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:
Jun. 22, 2010
Filed:
Oct. 08, 2008
Michael Joseph Schutten, Rotterdam, NY (US);
Robert Louis Steigerwald, Burnt Hills, NY (US);
Glen Peter Koste, Niskayuna, NY (US);
Jeffrey Joseph Nasadoski, Gloversville, NY (US);
Michael Joseph Schutten, Rotterdam, NY (US);
Robert Louis Steigerwald, Burnt Hills, NY (US);
Glen Peter Koste, Niskayuna, NY (US);
Jeffrey Joseph Nasadoski, Gloversville, NY (US);
General Electric Company, Niskayuna, NY (US);
Abstract
An optically powered drive circuit and a method for controlling a first semiconductor switch are provided. The optically powered drive circuit includes a photovoltaic cell configured to receive a first light signal from a fiber optic cable and to output a first voltage in response to the first light signal. The optically powered drive circuit further includes an energy storage device electrically coupled to the photovoltaic cell configured to store electrical energy received from the first voltage and to output a second voltage. The optically powered drive circuit further includes an electrical circuit electrically coupled to both the photovoltaic cell and the energy storage device. The electrical circuit is energized by the second voltage. The electrical circuit is configured to receive the first voltage and to output a third voltage in response to the first voltage for controlling operation of the first semiconductor switch.