US4193104A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Programmable overvoltage protector
Assignee: KEPCO Inc
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Filing: 1977-12-28
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Granted: 1980-03-11
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Expires: 1997-12-28
Abstract
Abstract Increased versatility in crowbar overvoltage protection for regulated power supplies is provided by a tracking circuit which allows setting the overvoltage limit at a predetermined increment above a programmable output voltage. In addition provision is made for programming up the crowbar protection circuit rapidly to anticipate the rise of voltage in the main power supply and for delaying the programming down of the protection circuit to allow the main power supply voltage to decay without triggering the protection circuit.
Inventors
- 👤 Sarkis Nercessian
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 11:02
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02H; H02H3/00; H02H3/02; H02H3/021; H02H3/023; H02H3/20; H02H3/202
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
113 words
In a circuit adapted to crow-bar a power supply, the combination of; a silicon controlled rectifier for crow-barring a power supply; means for comparing the output voltage of the power supply to be crow-barred with a reference voltage and providing a crow-bar signal (in the presence of) responsive to an output voltage greater than said reference voltage by more than a predetermined (amount) voltage; means for automatically tracking said reference voltage to maintain said predetermined voltage substantially constant in the presence of programmed changes in said output voltage; and an opto-coupler responsive to said signal coupled to said silicon controlled rectifier for firing said silicon controlled rectifier and thereby crow-barring the power supply.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
113 words
In a circuit adapted to crow-bar a power supply, the combination of; a silicon controlled rectifier for crow-barring a power supply; means for comparing the output voltage of the power supply to be crow-barred with a reference voltage and providing a crow-bar signal (in the presence of) responsive to an output voltage greater than said reference voltage by more than a predetermined (amount) voltage; means for automatically tracking said reference voltage to maintain said predetermined voltage substantially constant in the presence of programmed changes in said output voltage; and an opto-coupler responsive to said signal coupled to said silicon controlled rectifier for firing said silicon controlled rectifier and thereby crow-barring the power supply.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
A crow-bar circuit as set forth in claim 1 and including; a second silicon controlled rectifier connected between said signal providing means and said opto-coupler for energizing said coupler in response to said signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
A crow-bar circuit as set forth in claim 2, and including; a second opto-coupler in series with said second silicon controlled rectifier and the first said opto-coupler for providing an isolated crow-bar output signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
A crow-bar circuit as set forth in claim 2, and including; means for manually disabling said second silicon controlled rectifier for permitting normal operation for adjusting and testing of the circuits preceeding said second silicon controlled rectifier without firing said crow-bar.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A crow-bar circuit as set forth in claim 1, and including; means for receiving an over-riding crow-bar signal from a remote source.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
A crow-bar circuit as set forth in claim 1, and wherein said means for providing a crow-bar signal includes means for incrementing said reference voltage by a predetermined amount.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A crow-bar circuit as set forth in claim 1, and including; means for crow-barring said power supply in response to a signal from another power supply crow-bar actuation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
A crow-bar circuit as set forth in claim 1, and including; means for outputting a signal in response to the crow-barring of the power supply.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
A crow-bar circuit as set forth in claim 1, and including; isolated and non-isolated crow-bar signal input and output means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
A crow-bar circuit as set forth in claim 1, and including; opto-coupler crow-bar signal input and output coupling means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
A crow-bar circuit as set forth in claim 1, and including; means for delaying said crow-bar signal.
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) | 1983-03-11 | 1983-09-10 | 1984-03-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-03-11 | 1987-09-10 | 1988-03-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-03-11 | 1991-09-10 | 1992-03-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |