Abstract:
An analog circuit provides selectable current control and power limiting for a connected load. A current control loop is combined with a voltage/power control loop to generate a current level signal via an output transistor to control current flow through a load. Current through a load is monitored with the current control loop maintaining current flow through the load at a selected value. If a selected power level is exceeded, the current is reduced by the voltage/power control loop. Voltage monitoring and feedback is used to control the operating power for a power level control operational amplifier and thereby maintain a selected power level. By providing multiple, voltage dependent gains in the voltage feedback loop, a piecewise linear approximation of a desired power curve can be obtained.
Abstract:
An apparatus capable of acting as a current-limited voltage source or a voltage-limited current source is disclosed. The output of the apparatus is provided by a differential amplifier. The current and voltage outputs are compared to positive and negative current and voltage limits. Depending on whether the apparatus is in the voltage mode or the current mode, the inverting input of the differential amplifier is clamped to the appropriate voltage or current comparison signal, respectively, to provide an error signal to the differential amplifier. This clamping is current limited so that if the output current limits are exceeded while in the voltage source mode, a clamp to one of the current comparison signals occurs and dominates the voltage clamp. Similarly, if the output voltage limits are exceeded while in the current source mode, a clamp to one of the voltage comparison signals occurs and dominates the current clamp. To enable a voltage or current source limit to be set at zero, the opposite polarity limit is offset slightly to avoid contention should it also be set near zero.
Abstract:
An electronic circuit is provided for protecting an electronic system and its power supply from damages caused by an over-current condition. The circuit automatically enters into a first state upon application of power from the power supply. In this first state, current is allowed to pass from the power supply through a channel to the electronic system. Upon detecting an over-current condition, a positive feedback will cause the circuit to enter into a second state, wherein the channel is cutoff.
Abstract:
A resettable current limiter is started using an externally generated reset signal, latches on and continues conducting until an overload current is sensed, at which time the limiter shuts off load current. An FET is used both as a series pass element anda load current sensing element. A comparator senses the source of drain voltage drop across the FET and provides a shutdown signal to the FET's gate upon sensing an overload. The limiter may also comprise a solid state switch for positively shutting off the FET using an externally generated off signal. The reset signal reponse circuitry may be set up to be edge triggered to protect against an external short. The reset signal may be a level change or may be a periodic signal. A zener diode may be used for both protecting the FET against excessive voltages and against current surges.
Abstract:
A thermal shutdown circuit for use with a high power transistor which incorporates a sense emitter. A differential amplifier is driven from the transistor base and the sense emitter and has an output that is coupled to the power transistor base. When the sense emitter potential exceeds the base potential, the amplifier output will pull the base down so as to limit the current in the power transistor. For a silicon transistor, the circuit will act to limit the hottest portion of the sense emitter to a maximum of about 250.degree. C. When there are no hot spots and the sense emitter is heated uniformly, heating of the transistor will be limited to about 200.degree. C.
Abstract:
Currents greater than predetermined amount are prevented within a circuit arrangement by connecting the electrical supply to at least one conductor via a diode and a transistor, with the diode and the base-collector junction of the transistor in series between the conductor and the supply, and with the emitter connected via a resistor to a point maintained at an appropriate reference potential level, the transistor being in a grounded-base configuration, with the maximum possible collector current defined by the maximum possible emitter current.
Abstract:
A protective circuit for a power or other main transistor in a monolithic integrated circuit is provided which gives protection for any potentially destrucive rise in temperature of such transistor. A temperature sensing Zener diode and one or more normal diodes are located in the same substrate and in position where they are directly subject to any rise in temperature of the main transistor. Through a particular circuit arrangement, the main transistor will be turned off when its temperature rises a predetermined value below its destructive value. This is accomplished by utilizing a circuit in which as the temperature of the Zener diode rises the voltage across the Zener diode rises due to its positive temperature coefficient and voltage across the ordinary diode decreases due to its negative temperature coefficient. The Zener diode and the normal diode are connected in a circuit in which the two diodes, one having a positive coefficient and the other have a negative temperature coefficient, acting together provide a control voltage which modifies the base bias of the main transistor to cut off the main transistor when the temperature of the main transistor reaches a predetermined point, such for example as about 160*C. The protective circuit of the present invention is particular useful in combination with a circuit which provides protection against excessive load current in the output of the main transistor, such as might be caused by a short circuit. It is also useful in combination with a voltage controlled circuit.
Abstract:
In a static switch circuit with a power sharing circuit portion operable to dissipate power so the required dissipation is shared with the main power switch in the circuit, the power sharing circuit portion has an NPN transistor and a PNP transistor connected in a white circuit configuration that is provided with bias signals from the center tap of the primary winding of the transformer used in the oscillator of the driver circuit for the main power switch.
Abstract:
A capacitor bank for alternating current networks has a number of parallel branches each of which is connected by antiparallelconnected thyristors to the network. There is a control device for each thyristor which, when the bank is fully loaded, connects the thyristors in one conducting direction or the other in synchronism with the maximum of the network voltage in such direction. Each branch of the bank can be recharged by the full load during each half-period of the network voltage. Upon the occurrence of reduced load on the bank, the control devices emit current pulses to connect the thyristor switches in one direction or the other of the maxima of the network voltage in such direction for recharging. These latter pulses are emitted at a frequency which is substantially less thaN the network frequency.
Abstract:
A series voltage regulator providing both short circuit and overload protection having a transistor in series with a preceding resistor in a direct path from dc input to dc regulated voltage output. The transistor is a series control element part of current limiting circuit subject to control with voltage drop variation through the preceding resistor. The voltage regulator also has automatic self-starting circuitry coupled through to a regulator bias circuit subject to being decoupled when the bias circuit connected to regulated dc output is sustaining operational bias in the regulator during normal operation after regulated dc voltage is developed at the regulator output.