Patent · US Active

Diagnosis of gate voltage to detect high current

US11901883B2 · kind B2 · utility

0Cited by

2References

20Claims

0Family size

Assignee

Infineon Technologies AG · DE

Inventors

Michael Krug · Munich, DE
Marco Bachhuber · Dundenheim, DE
Marcus Nuebling · Olching, DE
Tomas Manuel Reiter · Munich, DE

Key dates

Filing date	Nov 29, 2021
Grant date	Feb 13, 2024
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Mar 9, 2042

Classification

Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
CPC primaryH03K2217/0027
WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Overload detection and protection for power switch circuits. For circuits with faster switching speed, fast fault detection and response to a detected overload condition may be desirable. Detection circuitry may monitor a voltage on the control terminal of one or more power switches. Based on empirical measurements, in an overload condition of a power switch circuit, e.g., a half-bridge circuit, the voltage at the control terminal may increase, and in some examples, increase to a magnitude that is greater than a supply voltage. A comparator may detect a voltage increase that exceeds a voltage magnitude threshold, output an indication to control circuitry for the power switch circuit, and the control circuitry may take action to protect the rest of the circuitry, such as reduce voltage or shut off the power switch circuit.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.