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:
Oct. 05, 1999
Filed:
Feb. 09, 1998
Applicant:
Inventors:
Leonardo Fragapane, Catania, IT;
Romeo Letor, Mascalucia, IT;
Assignee:
SGS-Thomson Microelectronics S.r.L., Agrate Brianza, IT;
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
H02H / ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
361 42 ; 361 18 ; 361 56 ; 361115 ;
Abstract
A fast operating, electronic overvoltage protection device intended for a power transistor having at least one control terminal of the MOS type is disclosed. The device comprises a Zener diode associated with the power transistor and integrated together therewith in a semiconductor substrate, and a second transistor connected to the power transistor into a Darlington configuration and also connected to the Zener diode. The protection from overvoltages provided by the device is very fast in operation, and can be implemented in integrated form at reduced cost and without introducing parasitic elements.