Gated parallel power switching devices protection circuit
US4717996A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 14, 1987 |
| Grant date | Jan 5, 1988 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 14, 2007 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03K17/122
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Two or more gated type power switches, particularly mosfets, are disclosed in a protection circuit which protects the other power switches should one of them short to its respective gate. The circuit includes elements for sensing the occurrence of the failure, for carrying or diverting excess current from the gates, and increasing the impedance of the gates to minimize any damage. The circuit prevents the failure of one mosfet in a drain to gate short mode from destroying or damaging the other parallel mosfets. The invention results in easier analysis and repair of any damage should a breakdown occur, and for the first time makes practical the use of many mosfets in parallel for power switching applications.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.