Programmable power supply controlled by changes in load current

Claim 1

A system for controlling the supply of current to a load which initially draws current which rises to a predetermined level, comprising: a programmable power supply adapted to be energized for supply current to said load; means for generating a feedback signal which varies in accordance with the current through said load; means for detecting the predetermined level of said feedback signal following energization of said power supply and providing a keying signal when said feedback signal is substantially at said predetermined level, this means comprising latching circuit means for causing said keying signal to be continuously provided upon the detection of said predetermined level; control means for controlling the voltage output of said programmable power supply, the control action of said control means being initiated in response to said keying signal, said control means receiving said feedback signal and generating a control signal for said programmable power supply as a function of said feedback signal thereby to control the output voltage of said programmable power supply; integrator means for integrating the current supplied to said load as a function of time and for generating a control signal in accordance with a predetermined integration of the current supplied at said predetermined level to said load, the integration action of said integrator means being initiated by said keying signal; and switching circuit means responsive to said control signal from said integrator means for cutting off the output of said programmable power supply and thus the current to said load when said predetermined integration has occurred.

Claim 2

A system for controlling the supply of current to a load which initially draws current which rises to a predetermined level, comprising: a programmable power supply adapted to be energized for supply current to said load; means for generating a feedback signal which varies in accordance with the current through said load; means for detecting the predetermined level of said feedback signal following energization of said power supply and providing a keying signal when said feedback signal is substantially at said predetermined level, this means comprising latching circuit means for causing said keying signal to be continuously provided upon the detection of said predetermined level; control means for controlling the voltage output of said programmable power supply, the control action of said control means being initiated in response to said keying signal, said control means receiving said feedback signal and generating a control signal for said programmable power supply as a function of said feedback signal thereby to control the output voltage of said programmable power supply; integrator means for integrating the current supplied to said load as a function of time and for generating a control signal in accordance with a predetermined integration of the current supplied at said predetermined level to said load, the integration action of said integrator means being initiated by said keying signal; and switching circuit means responsive to said control signal from said integrator means for cutting off the output of said programmable power supply and thus the current to said load when said predetermined integration has occurred.

Claim 8

A system for controlling the supply of current to a load whiCh initially draws current which rises to a predetermined level, comprising: a programmable power supply adapted to be energized for supply current to said load; means for generating a feedback signal which varies in accordance with the current through said load; means for detecting the predetermined level of said feedback signal following energization of said power supply and providing a keying signal when said feedback signal is substantially at said predetermined level; control means for controlling the voltage output of said programmable power supply, the control action of said control means being initiated in response to said keying signal, said control means receiving said feedback signal and generating a control signal for said programmable power supply as a function of said feedback signal thereby to control the output voltage of said programmable power supply, this control means comprising a differential amplifier, a potentiometer for adjusting the operation point of said amplifier, said amplifier being adapted to be supplied with a voltage which is a function of the load current, and electronic valve means responsive to the output of said amplifier for providing a control signal to said programmable power supply which varies inversely with incipient changes of current to said load; integrator means for integrating the current supplied to said load as a function of time and for generating a control signal in accordance with a predetermined integration of the current supplied at said predetermined level to said load, the integration action of said integrator means being initiated by said keying signal; and switching circuit means responsive to said control signal from said integrator means for cutting off the output of said programmable power supply and thus the current to said load when said predetermined integration has occurred; said system further including electronic valve means connected between the input and output of said differential amplifier, said electronic valve means receiving said keying signal as a control signal therefor, said valve means being conductive to provide a bypass circuit across said differential amplifier when said keying signal is not present and being cut off in response to said keying signal.

Claim 9

A system for controlling the supply of current to a load whiCh initially draws current which rises to a predetermined level, comprising: a programmable power supply adapted to be energized for supply current to said load; means for generating a feedback signal which varies in accordance with the current through said load; means for detecting the predetermined level of said feedback signal following energization of said power supply and providing a keying signal when said feedback signal is substantially at said predetermined level; control means for controlling the voltage output of said programmable power supply, the control action of said control means being initiated in response to said keying signal, said control means receiving said feedback signal and generating a control signal for said programmable power supply as a function of said feedback signal thereby to control the output voltage of said programmable power supply, this control means comprising a differential amplifier, a potentiometer for adjusting the operation point of said amplifier, said amplifier being adapted to be supplied with a voltage which is a function of the load current, and electronic valve means responsive to the output of said amplifier for providing a control signal to said programmable power supply which varies inversely with incipient changes of current to said load; integrator means for integrating the current supplied to said load as a function of time and for generating a control signal in accordance with a predetermined integration of the current supplied at said predetermined level to said load, the integration action of said integrator means being initiated by said keying signal; and switching circuit means responsive to said control signal from said integrator means for cutting off the output of said programmable power supply and thus the current to said load when said predetermined integration has occurred; said system further including electronic valve means connected between the input and output of said differential amplifier, said electronic valve means receiving said keying signal as a control signal therefor, said valve means being conductive to provide a bypass circuit across said differential amplifier when said keying signal is not present and being cut off in response to said keying signal.