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. 17, 2009
Filed:
Apr. 04, 2007
Shengming Huang, Gourock, GB;
Shengming Huang, Gourock, GB;
National Semiconductor Corporation, Santa Clara, CA (US);
Abstract
A signal source generates a reference voltage, and a voltage regulator receives the reference voltage and generates an output voltage and current. During normal operation, a pass element in the voltage regulator generates the output voltage, and a sense element generates a sense voltage. A first voltage detector detects a short-circuit condition using the sense voltage. A second voltage detector deactivates the pass element in response to the detection of the short-circuit condition. The second voltage detector also detects removal of the short-circuit condition and automatically reactivates the pass element. The first voltage detector may detect the short-circuit condition by detecting a drop in the sense voltage. The second voltage detector may detect the removal of the short-circuit condition by applying a test current to a load. Both the first and second voltage sensors may not consume any direct current power during normal operation of the voltage regulator.