IN+B) of the amplifier circuit, provides a second inverting input (IN\u2212B) of the amplifier circuit, and produces a second plurality of currents;
first and second high impedance nodes 914a and 914b;
a first output buffer (908a) having an input connected to the first high impedance node (914a), and having an output that provides a first output (OUTA) of the amplifier circuit; and
a second output buffer (908b) having an input connected to the second high impedance node (914b), and having an output the provides a second output (OUTB) of the amplifier circuit;
a first plurality of current mirrors each of which includes at least one corresponding input and at least two corresponding outputs; and
a second plurality of current mirrors each of which includes at least one corresponding input and at least two corresponding outputs;
wherein two of the outputs of the first plurality of current mirrors are connected to the first high impedance node (914a);
wherein two of the outputs of the second plurality of current mirrors are connected to the second high impedance node (914b);
wherein each of the first plurality of current mirrors receives at one or more input of the current mirror one of the first plurality of currents and a current output by one of the outputs of one of the second plurality of current mirrors; and
wherein each of the second plurality of current mirrors receives at one or more input of the current mirror one of the second plurality of currents and a current output by the one of the outputs of one of the first plurality of current mirrors.
10. The amplifier circuit of claim 9, wherein:
the first plurality of currents are proportional to a difference between an input voltage provided to the first non-inverting input (IN+A) of the amplifier circuit and a fraction of its associated output voltage at the first output (OUTA); and
the second plurality of current are proportional to a difference between an input voltage provided to the second non-inverting input (IN+B) of the amplifier circuit and a fraction of its associated output voltage at the second output (OUTB).
11. The amplifier circuit of claim 10, wherein for each of the first and second plurality of current mirrors, one of the outputs of the current mirror has a lower current gain than another one of the outputs.
12. The amplifier circuit of claim 9, wherein for each of the first and second plurality of current mirrors, one of the outputs of the current mirror has a lower current gain than another one of the outputs.
13. A current feedback amplifier circuit, comprising:
a first input buffer (1106a) that provides a first DM input (IN+DM) of the amplifier circuit, provides a first feedback node (FB+) of the amplifier circuit, and produces a first plurality of currents;
a second input buffer (1106b) that provides a second DM input (IN\u2212DM) of the amplifier circuit, provides a second feedback node (FB\u2212) of the amplifier circuit, and produces a second plurality of currents;
a third input buffer (1106c) that provides a CM input (IN_CM) of the amplifier circuit, has an output (1104c), and produces a third plurality of currents;
first and second high impedance nodes (1114a and 1114b);
a first output buffer (1108a) having an input connected to the first high impedance node (1114a), and having an output that provides a first output (OUTA) of the amplifier circuit;
a second output buffer (1108b) having an input connected to the second high impedance node (1114b), and having an output that provides a second output (OUTB) of the amplifier circuit;
a first plurality of current mirrors each of which includes at least one corresponding input and at least two corresponding outputs; and
a second plurality of current mirrors each of which includes at least one corresponding input and at least two corresponding outputs;
wherein each of the first plurality of current mirrors receives one of the first plurality of currents and one of the third plurality of currents at one or more input of the current mirror, has one of the second plurality of currents drawn from one of its outputs, and has a further one of its outputs connected to the first high impedance node (1114a); and
wherein each of the second plurality of current mirrors receives one of the second plurality of currents and one of the third plurality of currents at one or more input of the current mirror, has one of the first plurality of currents drawn from one of its outputs, and has a further one of its outputs connected to the second high impedance node (1114b).
14. The amplifier circuit of claim 13, wherein:
the first plurality of currents are proportional to a difference between an input voltage provided to the first DM input (IN+DM) of the amplifier circuit and a fraction of its associated output voltage at the first output (OUTA);
the second plurality of currents are proportional to a difference between an input voltage provided to the second DM input (IN\u2212DM) of the amplifier circuit and a fraction of its associated output voltage at the second output (OUTB); and
the third plurality of currents are proportional to a difference between an input voltage provided to the CM input (IN_CM) of the amplifier circuit and a fraction of its associated output voltage at the output (1104c) of the third input buffer (1106c).
15. The amplifier circuit of claim 14, wherein:
a first feedback resistor connects the first output (OUTA) of the amplifier circuit to the first feedback node (FB+) of the amplifier circuit;
a second feedback resistor connects the second output (OUTB) of the amplifier circuit to the second feedback node (FB\u2212) of the amplifier circuit;
a third feedback resistor connects the first output (OUTA) of the amplifier circuit to the output (1104c) of the third input buffer (1106c); and
a fourth feedback resistor connects the second output (OUTB) of the amplifier circuit to the output (1104c) of the third input buffer (1106c).
16. The amplifier circuit of claim 13, wherein:
a first feedback resistor connects the first output (OUTA) of the amplifier circuit to the first feedback node (FB+) of the amplifier circuit;
a second feedback resistor connects the second output (OUTB) of the amplifier circuit to the second feedback node (FB\u2212) of the amplifier circuit;
a third feedback resistor connects the first output (OUTA) of the amplifier circuit to the output (1104c) of the third input buffer (1106c); and
a fourth feedback resistor connects the second output (OUTB) of the amplifier circuit to the output (1104c) of the third input buffer (1106c).
17. A current feedback amplifier circuit, comprising:
a first input buffer (806a or 1106a) that provides a first DM input (IN+DM) of the amplifier circuit, provides a first feedback node (FB+) of the amplifier circuit, and produces a first plurality of currents;
a second input buffer (806a or 1106b) that provides a second DM input (IN\u2212DM) of the amplifier circuit, provides a second feedback node (FB\u2212) of the amplifier circuit, and produces a second plurality of currents;
a third input buffer (806c or 1106c) that provides a CM input (IN_CM) of the amplifier circuit, has an output (804c or 1104c), and produces a third plurality of currents;
first and second high impedance nodes (814a or 1114a, and 814b or 1114b);
a first output buffer (808a or 1108a) having an input connected to the first high impedance node (814b or 1114a), and having an output that provides a first output (OUTA) of the amplifier circuit;
a second output buffer (808b or 1108b) having an input connected to the second high impedance node (814b or 1114b), and having an output that provides a second output (OUTB) of the amplifier circuit;
a first plurality of current mirrors each of which includes at least one corresponding input and at least one corresponding output;
a second plurality of current mirrors each of which includes at least one corresponding input and at least one corresponding output;
wherein two outputs, of the first plurality of current mirrors, are connected to the first high impedance node (814a or 1114a);
wherein two outputs, of the second plurality of current mirrors, are connected to the second high impedance node (814b or 1114b);
wherein each of the first plurality of current mirrors, or each of a pair of the first plurality of current mirrors, receives one of the first plurality of currents and one of the third plurality of currents at one or more input, and has one of the second plurality of currents drawn from one of its outputs; and
wherein each of the second plurality of current mirrors, or each of a pair of the second plurality of current mirrors, receives one of the second plurality of currents and one of the third plurality of currents at one or more input, and has one of the first plurality of currents drawn from one of its outputs.
18. The amplifier circuit of claim 17, wherein:
the first plurality of currents are proportional to a difference between an input voltage provided to the first DM input (IN+DM) of the amplifier circuit and a fraction of its associated output voltage at the first output (OUTA);
the second plurality of currents are proportional to a difference between an input voltage provided to the second DM input (IN\u2212DM) of the amplifier circuit and a fraction of its associated output voltage at the second output (OUTB); and
the third plurality of currents are proportional to a difference between an input voltage provided to the CM input (IN_CM) of the amplifier circuit and a fraction of its associated output voltage at the output (804c or 1104c) of the third input buffer (1106c).
19. The amplifier circuit of claim 18, wherein:
a first feedback resistor connects the first output (OUTA) of the amplifier circuit to the first feedback node (FB+) of the amplifier circuit;
a second feedback resistor connects the second output (OUTB) of the amplifier circuit to the second feedback node (FB\u2212) of the amplifier circuit;
a third feedback resistor connects the first output (OUTA) of the amplifier circuit to the output (804c or 1104c) of the third input buffer (806c or 1106c); and
a fourth feedback resistor connects the second output (OUTB) of the amplifier circuit to the output (804c or 1104c) of the third input buffer (806c or 1106c).
20. The amplifier circuit of claim 17, wherein:
a first feedback resistor connects the first output (OUTA) of the amplifier circuit to the first feedback node (FB+) of the amplifier circuit;
a second feedback resistor connects the second output (OUTB) of the amplifier circuit to the second feedback node (FB\u2212) of the amplifier circuit;
a third feedback resistor connects the first output (OUTA) of the amplifier circuit to the output (804c or 1104c) of the third input buffer (806c or 1106c); and
a fourth feedback resistor connects the second output (OUTB) of the amplifier circuit to the output (804c or 1104c) of the third input buffer (806c or 1106c).
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1-259. (canceled)
260. Apparatus for spraying a liquid onto at least one vehicle surface comprising:
a liquid reservoir;
a vehicle surface liquid heating assembly receiving a liquid from said liquid reservoir, said vehicle surface liquid heating assembly comprising:
a heat-conductive element; and
a liquid heating enclosure defining a liquid heating volume including a primary liquid heating volume portion and a secondary liquid heating volume portion, separated by said heat-conductive element, said primary liquid heating volume portion including a heat exchanger for directly heating liquid in said primary liquid heating volume portion and for indirectly heating liquid in said secondary liquid heating volume portion via said heat-conductive element;
a vehicle surface liquid spraying assembly receiving heated liquid from said vehicle surface liquid heating assembly; and
a heated liquid spray control subassembly employing said vehicle surface liquid heating assembly and said vehicle surface liquid spraying assembly for providing a spray of said heated liquid onto said at least one vehicle surface.
261. Apparatus according to claim 260 and wherein said heat-conductive element comprises a displaceable, resilient, flexible element.
262. Apparatus according to claim 260 and wherein said heat-conductive element forms at least a wall both of said primary liquid heating volume portion and of said secondary liquid heating volume portion.
263. Apparatus according to claim 260 and wherein at least said liquid heating enclosure defines a primary liquid flow pathway in said primary liquid heating volume portion and a secondary liquid flow pathway in said secondary liquid heating volume portion, said secondary liquid flow pathway supplying liquid to said primary liquid flow pathway.
264. Apparatus according to claim 260 and wherein said primary liquid heating volume portion is formed of a relatively rigid, highly heat conductive material.
265. Apparatus according to claim 264 and wherein said secondary liquid heating volume portion is formed of a material which is less rigid and less heat conductive than said material forming said primary liquid heating volume portion.
266. Apparatus according to claim 263 and wherein at least said primary liquid flow pathway is defined by said liquid heating enclosure and by said heat-conductive element.
267. Apparatus according to claim 260 and wherein at least said liquid heating enclosure defines an at least partially turbulent flow primary liquid flow pathway in said primary liquid heating volume portion and an at least partially turbulent flow secondary liquid flow pathway in said secondary liquid heating volume portion, said at least partially turbulent flow secondary liquid flow pathway supplying liquid to said at least partially turbulent flow primary liquid flow pathway.
268. Apparatus according to claim 260 and wherein said primary liquid heating volume portion is formed at least partially of a metal material, which is relatively highly heat conductive and said secondary liquid heating volume portion is formed at least partially of a plastic material, which is relatively heat insulative, separated by said heat-conductive element, said heat-conductive element being formed of a material which is less heat conductive than said metal material and more heat conductive than said plastic material.
269. Apparatus according to claim 260 and wherein said heat-conductive element is apertured to permit liquid communication from said secondary liquid heating volume portion to said primary liquid heating volume portion.
270. Apparatus according to claim 260 and wherein said secondary liquid heating volume portion includes at least one displaceable outer wall portion providing freeze protection by virtue of its displaceability.
271. Apparatus according to claim 270 and wherein said heat-conductive element comprises a displaceable element operative to be displaced into said secondary liquid heating volume portion upon freezing of liquid inside said primary liquid heating volume portion.
272. Apparatus according to claim 260 and wherein said heat-conductive element is an intervening liquid impermeable displaceable diaphragm.
273. Apparatus according to claim 260 and wherein said primary liquid heating volume portion is a first conduit element and said secondary liquid heating volume portion is a second conduit element.
274. Apparatus according to claim 273 and wherein said heat exchanger is defined by said first conduit element and said second conduit element.
275. Apparatus according to claim 260 and wherein said at least one vehicle surface includes at least one of the following surfaces:
a front vehicle windshield surface, a back vehicle windshield surface, side vehicle windows, a vehicle headlight surface, a vehicle rear light surface, a vehicle radar antenna surface and a vehicle exterior mirror surface.
276. Apparatus according to claim 260 and wherein said heated liquid spray control subassembly is operative to employ said vehicle surface liquid heating assembly and said vehicle surface liquid spraying assembly for providing a spray of liquid onto a vehicle windshield surface and a vehicle radar antenna surface.
277. Apparatus according to claim 276 and also comprising a normally-open valve interconnecting vehicle windshield sprayers of said vehicle windshield surface to said vehicle surface liquid spraying assembly and being operative, when open, to bypass vehicle radar antenna sprayers of said vehicle radar antenna surface.
278. Apparatus according to claim 277 and also comprising a flow restrictor, restricting liquid flow to said vehicle radar antenna sprayers to ensure liquid is supplied to said vehicle windshield sprayers when said normally-open valve is open.
279. Apparatus for spraying a liquid onto at least one vehicle surface comprising:
a liquid reservoir;
a vehicle surface liquid heating assembly receiving a liquid from said liquid reservoir;
a vehicle surface liquid spraying assembly receiving heated liquid from said vehicle surface liquid heating assembly; and
a heated liquid spray control subassembly employing said vehicle surface liquid heating assembly and said vehicle surface liquid spraying assembly for providing a spray of said heated liquid onto said at least one vehicle surface; and
a normally closed automatically operative valve interconnecting said liquid reservoir to said vehicle surface liquid spraying assembly and being operative, when open, to bypass said liquid heating assembly.
280. Apparatus according to claim 279 and also comprising a vehicle pump connected upstream of said at least one liquid reservoir and downstream of said normally closed automatically operative valve.
281. Apparatus according to claim 279 and wherein said at least one vehicle surface includes at least one of the following surfaces:
a front vehicle windshield surface, a back vehicle windshield surface, a side vehicle window, a vehicle headlight surface, a vehicle rear light surface, a vehicle radar antenna surface and a vehicle exterior mirror surface.
282. Apparatus according to claim 279 and wherein said normally closed automatically operative valve is a differential pressure responsive one-way valve.
283. Apparatus according to claim 279 and wherein said at least one vehicle surface includes a first surface and a second surface and said apparatus also comprises a normally-open valve interconnecting vehicle sprayers of said first surface to said vehicle surface liquid spraying assembly and being operative, when open, to bypass vehicle sprayers of said second surface.
284. Apparatus according to claim 283 and also comprising a flow restrictor, restricting liquid flow to said vehicle sprayers of said second surface to ensure liquid is supplied to said vehicle sprayers of said first surface when said normally-open valve is open.
285. Apparatus according to claim 284 and wherein said first surface is a vehicle windshield surface.
286. A method for spraying a liquid onto at least one vehicle surface comprising:
providing a vehicle including said at least one vehicle surface and a liquid reservoir;
supplying said liquid from said liquid reservoir to a vehicle surface liquid heating assembly including a primary liquid heating volume portion and a secondary liquid heating volume portion, separated by a heat-conductive element;
directly heating said liquid in said primary liquid heating volume portion, thereby indirectly heating said liquid in said secondary liquid heating volume portion via said heat-conductive element; and
thereafter spraying said liquid onto said at least one vehicle surface.
287. A method according to claim 286 and wherein said spraying includes spraying said liquid for an initial spray cycle.
288. A method according to claim 287 and wherein said indirectly heating liquid in said secondary liquid heating volume portion during a relatively long time duration after initial operation of a motor of said vehicle causes said initial spray cycle to be relatively longer than when said indirectly heating liquid in said secondary liquid heating volume portion is during a relatively short time duration after said initial operation of said motor of said vehicle.
289. A method according to claim 287 and wherein said spraying said liquid onto said at least one vehicle surface is nearly instantaneous when said indirectly heating liquid in said secondary liquid heating volume portion is for a relatively short time duration after said initial operation of said motor of said vehicle.
290. A method according to claim 287 and wherein said indirectly heating liquid in said secondary liquid heating volume portion during a relatively long time duration after a previous spray cycle causes said initial spray cycle to be relatively longer than when said indirectly heating liquid in said secondary liquid heating volume portion is during a relatively short time duration after said previous spray cycle.
291. A method according to claim 287 and wherein said spraying said liquid onto said at least one vehicle surface is nearly instantaneous when said indirectly heating liquid in said secondary liquid heating volume portion is for a relatively short time duration after a previous spray cycle.
292. A heated liquid discharge system comprising:
a main assembly which provides liquid heating and includes electrical and liquid flow control functionalities;
a liquid inflow conduit supplying liquid from a liquid reservoir to said main assembly; and
a liquid outflow conduit supplying liquid to at least one sprayer located at at least one location on a motor vehicle,
said liquid inflow conduit having connected in series therewith a leaky one-way valve which permits limited backflow of liquid from said main assembly to said reservoir.
293. A heated liquid discharge system according to claim 292 and wherein said main assembly comprises a liquid heating chamber communicating with said liquid inflow conduit and said liquid outflow conduit and being formed with a liquid drain aperture located on a side thereof which permits draining of liquid from said liquid heating chamber generally down to a level of said liquid drain aperture via said leaky one-way valve.
294. A heated liquid discharge system according to claim 293 and wherein said draining takes place when a vehicle pump supplying liquid to said liquid inflow conduit is not in operation.
295. A heated liquid discharge system according to claim 292 and wherein said at least one location includes at least one of the following locations:
front vehicle windshield, back vehicle windshield, side vehicle windows, vehicle headlights, vehicle rear lights and vehicle exterior mirrors.
296. A heated liquid discharge system according to claim 292 and also comprising an overheating cut-off fuse for shutting off electrical power to at least part of said main assembly in the event of overheating of a liquid heating chamber located within said main assembly.
297. A heated liquid discharge system according to claim 296 and wherein said fuse is formed with an undersurface of a resilient material and is retained in tight thermal engagement with the underside of a base of a liquid heating element located within said liquid heating chamber.
298. A heated liquid discharge system according to claim 293 and wherein said liquid drain aperture together with said leaky one-way valve provides both overheating and anti-freezing protection for said main assembly.
299. Apparatus for spraying a liquid onto at least one vehicle surface comprising:
a liquid reservoir;
a vehicle surface liquid heating assembly receiving a liquid from said liquid reservoir;
a vehicle surface liquid spraying assembly receiving heated liquid from said vehicle surface liquid heating assembly; and
a heated liquid spray control subassembly employing said vehicle surface liquid heating assembly and said vehicle surface liquid spraying assembly for providing a spray of said heated liquid onto said at least one vehicle surface,
said spray of said heated liquid being automatically activated by an automatic gain control circuit (AGC) actuation signal.