Patent · US Expired

Power limiting audio amplifier temperature protection circuit

US4742312A · kind A · utility

14Cited by
4References
3Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 22, 1987
Grant dateMay 3, 1988
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 22, 2007

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH03F1/52
  • WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

An audio amplifier of the type including circuitry to detect clipping and adjust the gain of an amplifier input element to control the clipping in closed loop operation further includes circuitry effective to sense the temperature of an amplifier component and change the amplifier bias voltage that determines the maximum non-clipping voltage so as to induce clipping in the amplifier when the temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature. The clipping control circuitry then reduces the input gain to the amplifier to control the clipping and, in so doing, reduces power dissipation to a level allowing the temperature to decrease to the predetermined temperature. The circuit provides for closed loop control of amplifier temperature in marginal temperature situations with minimal intrusion on the music reproduction process.

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