Electricity: electrical systems and devices – Safety and protection of systems and devices – Voltage regulator protective circuits
Patent
1996-07-30
1998-10-06
Elms, Richard T.
Electricity: electrical systems and devices
Safety and protection of systems and devices
Voltage regulator protective circuits
361 58, 361 91, 361100, 361115, H02H 700
Patent
active
058186697
ABSTRACT:
A circuit that utilizes a Zener diode to protect elements of a circuit from an over-voltage condition. When a fault occurs, causing an over-voltage condition, the voltage applied to the elements of the circuit is limited by the Zener diode. In addition, the circuit senses the over-voltage condition. Upon sensing the over-voltage condition, the circuit gradually reduces the power applied to that portion of the circuit to a minimum level. If the over-voltage condition persists for a predetermined amount of time, power is shut down to that portion of the circuit until the circuit is re-started. Because the amount of time that an over-voltage condition may occur is limited, the Zener diode may have a lower power rating than would otherwise be required. This is because the power dissipation capabilities of a Zener diode conducting current under a reverse bias are greater when the reverse bias is of a short duration than when the reverse bias is of a long duration. For example, the inventor has identified a Zener diode that is represented to have an ability to withstand 500 milli-watts under steady state conditions, but that can withstand for a limited duration a peak surge of many times the steady state power rating. In the preferred embodiment, the circuit limits voltage in a resonant circuit utilizing two Zener diodes coupled in series.
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Elms Richard T.
Jackson Stephen
Micro Linear Corporation
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