Patent · US Expired

Power interface circuit with control chip powered from power chip

US4786826A · kind A · utility

5Cited by
12References
26Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 19, 1986
Grant dateNov 22, 1988
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 19, 2006

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01L2924/0002
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A power interface circuit includes a low voltage control chip and a separate, high voltage power chip contained in a common package. The high voltage power chip includes a power switching semiconductor device, such as a thyristor or power MOSFET, and is controlled under the influence of the control chip. Operating power for the low voltage control chip is provided from an auxiliary portion of the high voltage power chip. Such auxiliary portion comprises a voltage regulator, which derives its power from a high voltage lead in the power device. The high voltage lead may comprise a lead on which high voltage power is supplied for power switching purposes. The low voltage control chip may include a high degree of "intelligence", or logic functions, for controlling the power switching device, since the low voltage device may be a microprocessor or other device that can be fabricated with a high density of control elements.

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