Isolation circuitry
US5801913A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 29, 1996 |
| Grant date | Sep 1, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 29, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG08B26/005
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Isolation circuitry for automatically disconnecting a load from a source upon detecting a short and for automatically reconnecting the load to the source after the short circuit clears. The isolation circuitry includes a first node connected to a second node via a first transmission path, and a third node connected to a fourth node via a second transmission path maintained at a different voltage than the first transmission path. There is a switch between the nodes on the first transmission path, and a sensing circuit that is connected between the first and second transmission paths. The sensing circuit includes a current generator that induces a fault indicating current into a load between the first and second transmission paths and monitors the fault indicating current for an increase over a threshold defined by an operating voltage setting circuit when the load impedance falls below a lower limit indicating a short circuit. The sensing circuit provides a control signal to open the switch if a short circuit is detected and to close the switch if a short circuit is not detected.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.