Patent · US Expired

DC input circuit with controlled leakage current

US5111070A · kind A · utility

9Cited by
8References
5Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 18, 1991
Grant dateMay 5, 1992
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 18, 2011

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH03K2217/0036
  • WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A DC input circuit provides a digital output dependent on an input voltage spanning a low range and a high range. A first transistor current source provides a bounded leakage current for a low range voltage. A parallel transistor current source in series with a voltage breakdown diode provides a second constant current path for high range voltages through a current sensitive switch. The total input current is thus limited, thereby reducing heat dissipation.

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