EP0197707A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Electronic circuit breaker
Assignee: Motorola Solutions Inc
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Filing: 1986-03-26
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2006-03-26
Abstract
Abstract An electronic circuit breaker for use with a controllable switch (11) that connects and disconnects power to and from a load. The electronic circuit breaker includes a sense unit (12) for sensing when current draw through said switch (11) exceeds a predetermined threshold, and for generating a fault signal in response to sensing such an excessive draw of current. The device further includes an inhibit unit (13) that can respond to such a fault signal to inhibit the switch unit (11) during the presence of such a fault signal. The device requires minimal heat sink provisions for the switch unit (11) and further serves to automatically re-enable the switch unit (11) such that a transient load fault condition will not require the attention of operating personnel to reset it.
Inventors
- 👤 William Michael Rathke
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 15:25
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03K; H03K17/00; H03K17/08; H02; H02H; H02H3/00; H02H3/08; H02H3/087
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
124 words
In a system having a power input, a power output, and a switch that is responsive to a series or control signals having variable durations for opening and closing a conductive path between said power input and said power output, an improvement characterized by: a) sense means for sensing an excessive draw of current from said power input and for providing a fault signal when sensing such an excessive draw of current; and b) inhibit means responsive to said fault signal for inhibiting said switch in the presence of a fault signal only for the duration that remains of the control signal during which said sense means provides said fault signal, and for not inhibiting said switch in the absence of a fault signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
124 words
In a system having a power input, a power output, and a switch that is responsive to a series or control signals having variable durations for opening and closing a conductive path between said power input and said power output, an improvement characterized by: a) sense means for sensing an excessive draw of current from said power input and for providing a fault signal when sensing such an excessive draw of current; and b) inhibit means responsive to said fault signal for inhibiting said switch in the presence of a fault signal only for the duration that remains of the control signal during which said sense means provides said fault signal, and for not inhibiting said switch in the absence of a fault signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein said inhibit means is further responsive to said control signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
60 words
The improvement of claim 2 wherein said control signal is characterized by variable signal levels, with at least one of said signal levels representing an "on" signal and another of said signals representing an "off" signal, and wherein said inhibit means functions to block transmission of an "on" signal to said switch unit in the presence of a fault signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The improvement of claim 3 wherein said inhibit means includes a flip-flop, such that a set input to said flip-flop operably receives said control signal and a reset input to said flip-flop operably receives said fault signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
The improvement of claim 4 wherein said inhibit means further includes an output stage comprising a NOR gate, with one input of said NOR gate connected to operably receive said control signal and a second input of said NOR gate connected to operably receive an output signal from said flip-flop.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein said sense means includes a resistor connected in series with said switch means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The improvement of claim 6 wherein said sense means further includes a switch for generating saia fault signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The improvement of claim 7 wherein said sense means switch comprises a transistor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The improvement of claim 8 wherein said transistor has a collector that operably connects to said inhibit means to transmit said fault signal to said inhibit means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The improvement of claim 9 wherein said collector of said transistor also connects to a reverse biased diode.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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