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:
Nov. 20, 2001
Filed:
Sep. 10, 1999
Abbas A. Salim, Fremont, CA (US);
James W. Jud, Lambertville, NJ (US);
James F. Mulvey, Flemington, NJ (US);
Lockheed Martin Corporation, Bethesda, MD (US);
Abstract
An advanced power switching apparatus that is suitable for use in spacecraft and provides miniaturization, weight reduction, and improved reliability of power switching and protection functions. The apparatus provides greatly increased functionality, and is capable of switching power, isolating faults, and limiting in-rush and fault currents. The apparatus comprises a plurality of power switching circuits. Each power switching circuit comprises a switched power input and a switched power output, a switching device coupling the switched power input to the switched power output, the switching device having a control input, and an integrated circuit coupled to the switching device control input, having an enable input receiving a signal indicating whether the switching device is to be on or off, an input sensing current flow through the switching device, and an input sensing voltage at the switched power output, the circuit operable to control the switching device based on the control input, current sensing input and voltage sensing input.