Alternating polarity power supply control apparatus

Claim 1

An electronic switching circuit for controlling transfer of electrical power from an alternating polarity electrical power supply means to a load means, said switching circuit comprising: a first transfer control field-effect device provided in and on a substrate, said first transfer control field-effect device comprising: a first channel region located at least in part in a first selected region of said substrate; first and second terminating regions, separated by said first channel region, into which and out of which primary currents through said first field-effect device can, at least in part, pass upon electrical energization of said first and second terminating regions, said first terminating region being electrically connected to a first terminal means adapted for electrical connection to a first circuit portion arrangement which includes both said alternating polarity electrical power supply means and said load means, and said second terminating region being electrically connected to a second terminal means adapted for electrical connection to said first circuit portion arrangement; and a gate region capable of affecting, upon electrical energization thereof, any current flow occurring through said first channel region as a result of electrical energization of said first and second terminating regions; a bias control means having an electrical connection between a first location therein and a second location therein, and further, said bias control means being capable of selectively providing a bias voltage between said first and second locations therein upon electrical energization of said bias control means, said bias control means first location being electrically connected to said gate region; a first unidirectional current conducting means having first and second terminating regions between which an asymmetrical current conducting capability is exhibited, said first unidirectional current conducting means first terminating region being electrically connected to one of said first and second terminal means, and said first unidirectional current conducting means second terminating region being electrically connected to said bias control means second location; and a second unidirectional current conducting means having first and second terminating regions between which an asymmetrical current conducting capability is exhibited, said second unidirectional current conducting means first terminating region being electrically connected to that one of said first and second terminal means opposite that to which said first unidirectional current conducting means first terminating region is connected as aforesaid, and said second unidirectional current conducting means second terminating region being electrically connected to said bias control means second location, whereby electrical power can be selectively transferred from said alternating polarity electrical power supply means to said load means in correspondence with said selective providing of said bias voltage between said bias control means first and second locations.