US4365167A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Switchover system for binary load control
Assignee: Centra Burkle GmbH and Co
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Filing: 1981-06-23
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Granted: 1982-12-21
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Expires: 2001-06-23
Abstract
Abstract A system for alternately activating and deactivating a load comprises a high-resistance d-c circuit branch connected across a power supply downstream of a load-operating impedance, this branch including a voltage limiter and a voltage multiplier in series with each other and with a switching stage responsive to commands from a timer and/or a parameter sensor such as a thermostat. The junction of the voltage limiter and the voltage multiplier is connected to one input of a differential amplifier whose other input is energized with either of two potentials, respectively higher and lower than that of the junction, by the switching stage. The amplifier output controls a variable-resistance element, such as a transistor of the bipolar or the MOSFET type, connected across the high-resistance branch to form a current path in series with the load-operating impedance, the resistance of this path being variable between a high value minimizing the flow of load current and a low value sufficient to maintain the switching stage operational. A standby source may be provided for keeping the switching stage or at least an electric timer thereof energized during interruptions of the main power supply.
Inventors
- 👤 Gunther Weimer
- 👤 Henning Becker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 02:12
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05D; G05D23/00; G05D23/19; G05D23/20; G05D23/1902; G05D23/1906; G05D23/1909
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
270 words
A system for controlling the energization of a load-operating impedance element connected across a power supply, comprising: a high-resistance d-c circuit branch in series with said impedance element, said branch including a voltage limiter, a voltage multiplier with an input energized by said voltage limiter and a switching stage energized by said voltage multiplier, said switching stage having an output carrying a potential whose absolute magnitude is higher than that of the maximum output voltage of said voltage limiter in a first operational state and is lower than that of said maximum output voltage in a second operational state thereof; a differential amplifier having a first input connected to said voltage limiter in parallel with the input of said voltage multiplier and having a second input connected to the output of said switching stage for emitting a binary switchover signal depending on the operational state of said switching stage; command means connected to said switching stage for altering the operational state thereof in response to a control variable; and variable-resistance means coupled to said differential amplifier and responsive to said switchover signal connected across said branch in series with said impedance element for providing a low-resistance current path in one operational state and a high-resistance current path in the other operational state of said switching stage, thereby causing said impedance element to be traversed by a relatively large load current in said one operational state and by a relatively small load current in said other operational state, the voltage drop across said low-resistance current path being sufficient to maintain the energization of said switching stage in said one operational state.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
270 words
A system for controlling the energization of a load-operating impedance element connected across a power supply, comprising: a high-resistance d-c circuit branch in series with said impedance element, said branch including a voltage limiter, a voltage multiplier with an input energized by said voltage limiter and a switching stage energized by said voltage multiplier, said switching stage having an output carrying a potential whose absolute magnitude is higher than that of the maximum output voltage of said voltage limiter in a first operational state and is lower than that of said maximum output voltage in a second operational state thereof; a differential amplifier having a first input connected to said voltage limiter in parallel with the input of said voltage multiplier and having a second input connected to the output of said switching stage for emitting a binary switchover signal depending on the operational state of said switching stage; command means connected to said switching stage for altering the operational state thereof in response to a control variable; and variable-resistance means coupled to said differential amplifier and responsive to said switchover signal connected across said branch in series with said impedance element for providing a low-resistance current path in one operational state and a high-resistance current path in the other operational state of said switching stage, thereby causing said impedance element to be traversed by a relatively large load current in said one operational state and by a relatively small load current in said other operational state, the voltage drop across said low-resistance current path being sufficient to maintain the energization of said switching stage in said one operational state.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said differential amplifier is a high-gain operational amplifier.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
A system as defined in claim 1 or 2 wherein said power supply is a generator of alternating current, further comprising a full-wave rectifier bridge inserted between said impedance element and said voltage limiter, said variable-resistance means being connected across an output diagonal of said rectifier bridge.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system as defined in claim 1 or 2 wherein said variable-resistance means comprises a field-effect transistor with a gate connected to the output of said differential amplifier.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
A system as defined in claim 4 wherein said field-effect transistor is an enhancement MOSFET.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system as defined in claim 4 wherein said variable-resistance means further comprises a bipolar transistor connected in parallel with and controlled by said field-effect transistor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system as defined in claim 1 or 2 wherein said variable-resistance means comprises a pair of bipolar transistors connected in a Darlington configuration.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system as defined in claim 1 or 2 wherein said voltage limiter comprises a resistor in series with a Zener diode.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
A system as defined in claim 1 or 2 wherein said voltage multiplier comprises a pair of shunt capacitors and a high-frequency polarity changer in series with a blocking capacitor between said shunt capacitors.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
48 words
A system as defined in claim 1 or 2 wherein said command means includes an electric timer driven by said voltage multiplier, further comprising a standby d-c source connected across the output of said voltage multiplier for maintaining said timer operated upon an interruption of said power supply.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3948441A
Cited
US4319711A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-12-20 | 1986-06-21 | 1986-12-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-12-20 | 1990-06-21 | 1990-12-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-12-20 | 1994-06-21 | 1994-12-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |