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:
Feb. 04, 1997
Filed:
Jan. 23, 1995
Joseph A Simpkins, West Chester, PA (US);
Mars, Incorporated, McLean, VA (US);
Abstract
A switching power supply having a power steering clamp is disclosed. The power supply may suitably include a pulse width modulator controller which controls a first switch for controlling the flow of energy into and out of a transformer. The power steering clamp suitably includes a second switch, clamp diodes, and circuitry for driving the gate of the second switch. The circuitry for driving the gate of the second switch is preferably controlled by the pulse width modulator controller. Use of the power steering clamp permits leakage energy to be rerouted subsequently to the transformer. This feature may improve the efficiency of the circuit and also avoids the need for heat sinks to prevent overheating of circuit components. Such a switching power supply is particularly suitable for use in high density devices, such as a banknote or bill validator.