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. 14, 1992
Filed:
May. 17, 1991
Michael P Masquelier, Mesa, AZ (US);
David N Okada, Tempe, AZ (US);
Other;
Abstract
A method of internally limiting current and providing overvoltage protection in a semiconductor device comprises providing a semiconductor device having at least a first junction wherein both sides of the junction have predetermined dopant concentrations and wherein the first junction is spaced apart a predetermined distance from either a second junction or current blocking means. The predetermined dopant concentrations and distance are such that when a predetermined voltage is applied to the device, a depletion region from the first junction encounters either a depletion region from the second junction or current blocking means, thereby pinching off current at a desired voltage. The pinch-off voltage may be varied by adjusting the distance between the first junction and either the second junction or current blocking means and also by adjusting the predetermined dopant concentrations.