DC to DC converter with overvoltage protection circuit
US4779027A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 24, 1987 |
| Grant date | Oct 18, 1988 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 24, 2007 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH02M3/335
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An overvoltage protection circuit limits the output voltage of a DC to DC converter to a maximum desired output voltage. An output voltage sensing circuit includes a semiconductor device such as a sidac having a normal resistive region of operation as well as a negative resistance region of operation which begins at a breakover voltage and extends into a foldback region. One terminal of the sidac is coupled to sense the converter output voltage while the second terminal opposite end of the sidac is coupled to a biasing device in the form of a resistor which generates an overvoltage signal when the sidac conducts current. The overvoltage signal from the biasing resistor is coupled to a converter switching transistor disabling circuit which reduces the converter output voltage to a level below the maximum desired output voltage in response to the overvoltage signal.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.