Clamping circuit for use in computer system
US6721150B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 12, 2000 |
| Grant date | Apr 13, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 19, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH02H9/04
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A clamping circuit and method for use in a computer system are provided. In the computer system, a voltage regulator supplies a voltage rail to various components in the system. This voltage rail may be susceptible to voltage spikes or other over-voltage conditions, such as when the voltage rail provides the input voltage to a switching regulator. The clamping circuit comprises a detecting stage and a clamping stage. The detecting stage detects when the voltage rail increases beyond a first voltage level. If this increase is detected, the detecting stage activates the clamping stage, which begins reducing the voltage rail. Once the voltage rail decreases beneath the first voltage level, the detecting stage stops activating the clamping stage. In this way, the clamping circuit protects the computer system from voltage spikes on the voltage rail.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.