Digital power converter input current control circuit
US4678984A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 21, 1986 |
| Grant date | Jul 7, 1987 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 21, 2006 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH02M3/158
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A digital power converter input current control circuit is connected between a power converter and a power source. This circuit monitors, and controls if necessary, the current that flows between the power source and the power converter in a manner that protects the power source, the input current control circuit, and the power converter from the catastrophic effects of excessive current flow. The input current control circuit operates similar to an electronic circuit breaker with an automatic reset feature, in that the power delivered to the power converter is maintained low during fault conditions. Thus, if a power transistor in the power converter should fail, a current limit circuit in the input current control circuit will prevent additional damage to the power converter. The operation of the input current control circuit, however, is different than that of a circuit breaker in that a control circuit in the current limit circuit allows for current limiting during start-up, transient conditions which prevents the generation of "gliches" or voltage spikes on energized input power lines when the power converter is suddenly activated.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.