Patent US5491405A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5491405A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Level conversion of AC or DC voltage with noise rejection and low power consumption
Assignee: Otis Elevator Co
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Filing: 1994-07-28
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Granted: 1996-02-13
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Expires: 2014-07-28
Abstract
Abstract An input voltage U IN to a voltage level converter 10 having a high input impedance charges a storage element which periodically discharges current to an LED 16 which periodically provides a light pulse for generating a level converted version of the input voltage U IN . A resistor R p 22 connected to the storage element allows the storage element to discharge noise voltage spikes in the input voltage U IN .
Inventors
- 👤 Helmut L. Schroder-Brumloop
- 👤 Andreas O. F. Belkner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 11:57
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03K; H03K17/00; H03K17/16; H03K17/28; H03K17/51; H03K17/78; H03K17/795; H03K17/7955; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S323/00; Y10S323/902
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
A voltage level converter circuit for converting input signals having one voltage level into output signals having another voltage level, said voltage level converter circuit comprising an optical coupler having a primary circuit electrically isolated from a secondary circuit: A) said primary circuit including an oscillating circuit, responsive to said input signals having an input voltage waveform and said one voltage level, for providing pulsed input voltage signals, and a light emitting means, responsive to said pulsed input voltage signals, for providing pulsed light signals; and B) said secondary circuit including means, responsive to said pulsed light signals, for providing said output signals having an output voltage waveform substantially similar to the input voltage waveform, whereby the voltage level converter circuit has a pulsed operation for consuming a reduced amount of power during voltage level conversion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
136 words
A voltage level converter circuit for converting input signals having one voltage level into output signals having another voltage level, said voltage level converter circuit comprising an optical coupler having a primary circuit electrically isolated from a secondary circuit: A) said primary circuit including an oscillating circuit, responsive to said input signals having an input voltage waveform and said one voltage level, for providing pulsed input voltage signals, and a light emitting means, responsive to said pulsed input voltage signals, for providing pulsed light signals; and B) said secondary circuit including means, responsive to said pulsed light signals, for providing said output signals having an output voltage waveform substantially similar to the input voltage waveform, whereby the voltage level converter circuit has a pulsed operation for consuming a reduced amount of power during voltage level conversion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
A voltage level converter circuit according to claim 1, wherein said primary circuit further includes a low pass filter, responsive to said input signals having high frequency electrical components caused by noise for providing said pulsed input voltage signals without said high frequency electrical components caused by noise.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
57 words
A voltage level converter circuit according to claim 1, wherein said secondary circuit includes a light sensitive switch, responsive to said pulsed light signals, for providing a collector-emitter voltage signal, and further includes a low pass filter, responsive to said collector-emitter voltage signal, for providing said output signals with only low frequency portions of said collector-emitter voltage.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
A voltage level converter circuit according to claim 1, wherein said oscillating circuit includes a capacitor having a stored voltage and a voltage controlled switch, responsive to said stored voltage, for providing said pulsed input voltage signals.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
A voltage level converter circuit according to claim 4, wherein said voltage controlled switch includes a DIAC and a voltage divider for limiting a voltage level of said pulsed input voltage signals.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A voltage level converter circuit according to claim 1, wherein said primary circuit further includes a full wave rectifier for converting said pulsed input voltage signals.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
A voltage level converter circuit according to claim 2, wherein the low-pass filter includes a capacitor U CAP and a resistor R p .
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
A voltage level converter circuit according to claim 3, wherein said low pass filter includes a capacitor C LP and a resistor R LP .
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) | 1999-02-12 | 1999-08-14 | 2000-02-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-02-12 | 2003-08-14 | 2004-02-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-02-12 | 2007-08-14 | 2008-02-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |