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:
Jun. 14, 1988
Filed:
Jun. 01, 1987
Sprague Electric Company, North Adams, MA (US);
Abstract
An integrated circuit voltage regulator is of the kind having a pass transistor connected collector-to-emitter between the input V.sub.CC conductor and the regulated-voltage output conductor, a current source circuit supplying a base bias current to the pass transistor and a voltage reference and feedback regulator circuit connected between the output voltage conductor and the base of the pass transistor. A protective circuit against high voltage transients adding to V.sub.CC voltage comprises a transistor connected collector-to-emitter between the pass-transistor base and ground has a resistor paralleling the base-emitter junction, which resistor is resistively coupled to the input V.sub.CC line to shunt away the pass-transistor bias current whenever the V.sub.CC voltage level exceeds a value just under the latch-back breakdown voltage of the pass transistor. A zener diode directly connected across the DC input voltage conduction renders the regulator even more tolerant of high voltage transients.