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US5510697A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Low drop-out voltage regulator apparatus
Assignee: VTech Communications Ltd
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Filing: 1994-06-01
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Granted: 1996-04-23
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Expires: 2014-06-01
Abstract
Abstract A voltage regulator apparatus for regulating an unregulated voltage supply to in turn provide a regulated voltage. The voltage regulator apparatus includes a pass device, which has a control port, passes a portion of an unregulated voltage through to the regulated voltage output. The apparatus also includes a DC amplifier which provides a large closed loop gain to the regulated voltage output which is fed back to the pass device control port. The portion of the unregulated voltage passed to the regulated voltage output is a function of the output of the DC amplifier. The apparatus finally includes a voltage reference which provides a reference voltage to the DC amplifier. The DC amplifier voltage reference and pass device control port all draw the same operating current from the unregulated voltage supply. Thus, creating a sharp low-drop out characteristic for the voltage regulator apparatus.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael W. Dormer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 13:59
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05F; G05F1/00; G05F1/10; G05F1/46; G05F1/56; G05F1/565
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
171 words
A voltage regulator apparatus for regulating an unregulated voltage supply to in turn provide a regulated voltage, said voltage regulator apparatus comprising: a pass device for passing a portion of said unregulated voltage supply through to said regulated voltage, said pass device having a control port; DC amplification means for providing a large closed loop gain operably connected between said regulated voltage output and said control port, said portion of said unregulated voltage supply being passed to said regulated voltage output being a function of the output of said DC amplification means, as applied to said control port; and voltage reference means operably connected to said DC amplification means for providing a reference voltage to said DC amplification means; said DC amplification means, voltage reference means, and control port being driven by the same operating current from the unregulated voltage supply whereby when the unregulated voltage falls below the desired regulated voltage said voltage reference means sharply shuts off, in turn, shutting off said DC amplification means and said pass device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
171 words
A voltage regulator apparatus for regulating an unregulated voltage supply to in turn provide a regulated voltage, said voltage regulator apparatus comprising: a pass device for passing a portion of said unregulated voltage supply through to said regulated voltage, said pass device having a control port; DC amplification means for providing a large closed loop gain operably connected between said regulated voltage output and said control port, said portion of said unregulated voltage supply being passed to said regulated voltage output being a function of the output of said DC amplification means, as applied to said control port; and voltage reference means operably connected to said DC amplification means for providing a reference voltage to said DC amplification means; said DC amplification means, voltage reference means, and control port being driven by the same operating current from the unregulated voltage supply whereby when the unregulated voltage falls below the desired regulated voltage said voltage reference means sharply shuts off, in turn, shutting off said DC amplification means and said pass device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein said pass device comprises an electrical valve.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein said pass device comprises a bipolar junction transistor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein said voltage reference means is a band gap reference device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein said voltage reference means is a zener diode.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein said voltage regulator apparatus is of the type constructed of bipolar junction transistors.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein said voltage regulator apparatus is of the type constructed of electrical valves.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein said voltage regulator apparatus is of the type constructed of field effect transistors.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
189 words
A low drop-out voltage regulator apparatus for regulating an unregulated voltage supply to provide, in turn, a regulated voltage output, said voltage regulator apparatus comprising: a first transistor having a first emitter, a first collector, and a first base, said first emitter being operably connected to said unregulated voltage supply, said first collector sourcing said regulator voltage output; voltage divider means operably connected to said first collector for dividing said regulated voltage output into a setting voltage; DC amplification means for providing a large closed loop gain, said DC amplification means operably receiving said setting voltage from said voltage divider means and providing an output to said first base of said first transistor; and voltage reference means operably connected to said DC amplification means for providing a reference voltage to said DC amplification means; said first base, DC amplification means and voltage reference means being in series and thus drawing the same operating current from the unregulated voltage supply whereby when the unregulated voltage falls below the desired regulated voltage said voltage reference means sharply shuts off, in turn, shutting off said DC amplification means and said first transistor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
189 words
A low drop-out voltage regulator apparatus for regulating an unregulated voltage supply to provide, in turn, a regulated voltage output, said voltage regulator apparatus comprising: a first transistor having a first emitter, a first collector, and a first base, said first emitter being operably connected to said unregulated voltage supply, said first collector sourcing said regulator voltage output; voltage divider means operably connected to said first collector for dividing said regulated voltage output into a setting voltage; DC amplification means for providing a large closed loop gain, said DC amplification means operably receiving said setting voltage from said voltage divider means and providing an output to said first base of said first transistor; and voltage reference means operably connected to said DC amplification means for providing a reference voltage to said DC amplification means; said first base, DC amplification means and voltage reference means being in series and thus drawing the same operating current from the unregulated voltage supply whereby when the unregulated voltage falls below the desired regulated voltage said voltage reference means sharply shuts off, in turn, shutting off said DC amplification means and said first transistor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention according to claim 9 wherein said voltage reference means is a band gap reference.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention according to claim 9 wherein said voltage reference means is a zener diode.
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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) | 1999-04-23 | 1999-10-23 | 2000-04-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-04-23 | 2003-10-23 | 2004-04-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-04-23 | 2007-10-23 | 2008-04-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |