Electric power source

Claim 2

An electric system that comprises a plurality of stages connected in cascade, each stage including, in combination, supply voltage means connected along two alternate paths to an electric terminal of the stage, semiconductor switch means connected between the supply voltage means and the terminal and operable to determine which of the two paths is conductive thereby to determine which side of the supply voltage means is connected to the terminal, a light-actuated bistable memory and control circuit connected to control the switch means, said bistable memory and control circuit having a bistable portion, one state of the bistable portion of the circuit acting to render conductive one of said paths and the other state of the bistable portion of the circuit acting to render conductive the other of said paths as alternate conditions of system operation, a voltage control section that includes a plurality of field effect transistors and a voltage coupler connected between the bistable memory and control circuit and the voltage control section.

Claim 3

An electric system as claimed in claim 1 in which the field effect transistors are mosfet transistors.

Claim 4

An electric system as claimed in claim 1 that has a feedback network connected between said terminal and the bistable memory and control circuit to change the state of the bistable memory and control circuit under conditions of overload at said terminal.

Claim 5

An electric system as claimed in claim 3 in which the feedback network is an optically coupled path from a light-emitting diode in series with the terminal.

Claim 6

An electric system as claimed in claim 1 that further includes a power-on network connected to the bistable memory and control circuit of each stage and operable to place the system in the desired initial state.

Claim 7

An electric system as claimed in claim 1 in which the semiconductor switch means comprises two semiconductor switching circuits, one in each of said paths.

Claim 8

An electric system as claimed in claim 6 in which one of said semiconductor switching circuits is bilateral and the other of said semiconductor switching circuits is unilateral.

Claim 9

An electric system as claimed in claim 1 having three floating reference voltage means which derive reference voltages from said supply voltage means, the first of the floating reference voltage meanS being connected to energize the bistable memory and control circuit, the second of the floating reference voltage means being connected to energize the voltage coupler, and the third of the floating reference voltage means being connected to energize the voltage control section.

Claim 10

An electric system as claimed in claim 8 in which the first floating reference voltage means comprises a first zener diode, the second floating reference voltage means comprises a second zener diode and resistor, in series, and the third floating reference voltage means comprises a third zener diode, the three zener diodes and the resistor being serially connected as a series string across the supply voltage means.

Claim 11

An electric system as claimed in claim 1 in which the bistable memory and control circuit comprises six mosfet transistors, four of which make up said bistable portion and the remaining two of which make up a control portion, the latter being driven by a signal from the bistable portion thereof.

Claim 12

An electric system as claimed in claim 1 in which the voltage control section comprises a pair of mosfet transistors.

Claim 13

An electric system as claimed in claim 1 in which the voltage coupler comprises a p-n-p transistor and an n-p-n transistor connected to couple the voltage control section and the memory and control circuit, and a trigger capacitor connected from said bistable portion to trigger said voltage control section, the p-n-p transistor and n-p-n transistor performing d-c coupling and the trigger capacitor performing a-c coupling.

Claim 14

A system as claimed in claim 1 in which the semiconductor switch means comprises two switching circuits, each of which includes a plurality of transistors, diodes and resistances in combination.

Claim 15

A system as claimed in claim 1 in which the switch means comprises a switching circuit in each path, one of the switching circuits comprising a pair of high-voltage, high-current p-n-p transistors in a Darlington-pair connection and additional components arranged to keep the Darlington pair out of saturation and the other of the switching circuits comprising a pair of high-voltage, high-current n-p-n transistors in a further Darlington-pair connection and additional components to keep the further Darlington pair out of saturation.

Claim 16

A system as claimed in claim 14 that includes a low-voltage silicon diode connected in series with the input to the first-named Darlington-pair and a high-voltage silicon diode connected from the collector of the first-named Darlington-pair to the input thereof and that further includes a low-voltage silicon diode connected in series with the second-named Darlington pair and a high-voltage silicon diode connected from the collector of the second-named Darlington-pair ot the input thereof.

Claim 17

A system as claimed in claim 15 that includes a pre-amplifier connected as input to each set of the switching circuits.

Claim 18

A system as claimed in claim 17 in which each pre-amplifier comprises a Darlington-pair.

Claim 19

A system as claimed in claim 1 in which the semiconductor switch means comprises two semiconductor switches, one in each of said paths, and in which each of the semiconductor switches comprises a plurality of transistors in a series mode arrangement for high-voltage.

Claim 20

A system as claimed in claim 18 having three floating reference voltage means which derive reference voltages from said supply voltage means, the first of the reference voltage means being connected to energize the bistable memory and control circuit, the second of the floating reference voltage means being connected to energize the voltage coupler, and the third of the floating reference voltage means being connected to energize the voltage control section.

Claim 21

A system as claimed in claim 19 in which the voltage coupler comprises a plurality of series mode n-p-n transistors and a p-n-p transistor connected to couple the voltage control section and the bistable memory and control circuit and a triGger capacitor connected from said bistable portion to trigger said voltage control section, the n-p-n transistors and the p-n-p transistor, in combination, performing d-c coupling and the trigger capacitor performing a-c coupling.

Claim 22

An electric system as claimed in claim 18 in which some of the transistors in each of the semiconductor switches are in a series-mode stack to provide high-voltage and which includes a plurality of stacks connected in shunt mode to provide high electric current as well.

Claim 23

An electric system as claimed in claim 1 in which the semiconductor switch means comprises two semiconductor switches, one in each of said paths, and in which each of the semiconductor switches comprises a plurality of transistors in shunt-mode for high current.

Claim 24

An electric system as claimed in claim 22 having three floating reference voltage means which derive reference voltages from said supply voltage means, the first of the floating reference voltage means being connected to energize the bistable memory and control circuit, the second of the floating reference voltage means being connected to energize the voltage coupler, and the third of the floating reference voltage means being connected to energize the voltage control section.

Claim 25

An electric system as claimed in claim 23 in which a pre-amplifier is connected between the bistable memory and control circuit and one of the semiconductor switches and in which a complementary pre-amplifier is connected between the voltage control section and the other of the semiconductor switches.

Claim 26

An electric system as claimed in claim 1 in which the semiconductor switch means comprises a semiconductor controlled rectifier device connected in each of said paths.

Claim 27

An electric system as claimed in claim 25 which further includes a bipolar transistor shunting each said semiconductor controlled rectifier device.

Claim 28

An electric system as claimed in claim 26 that includes additional means to protect the system from overload conditions.

Claim 29

An electric system as claimed in claim 25 that further includes bipolar transistors connected to control each said semiconductor controlled rectifier device.

Claim 30

An electric system that comprises a plurality of stages connected in cascade, each stage including, in combination, supply voltage means connected along two alternate conductive paths to an electric terminal of the stage, switch means connected between the supply voltage means and the terminal and operable to determine which of the two paths is conductive thereby to determine which side of the supply voltage means is connected to the terminal, a light-actuated bistable memory and control circuit connected to control the switch means, said light-actuated bistable memory and control circuit including a bistable portion, one state of the bistable portion of the circuit acting to render conductive one of said paths and the other state of the bistable portion of the circuit acting to render conductive the other of said paths as alternate conditions of system operation, a voltage control section, a voltage coupler connected between the bistable memory and control circuit and the voltage control section, and three floating reference voltage means which derive reference voltages from said supply voltage means, the first of the floating reference voltage means being connected to energize the bistable memory and control circuit, the second of the floating reference voltage means being connected to energize the voltage coupler, and the third of the floating reference voltage means being connected to energize the voltage control section.

Claim 31

An electric system that comprises a plurality of stages connected in cascade, each stage including, in combination, supply voltage means connected along two alternate conductive paths to an electric terminal of the stage, switch means connected between the supply voltage means and the terminal and operable to determine which of the two paths is conductive thereby to determine which side of the supply voltage means is connected to the terminal, a light-actuated bistable memory and control circuit connected to control the switch means, said light-actuated bistable memory and control circuit including a bistable portion, one state of the bistable portion of the circuit acting to render conductive one of said paths and the other state of the bistable portion of the circuit acting to render conductive the other of said paths as alternate conditions of system operation, a voltage control section, a voltage coupler connected between the bistable memory and control circuit and the voltage control section, and three floating reference voltage means which derive reference voltages from said supply voltage means, the first of the floating reference voltage means being connected to energize the bistable memory and control circuit, the second of the floating reference voltage means being connected to energize the voltage coupler, and the third of the floating reference voltage means being connected to energize the voltage control section.

Claim 32

An electric system that comprises a plurality of stages connected in cascade, each stage including, in combination, supply voltage means connected along two alternate paths to an electric terminal of the stage, semiconductor switch means connected between the supply voltage means and the terminal and operable to determine which of the two paths is conductive thereby to determine wHich side of the supply voltage means is connected to the terminal, a bistable memory and control circuit connected to control the switch means, said bistable memory and control circuit including a bistable portion and a control portion, one state of the bistable portion of the circuit acting to render conductive one of said paths and the other state of the bistable portion acting to render conductive the other of said paths as alternate conditions of system operation, a voltage control section that includes a plurality of field effect transistors and a voltage coupler connected between the bistable memory and control circuit and the voltage control section.

Claim 33

An electric system that comprises a plurality of stages connected in cascade, each stage including, in combination, supply voltage means connected along two alternate paths to an electric terminal of the stage, semiconductor switch means connected between the supply voltage means and the terminal and operable to determine which of the two paths is conductive thereby to determine wHich side of the supply voltage means is connected to the terminal, a bistable memory and control circuit connected to control the switch means, said bistable memory and control circuit including a bistable portion and a control portion, one state of the bistable portion of the circuit acting to render conductive one of said paths and the other state of the bistable portion acting to render conductive the other of said paths as alternate conditions of system operation, a voltage control section that includes a plurality of field effect transistors and a voltage coupler connected between the bistable memory and control circuit and the voltage control section.

Claim 34

An electric system as claimed in claim 30 in which only one stage of the plurality of stages includes means operable to change the bistable memory and control circuit of said one stage from said one state to said other state and vice versa and in which the remaining stages of the plurality of stages change stage in an avalanche mode to the state assumed by said one stage.

Claim 35

An electric system as claimed in claim 31 in which the means operable to change the bistable memory and control circuit of said one stage from said one state to said other state and vice versa, is light actuated.

Claim 36

An electric system as claimed in claim 30 in which the semiconductor switch means comprises two semiconductor switching circuits, one in each of said paths.

Claim 37

An electric system as claimed in claim 33 in which each semiconductor switching circuit comprises bipolar transistors connected in an SCR-mode and adapted to get saturated in the active state.

Claim 38

An electric system as claimed in claim 34 having a plurality of said SCR-mode connected transistors connected in series in each semiconductor switching circuit for high voltage.

Claim 39

An electric system as claimed in claim 33 in which each semiconductor switching circuit comprises bipolar transistors connected in an SCR-mode and containing a clamping arrangement to avoid saturation.

Claim 40

An electric system as claimed in claim 36 in which each semiconductor switching circuit comprises a plurality of said SCR-mode connected transistors connected in series for high voltage capability.

Claim 41

An electric system as claimed in claim 33 in which each of the semiconductor switching circuits comprises a semiconductor controlled rectifier.

Claim 42

An electric system as claimed in claim 38 in which one of the semiconductor switching circuits includes a bipolar transistor to provide control for the semiconductor controlled rectifier in that circuit and in which the control for the semiconductor controlled rectifier in the other semiconductor switching circuit is effected directly from the control portion of the bistable memory and control circuit.

Claim 43

An electric system as claimed in claim 38 in which each of the semiconductor switching circuits further includes bipolar transistors to control the semiconductor controlled rectifier in the associated switching circuit.

Claim 44

A system as claimed in claim 33 in which one of the switching circuits comprises a pair of high-voltage, high-current p-n-p transistors in a Darlington-pair connection and additional components connected to keep the Darlington-pair out of saturation and the other of the switching circuits comprises a pair of high-voltage, high-current n-p-n transistors in a further Darlington-pair connection and additional components to keep the further Darlington pair out of saturation.

Claim 45

A system as claimed in claim 33 in which each of the semiconductor switching circuits comprises a plurality of transistors connected in a series mode arrangement for high voltage.

Claim 46

A system as claimed in claim 43 in which the voltage coupler comprises a plurality of transistors at least some of which are connected in a series mode.

Claim 47

A system as claimed in claim 43 which includes a zener diode and series resistor connected as a floating reference voltage for the voltage coupler, the zener diode beIng matched in voltage to the series-mode transistors in the voltage coupler.

Claim 48

A system as claimed in claim 42 in which each of the semiconductor switching circuits is bilateral, a plurality of diodes being serially connected across the plurality of serially connected transistors in each switching circuit to allow electric current to flow bilaterally therein.

Claim 49

A system as claimed in claim 33 in which each of the semiconductor switching circuits comprises a plurality of transistors connected in a shunt-mode for high current.

Claim 50

A system as claimed in claim 46 in which each of the semiconductor switching circuits is bilateral, a plurality parallel-connected diodes being connected across the shunt-mode transistors in each switching circuit to allow electric current to flow bilaterally therein.

Claim 51

A system as claimed in claim 47 in which a first pre-amplifier is connected between the bistable memory and control circuit and one of the semiconductor switching circuits and in which a second pre-amplifier is connected between the voltage control section and the other of the semiconductor switching circuits.

Claim 52

An electric system than comprises a plurality of stages connected in cascade, each stage including, in combination, supply voltage means connected along two alternate paths to an electric terminal of the stage, switch means connected between the supply voltage means and the terminal and operable to determine which of the two paths is conductive thereby to determine which side of the supply voltage means is connected to the terminal, a bistable memory and control circuit connected to control the switch means, said bistable memory and control circuit including a bistable portion, one state of the bistable portion of the circuit acting to render conductive one of said paths and the other state of the bistable portion of the circuit acting to render conductive the other of said paths as alternate conditions of system operation, a voltage control section that includes a plurality of field effect transistors and a voltage coupler connected between the bistable memory and control circuit and the voltage control section.

Claim 53

An electric system than comprises a plurality of stages connected in cascade, each stage including, in combination, supply voltage means connected along two alternate paths to an electric terminal of the stage, switch means connected between the supply voltage means and the terminal and operable to determine which of the two paths is conductive thereby to determine which side of the supply voltage means is connected to the terminal, a bistable memory and control circuit connected to control the switch means, said bistable memory and control circuit including a bistable portion, one state of the bistable portion of the circuit acting to render conductive one of said paths and the other state of the bistable portion of the circuit acting to render conductive the other of said paths as alternate conditions of system operation, a voltage control section that includes a plurality of field effect transistors and a voltage coupler connected between the bistable memory and control circuit and the voltage control section.

Claim 54

An electric system that comprises a plurality of stages connected in cascade, each stage including, in combination, supply voltage means connected along two alternate paths to an electric terminal of the stage, switch means connected between the supply voltage means and the terminal and operable to determine which of the two paths is conductive thereby to determine which side of the supply voltage means is connected to the terminal, a bistable memory and control circuit connected to control the switch means, said bistable memory and control circuit including a bistable portion, one state of the bistable portion of the circuit acting to render conductive one of said paths and the other state of the bistable portion of the circuit acting to render conductive the other of said paths as alternate conditions of system operation, and a voltage control section that includes a plurality of field effect transistors, said system having a plurality of floating reference voltage means which derive reference voltages from said supply voltage means, one of the floating reference voltage means being connected to energize the bistable memory and control circuit and another of the floating reference voltage means being connected to energize the voltage control section.

Claim 55

An electric system that comprises a plurality of stages connected in cascade, each stage including, in combination, supply voltage means connected along two alternate paths to an electric terminal of the stage, switch means connected between the supply voltage means and the terminal and operable to determine which of the two paths is conductive thereby to determine which side of the supply voltage means is connected to the terminal, a bistable memory and control circuit connected to control the switch means, said bistable memory and control circuit including a bistable portion, one state of the bistable portion of the circuit acting to render conductive one of said paths and the other state of the bistable portion of the circuit acting to render conductive the other of said paths as alternate conditions of system operation, and a voltage control section that includes a plurality of field effect transistors, said system having a plurality of floating reference voltage means which derive reference voltages from said supply voltage means, one of the floating reference voltage means being connected to energize the bistable memory and control circuit and another of the floating reference voltage means being connected to energize the voltage control section.

Claim 56

An electric system that comprises a plurality of stages connected in cascade, each stage including, in combination, supply voltage means connected along two alternate paths to an electric terminal of the stage, switch means connected between the supply voltage means and the terminal and adapted to determine which side of the supply voltage means is connected to the terminal, control means connected to control said switch means, said switch means comprising a bilateral semiconductor switching circuit in one of said paths and a unilateral semiconducting switching circuit in the other Of said paths, the switch means being operable to connect the supply voltage means of the plurality of stages in series and to bypass the supply voltage means of any stage of the plurality of stages.

Claim 57

An electric system that comprises a plurality of stages connected in cascade, each stage including, in combination, supply voltage means connected along two alternate paths to an electric terminal of the stage, switch means connected between the supply voltage means and the terminal and adapted to determine which side of the supply voltage means is connected to the terminal, control means connected to control said switch means, said switch means comprising a bilateral semiconductor switching circuit in one of said paths and a unilateral semiconducting switching circuit in the other Of said paths, the switch means being operable to connect the supply voltage means of the plurality of stages in series and to bypass the supply voltage means of any stage of the plurality of stages.

Claim 58

An electric system as claimed in claim 51 in which the unilateral semiconducting switching circuit is a diode.

Claim 59

An electric system as claimed in claim 51 in which the bilateral switching circuit is a transistor and a diode, in combination.

Claim 60

An electric system that comprises a plurality of stages connected in cascade, each stage including, in combination, supply voltage means connected along two alternate paths to an electric terminal of the stage, switch means connected between the supply voltage means and the terminal and adapted to determine which side of the supply voltage means is connected to the terminal, control means connected to control said switch means, and floating reference voltage means which derives a reference voltage from the supply voltage means connected to energize the control means, said switch means comprising a transistor semiconductor switching circuit in one of said paths and a diode semiconducting switching circuit in the other of said paths.

Claim 61

An electric system that comprises a plurality of stages connected in cascade, each stage including, in combination, supply voltage means connected along two alternate paths to an electric terminal of the stage, switch means connected between the supply voltage means and the terminal and adapted to determine which side of the supply voltage means is connected to the terminal, control means connected to control said switch means, and floating reference voltage means which derives a reference voltage from the supply voltage means connected to energize the control means, said switch means comprising a transistor semiconductor switching circuit in one of said paths and a diode semiconducting switching circuit in the other of said paths.

Claim 62

A system as claimed in claim 54 in which the control means is a bistable memory and control circuit.

Claim 63

A system as claimed in claim 55 in which the bistable memory and control circuit is light triggered.

Claim 64

A system as claimed in claim 56 in which the floating reference voltage means is part of the bistable memory and control circuit.

Claim 65

A system as claimed in claim 54 having means in one stage of the plurality of stages to activate the control means to effect switching of the switch means of said one stage, the remaining stages of the plurality of stages being triggered in an avalanche mode.

Claim 66

An N-stage electric system that comprises a plurality of stages connected in cascade, each stage comprising a first electrical terminal, a second electrical terminal and a third electrical terminal, supply voltage means connected between the first electrical terminal and the second electrical terminal, first bilateral semiconductor switch means connected in a first electrical path between the second electrical terminal and the third electrical terminal, second bilateral semiconductor switch means connected in a second electrical path between the first electrical terminal and the third electrical terminal, and means to control the conductive state of the first bilateral semiconductor switch means and the second bilateral semiconductor switch means to render conductive the first electrical path and the second electrical path in a determined pattern to connect either one side or the other side of the supply voltage means to the third electrical terminal as alternate conditions of stage operation.

Claim 67

An N-stage electric system that comprises a plurality of stages connected in cascade, each stage comprising a first electrical terminal, a second electrical terminal and a third electrical terminal, supply voltage means connected between the first electrical terminal and the second electrical terminal, first bilateral semiconductor switch means connected in a first electrical path between the second electrical terminal and the third electrical terminal, second bilateral semiconductor switch means connected in a second electrical path between the first electrical terminal and the third electrical terminal, and means to control the conductive state of the first bilateral semiconductor switch means and the second bilateral semiconductor switch means to render conductive the first electrical path and the second electrical path in a determined pattern to connect either one side or the other side of the supply voltage means to the third electrical terminal as alternate conditions of stage operation.

Claim 68

An electric system as claimed in claim 59 in which the supply voltage means in each stage is a battery.

Claim 69

An electric system as claimed in claim 59 in which the supply voltage means in each stage comprise solar cells.

Claim 70

An electric system as claimed in claim 59 in which the supply voltage means in each stage, except the first stage, is a capacitor, the first stage being connected to a primary source of electrical energy to supply power to the system.

Claim 71

An electric system as claimed in claim 62 in which the third electrical terminal of the first stage is connected to the first electrical terminal of the second stage, in which the third electrical terminal of the second stage is connected to the first electrical terminal of the third stage, and so forth to the N-th stage.

Claim 72

An electric system as claimed in claim 63 that includes a diode between each stage and the next succeeding stage, the diodes being directly connected between the second terminal of one stage and the second terminal of the next succeeding stage and being connected to carry electric current from said one stage to said next succeeding stage.

Claim 73

An electric system as claimed in claim 64 That includes means to trigger the stages in an avalanche mode.

Claim 74

An electric system as claimed in claim 64 in which said means to control in each stage is a light actuated memory connected to determine the state of conduction of the first semiconductor switch means and the second semiconductor switch means.

Claim 75

An electric system that comprises a plurality of stages connected in cascade, each stage comprising: an electrical power port, supply voltage means, first bilateral switch means connected in a first electrical path between one side of the supply voltage means and the electrical power port, second bilateral switch means connected in a second electrical path between the other side of the supply voltage means and the electrical power port; and means to control the conductive state of the first bilateral switch means and the second bilateral switch means to render conductive the first electrical path and the second electrical path in a determined pattern to establish the electrical power port at one polarity and to reverse the polarity depending upon which electrical path is conductive.

Claim 76

An electric system that comprises a plurality of stages connected in cascade, each stage comprising: an electrical power port, supply voltage means, first bilateral switch means connected in a first electrical path between one side of the supply voltage means and the electrical power port, second bilateral switch means connected in a second electrical path between the other side of the supply voltage means and the electrical power port; and means to control the conductive state of the first bilateral switch means and the second bilateral switch means to render conductive the first electrical path and the second electrical path in a determined pattern to establish the electrical power port at one polarity and to reverse the polarity depending upon which electrical path is conductive.

Claim 77

The system as claimed in claim 67, further comprising a primary source of electric energy connected to supply power to the system, said means to control acting to switch the first bilateral switch means and the second bilateral switch means to permit as conditions of system operation the transfer of electric energy from the primary source of electric energy to the supply voltage means and the transfer of electric energy from the supply voltage means to a load.