US3879648A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Capacitive based voltage reducer and regulator
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
•
Filing: 1973-12-17
•
Granted: 1975-04-22
•
Expires: 1993-12-17
Abstract
Abstract A combined voltage reducer and regulator is provided for delivering a relatively low voltage, derived from a higher voltage source, to a load so as to maintain a relatively constant voltage at the load. The voltage reducer comprises a plurality of capacitors, diodes and selectively operated switches which, dependent upon the order of application of timing signals, operates in either one of two different modes to achieve different degrees of voltage reduction. The inherent nature of the capacitors provide a limited degree of voltage regulation. Supplementing this, in each mode of operation, a voltage regulator or regulating circuit is provided to provide a fine degree of voltage regulation between limits. When one limit is reached, the mode of operation of the voltage reducer is switched to allow the fine degree of regulation to take place in the other mode, the switching between modes providing a coarser degree of voltage regulation.
Inventors
- 👤 Jr Harry S Hoffman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 23:21
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02M; H02M3/00; H02M3/02; H02M3/04; H02M3/06; H02M3/07
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
148 words
In an electrical circuit in which power from a voltage source at a relatively high voltage is supplied to a load at a reduced voltage, the combination comprising: voltage reducing means connected between said source and said load for supplying power from said source to said load, said voltage reducing means being operable in two modes each providing a different degree of voltage reduction, said voltage reducing means comprising a selectively controllable transistor providing a variable voltage drop; voltage regulating means responsive to the voltage drop across the load for controlling said transistor in accordance therewith to provide a dynamic proportional range of voltage regulation when said voltage reducing means is operating in each of said modes; and control means responsive to the voltage drop across said transistor for switching said voltage reducing means between said modes when predetermined limits of voltage drop across said transistor are reached.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
148 words
In an electrical circuit in which power from a voltage source at a relatively high voltage is supplied to a load at a reduced voltage, the combination comprising: voltage reducing means connected between said source and said load for supplying power from said source to said load, said voltage reducing means being operable in two modes each providing a different degree of voltage reduction, said voltage reducing means comprising a selectively controllable transistor providing a variable voltage drop; voltage regulating means responsive to the voltage drop across the load for controlling said transistor in accordance therewith to provide a dynamic proportional range of voltage regulation when said voltage reducing means is operating in each of said modes; and control means responsive to the voltage drop across said transistor for switching said voltage reducing means between said modes when predetermined limits of voltage drop across said transistor are reached.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
148 words
In an electrical circuit in which power from a voltage source at a relatively high voltage is supplied to a load at a reduced voltage, the combination comprising: voltage reducing means connected between said source and said load for supplying power from said source to said load, said voltage reducing means being operable in two modes each providing a different degree of voltage reduction, said voltage reducing means comprising a selectively controllable transistor providing a variable voltage drop; voltage regulating means responsive to the voltage drop across the load for controlling said transistor in accordance therewith to provide a dynamic proportional range of voltage regulation when said voltage reducing means is operating in each of said modes; and control means responsive to the voltage drop across said transistor for switching said voltage reducing means between said modes when predetermined limits of voltage drop across said transistor are reached.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
148 words
In an electrical circuit in which power from a voltage source at a relatively high voltage is supplied to a load at a reduced voltage, the combination comprising: voltage reducing means connected between said source and said load for supplying power from said source to said load, said voltage reducing means being operable in two modes each providing a different degree of voltage reduction, said voltage reducing means comprising a selectively controllable transistor providing a variable voltage drop; voltage regulating means responsive to the voltage drop across the load for controlling said transistor in accordance therewith to provide a dynamic proportional range of voltage regulation when said voltage reducing means is operating in each of said modes; and control means responsive to the voltage drop across said transistor for switching said voltage reducing means between said modes when predetermined limits of voltage drop across said transistor are reached.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein: said range is defined by the voltage drop across said transistor, one of said predetermined limits being a first voltage drop indicating said transistor is close to saturation, another of said limits being a second voltage drop indicating said transistor is close to overdissipation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
77 words
The combination of claim 2 wherein: said control means includes means sensing said first and second voltage drops, said control means being operative, when said voltage reducing means is operating in the one of said modes providing the greatest degree of voltage reduction, to switch to the other mode in response to sensing said first voltage drop and to thereafter switch from said other mode to said one mode in response to sensing said second voltage drop.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
66 words
In an electRical circuit for supplying power to a load at a relatively low and constant voltage, said power being obtained from a source supplying power at a relatively high voltage, the combination comprising: first and second semi-conductive switching devices connected in series with each other and with said load, each of said devices being selectively actuatable to an ''''on'''' state in response to pulsed signals;
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
66 words
In an electRical circuit for supplying power to a load at a relatively low and constant voltage, said power being obtained from a source supplying power at a relatively high voltage, the combination comprising: first and second semi-conductive switching devices connected in series with each other and with said load, each of said devices being selectively actuatable to an ''''on'''' state in response to pulsed signals;
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
47 words
The combination of claim 4 comprising: voltage regulating means responsive to the voltage drop across said load for controlling the degree of charging and discharging of said second capacitor so as to offset any changes in the voltage drop across said load and thereby regulate such voltage.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The combination of claim 4 comprising: control means operable to control said selectively controllable means for controlling switching between said modes of operation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
62 words
The combination of claim 6 comprising: one of said switching devices being a transistor rendered conductive by the applications thereto of said pulsed signals; and voltage detection means responsive to the voltage drop across said load for varying said pulsed signals to control the degree of conduction of said transistor so as to maintain a relatively constant voltage drop across said load.
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) | 1978-04-21 | 1978-10-21 | 1979-04-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-21 | 1982-10-21 | 1983-04-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-21 | 1986-10-21 | 1987-04-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |