Ignition control circuit with short circuit protection
US9745947B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 1, 2014 |
| Grant date | Aug 29, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 21, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF02P3/0435
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
In a general aspect, an apparatus can include an insulated-gate bipolar transistor device (IGBT), a gate driver circuit (driver) coupled with a gate terminal of the IGBT and a low-resistance switch device coupled between an emitter terminal of the IGBT and an electrical ground terminal, the low-resistance switch device being coupled with the electrical ground terminal via a resistor. The apparatus can also include a current sensing circuit coupled with the driver and a current sense signal line coupled with the current sensing circuit and a current sense node, the current sense node being disposed between the low-resistance switch device and the resistor. The apparatus can further include a control circuit configured, when the driver is off, to detect, based on a voltage on the current sense node, when a current through the resistor is above a threshold value and disable the IGBT in response to the detection.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.