Avalanche protection circuit
US12413224B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 20, 2023 |
| Grant date | Sep 9, 2025 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 28, 2043 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03K2217/0027
- WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Circuitry and techniques for detecting a circuit malfunction and disconnecting a main switch when the main switch comprises two or more smaller MOSFET switches connected in parallel. The circuitry of this disclosure includes a protection circuit switch using a protection switch arranged in parallel to the main switch. The protection switch circuit is configured to relieve the main switch MOSFETs as energy dissipates after the main switch circuit detects a fault and shuts off power to a load, but energy stored in the cable harness as inductance may cause current to continue to flow through the main switch MOSFETS. Dissipating this stored energy may result in an avalanche event in MOSFETs of the main switch. The protection circuit of this disclosure take more current shortly after the main switch turns OFF when the break-down voltages of the main switch MOSFETs may not be aligned.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.