Apparatus and method for temperature-dependent transient blocking
US7369387B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 8, 2005 |
| Grant date | May 6, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 7, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH02H5/044
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus and method for temperature-dependent transient blocking employing a transient blocking unit (TBU) that uses at least one depletion mode n-channel device interconnected with at least one depletion mode p-channel device. The interconnection is performed such that a transient alters a bias voltage Vp of the p-channel device and a bias voltage Vn of the n-channel device in concert to effectuate their mutual switch off to block the transient. The apparatus has a temperature control unit that is in communication with the TBU and adjusts at least one of the bias voltages Vp, Vn in response to a sensed temperature Ts, thereby enabling the apparatus to also respond to over-temperature. In some embodiments the p-channel device is replaced with a positive temperature coefficient thermistor (PTC). The temperature control unit can use any suitable circuit element, including, among other a PTC, resistor, negative temperature coefficient element, positive temperature coefficient element, transistor, diode.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.