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:
Sep. 13, 1994
Filed:
Sep. 08, 1992
Donald R Preslar, Three Bridges, NJ (US);
Raymond L Giordano, Flemington, NJ (US);
Other;
Abstract
A circuit in which the source-to-drain conduction path of a power switching transistor is connected in series with an inductive load between first and second power terminals includes a voltage transient clamping transistor having its source-to-drain conduction path connected between the drain and gate of the switching transistor. In response to a turn-off signal applied to the gate of the switching transistor, a transient voltage is generated at the drain of the switching transistor. When the transient voltage at the drain of the power switching transistor exceeds a predetermined value, the clamping transistor is turned-on. The conduction of the clamping transistor limits the voltage rise at the drain of the switching transistor and tends to maintain the switching transistor conducting temporarily to aid in the discharge of the energy stored in the inductive load. A unidirectional conducting element connected in series with the clamping transistor ensures that only current of a polarity to discharge the inductive load flows through the clamping transistor.