The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 20, 1976
Filed:
Dec. 19, 1974
Robert G Hodgins, Canastota, NY (US);
General Electric Company, Carmel, IN (US);
Abstract
A pass transistor is coupled serially with an integrated circuit across a DC energy source. The DC source includes a battery coupled in parallel with a charging transformer output and a diode, the negative side being connected to ground. A resistor is coupled across the pass transistor collector and base to assure conduction by the pass transistor when the DC source is operative. A string of zener diodes is connected between the pass transistor base and ground to provide voltage limiting by clamping the transistor base during an overvoltage condition arising, for example, when the battery has a defective cell or an open connection to the remainder of the circuit. Such an arrangement allows reliable operation with monolithic transistors having about 27 volts collector to emitter breakdown voltage rating.