Control of a clamp circuit during transient conditions
US9595949B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 27, 2015 |
| Grant date | Mar 14, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 27, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH02M1/344
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
According to example configurations herein, a clamp circuit includes: i) a power dissipation circuit disposed between a first node and a second node of the clamp circuit, and ii) a capacitive element disposed in a control path between the first node and a control input of the power dissipation circuit. During operation, when a voltage spike occurs at the first node, such as caused by opening of a respective switch, the capacitive element in the control path conveys a portion of energy from the first node to control activation of the power dissipation circuit. That is, during the voltage spike, based on conveyance of the energy over the control path, the power dissipation circuit turns ON to dissipate the transient voltage, protecting a main power switch.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.