Circuit for prevention of undesired operation in multiple power drivers
US4851952A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 15, 1988 |
| Grant date | Jul 25, 1989 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 15, 2008 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH02H3/087
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A switching module having a plurality of switching channels responsive to a microcontroller for coupling electrical power to a load, and decoupling electrical power in the event an undesired operating condition is sensed. Each switching channel includes a switching transistor and transistor driver. Monitoring circuitry senses the actual voltage drop across the load to provide the controller with an indication of undesired operation. A limiting resistor limits the transistor drive such that the transistor is forced out of satuaration during a high power condition, thereby avoiding undesired power dissipation which would otherwise occur if operation in the saturated condition continued.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.