Alternating polarity power supply control apparatus

Claim 2

An electronic switching circuit for controlling transfer of electrical power from an electrical power supply means to a load means, said switching circuit comprising: a primary control means having first and second terminating regions and having a control region therein by which said primary control means is capable of being directed to effectively provide a conductive path of a selected conductivity between said primary control means first and second terminating regions, said primary control means 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 electrical power supply means and said load means, and said primary control means second terminating region being electrically connected to a second terminal means adapted for electrical connection to said first circuit portion arrangement; a rectifying means having first and second alternating polarity regions and having first and second constant polarity regions such that said rectifying means is capable of providing a constant polarity voltage between said first and second constant polarity regions if supplied with an alternating polarity voltage between said first and second alternating polarity regions, said first alternating polarity region being electrically connected to said first terminal means and said second alternating polarity region being electrically connected to said second terminal means; an energy storage means having first and second polarity regions between which said energy storage means is capable of providing electrical energy storage, said energy storage means first polarity region being electrically connected to said first rectifying means first constant polarity region and said energy storage means second polarity region being electrically connected to said rectifying means second constant polarity region; a primary control signal generating means having first and second energization regions and an output region, said primary control signal generating means being capable, upon electrical energization of said primary control signal generating means first and second energization regions, of providing a signal at said primary control signal generating means output region indicating occurrence of one or more selected conditions in said primary control signal generating means, there being one of said primary control signal generating means first and second energization regions electrically connected to one of said rectifying means first and second constant polarity regions; a control signal coupling means having at least a first input region and a first output region, and which permits, at least selectively, communication to said control signal coupling means first output region concerning signals occurring at said control signal coupling means first input region, said first control signal coupling means first input region being electrically connected to said primary control signal generating means output region and said control signal coupling means output region being electrically connected to said primary control means control region; a power conservation means having first and second terminating regions and having a control region therein by which said power conservation means is capable of being directed to effectively provide a conductive path of a selected conductivity between said power conservation means first and second terminating regions, said power conservation means first terminating region being electrically connected to that one of said primary control signal generating means first and second energization regions opposite that one connected to one of said rectifying means first and second constant polarity regions as aforesaid, said power conservation means second terminating region being electrically connected to that one of said rectifying means first and second constant polarity regions opposite that one connected to one of said primary control signal generating means first and second energization regions as aforesaid, and said power conservation means control region being electrically connected to said control signal coupling means in such a manner that no substantially conductive path will occur between said power conservation means first and second terminating regions whenever a signal appears at said control signal coupling means output region capable of permitting said primary control means to provide a relatively low conductivity path between said primary control means first and second terminating regions; and a secondary control signal generating means having first and second energization regions and having an output region, said secondary control signal generating means being capable, upon electrical energization of said secondary control signal generating means first and second energization regions, of providing a signal at said secondary control signal generating means output region indicating occurrence of one or more selected condition in said secondary control signal generating means, said secondary control signal generating means first energization region being electrically connected to said rectifying means first constant polarity region and said secondary control signal generating means second energization region being electrically connected to said rectifying means second constant polarity region, said secondary control signal generating means output region being electrically connected to said signal coupling means in such a manner that the occurrence of a substantially conductive path between said primary control means first and second terminating regions can be ended by said one or more conditions occurring in said secondary control signal generating means.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said secondary control signal generating means contains a voltage detector circuit capable of both (i) of being operated by, and (ii) of detecting voltages occurring across said secondary control signal generating means first and second energization terminals and being electrically connected to be capable of providing an output signal at said secondary control signal generating means output region indicating when a voltage applied between said secondary control signal generating means first and second energization regions has taken a value less than a selected value.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said secondary control signal generating means contains an oscillator capable of providing a periodic signal at said secondary control signal generating means output region.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said control signal coupling means contains a logic gate means, having an output region and at least two input regions including said control signal coupling means first input region and a control signal coupling means second input region, and capable of providing an output region signal response when similar signal values are applied to said input regions, said secondary control signal generating means output region being electrically connected to said control signal coupling means second input region.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said logic gate means output region is electrically connected to said power conservation means control region.

Claim 7

The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said secondary control signal generating means contains a voltage detector circuit capable of both (i) of being operated by, and (ii) of detecting voltages occurring across said secondary control signal generating means first and second energization terminals and being electrically connected to be capable of providing an output signal at said secondary control signal generating means output region indicating when a voltage applied between said secondary control signal generating means first and second energization regions has taken a value less than a selected value.

Claim 8

The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said secondary control signal generating means contains an oscillator capable of providing a periodic signal at said secondary control signal generating means output region.

Claim 9

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said primary control means is a first transfer control field-effect device provided in and on a first substrate, said first transfer control field-effect device comprising: a first transfer control field-effect device channel region located at least in part in a first selected region of said first substrate; first transfer control field-effect device first and second terminating regions serving as said primary control means first and second terminating regions, separated by said first transfer control field-effect device 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 transfer control field-effect device first and second terminating regions; and a first transfer control field-effect device gate region serving as said primary control means control region and capable of affecting, upon electrical energization thereof, any current flow occurring through said first transfer control field-effect device channel region as a result of electrical energization of said first transfer control field-effect device first and second terminating regions.

Claim 10

The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said rectifying means first constant polarity region is electrically common with said first substrate, and wherein said rectifying means contains a first unidirectional current conducting means having therein first and second terminating regions between which an asymmetrical current conducting capability is exhibited, said first unidirectional current conducting means first terminating region serving as said rectifying means second constant polarity region and being electrically connected to said energy storage means second polarity region, and said first unidirectional current conducting means second terminating region serving as said rectifying means first alternating polarity region.

Claim 11

The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said control signal coupling means contains a logic gate means, having an output region and at least two input regions including said control signal coupling means first input region and a control signal coupling means second input region, and capable of providing an output region signal response when similar signal values are applied to said input regions, said secondary control signal generating means output region being electrically connected to said control signal coupling means second input region.

Claim 12

The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said logic gate means output region is electrically connected to said power conservation means control region.

Claim 13

The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said control signal coupling means comprises first and second signal controlled field-effect transistors, each of said first and second signal control field-effect transistors having first and second terminating regions separated by channel regions and each having a gate region, said first signal controlled field-effect transistor second terminating region being electrically connected to both said second signal controlled field-effect transistor first terminating region and to said first transfer control field-effect device gate region, said first signal controlled field-effect transistor first terminating region being electrically connected to said rectifying means first constant polarity region, and said second signal controlled field-effect transistor second terminating region being electrically connected to said rectifying means second constant polarity region.

Claim 14

The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said control signal coupling means further comprises: a third signal controlled field-effect transistor having first and second terminating regions separated by a channel region, and having a gate region; a circuit load having first and second terminating regions between which said circuit load is capable of effectively providing a conductive path, said circuit load first terminating region being electrically connected to said first signal controlled field-effect transistor first terminating region, said circuit load second terminating region being electrically connected to both said third signal controlled field-effect transistor first terminating region and to said first signal controlled field-effect transistor gate region; and a logic gate means, having an output region and at least two input regions including said control signal coupling means first input region and a control signal coupling means second input region, and capable of providing an output region signal response when similar signal values are applied to said input regions, said logic gate means output region being electrically connected to both said second and third signal controlled field-effect transistor gate regions and being electrically connected to said power conservation means control region, said power conservation means comprising a power conservation field-effect transistor having first and second terminating regions, separated by a channel region, serving as said power conservation means first and second terminating regions and having a gate region serving as said power conservation means control region.

Claim 15

The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said control signal coupling means second input region is electrically connected to said secondary control signal generating means output region.

Claim 16

The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said rectifying means has a first parasitic bypass means having first and second terminating regions between which said first parasitic bypass means is capable of effectively providing a conductive path, said first parasitic bypass means first terminating region being electrically connected to said rectifying means first alternating polarity region, and said first parasitic bypass means second terminating region being electrically connected to said rectifying means first constant polarity region; and has a second parasitic bypass means having first and second terminating regions between which said second parasitic bypass means is capable of providing a conductive path, said second parasitic bypass means first terminating region being electrically connected to said rectifying means second alternating polarity region, and said second parasitic bypass means second terminating region being electrically connected to said rectifying means first constant polarity region.

Claim 17

The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said first parasitic bypass means has a control region therein by which said first parasitic bypass means is capable of being directed to effectively provide said conductive path with said first parasitic bypass means control region being electrically connected to said rectifying means second alternating polarity region, and wherein said second parasitic bypass means has a control region therein by which said second parasitic bypass means is capable of being directed to effectively provide said conductive path with said second parasitic bypass means control region being electrically connected to said rectifying means first alternating polarity region.

Claim 18

The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said control signal coupling means comprises first and second signal controlled field-effect transistors, each of said first and second signal control field-effect transistors having first and second terminating regions separated by channel regions and each having a gate region, said first signal controlled field-effect transistor second terminating region being electrically connected to both said second signal controlled field-effect transistor first terminating region and to said first transfer control field-effect device gate region, said first signal controlled field-effect transistor first terminating region being electrically connected to said rectifying means first constant polarity region, and said second signal controlled field-effect transistor second terminating region being electrically connected to said rectifying means second constant polarity region.

Claim 19

The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said control signal coupling means further comprises: a third signal controlled field-effect transistor having first and second terminating regions separated by a channel region, and having a gate region; a circuit load having first and second terminating regions between which said circuit load is capable of effectively providing a conductive path, said circuit load first terminating region being electrically connected to said first signal controlled field-effect transistor first terminating region, said circuit load second terminating region being electrically connected to both said third signal controlled field-effect transistor first terminating region and to said first signal controlled field-effect transistor gate region; and a logic gate means, having an output region and at least two input regions including said control signal coupling means first input region and a control signal coupling means second input region, and capable of providing an output region signal response when similar signal values are applied to said input regions, said logic gate means output region being electrically connected to both said second and third signal controlled field-effect transistor gate regions and being electrically connected to said power conservation means control region, said power conservation means comprising a power conservation field-effect transistor having first and second terminating regions, separated by a channel region, serving as said power conservation means first and second terminating regions and having a gate region serving as said power conservation means control region.

Claim 20

The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said control signal coupling means second input region is electrically connected to said secondary control signal generating means output region.

Claim 21

The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said control signal coupling means contains a logic gate means, having an output region and at least two input regions including said control signal coupling means first input region and a control signal coupling means second input region, and capable of providing an output region signal response when similar signal values are applied to said input regions, said secondary control signal generating means output region being electrically connected to said control signal coupling means second input region.

Claim 22

The apparatus of claim 20 wherein said logic gate means output region is electrically connected to said power conservation means control region.

Claim 23

The apparatus of claim 20 wherein said secondary control signal generating means contains a voltage detector circuit capable of both (i) of being operated by, and (ii) of detecting voltages occurring across said secondary control signal generating means first and second energization terminals and being electrically connected to be capable of providing an output signal at said secondary control signal generating means output region indicating when a voltage applied between said secondary control signal generating means first and second energization regions has taken a value less than a selected value.

Claim 24

The apparatus of claim 20 wherein said secondary control signal generating means contains an oscillator capable of providing a periodic signal at said secondary control signal generating means output region.

Claim 25

The apparatus of claim 9 wherein a second unidirectional current conducting means is provided having therein 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 said first unidirectional current conducting means first terminating region, and said second unidirectional current conducting means second terminating region serving as said rectifying means second alternating polarity region.

Claim 26

The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said control signal coupling means contains a logic gate means, having an output region and at least two input regions including said control signal coupling means first input region and a control signal coupling means second input region, and capable of providing an output region signal response when similar signal values are applied to said input regions, said secondary control signal generating means output region being electrically connected to said control signal coupling means second input region.

Claim 27

The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said control signal coupling means comprises first and second signal controlled field-effect transistors, each of said first and second signal control field-effect transistors having first and second terminating regions separated by channel regions and each having a gate region, said first signal controlled field-effect transistor second terminating region being electrically connected to both said second signal controlled field-effect transistor first terminating region and to said first transfer control field-effect device gate region, said first signal controlled field-effect transistor first terminating region being electrically connected to said rectifying means first constant polarity region, and said second signal controlled field-effect transistor second terminating region being electrically connected to said rectifying means second constant polarity region.

Claim 28

The apparatus of claim 26 wherein said control signal coupling means further comprises: a third signal controlled field-effect transistor having first and second terminating regions separated by a channel region, and having a gate region; a circuit load having first and second terminating region between which said circuit load is capable of effectively providing a conductive path, said circuit load first terminating region being electrically connected to said first signal controlled field-effect transistor first terminating region, said circuit load second terminating region being electrically connected to both said third signal controlled field-effect transistor first terminating region and to said first signal controlled field-effect transistor gate region; and a logic gate means, having an output region and at least two input regions including said control signal coupling means first input region and a control signal coupling means second input region, and capable of providing an output region signal response when similar signal values are applied to said input regions, said logic gate means output region being electrically connected to both said second and third signal controlled field-effect transistor gate regions and being electrically connected to said power conservation means control region, said power conservation means comprising a power conservation field-effect transistor having first and second terminating regions, separated by a channel region, serving as said power conservation means first and second terminating regions and having a gate region serving as said power conservation means control region.

Claim 29

The apparatus of claim 27 wherein said control signal coupling means second input region is electrically connected to said secondary control signal generating means output region.

Claim 30

The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said rectifying means has a first parasitic bypass means having first and second terminating regions between which said first parasitic bypass means is capable of effectively providing a conductive path, said first parasitic bypass means first terminating region being electrically connected to said rectifying means first alternating polarity region, and said first parasitic bypass means second terminating region being electrically connected to said rectifying means first constant polarity region; and has a second parasitic bypass means having first and second terminating regions between which said second parasitic bypass means is capable of providing a conductive path, said second parasitic bypass means first terminating region being electrically connected to said rectifying means second alternating polarity region, and said second parasitic bypass means second terminating region being electrically connected to said rectifying means first constant polarity region.

Claim 31

The apparatus of claim 29 wherein said first parasitic bypass means has a control region therein by which said first parasitic bypass means is capable of being directed to effectively provide said conductive path with said first parasitic bypass means control region being electrically connected to said rectifying means second alternating polarity region, and wherein said second parasitic bypass means has a control region therein by which said second parasitic bypass means is capable of being directed to effectively provide said conductive path with said second parasitic bypass means control region being electrically connected to said rectifying means first alternating polarity region.

Claim 32

The apparatus of claim 30 wherein said control signal coupling means comprises first and second signal controlled field-effect transistors, each of said first and second signal control field-effect transistors having first and second terminating regions separated by channel regions and each having a gate region, said first signal controlled field-effect transistor second terminating region being electrically connected to both said second signal controlled field-effect transistor first terminating region and to said first transfer control field-effect device gate region, said first signal controlled field-effect transistor first terminating region being electrically connected to said rectifying means first constant polarity region, and said second signal controlled field-effect transistor second terminating region being electrically connected to said rectifying means second constant polarity region.

Claim 33

The apparatus of claim 31 wherein said control signal coupling means further comprises: a third signal controlled field-effect transistor having first and second terminating regions separated by a channel region, and having a gate region; a circuit load having first and second terminating regions between which said circuit load is capable of effectively providing a conductive path, said circuit load first terminating region being electrically connected to said first signal controlled field-effect transistor first terminating region, said circuit load second terminating region being electrically connected to both said third signal controlled field-effect transistor first terminating region and to said first signal controlled field-effect transistor gate region; and a logic gate means, having an output region and at least two input regions including said control signal coupling means first input region and a control signal coupling means second input region, and capable of providing an output region signal response when similar signal values are applied to said input regions, said logic gate means output region being electrically connected to both said second and third signal controlled field-effect transistor gate regions and being electrically connected to said power conservation means control region, said power conservation means comprising a power conservation field-effect transistor having first and second terminating regions, separated by a channel region, serving as said power conservation means first and second terminating regions and having a gate region serving as said power conservation means control region.

Claim 34

The apparatus of claim 32 wherein said control signal coupling means second input region is electrically connected to said secondary control signal generating means output region.

Claim 35

The apparatus of claim 30 wherein said control signal coupling means contains a logic gate means, having an output region and at least two input regions including said control signal coupling means first input region and a control signal coupling means second input region, and capable of providing an output region signal response when similar signal values are applied to said input regions, said secondary control signal generating means output region being electrically connected to said control signal coupling means second input region.

Claim 36

The apparatus of claim 34 wherein said logic gate means output region is electrically connected to said power conservation means control region.

Claim 37

The apparatus of claim 34 wherein said secondary control signal generating means contains a voltage detector circuit capable of both (i) of being operated by, and (ii) of detecting voltages occurring across said secondary control signal generating means first and second energization terminals and being electrically connected to be capable of providing an output signal at said secondary control signal generating means output region indicating when a voltage applied between said secondary control signal generating means first and second energization regions has taken a value less than a selected value.

Claim 38

The apparatus of claim 34 wherein said secondary control signal generating means contains an oscillator capable of providing a periodic signal at said secondary control signal generating means output region.

Claim 39

An electronic switching circuit for controlling transfer of electrical power from an electrical power supply means to a load means, said switching circuit comprising: a primary control means having first and second terminating regions and having a control region therein by which said primary control means is capable of being directed to effectively provide a conductive path of a selected conductivity between said primary control means first and second terminating regions, said primary control means 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 electrical power supply means and said load means, and said primary control means second terminating region being electrically connected to a second terminal means adapted for electrical connection to said first circuit portion arrangement; a rectifying means having first and second alternating polarity regions and having first and second constant polarity regions such that said rectifying means is capable of providing a constant polarity voltage between said first and second constant polarity regions if supplied with an alternating polarity voltage between said first and second alternating polarity regions, said first alternating polarity region being electrically connected to said first terminal means and said second alternating polarity region being electrically connected to said second terminal means; an energy storage means having first and second polarity regions between which said energy storage means is capable of providing electrical energy storage, said energy storage means first polarity region being electrically connected to said first rectifying means first constant polarity region and said energy storage means second polarity region being electrically connected to said rectifying means second constant polarity region; a primary control signal generating means having first and second energization regions and an output region, said primary control signal generating means being capable, upon electrical energization of said primary control signal generating means first and second energization regions, of providing a signal at said primary control signal generating means output region indicating occurrence of one or more selected conditions in said primary control signal generating means, there being one of said primary control signal generating means first and second energization regions electrically connected to one of said rectifying means first and second constant polarity regions; a control signal coupling means having at least a first input region and a first output region, and which permits, at least selectively, communication to said control signal coupling means first output region concerning signals occurring at said control signal coupling means first input region, said first control signal coupling means first input region being electrically connected to said primary control signal generating means output region and said control signal coupling means output region being electrically connected to said primary control means control region; a power conservation means having first and second terminating regions and having a control region therein by which said power conservation means is capable of being directed to effectively provide a conductive path of a selected conductivity between said power conservation means first and second terminating regions, said power conservation means first terminating region being electrically connected to that one of said primary control signal generating means first and second energization regions opposite that one connected to one of said rectifying means first and second constant polarity regions as aforesaid, said power conservation means second terminating region being electrically connected to that one of said rectifying means first and second constant polarity regions opposite that one connected to one of said primary control signal generating means first and second energization regions as aforesaid, and said power conservation means control region being electrically connected to said control signal coupling means in such a manner that no substantially conductive path will occur between said power conservation means first and second terminating regions whenever a signal appears at said control signal coupling means output region capable of permitting said primary control means to provide a relatively low conductivity path between said primary control means first and second terminating regions; and a secondary control signal generating means having first and second energization regions and having an output region, said secondary control signal generating means being capable, upon electrical energization of said secondary control signal generating means first and second energization regions, of providing a signal at said secondary control signal generating means output region indicating occurrence of one or more selected condition in said secondary control signal generating means, said secondary control signal generating means first energization region being electrically connected to said rectifying means first constant polarity region and said secondary control signal generating means second energization region being electrically connected to said rectifying means second constant polarity region, said secondary control signal generating means output region being electrically connected to said signal coupling means in such a manner that the occurrence of a substantially conductive path between said primary control means first and second terminating regions can be ended by said one or more conditions occurring in said secondary control signal generating means.

Claim 40

An electronic switching circuit for controlling transfer of electrical power from an electrical power supply means to a load means, said switching circuit comprising: a primary control means having first and second terminating regions and having a control region therein by which said primary control means is capable of being directed to effectively provide a conductive path of a selected conductivity between said primary control means first and second terminating regions, said primary control means 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 electrical power supply means and said load means, and said primary control means second terminating region being electrically connected to a second terminal means adapted for electrical connection to said first circuit portion arrangement; a rectifying means having first and second alternating polarity regions and having first and second constant polarity regions such that said rectifying means is capable of providing a constant polarity voltage between said first and second constant polarity regions if supplied with an alternating polarity voltage between said first and second alternating polarity regions, said first alternating polarity region being electrically connected to said first terminal means and said second alternating polarity region being electrically connected to said second terminal means; an energy storage means having first and second polarity regions between which said energy storage means is capable of providing electrical energy storage, said energy storage means first polarity region being electrically connected to said first rectifying means first constant polarity region and said energy storage means second polarity region being electrically connected to said rectifying means second constant polarity region; a primary control signal generating means having first and second energization regions and an output region, said primary control signal generating means being capable, upon electrical energization of said primary control signal generating means first and second energization regions, of providing a signal at said primary control signal generating means output region indicating occurrence of one or more selected conditions in said primary control signal generating means, there being one of said primary control signal generating means first and second energization regions electrically connected to one of said rectifying means first and second constant polarity regions; a control signal coupling means having at least a first input region and a first output region, and which permits, at least selectively, communication to said control signal coupling means first output region concerning signals occurring at said control signal coupling means first input region, said first control signal coupling means first input region being electrically connected to said primary control signal generating means output region and said control signal coupling means output region being electrically connected to said primary control means control region; a power conservation means having first and second terminating regions and having a control region therein by which said power conservation means is capable of being directed to effectively provide a conductive path of a selected conductivity between said power conservation means first and second terminating regions, said power conservation means first terminating region being electrically connected to that one of said primary control signal generating means first and second energization regions opposite that one connected to one of said rectifying means first and second constant polarity regions as aforesaid, said power conservation means second terminating region being electrically connected to that one of said rectifying means first and second constant polarity regions opposite that one connected to one of said primary control signal generating means first and second energization regions as aforesaid, and said power conservation means control region being electrically connected to said control signal coupling means in such a manner that no substantially conductive path will occur between said power conservation means first and second terminating regions whenever a signal appears at said control signal coupling means output region capable of permitting said primary control means to provide a relatively low conductivity path between said primary control means first and second terminating regions; and a secondary control signal generating means having first and second energization regions and having an output region, said secondary control signal generating means being capable, upon electrical energization of said secondary control signal generating means first and second energization regions, of providing a signal at said secondary control signal generating means output region indicating occurrence of one or more selected condition in said secondary control signal generating means, said secondary control signal generating means first energization region being electrically connected to said rectifying means first constant polarity region and said secondary control signal generating means second energization region being electrically connected to said rectifying means second constant polarity region, said secondary control signal generating means output region being electrically connected to said signal coupling means in such a manner that the occurrence of a substantially conductive path between said primary control means first and second terminating regions can be ended by said one or more conditions occurring in said secondary control signal generating means.

Claim 41

The apparatus of claim 38 wherein said electrical power supply means is a selected one of a constant polarity electrical power supply means and an alternating electrical power supply means.

Claim 42

The apparatus of claim 39 wherein said primary control means is a first transfer control field-effect device provided in and on a first substrate, said first transfer control field-effect device comprising: a first transfer control field-effect device channel region located at least in part in a first selected region of said first substrate; first transfer control field-effect device first and second terminating regions serving as said primary control means first and second terminating regions, separated by said first transfer control field-effect device 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 transfer control field-effect device first and second terminating regions; and a first transfer control field-effect device gate region serving as said primary control means control region and capable of affecting, upon electrical energization thereof, any current flow occurring through said first transfer control field-effect device channel region as a result of electrical energization of said first transfer control field-effect device first and second terminating regions.

Claim 43

The apparatus of claim 39 wherein said control signal coupling means contains a logic gate means, having an output region and at least two input regions including said control signal coupling means first input region and a control signal coupling means second input region, and capable of providing an output region signal response when similar signal values are applied to said input regions, said secondary control signal generating means output region being electrically connected to said control signal coupling means second input region.

Claim 44

The apparatus of claim 39 wherein said secondary control signal generating means contains a voltage detector circuit capable of both (i) of being operated by, and (ii) of detecting voltages occurring across said secondary control signal generating means first and second energization terminals and being electrically connected to be capable of providing an output signal at said secondary control signal generating means output region indicating when a voltage applied between said secondary control signal generating means first and second energization regions has taken a value less than a selected value.

Claim 45

The apparatus of claim 39 wherein said secondary control signal generating means contains an oscillator capable of providing a periodic signal at said secondary control signal generating means output region.

Claim 46

The apparatus of claim 40 wherein said rectifying means first constant polarity region is electrically common with said first substrate, and wherein said rectifying means contains a first unidirectional current conducting means having therein first and second terminating regions between which an asymmetrical current conducting capability is exhibited, said first unidirectional current conducting means first terminating region serving as said rectifying means second constant polarity region and being electrically connected to said energy storage means second polarity region, and said first unidirectional current conducting means second terminating region serving as said rectifying means first alternating polarity region.

Claim 47

The apparatus of claim 41 wherein said logic gate means output region is electrically connected to said power conservation means control region.

Claim 48

The apparatus of claim 41 wherein said secondary control signal generating means contains a voltage detector circuit capable of both (i) of being operated by, and (ii) of detecting voltages occurring across said secondary control signal generating means first and second energization terminals and being electrically connected to be capable of providing an output signal at said secondary control signal generating means output region indicating when a voltage applied between said secondary control signal generating means first and second energization regions has taken a value less than a selected value.

Claim 49

The apparatus of claim 41 wherein said secondary control signal generating means contains an oscillator capable of providing a periodic signal at said secondary control signal generating means output region.

Claim 50

An electronic switching circuit for controlling transfer of electrical power from an electrical power supply means to a load means, said switching circuit comprising: a first transfer control field-effect device provided in and on a first substrate, said first transfer control field-effect device comprising: a first transfer control field-effect device channel region located at least in part in a first selected region of said first substrate; a first transfer control field-effect device first and second terminating regions, separated by said first transfer control field-effect device 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 transfer control field-effect device first and second terminating regions, said first field-effect device 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 electrical power supply means and said load means, and said first field-effect device second terminating region being electrically connected to a second terminal means adapted for electrical connection to said first circuit portion arrangement; and a first transfer control field-affect device gate region capable of affecting upon electrical energization thereof, any current flow occurring through said first transfer control field-effect device channel region as a result of electrical energization of said first transfer control field-effect device first and second terminating regions; an energy storage means having first and second polarity regions between which said energy storage means is capable of providing electrical energy storage, said energy storage means first polarity region being electrically connected to said first substrate; an electrical coupling means having first and second connecting regions between which said electrical coupling means is capable of providing an electrically conductive path in at least one direction, said electrical coupling means first connecting region being electrically connected to said energy storage means second polarity region, and said electrical coupling means second connecting region being electrically connected to one of said first and second terminal means; a primary control signal generating means having first and second energization regions and an output region, said primary control signal generating means being capable, upon electrical energization of said primary control signal generating means first and second energization regions, of providing a signal at said primary control signal generating means output region indicating occurrence of one or more selective conditions in said primary control signal generating means, there being one of said primary control signal generating means first and second energization regions electrically connected to one of said energy storage means first and second polarity regions; a control signal coupling means having at least a first input region and a first output region, and which permits, at least selectively, communication to said control signal coupling means first output region concerning signals occurring at said control signal coupling means first input region, said first control signal coupling means first input region being electrically connected to said primary control signal generating means output region and said control signal coupling means output region being electrically connected to said first transfer control field-effect device gate region; a power conservation means having first and second terminating regions and having a control region therein by which said power conservation means is capable of being directed to effectively provide a conductive path of a selected conductivity between said power conservation means first and second terminating regions, said power conservation means first terminating region being electrically connected to that one of said primary control signal generating means first and second energization regions opposite that one connected to one of said energy storage means first and second polarity regions as aforesaid, said power conservation means second terminating region being electrically connected to that one of said energy storage means first and second polarity regions opposite that one connected to one of said primary control signal generating means first and second energization regions as aforesaid, said power conservation means control region being electrically connected to said control signal coupling means in such a manner that no substantially conductive path will occur between said power conservation means first and second terminating regions whenever a signal appears at said control signal coupling means output region capable of permitting said primary control means to provide a relatively low conductivity path between said primary control means first and second terminating regions; and a secondary control signal generating means having first and second energization regions and having an output region, said secondary control signal generating means being capable, upon electrical energization of said secondary control signal generating means first and second energization regions, of providing a signal at said secondary control signal generating means output region indicating occurrence of one or more of selected conditions in said secondary control signal generating means, said secondary control signal generating means first energization region being electrically connected to said energy storage means first polarity region and said secondary control signal means second energization region being electrically connected to said energy storage means second polarity region, said secondary control signal generating means output region being electrically connected to said signal coupling means in such a manner that the occurrence of a substantially conductive path between said primary control means first and second terminating regions can be ended by said one or more conditions occurring in said secondary control signal generating means.

Claim 51

An electronic switching circuit for controlling transfer of electrical power from an electrical power supply means to a load means, said switching circuit comprising: a first transfer control field-effect device provided in and on a first substrate, said first transfer control field-effect device comprising: a first transfer control field-effect device channel region located at least in part in a first selected region of said first substrate; a first transfer control field-effect device first and second terminating regions, separated by said first transfer control field-effect device 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 transfer control field-effect device first and second terminating regions, said first field-effect device 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 electrical power supply means and said load means, and said first field-effect device second terminating region being electrically connected to a second terminal means adapted for electrical connection to said first circuit portion arrangement; and a first transfer control field-affect device gate region capable of affecting upon electrical energization thereof, any current flow occurring through said first transfer control field-effect device channel region as a result of electrical energization of said first transfer control field-effect device first and second terminating regions; an energy storage means having first and second polarity regions between which said energy storage means is capable of providing electrical energy storage, said energy storage means first polarity region being electrically connected to said first substrate; an electrical coupling means having first and second connecting regions between which said electrical coupling means is capable of providing an electrically conductive path in at least one direction, said electrical coupling means first connecting region being electrically connected to said energy storage means second polarity region, and said electrical coupling means second connecting region being electrically connected to one of said first and second terminal means; a primary control signal generating means having first and second energization regions and an output region, said primary control signal generating means being capable, upon electrical energization of said primary control signal generating means first and second energization regions, of providing a signal at said primary control signal generating means output region indicating occurrence of one or more selective conditions in said primary control signal generating means, there being one of said primary control signal generating means first and second energization regions electrically connected to one of said energy storage means first and second polarity regions; a control signal coupling means having at least a first input region and a first output region, and which permits, at least selectively, communication to said control signal coupling means first output region concerning signals occurring at said control signal coupling means first input region, said first control signal coupling means first input region being electrically connected to said primary control signal generating means output region and said control signal coupling means output region being electrically connected to said first transfer control field-effect device gate region; a power conservation means having first and second terminating regions and having a control region therein by which said power conservation means is capable of being directed to effectively provide a conductive path of a selected conductivity between said power conservation means first and second terminating regions, said power conservation means first terminating region being electrically connected to that one of said primary control signal generating means first and second energization regions opposite that one connected to one of said energy storage means first and second polarity regions as aforesaid, said power conservation means second terminating region being electrically connected to that one of said energy storage means first and second polarity regions opposite that one connected to one of said primary control signal generating means first and second energization regions as aforesaid, said power conservation means control region being electrically connected to said control signal coupling means in such a manner that no substantially conductive path will occur between said power conservation means first and second terminating regions whenever a signal appears at said control signal coupling means output region capable of permitting said primary control means to provide a relatively low conductivity path between said primary control means first and second terminating regions; and a secondary control signal generating means having first and second energization regions and having an output region, said secondary control signal generating means being capable, upon electrical energization of said secondary control signal generating means first and second energization regions, of providing a signal at said secondary control signal generating means output region indicating occurrence of one or more of selected conditions in said secondary control signal generating means, said secondary control signal generating means first energization region being electrically connected to said energy storage means first polarity region and said secondary control signal means second energization region being electrically connected to said energy storage means second polarity region, said secondary control signal generating means output region being electrically connected to said signal coupling means in such a manner that the occurrence of a substantially conductive path between said primary control means first and second terminating regions can be ended by said one or more conditions occurring in said secondary control signal generating means.

Claim 52

The apparatus of claim 48 wherein said electrical power supply means is a selected one of a constant polarity electrical power supply means and an alternating polarity electrical power supply means.

Claim 53

The apparatus of claim 48 wherein said electrical coupling means is a diode means.

Claim 54

The apparatus of claim 48 wherein said electrical coupling means is a direct electrical connection and said electrical power supply means is a constant polarity electrical power supply means.

Claim 55

The apparatus of claim 49 wherein said control signal coupling means contains a logic gate means, having an output region and at least two input regions including said control signal coupling means first input region and a control signal coupling means second input region, and capable of providing an output region signal response when similar signal values are applied to said input regions, said secondary control signal generating means output region being electrically connected to said control signal coupling means second input region.

Claim 56

The apparatus of claim 49 wherein said secondary control signal generating means contains a voltage detector circuit capable of both (i) of being operated by, and (ii) of detecting voltages occurring across said secondary control signal generating means first and second energization terminals and being electrically connected to be capable of providing an output signal at said secondary control signal generating means output region indicating when a voltage applied between said secondary control signal generating means first and second energization regions has taken a value less than a selected value.

Claim 57

The apparatus of claim 49 wherein said secondary control signal generating means contains an oscillator capable of providing a periodic signal at said secondary control signal generating means output region.

Claim 58

The apparatus of claim 52 wherein said logic gate means output region is electrically connected to said power conservation means control region.

Claim 59

The apparatus of claim 52 wherein said secondary control signal generating means contains a voltage detector circuit capable of both (i) of being operated by, and (ii) of detecting voltages occurring across said secondary control signal generating means first and second energization terminals and being electrically connected to be capable of providing an output signal at said secondary control signal generating means output region indicating when a voltage applied between said secondary control signal generating means first and second energization regions has taken a value less than a selected value.

Claim 60

The apparatus of claim 52 wherein said secondary control signal generating means contains an oscillator capable of providing a periodic signal at said secondary control signal generating means output region.