Electricity: electrical systems and devices – Safety and protection of systems and devices – With specific current responsive fault sensor
Patent
1990-02-07
1993-02-23
Stephan, Steven L.
Electricity: electrical systems and devices
Safety and protection of systems and devices
With specific current responsive fault sensor
361 91, 361 98, 361111, 307300, 307350, 307360, H02H 308
Patent
active
051895897
ABSTRACT:
To establish an inexpensive, and universally applicable power controller for the monitored activation, monitoring and protection of current-consuming loads by a microprocessor having low-power control outputs, the following circuit elements are implemented in an integrated device: an activation path (12) disconnectable by an electronic switch (18) and to which a C-MOS/TTL-signal is adapted to be applied by a microprocessor output port and which generates a MOS-FET control signal; a latch (20) which is arranged to control said electronic switch (18) and which, for its part, is adapted to be controled by external C-MOS/TTL-signals such that the switch (18) opens with a first signal and closes with a second signal; a current comparator (40) offering a first and a second switching threshold adapted to be determined by external components and a third fixed internal switching threshold and to which the load current is adapted to be applied common mode rejected and which are arranged to control the latch (20) to open the electronic switch (18) with a delay determined by external components (54,56) when the second (42) lower switching threshold of the current comparator (40) is exceeded, and undelayed when the third higher switching threshold of the current comparator (40) is exceeded; a status indicator (72) for the latch (20) for indication of the state "overcurrent"; a load voltage measuring path (68) having a signal output (70) which is arranged to signal load voltage within tolerance; a first load current measuring path, the load current input (34,36) of which is connected to the current comparator (40) having, a signal output (48) which is arranged to signalize the load current within tolerance; a second load current measuring path (60) having an analog voltage output (62,64) adapted to be calibrated according to the current and to be applied to an A/D-converter (100) of a microprocessor (90); a reset circuit (112) which definedly sets the latch (20) when the device (10) is powered; and a test circuit (86,96) which is arranged to be supplied by analog input voltages from a D/A-converter of the microprocessor (90) connected to the current measuring paths (40) for simulation of load currents.
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Bodenseewerk Geratetechnik GmbH
Dougherty Thomas M.
Stephan Steven L.
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