Floating positive circuit breaker
US5793596A · kind A · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 25, 1996 |
| Grant date | Aug 11, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 25, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03K17/063
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A circuit breaker IC adapted for controlling an external NMOS switch coupled between a supply voltage and a load referenced to ground, with the circuit breaker being isolated from ground. With this arrangement, the voltage across the circuit breaker is limited, thereby permitting use of a low voltage integrated circuit fabrication process. The circuit breaker includes a sensor for sensing load current through the switch and providing an output signal indicative of the load current, a charge pump providing a supply voltage and an amplifier responsive to the sensor output signal and to the charge pump supply voltage for providing a drive signal to control the switch.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.