Power switching circuit with active clamp disconnect for load dump protection
US7327546B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 8, 2004 |
| Grant date | Feb 5, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 24, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03K2017/0806
- WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A power switching circuit supplying electrical power to a load comprising a power MOSFET semiconductor switch having a gate electrode and two main current carrying electrodes and a back biased body zener diode, an active clamp for clamping a voltage between one of the main current carrying electrodes provided with a supply voltage and the gate electrode at a first specified voltage when the supply voltage increases beyond a predetermined voltage; and a circuit for disconnecting the active clamp when the supply voltage increases a predetermined amount above the predetermined voltage, allowing the body zener diode to avalanche at a second specified voltage that is greater than the first specified voltage thereby to clamp the voltage across the power semiconductor switch.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.