Patent US3066235A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US3610948A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3610948A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Current-switching detector
Assignee: AT&T Inc
•
Filing: 1969-10-23
•
Granted: 1971-10-05
•
Expires: 1989-10-23
Abstract
Abstract A series of charge-storage diodes having different minoritycarrier lifetimes are connected between power supply lines and are arranged so that a normally nonconducting signal branch is in parallel with the shortest minority-carrier-lifetime chargestorage diode. The charge-storage diodes and the signal branch respond to a short circuit condition across the power supply lines by switching reverse polarity minority-carrier current, conducted through the charge-storage diodes, from the short minority-carrier-lifetime diode to the signal branch. A signal then is developed in the signal branch for enabling a protection device to short circuit the power supply lines or for taking other desired action.
Inventors
- 👤 Sigurd G Waaben
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 06:31
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02H; H02H3/00; H02H3/24; H02H3/02; H02H3/021; H02H3/023
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
A circuit comprising first and second diodes having different minority-carrier lifetimes and arranged in series-aiding circuit relationship for conducting minority-carrier current in response to turnoff of forward conduction, the first diode terminates minoritycarrier current before the second diode terminates such current, signal branch means connected in parallel with the first diode conducting minority carriers of the second diode after termination of minority-carrier current in the first diode, means supplying power to opposite end terminals of the first and second diodes, a protection device having a normally open circuit path connected between the opposite end terminals of the first and second diodes, and means connecting the signal branch means to a control lead of the protection device for enabling a low-impedance conduction path through the protection device in parallel with the first and second diodes.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
134 words
A circuit comprising first and second diodes having different minority-carrier lifetimes and arranged in series-aiding circuit relationship for conducting minority-carrier current in response to turnoff of forward conduction, the first diode terminates minoritycarrier current before the second diode terminates such current, signal branch means connected in parallel with the first diode conducting minority carriers of the second diode after termination of minority-carrier current in the first diode, means supplying power to opposite end terminals of the first and second diodes, a protection device having a normally open circuit path connected between the opposite end terminals of the first and second diodes, and means connecting the signal branch means to a control lead of the protection device for enabling a low-impedance conduction path through the protection device in parallel with the first and second diodes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
A circuit in accordance with claim 1 wherein the first and second diodes are charge-storage diodes, and the signal branch means comprises a resistor and a fast response diode in series circuit, the fast response diode being poled for forward current conduction in the direction of reverse current conduction through the second diode.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
116 words
A circuit comprising first and second diodes having different minority-carrier lifetimes and arranged in series-aiding circuit relationship for conducting minority-carrier current in response to turnoff of forward conduction, the first diode terminates minority-carrier current before the second diode terminates such current, signal branch means connected in parallel with the first diode conducting minority carriers of the second diode after termination of minority-carrier current in the first diode, an emitter-follower circuit having first and second output leads connected between opposite end terminals of the first and second diodes, and means connecting the signal branch means to a control lead of the emitter-follower for disabling the emitter-follower in response to termination of minority-carrier current in the first diode.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
116 words
A circuit comprising first and second diodes having different minority-carrier lifetimes and arranged in series-aiding circuit relationship for conducting minority-carrier current in response to turnoff of forward conduction, the first diode terminates minority-carrier current before the second diode terminates such current, signal branch means connected in parallel with the first diode conducting minority carriers of the second diode after termination of minority-carrier current in the first diode, an emitter-follower circuit having first and second output leads connected between opposite end terminals of the first and second diodes, and means connecting the signal branch means to a control lead of the emitter-follower for disabling the emitter-follower in response to termination of minority-carrier current in the first diode.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
147 words
A circuit comprising means supplying power between a pair of terminals, a plurality of charge-storage diodes connected in a series-aiding circuit between the termiNals, a first one of the charge-storage diodes having a shorter minority-carrier-lifetime than all of the other charge-storage diodes, a protection device having a normally open circuit path connected in parallel with the plurality of charge-storage diodes, signal branch means connected in parallel with at least the first charge-storage diode, the signal branch means including a resistor and a metal-semiconductor diode in series circuit, the metal-semiconductor diode being poled for forward current conduction in the direction of reverse current conduction through the plurality of charge-storage diodes, and means connecting a junction between the metal-semiconductor diode and the resistor to a control electrode of the protection device for enabling the protection device to produce a low impedance in parallel with the plurality of charge-storage diodes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
147 words
A circuit comprising means supplying power between a pair of terminals, a plurality of charge-storage diodes connected in a series-aiding circuit between the termiNals, a first one of the charge-storage diodes having a shorter minority-carrier-lifetime than all of the other charge-storage diodes, a protection device having a normally open circuit path connected in parallel with the plurality of charge-storage diodes, signal branch means connected in parallel with at least the first charge-storage diode, the signal branch means including a resistor and a metal-semiconductor diode in series circuit, the metal-semiconductor diode being poled for forward current conduction in the direction of reverse current conduction through the plurality of charge-storage diodes, and means connecting a junction between the metal-semiconductor diode and the resistor to a control electrode of the protection device for enabling the protection device to produce a low impedance in parallel with the plurality of charge-storage diodes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
151 words
A circuit comprising first and second circuit branches, the first branch including at least one diode and the second branch including at least one other diode, the first and second branches being connected in series-aiding circuit relationship for conducting minority-carrier discharge current in response to turnoff of forward conduction through the first and second branches, the first branch terminates minority-carrier discharge current before the second branch terminates minority-carrier discharge current, signal branch means connected in parallel with the first branch conducts minority-carrier discharge current of the second branch after termination of minority-carrier discharge current in the first branch, a protection device having a normally open circuit path connected between the opposite end terminals of the first and second branches, and means connecting the signal branch means to a control lead of the protection device for enabling a low-impedance path through the protection device in parallel with the first and second diodes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
151 words
A circuit comprising first and second circuit branches, the first branch including at least one diode and the second branch including at least one other diode, the first and second branches being connected in series-aiding circuit relationship for conducting minority-carrier discharge current in response to turnoff of forward conduction through the first and second branches, the first branch terminates minority-carrier discharge current before the second branch terminates minority-carrier discharge current, signal branch means connected in parallel with the first branch conducts minority-carrier discharge current of the second branch after termination of minority-carrier discharge current in the first branch, a protection device having a normally open circuit path connected between the opposite end terminals of the first and second branches, and means connecting the signal branch means to a control lead of the protection device for enabling a low-impedance path through the protection device in parallel with the first and second diodes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
148 words
A circuit comprising first and second circuit branches, the first branch including at least one diode and the second branch including at least one other diode, the first and second branches being connected in series aiding circuit relationship for conducting minority-carrier discharge current in response to turnoff of forward conduction through the first and second branches, the first branch terminates minority-carrier discharge current before the second branch terminates minority-carrier discharge current, signal branch means connected in parallel with the first branch conducts minority-carrier discharge current of the second branch after termination of minority-carrier discharge current in the first branch, an emitter-follower circuit having first and second output leads connected between opposite end terminals of the first and second diodes, and means connecting the signal branch means to a control lead of the emitter-follower for disabling the emitter-follower in response to termination of minority-carrier current in the first branch.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
148 words
A circuit comprising first and second circuit branches, the first branch including at least one diode and the second branch including at least one other diode, the first and second branches being connected in series aiding circuit relationship for conducting minority-carrier discharge current in response to turnoff of forward conduction through the first and second branches, the first branch terminates minority-carrier discharge current before the second branch terminates minority-carrier discharge current, signal branch means connected in parallel with the first branch conducts minority-carrier discharge current of the second branch after termination of minority-carrier discharge current in the first branch, an emitter-follower circuit having first and second output leads connected between opposite end terminals of the first and second diodes, and means connecting the signal branch means to a control lead of the emitter-follower for disabling the emitter-follower in response to termination of minority-carrier current in the first branch.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
128 words
A circuit comprising means for supplying power between a pair of terminals, a plurality of charge-storage diodes connected in a series-aiding circuit between the terminals, a first one of the charge-storage diodes having a shorter minority-carrier lifetime than all of the other charge-storage diodes, a load circuit having a normally conducting path connected in parallel with the plurality of charge-storage diodes, signal branch means connected in parallel with at least the first charge-storage diode, the signal branch means including a resistor and a metal-semiconductor diode in series circuit, the metal-semiconductor diode being poled for forward current conduction in the direction of reverse current conduction through the plurality of charge-storage diodes, and means responsive to forward current conduction in the signal branch for disabling conduction through the load circuit.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
128 words
A circuit comprising means for supplying power between a pair of terminals, a plurality of charge-storage diodes connected in a series-aiding circuit between the terminals, a first one of the charge-storage diodes having a shorter minority-carrier lifetime than all of the other charge-storage diodes, a load circuit having a normally conducting path connected in parallel with the plurality of charge-storage diodes, signal branch means connected in parallel with at least the first charge-storage diode, the signal branch means including a resistor and a metal-semiconductor diode in series circuit, the metal-semiconductor diode being poled for forward current conduction in the direction of reverse current conduction through the plurality of charge-storage diodes, and means responsive to forward current conduction in the signal branch for disabling conduction through the load circuit.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-10-04 | 1975-04-05 | 1975-10-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-10-04 | 1979-04-05 | 1979-10-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-10-04 | 1983-04-05 | 1983-10-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |