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:
Mar. 31, 1998
Filed:
Nov. 05, 1996
Niels Knudsen, Austin, TX (US);
National Instruments Corporation, Austin, TX (US);
Abstract
An input protection circuit for an instrumentation system which receives an input signal and which is adapted for providing a current and/or voltage limited version of the input signal to a measurement system. The input protection circuit of the present invention utilizes an optocoupler and also includes circuitry which protects the optocoupler from damage if an over-voltage condition is detected. The input protection circuit includes a comparator which is operable to disable or turn off the optocoupler when the current limited version of the input signal exceeds a preset value. The input protection circuit preferably includes a resistor connected in parallel with the optocoupler. which provides an alternative path for the input signal when the optocoupler has been cut off. The present invention thus provides an improved input protection circuit which also protects the optocoupler from damage if an over-voltage condition is detected, but still allows the input signal to be measured during this time.