Electronic control circuit

Abstract

A three or four-terminal electronic control circuit utilizes a thyristor and a transistor connected in their regenerative circuit or, alternatively, three transistors interconnected in a regenerative circuit. The thyristor is connected to operate in a remote base mode as a low gain PNP transistor, together with a bipolar NPN transistor. The thyristor and transistor are connected in a regenerative circuit which results in very high gain, low input current, with low cost and complete control for ON and OFF, and even intermediate range conditions due to direct access to the base of the NPN transistor. A switch may be connected to the base of the NPN transistor to control the current thereinto, and when current flows into this base, then the transistor and thyristor are connected toward regenerative conduction. When the base current is terminated by the switch, then the circuit degenerates toward non-conduction. By maintaining the potential of the control terminal at a constant voltage, then the regenerative and degenerative modes may be held in balance and a linear mode of operation may be obtained, e.g., in a voltage regulator circuit. The foregoing abstract is merely a resume of one general application, is not a complete discussion of all principles of operation or applications, and is not to be construed as a limitation on the scope of the claimed subject matter.