Self-reparable device to generate a high voltage, and method for repairing a device to generate a high voltage
US7239192B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 4, 2004 |
| Grant date | Jul 3, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 13, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH02M3/073
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A generator produces a high voltage from a power supply voltage. The generator includes an oscillator for producing a driving signal, and a charge pump for producing the high voltage from the power supply voltage based upon receiving the driving signal. The charge pump includes n series-connected voltage step-up stages including a first step-up stage receiving the power supply voltage and a last step-up stage producing the high voltage, at least one replacement step-up stage, and a switching circuit. The switching circuit replaces a damaged one of the n series-connected voltage step-up stages with the at least one replacement stage when a warning signal is received. A voltage regulator produces an activation signal for activating the oscillator if the high voltage is below a desired value. A detector produces the warning signal if the charge pump is defective.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.