Overvoltage protection apparatus for a data interface
US5903426A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 18, 1996 |
| Grant date | May 11, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 18, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH02H9/042
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An overvoltage protection apparatus for use with a data transmission interface, having at least one data transmission line associated therewith, for protecting the interface from power spikes, transients, and/or the continuous application of an excessive voltage. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes at least one voltage limiting device associated with each data line. Each voltage limiting device being connected at one end to the associated data line, and at a second end to a current sensing and switching structure, which is in turn connected to ground. The current sensing and switching structure monitors the current through the voltage limiting device. In the event an excessive voltage is applied to a pin or data line of the interface, the voltage limiting device briefly absorbs the excess power and generates an increased current. This increased current is sensed by the current sensing and switching structure, which responds by opening a switch which disconnects the interface from ground. The current sensing and switching structure automatically reconnects the switch after a preselected time period. The switching structure continues to monitor the current from the volt…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.