Zener Overvoltage Protection (OVP) with a Thermal Trigger

    公开(公告)号:US20180198272A1

    公开(公告)日:2018-07-12

    申请号:US15404510

    申请日:2017-01-12

    Abstract: The present disclosure describes aspects of Zener overvoltage protection (OVP) with a thermal trigger for an implant. In some aspects, an apparatus comprises a rectifier disposed in a rectification circuit and configured to rectify alternating current (AC) power received at the rectification circuit to direct current (DC) power. The apparatus also includes a Zener diode and thermistor. The Zener diode is disposed in the rectification circuit between the rectifier and an output terminal, and is configured to clamp the DC power at a predefined voltage. The clamped DC power output at the output terminal is usable by the implant. The thermistor and Zener diode are disposed in temperature-measuring proximity. This enables the thermistor to measure a temperature of the Zener diode, which correlates to voltage at the Zener diode due to clamping. When the measured temperature exceeds a threshold temperature indicative of an OVP condition, remedial OVP actions are initiated.

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