Low power bypass circuit for LED open circuit and reverse polarity protection
US9307610B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 12, 2015 |
| Grant date | Apr 5, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 12, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02B20/30
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A low power bypass circuit for use with a string of series-connected LEDs includes a semiconductor diode and resistor connected in series, which semiconductor diode and resistor combination become conductive upon the failure of an LED or upon the improper, reverse polarity connection of the string of series-connected LEDs to a power supply. When the semiconductor and resistor combination becomes conductive, a three-terminal gate-controlled semiconductor switching device becomes conductive, thereby bypassing the failed LED and protecting the integrity of the string of series-connected LEDs upon the improper reverse polarity connection of the string of series-connected LEDs to a power supply.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.