Shunt regulator with shutdown protection to prevent excessive power dissipation
US6141193A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 15, 1999 |
| Grant date | Oct 31, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 15, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG05F3/24
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A circuit (hereinafter "auto-shutoff regulator") for regulating the power provided to a load automatically opens and closes a switch (hereinafter "protection switch") to keep itself from being damaged by excessive power dissipation. The auto-shutoff regulator includes: (1) a shunt regulator coupled in parallel with the load and a power supply, and (2) another circuit (hereinafter "overpower detector") that monitors the power dissipated by the shunt regulator. The overpower detector has a control line (hereinafter "power shutoff line") that is coupled to the protection switch. When the power dissipated in the shunt regulator exceeds a predetermined threshold, the overpower detector drives a signal active on the power shutoff line, thereby to open the protection switch. Opening of the protection switch shuts off the supply of power to the shunt regulator, thereby to protect the shunt regulator from damage caused by excessive power dissipation. The overpower detector is also responsive to the voltage on a line coupled to the power supply. When the voltage falls below a threshold value, the overpower detector gets reset and drives the signal on the power shutoff line inactive, thereby …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.