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:
Apr. 18, 2000
Filed:
Apr. 26, 1996
SGS-Thomson Microelectronics S.R.L., Agrate Brianza, IT;
Consorzio per la Ricerca sulla Microelettronica nel Mezzogiorno, Catania, IT;
Abstract
A monolithically integrated power device for driving electrical loads includes a power stage having a high-voltage bipolar transistor and a low-voltage auxiliary transistor cascade-connected and inserted between a first power supply terminal and a second power supply terminal of the device. The power device also includes a driver circuit for the power stage having an input connected to an input terminal of the device. In accordance with the present invention the device includes a circuit for protection thereof against an excessive temperature rise and controlling power down of the power stage. It includes specifically a temperature sensing circuit which generates a signal dependent on the temperature present in the device, a comparator circuit which receives this signal and compares it with a reference voltage and at least a first switch circuit generating an interdiction signal when the temperature in the device exceeds a preset maximum value and which is interlocked with an output of the comparator circuit and connected functionally through its output to the power stage. The device is advantageously usable in a fluorescent lamp driving circuit, that is to say in the so-called 'lamp ballast'.