Apparatus and methods for overvoltage protection of electronic devices
US10566964B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 15, 2017 |
| Grant date | Feb 18, 2020 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 27, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03K19/003
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus includes a string of series-connected voltage clamp devices (e.g., metal-oxide varistors (MOVs)) coupled to at least one electronic device (e.g., a transistor or other semiconductor device). The apparatus further includes a bypass circuit configured to selectively bypass a subset of the string of series-connected voltage clamp devices to control a level at which a voltage applied to the at least one electronic device is clamped. A control circuit may be configured to cause the bypass circuit to bypass the subset of the string of series-connected voltage clamp devices responsive to a voltage applied to the at least one electronic device. For example, the control circuit may be configured to cause the bypass circuit to bypass the subset of the string of series-connected voltage clamp devices responsive to a magnitude of the voltage applied to the at least one electronic device exceeding a threshold.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.