Low dissipation controllable electron valve

Abstract

A controllable electron valve for controlling an energy delivered to a load circuit in response to an input power source, comprising a power controller for controlling a voltage across said load circuit, an input current being introduced to said power controller via an input voltage (V.sub.IN) electrode, said input current being generated by said input power source, said input current including a load current and an internal current (I.sub.IN), said load current being output by said power controller to said load circuit, I.sub.IN being output via a switching output; a current controller for maintaining I.sub.IN at a constant value, said current controller having an output coupled to a ground, having an input, and having at least one current control electrode; a voltage threshold controller for outputting a threshold current, said voltage threshold controller having at least one input and at least one output; and a current separator for controlling the passage of I.sub.IN and said threshold current to said constant current source, a first input of said current separator being coupled to said switching output of said power controller, a second input of said current separator being coupled to said output of said voltage threshold controller, an output of said current separator being coupled to said input of said current controller.