US4070589A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
High speed-high voltage switching with low power consumption
Assignee: Raytheon Co
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Filing: 1976-10-29
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Granted: 1978-01-24
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Expires: 1996-10-29
Abstract
Abstract A capacitive load is charged through a series transistor. Peak charge currents for the load are drawn from a capacitive source whose charge is constantly maintained. Rapid discharge of the capacitive load is through a semiconductor diode and a cascade of transistors which act as switching elements. Diodes across the base-emitter junction of these switching diodes provide protection against transient damage as well as reducing the time required to cut-off conduction of the transistors. A simple transistor TTL drive (+5v) operates the switch.
Inventors
- 👤 David John Martinkovic
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 09:51
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03K; H03K17/00; H03K17/10; H03K17/04; H03K17/041; H03K17/0412; H03K17/04126; H03K2217/00; H03K2217/0036
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
97 words
A high speed-high voltage switch which consumes little power when operative to charge and discharge a capacitive load comprising: a storage capacitor of several orders of magnitude greater capacity than the capacitive load; means to continually maintain a desired charge level on said storage capacitor; a conduction path of variable impedance connecting said storage capacitor and said capacitive load; a switched discharge path operative to discharge said capacitive load while simultaneously increasing the impedance of said variable impedance conduction path; and drive means to establish the operating state (charge or discharge) of said high speed-high voltage switch.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
97 words
A high speed-high voltage switch which consumes little power when operative to charge and discharge a capacitive load comprising: a storage capacitor of several orders of magnitude greater capacity than the capacitive load; means to continually maintain a desired charge level on said storage capacitor; a conduction path of variable impedance connecting said storage capacitor and said capacitive load; a switched discharge path operative to discharge said capacitive load while simultaneously increasing the impedance of said variable impedance conduction path; and drive means to establish the operating state (charge or discharge) of said high speed-high voltage switch.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The high speed-high voltage switch of claim 1 in which the variable impedance conduction path comprises a transistor, said impedance being a function of the β of said transistor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
74 words
The high speed-high voltage switch of claim 1 in which said switched discharge path comprises: a series of transistors connected between said capacitive load and the discharge potential to which the load is to be drawn, the number of said transistors required being a function of the break-down voltage rating of each transistor and the voltage to be switched; and means to provide equal sharing among said transistors of said voltage to be switched.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The high speed-high voltage switch of claim 3 in which said switched discharge transistors further comprise means to protect said transistors from the adverse effect of reverse bias transients.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention of claim 4 in which said protective means comprise diodes used to clamp the reverse bias, base-emitter voltages to safe levels.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The high speed-high voltage switch of claim 5 further comprising means to protect said drive means from high voltages which may appear on said transistors.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The invention of claim 6 in which said protective means comprise diodes within the base circuit of said transistors to block high voltages which may appear on said transistor base.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
The high-speed, high voltage switch of claim 1 in which said drive means is a simple TTL drive comprising: a transistor having its collector connected to a low voltage source and to said switched discharge path, its emitter to ground, and its base to a drive signal source.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
108 words
A method for switching a capacitive load so as to charge and discharge it at high voltage levels and high speed while consuming minimal power comprising the steps of: storing high voltage energy within a capacitor relatively large with respect to the load; maintaining a continual charge on said capacitor; drawing charge from said capacitor to charge said load; drawing said charge through a variable impedance path; providing a switched discharge path to discharge said load while simultaneously increasing the impedance of said variable impedance charge path; and providing a drive signal to control the operating of said switched discharge path and of said variable impedance charge path.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
108 words
A method for switching a capacitive load so as to charge and discharge it at high voltage levels and high speed while consuming minimal power comprising the steps of: storing high voltage energy within a capacitor relatively large with respect to the load; maintaining a continual charge on said capacitor; drawing charge from said capacitor to charge said load; drawing said charge through a variable impedance path; providing a switched discharge path to discharge said load while simultaneously increasing the impedance of said variable impedance charge path; and providing a drive signal to control the operating of said switched discharge path and of said variable impedance charge path.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3555301A
Cited
US3968385A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-01-23 | 1981-07-25 | 1982-01-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-01-23 | 1985-07-25 | 1986-01-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-01-23 | 1989-07-25 | 1990-01-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |