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. 27, 2007
Filed:
Jul. 29, 2004
Adrian Finney, Oldham, GB;
Adrian Finney, Oldham, GB;
Zetex PLC, Chadderton, Oldham, GB;
Abstract
A temperature dependent switching circuit comprises a first transistor with a threshold voltage Vth having a negative temperature coefficient. A diode having a forward voltage drop with a negative temperature coefficient coupled with its anode connected to the drain of the first transistor and its cathode connected to the gate of the first transistor. A first resistor is coupled between a power supply terminal and the drain of the first transistor. A low voltage supply is terminal connected to the source of the first transistor. A second resistor is coupled between the gate of the first transistor and the low voltage supply terminal. A switching transistor has its source connected to the low voltage supply terminal and its gate coupled to the drain of the first transistor. The drain of the first transistor provides a voltage with a negative temperature coefficient equal to the sum of the forward voltage drop across the diode and the threshold voltage of the first transistor. As the temperature in the circuit rises to a predetermined temperature the voltage at the gate of the switching transistor drops below the threshold voltage for the switching transistor turning off the current flowing from the drain to the source of the switching transistor.