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:
Dec. 26, 1989
Filed:
May. 27, 1988
Philip H Bird, Sidcup, GB;
U.S. Philips Corporation, New York, NY (US);
Abstract
An arrangement for driving a power semiconductor device (1) has an input (12) for receiving a control signal and a control output (11) for connection to the control electrode (9) of the power semiconductor device (1). The semiconductor device connected in series with a load (5) across a power supply (3,6). The arrangement includes an active turn-off device (T67) to achieve fast turn-off of the device (1). The arrangement further includes a threshold detecting means (29) which operates to turn on the semiconductor device in the event of a high voltage transient on the power supply. This reduces the voltage across the semiconductor device and hence reduces power dissipation within the semiconductor during transients. The turn-off device (T67) could be damaged by high transient currents when the threshold detecting means (29) conducts, so a further threshold detecting means (30) acts to disable the turn-off means (T67) during transients. The arrangement may be integrated monolithically with an associated semiconductor output device. An intelligent power switch circuit including such an arrangement is suitable for use in a motor vehicle.