Patent · US Active

Apparatus and method for electronic circuit protection

US8320091B2 · kind B2 · utility

32Cited by
6References
33Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 25, 2010
Grant dateNov 27, 2012
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 25, 2031

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH02H9/046
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for electronic circuit protection are disclosed. In one embodiment, an actively-controlled protection circuit includes a detector, a timer, a current source and a latch. The detector is configured to generate a detection signal when the detector determines that a transient signal satisfies a first signaling condition. The timer is configured to receive the detection signal, and to generate a current control signal. The current control signal is provided to a current source, which produces a trigger current at least partly in response to the control signal. The trigger current is provided to a node of the latch, thereby enhancing the conductivity modulation of the latch and selectively controlling the activation voltage of the latch.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.