US3566158A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Transistor drive regulator
Assignee: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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Filing: 1968-08-07
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Granted: 1971-02-23
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Expires: 1988-08-07
Abstract
Abstract A drive circuit for a semiconductor switch has a variable conducting means connected between a drive signal source and the switch. The variable conducting means is connected in controlled relationship to the driving source through a voltage dropping means and drive current diverting means bypasses some drive current around the variable conducting means. Means for decreasing the turnoff time of the switch is also provided.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard J Ravas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 16:33
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03K; H03K17/00; H03K17/04; H03K17/041; H03K17/0412; H03K17/04126; H02; H02M; H02M3/00; H02M3/02; H02M3/04; H02M3/10; H02M3/145; H02M3/155; H03K17/042; H03K17/0422
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
231 words
In a drive circuit for regulating the drive current being supplied from a drive signal source to a current switching device having first and second power electrodes and a control electrode, a DC source and a load being serially connected between said first and second electrodes, in combination: variable conducting means connected between said drive signal source and said control electrode of said switching device to regulate said drive current; bias means connected operatively to said variable conducting means and in signal receiving relatiOnship to said drive signal source to render said variable conducting means conducting when said drive signal is of a first polarity; drive current diverting means connected between said variable conducting means and said second power electrode of said switching device to direct a portion of said drive current through said power electrodes of said switching device whereby said switching device is prevented from saturating; a transformer having a primary winding connected to said drive signal source and a secondary winding connected to said drive circuit; voltage dropping means connected between said variable conducting means and said control electrode of said switching element; and a unidirectional current conducting device connecting between said secondary winding of said transformer and said control electrode of said switching device, said unidirectional current conducting device being poled to allow current flow in a direction away from said control electrode of said switching means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
231 words
In a drive circuit for regulating the drive current being supplied from a drive signal source to a current switching device having first and second power electrodes and a control electrode, a DC source and a load being serially connected between said first and second electrodes, in combination: variable conducting means connected between said drive signal source and said control electrode of said switching device to regulate said drive current; bias means connected operatively to said variable conducting means and in signal receiving relatiOnship to said drive signal source to render said variable conducting means conducting when said drive signal is of a first polarity; drive current diverting means connected between said variable conducting means and said second power electrode of said switching device to direct a portion of said drive current through said power electrodes of said switching device whereby said switching device is prevented from saturating; a transformer having a primary winding connected to said drive signal source and a secondary winding connected to said drive circuit; voltage dropping means connected between said variable conducting means and said control electrode of said switching element; and a unidirectional current conducting device connecting between said secondary winding of said transformer and said control electrode of said switching device, said unidirectional current conducting device being poled to allow current flow in a direction away from said control electrode of said switching means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
88 words
The drive circuit set forth in claim 1 wherein said variable conducting means is a transistor having a collector electrode connected to one end of said secondary winding of said transformer an emitter electrode connected to said control electrode of said switching device and a base electrode connected to said bias means, said bias means comprising a resistor connected between said collector electrode and said base electrode of said transistor, the other end of said secondary winding being connected to said first electrode of said current switching device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
The circuit of claim 2 wherein said drive current diverting means comprises a unidirectional conducting means connected between said base electrode of said transitor and said second power electrode of said switching device, said unidirectional conducting means being poled to allow current to flow away from said base electrode.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
53 words
The circuit set forth in claim 2 wherein said drive current diverting means comprises a diode connected between said base electrode of said transistor and said second power electrode of said switching device, said diode being poled to pass current from said base electrode to said second power electrode of said switching device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
The circuit set forth in claim 4 and including at least a second diode connected between said emitter electrode of said transistor and said control electrode of said switching device, said second diode being poled to pass current in a direction toward said control electrode.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
The circuit set forth in claim 5 and including a third diode connected between said collector electrode of said transistor and said control electrode of said switching device, said third diode being poled to pass current in a direction away from said control electrode.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2887542A
Cited
US3240954A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-02-22 | 1974-08-24 | 1975-02-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-02-22 | 1978-08-24 | 1979-02-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-02-22 | 1982-08-24 | 1983-02-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |