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:
Aug. 01, 1995
Filed:
Mar. 17, 1993
David A Smith, Kowloon, HK;
Astec International, Ltd., Hong Kong, US;
Abstract
An improved gate drive circuit for use with a switching power device in a power converter and other power-transfer type circuits and the like is described. The gate drive circuit according to the present invention requires fewer components and space that convention prior art gate drive circuits. The drive circuit provides isolation between the control circuitry and the device without storing a significant amount of long-term (i.e., D.C.) energy and is also more energy efficient than many prior art gate drive circuits. Additionally, the present invention comprises means for cleanly terminating the drive signal to the switching power device when the control circuitry terminates operation. This prevents an incorrect signal to the switching power device, which may conduct at an inappropriate time, causing damage to the power converter or power-transfer circuit. Many prior art drive circuits have D.C. blocking capacitors that discharge slowly upon termination and, consequently, cause the switching power device to inadvertently conduct, which may damage the converter.