Patent · US Expired

Protective integrated circuit network, particularly for connection to an inductive load

US4178619A · kind A · utility

26Cited by
7References
17Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 10, 1977
Grant dateDec 11, 1979
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 10, 1997

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH03K17/64
  • WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

To permit entire integration of a control circuit to switch an inductive load, and protect the integrated control circuit against inductive voltage kicks, voltage surges, and reverse polarity, a series circuit including a diode, which may be constructed as a transistor in diode connection, and a voltage limiting element, typically a Zener diode, or a Zener diode controlled transistor, or four-layer diode are connected in parallel to the main switching path of the semiconductor element which controls current flow through the inductive load, thereby eliminating the necessity of the free wheeling and anti-conductive voltage kick diode which, in combination with the inherent substrate diodes of the inductive circuit, might lead to the damage, or destruction of the IC.

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