US5457621A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Switching power supply having voltage blocking clamp
Assignee: Elster Solutions LLC
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Filing: 1995-02-03
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Granted: 1995-10-10
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Expires: 2015-02-03
Abstract
Abstract Methods and apparatus for supplying power for use in metering electrical energy over a wide range of voltages with a single meter are disclosed. The wide ranging meter includes a processing unit for processing divided input voltage and a current component in order to determine electrical energy metering values. The processing unit is operable in response to supply voltages. A power supply, connected to receive the undivided voltage component, generates the supply voltages over the wide dynamic range. It is especially preferred for the power supply to include a transformer having first, second and third windings, wherein the undivided voltage component is provided to the first winding and wherein the second winding defines the output of the power supply. A switching member is connected to the first winding for permitting and preventing the flow of current in response to a control signal. A control member generates the control signal in response to the output of the power supply. It is also preferred for the control signal to disable the switch member. It is further preferred for the power supply to include a voltage blocking clamp, connected to the transformer for blocking the voltage applied to the transformer. It is still further preferred for an oscillator to be used to generate an oscillating signal for switching the switching member ON and OFF so that the switching member is provided a substantially constant OFF time.
Inventors
- 👤 Mark L. Munday
- 👤 Rodney C. Hemminger
- 👤 Fred F. Schleifer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 07:31
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R21/00; G01R21/133; G01R21/1331; H; H02; H02M; H02M3/00; H02M3/22; H02M3/24; H02M3/28; H02M3/325; H02M3/335; H02M3/33507
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
201 words
A power supply for use in apparatus for electronically measuring or distributing electrical energy, said electrical energy defining an input voltage, said power supply comprising: a transformer comprising first and second windings, wherein said input voltage is provided to said first winding so that current flows through said first winding, wherein said second winding defines the output of said power supply; a switching member connected to said first winding, for permitting and preventing the flow of current through said first winding, wherein said switching member is operable in response to a control signal; a controller connected to said switching member and to a third winding of said transformer, for generating said control signal in response to the output of said power supply; and a voltage blocking clamp, connected to said transformer and said switching member, wherein said input voltage is applied to said voltage blocking clamp, for limiting and blocking the voltage applied to said transformer, said voltage blocking clamp comprising first and second transistors and biasing means connected to said first and second transistors, wherein said biasing means biases said first and second transistors so that the voltage provided by said voltage clocking clamp does not exceed a desired level.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
201 words
A power supply for use in apparatus for electronically measuring or distributing electrical energy, said electrical energy defining an input voltage, said power supply comprising: a transformer comprising first and second windings, wherein said input voltage is provided to said first winding so that current flows through said first winding, wherein said second winding defines the output of said power supply; a switching member connected to said first winding, for permitting and preventing the flow of current through said first winding, wherein said switching member is operable in response to a control signal; a controller connected to said switching member and to a third winding of said transformer, for generating said control signal in response to the output of said power supply; and a voltage blocking clamp, connected to said transformer and said switching member, wherein said input voltage is applied to said voltage blocking clamp, for limiting and blocking the voltage applied to said transformer, said voltage blocking clamp comprising first and second transistors and biasing means connected to said first and second transistors, wherein said biasing means biases said first and second transistors so that the voltage provided by said voltage clocking clamp does not exceed a desired level.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The power supply of claim 1, wherein said voltage blocking clamp disables said switching member when said input voltage exceeds said desired level.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The power supply of claim 2, wherein said third winding is substantially similar to said second winding, so the voltage across said third winding is similar to the voltage across said second winding.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The power supply of claim 2, wherein said control signal operates to disable said switching member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
64 words
The power supply of claim 1, wherein said switching member comprises a third transistor, connected between said first winding and ground, and wherein said controller comprises an oscillator, connected to the base of said third transistor, for generating an oscillating signal for switching said third transistor on and off, wherein said control signal causes the output of said oscillator to disable said third transistor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The power supply of claim 5, wherein said third transistor comprises a 600 volt MOSFET device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The power supply of claim 5, wherein said oscillator comprises a ring oscillator.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
64 words
The power supply of claim 1, wherein said controller comprises a current sensor for sensing the current flowing through said first winding and for generating a sensed current signal, a reference current generator for generating a reference current signal in response to a signal reflective of the output of said power supply and a comparator for comparing said sensed current and said reference current.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The power supply of claim 8, wherein said control signal is generated in response to said comparator determining that said sensed current signal exceeds said reference current signal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The power supply of claim 8, further comprising a current-mode regulator, connected to said third winding, wherein said current reference signal is generated by said current-mode regulator.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
46 words
The power supply of claim 1, further comprising a charge means, connected to said second winding, for storing an electrical charge when current is flowing through said first winding and for discharging stored electrical charge when said switching member interrupts current flowing through said first winding.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The power supply of claim 2, wherein said voltage blocking clamp is connected in series with said transformer and said switching member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
173 words
A power supply for use in apparatus for electronically measuring or distributing electrical energy, said electrical energy defining an input voltage, said power supply comprising: a transformer comprising first and second windings, wherein said input voltage is provided to said first winding so that current flows through said first winding, wherein said second winding defines the output of said power supply; a switching member connected to said first winding, for permitting and preventing the flow of current through said first winding, wherein said switching member is operable in response to a control signal; a controller connected to said switching member and to a third winding of said transformer, for generating said control signal in response to the output of said power supply; and a voltage blocking clamp, connected to said transformer and said switching member, wherein said input voltage is applied to said voltage blocking clamp, for limiting and blocking the voltage applied to said transformer, wherein said voltage blocking clamp disables said switching member when said input voltage exceeds a desired level.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
173 words
A power supply for use in apparatus for electronically measuring or distributing electrical energy, said electrical energy defining an input voltage, said power supply comprising: a transformer comprising first and second windings, wherein said input voltage is provided to said first winding so that current flows through said first winding, wherein said second winding defines the output of said power supply; a switching member connected to said first winding, for permitting and preventing the flow of current through said first winding, wherein said switching member is operable in response to a control signal; a controller connected to said switching member and to a third winding of said transformer, for generating said control signal in response to the output of said power supply; and a voltage blocking clamp, connected to said transformer and said switching member, wherein said input voltage is applied to said voltage blocking clamp, for limiting and blocking the voltage applied to said transformer, wherein said voltage blocking clamp disables said switching member when said input voltage exceeds a desired level.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
The power supply of claim 13, wherein said third winding is substantially similar to said second winding, so the voltage across said third winding is similar to the voltage across said second winding.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The power supply of claim 13, wherein said control signal operates to disable said switching member.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
62 words
The power supply of claim 13, wherein said switching member comprises a first transistor, connected between said first winding and ground, and wherein said controller comprises an oscillator, connected to the base of said transistor, for generating an oscillating signal for switching said transistor on and off, wherein said control signal causes the output of said oscillator to disable said first transistor.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The power supply of claim 16, wherein said first transistor comprises a 600 volt MOSFET device.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
13 words
The power supply of claim 16, wherein said oscillator comprises a ring oscillator.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
64 words
The power supply of claim 13, wherein said controller comprises a current sensor for sensing the current flowing through said first winding and for generating a sensed current signal, a reference current generator for generating a reference current signal in response to a signal reflective of the output of said power supply and a comparator for comparing said sensed current and said reference current.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
28 words
The power supply of claim 19, wherein said control signal is generated in response to said comparator determining that said sensed current signal exceeds said reference current signal.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
27 words
The power supply of claim 19, further comprises a current-mode regulator, connected to said third winding, wherein said current reference signal is generated by said current-mode regulator.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
46 words
The power supply of claim 13, further comprising a charge means, connected to said second winding, for storing an electrical charge when current is flowing through said first winding and for discharging stored electrical charge when said switching member interrupts current flowing through said first winding.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
22 words
The power supply of claim 13, wherein said voltage blocking clamp is connected in series with said transformer and said switching member.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
52 words
The power supply of claim 13, wherein said voltage blocking clamp comprises second and third transistors and biasing means connected to said second and third transistors, wherein said biasing means biases said second and third transistors so that the voltage provided by said voltage blocking clamp does not exceed said desired level.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-10-09 | 1999-04-10 | 1999-10-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-10-09 | 2003-04-10 | 2003-10-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-10-09 | 2007-04-10 | 2007-10-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |