US3721837A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tunnel diode supply voltage control
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1971-07-06
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Granted: 1973-03-20
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Expires: 1991-07-06
Abstract
Abstract Supply or biasing voltage is applied to tunnel diode through long-time-constant supply circuit from source voltage higher than turn-on value at which diode displays negative resistance. Output pulse which results when bias approaches turn-on voltage, at which diode shows negative resistance, triggers monostable circuit which loads supply circuit (e.g., by discharging capacitor of RC circuit) for predetermined period, reducing bias on diode by finite amount. Second monostable circuit, of longer output duration, temporarily reduces bias on diode below turn-off potential at which diode resumes positive resistance in order that diode may operate just below turn-on voltage, well above turn-off voltage.
Inventors
- 👤 R Trapani
- 👤 B Rolnick
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 22:42
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03F; H03F3/00; H03F3/04; H03F3/10; H03F3/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
362 words
Means for automatically adjusting the bias potential applied to a tunnel diode comprising: a. a tunnel diode (20); b. coupling means (26) for coupling an externally supplied triggering signal to the tunnel diode; c. a first monostable device (28) connected (30) to receive from the tunnel diode an output pulse produced by the turning on of the tunnel diode and responsively thereto to produce a first output signal of first duration; d. a second monostable device (32) connected to receive from the first monostable device the said first output and, responsively to the termination of the said first output, to produce a second output (36) of second duration greater than the first duration; and, at the termination of the second output, to produce a third output (34) enduring until it again is caused to produce a second output; e. gating means (38) connected to receive the first and second outputs and, responsively to the simultaneous reception of both said outputs, to produce as an output a drain control signal; f. a source of potential (45) higher than the turn-on potential of the diode connected to a first terminal of g. potential dropping means (44) connected to h. charge storage means (42), whose terminal potential is an increasing function of stored charge; i. drain means (40) connected to receive the said drain control signal and, responsively thereto to drain charge from the said charge storage means; j. potential follower means (46, 48) so connected to the charge storage means that, responsively to the terminal potential thereof, it applies to k. potential divider means (50, 52, 56, 58, 60) a potential proportional to the potential of the charge storage means, the said potential divider means being connected (22) to the tunnel diode to apply to the tunnel diode a potential which is a determinate fraction of the potential applied to the potential divider means; the said potential divider means comprising l. turn-off means (56, 58, 60) connected to the second monostable device to decrease the said determinate fraction during the existence of the said second output to a value such that the potential applied to the tunnel diode is reduced below its turn-off value.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
362 words
Means for automatically adjusting the bias potential applied to a tunnel diode comprising: a. a tunnel diode (20); b. coupling means (26) for coupling an externally supplied triggering signal to the tunnel diode; c. a first monostable device (28) connected (30) to receive from the tunnel diode an output pulse produced by the turning on of the tunnel diode and responsively thereto to produce a first output signal of first duration; d. a second monostable device (32) connected to receive from the first monostable device the said first output and, responsively to the termination of the said first output, to produce a second output (36) of second duration greater than the first duration; and, at the termination of the second output, to produce a third output (34) enduring until it again is caused to produce a second output; e. gating means (38) connected to receive the first and second outputs and, responsively to the simultaneous reception of both said outputs, to produce as an output a drain control signal; f. a source of potential (45) higher than the turn-on potential of the diode connected to a first terminal of g. potential dropping means (44) connected to h. charge storage means (42), whose terminal potential is an increasing function of stored charge; i. drain means (40) connected to receive the said drain control signal and, responsively thereto to drain charge from the said charge storage means; j. potential follower means (46, 48) so connected to the charge storage means that, responsively to the terminal potential thereof, it applies to k. potential divider means (50, 52, 56, 58, 60) a potential proportional to the potential of the charge storage means, the said potential divider means being connected (22) to the tunnel diode to apply to the tunnel diode a potential which is a determinate fraction of the potential applied to the potential divider means; the said potential divider means comprising l. turn-off means (56, 58, 60) connected to the second monostable device to decrease the said determinate fraction during the existence of the said second output to a value such that the potential applied to the tunnel diode is reduced below its turn-off value.
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) | 1976-03-19 | 1976-09-18 | 1977-03-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-03-19 | 1980-09-18 | 1981-03-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-03-19 | 1984-09-18 | 1985-03-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |