US4010403A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Radiation protected solid state voltage regulating apparatus
Assignee: General Dynamics Government Systems Corp
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Filing: 1974-06-27
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Granted: 1977-03-01
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Expires: 1994-06-27
Abstract
Abstract Series voltage regulator including pass transistors connected between an input terminal and an output terminal. The voltage at the output terminal is stabilized by a feedback arrangement of a reference amplifier and coupling transistors connected between the output terminal and the bases of the pass transistors to control conduction through the pass transistors. A normally non-conducting protective transistor is connected between the bases of the pass transistors and ground. In the event the regulator is exposed to radiation, all the transistors become highly conductive. However, when the protective transistor becomes highly conductive, it biases the pass transistor to cutoff thus preventing the voltage at the output terminal from rising out of control.
Inventors
- 👤 Albert H. Ashley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 15:44
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02H; H02H5/00; H02H5/005; G; G05; G05F; G05F1/00; G05F1/10; G05F1/46; G05F1/56; G05F1/565; G05F1/569
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
265 words
Voltage regulating apparatus comprising an input terminal adapted to have a potential applied thereto; an output terminal; pass transistor means connected between the input terminal and the output terminal, current flow through the pass transistor means being controlled by a control signal applied thereto; voltage reference means coupled to the output terminal for producing a control signal related to the potential at the output terminal; coupling means for coupling the control signal from the voltage reference means to the pass transistor means; a change in the potential at the output terminal causing the voltage reference means to change the control signal so as to change the current flow through the pass transistor means to restore the potential at the output terminal to its original value whereby the potential at the output terminal is stabilized; and protective transistor means coupled to the pass transistor means, said protective transistor means being normally biased in a non-conducting condition and being operable in response to radiation causing the pass transistor means and the protective transistor means to become highly conductive to bias the pass transistor means to a non-conducting condition; wherein said pass transistor means includes a pass transistor having a control input electrode connected to the coupling means for receiving the control signal therefrom; and said protective transistor means includes a protective transistor connected in series between said control input electrode and a point of fixed potential, whereby when said protective transistor becomes highly conductive in response to radiation the potential at the control input electrode approaches the fixed potential biasing the pass transistor to a non-conducting condition.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
265 words
Voltage regulating apparatus comprising an input terminal adapted to have a potential applied thereto; an output terminal; pass transistor means connected between the input terminal and the output terminal, current flow through the pass transistor means being controlled by a control signal applied thereto; voltage reference means coupled to the output terminal for producing a control signal related to the potential at the output terminal; coupling means for coupling the control signal from the voltage reference means to the pass transistor means; a change in the potential at the output terminal causing the voltage reference means to change the control signal so as to change the current flow through the pass transistor means to restore the potential at the output terminal to its original value whereby the potential at the output terminal is stabilized; and protective transistor means coupled to the pass transistor means, said protective transistor means being normally biased in a non-conducting condition and being operable in response to radiation causing the pass transistor means and the protective transistor means to become highly conductive to bias the pass transistor means to a non-conducting condition; wherein said pass transistor means includes a pass transistor having a control input electrode connected to the coupling means for receiving the control signal therefrom; and said protective transistor means includes a protective transistor connected in series between said control input electrode and a point of fixed potential, whereby when said protective transistor becomes highly conductive in response to radiation the potential at the control input electrode approaches the fixed potential biasing the pass transistor to a non-conducting condition.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
Voltage regulating apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said pass transistor has its collector connected to the input and its emitter connected to the output terminal, its base being said control input electrode.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
Voltage regulating apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein said protective transistor has its collector connected to the base of said pass transistor and its emitter connected to the point of fixed potential.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
89 words
Voltage regulating apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein said coupling means includes first and second coupling transistors, said first coupling transistor having its base connected to the voltage reference means, said second coupling transistor having its base connected to the emitter of the first coupling transistor and to the collector of said protective transistor, and its emitter connected to the base of said pass transistor; and said protective transistor is operable when highly conductive in response to radiation to bias the second coupling transistor to a non-conducting condition.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
71 words
Voltage regulating apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein said voltage reference means includes two transistors in a differential amplifier arrangement; said output terminal being coupled to the base of a first of the two transistors; means for producing a fixed reference voltage at the base of the second of the two transistors; and the collector of one of the transistors being connected to the base of said first coupling transistor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
Voltage regulating apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein the junctions of said pass transistor and said protective transistor are of approximately equal size.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
83 words
Voltage regulating apparatus in accordance with claim 6 including a short-circuit protection transistor having its emitter connected to the output terminal, its base connected to the emitter of the pass transistor, and its collector connected to the base of the first coupling transistor; said short-circuit protection transistor being normally biased in a non-conducting condition and being biased to a high conducting condition in response to the output terminal being short-circuited thereby biasing the first coupling transistor and the pass transistor to non-conducting conditions.
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) | 1980-02-29 | 1980-08-30 | 1981-03-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-02-29 | 1984-08-30 | 1985-03-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-02-29 | 1988-08-30 | 1989-03-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |