High current charge pump for intelligent power switch drive
US7319359B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 17, 2005 |
| Grant date | Jan 15, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 19, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH02M3/07
- WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A current limiting driver circuit for a semiconductor power switch and a switching device including same. The driver circuit includes a sensing circuit for providing a signal representing the current flowing through the semiconductor power switch, a driver circuit for the power switch, a driver circuit for the sensing circuit, and a comparator circuit having a first input provided by an output of the sensing circuit, a second input provided by a reference signal, and an output provided as a signal input for the first and second driver circuits. A first charge pump provides the supply voltage for the driver circuits, and a second charge pump provides the supply voltage for the comparator, which is higher than the supply voltage for the power switch and the sensing circuit, so that the first and second driver circuits limit the current through the power switch and the sensing circuit even when the output of the sensing circuit approaches the value of the reference signal.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.