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. 06, 1982
Filed:
Apr. 27, 1981
William F Davis, Tempe, AZ (US);
Robert N Dotson, Mesa, AZ (US);
Motorola, Inc., Schaumburg, IL (US);
Abstract
A current limiting circuit is provided wherein the monitored voltage is applied to the base of first and second transistors, the first transistor having a substantially larger emitter area than the second transistor. Impedance means are connected to the emitters of the first and second transistors such that they function in conjunction with the emitter area ratio causing the current flowing through the first transistor to be higher than that flowing through the second transistor at low base voltages, while at higher base voltages the current flowing through the second transistor is higher than flowing through the first transistor. At some intermediate voltage the current flowing through both the first and second transistors is equal. This property may be used, for example, in a voltage regulator so as to divert base drive current from the output transistor at the point where the first and second currents are equal.