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:
Feb. 24, 2004
Filed:
Jan. 22, 2002
Vittorio Peduto, Ivrea, IT;
Simone Gardella, Vimodrone, IT;
STMicroelectronics S.r.l., Agrate Brianza, IT;
Abstract
A method of driving an inductive load connected to an output of a power stage includes comparing a signal representative of an instantaneous value of current flowing through the inductive load with upper and lower thresholds during a switching cycle. The method also includes alternately performing a magnetization phase during which current is forced through the inductive load, and a demagnetization phase during which a load inductance of the inductive load discharges through at least one of a slow recirculation discharge current path and a fast recirculation discharge current path. Switching is performed between the slow and fast recirculation discharge current paths during each switching cycle as a function of the comparison for reducing a ripple on an output signal from the power stage.