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:
Jan. 30, 2001
Filed:
Oct. 02, 1998
Ghadir Robert Gholami, Austin, TX (US);
Khuong Huu Pham, Austin, TX (US);
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY (US);
Abstract
An active circuit for rapidly discharging stored energy in a capacitive system. The circuit is comprised of a variable impedance circuit, a voltage detector, and a time delay circuit. The variable impedance circuit includes a variable impedance output path configured to be connected between a Vcc bus of the capacitive system and ground. The voltage detector circuit includes an input coupled to the Vcc bus and an output connected to an input of the variable impedance circuit. The voltage detector circuit is configured to maintain the variable impedance output path in a high impedance condition while the Vcc voltage remains above a predetermined minimum value. The time delay circuit is coupled to the input of the variable impedance circuit and configured to maintain the variable impedance output path in a low impedance condition for a duration after the voltage of the Vcc bus drops below the predetermined minimum.