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. 08, 1998
Filed:
Mar. 21, 1996
Natale Aiello, Catania, IT;
Vito Graziano, Palermo, IT;
Abstract
A method and device for maintaining junction isolation between a second region that is normally clamped at a reference potential, contained within a first region of an opposite type of conductivity whose potential is subject to large inertial swings. The junction is ensured even when the potential of the first region moves toward and beyond the reference potential to which the second region is clamped, by connecting the second region to the reference potential by a switch, and causing the switch to open which places the second region in a floating state, leaving it free to track the potential excursion of the first region. The switch is closed after the potential of the first region has returned to a normal value. A comparator senses a shift of the potential of the second region from the reference potential to which it is clamped. The shift is dynamically induced by the capacitive coupling of the two regions, and triggers off the clamping switch.