Integrated inductive load snubbing device using a multi-collector transistor
US5703520A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 1, 1996 |
| Grant date | Dec 30, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 1, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03K17/0814
- WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A transient suppressor comprises a self-triggered silicon control rectifier (SCR) that forms a drive circuit for an NPN power transistor. The SCR and the NPN power transistor are combined, along with other elements, into an integrated circuit (IC) by a junction isolated BiCMOS process. The SCR self-triggers upon being subjected to an inductive flyback condition created by an inductive load and renders the NPN transistor conductive, thereby allowing the NPN power transistor, having a relatively large semiconductor region, to effectively snub the current created by the negative feedback condition. The transient suppressor may be used in either a high-side or low-side driver arrangement and the SCR/NPN power transistor combination may further be combined with load driving and other circuitry on a single integrated circuit. The IC is designed to perform normally when subjected to transient conditions and further when there exists a potential voltage differential between the circuit ground and the load ground of at least 2 volts.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.