Opto-Isolator Multi-Voltage Detection Circuit
First Claim
1. An opto-isolator multi-voltage detection circuit comprising:
- a voltage input, the voltage input arranged for connection to the voltage source;
an opto-isolator having a light-emitting diode (LED), the opto-isolator configured to detect the presence of an input voltage applied to the voltage input from the voltage source;
a diode, the diode arranged for connection to the voltage input; and
a first transistor having a gate, a source, and a drain, the drain of the first transistor operatively coupled to the diode, and the source of the first transistor operatively coupled to the opto-isolator;
the opto-isolator, the diode, and the first transistor arranged such that a current flowing forward from the diode biases the LED, and further such that any power dissipated through the first transistor in response to the input voltage and to the current is maintained at or below an acceptable level.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An opto-isolator multi-voltage detection circuit is capable to handle a wide range of input voltages ranging from about 9 volts DC to about 240 volts AC includes an input voltage, an opto-isolator, a rectifier, a voltage divider, first and second transistors, and a DC to DC converter. The voltage divider operatively coupled to the first and second transistors is capable of evenly dividing the input voltage across the first and second transistors. The DC to DC converter operatively coupled to the transistors, the voltage divider, and the opto-isolator is capable of maintaining an output current from the rectifier. The use of the DC to DC converter, the voltage divider, and the transistors provide benefit of reducing a power dissipated throughout the entire circuit.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. An opto-isolator multi-voltage detection circuit comprising:
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a voltage input, the voltage input arranged for connection to the voltage source; an opto-isolator having a light-emitting diode (LED), the opto-isolator configured to detect the presence of an input voltage applied to the voltage input from the voltage source; a diode, the diode arranged for connection to the voltage input; and a first transistor having a gate, a source, and a drain, the drain of the first transistor operatively coupled to the diode, and the source of the first transistor operatively coupled to the opto-isolator; the opto-isolator, the diode, and the first transistor arranged such that a current flowing forward from the diode biases the LED, and further such that any power dissipated through the first transistor in response to the input voltage and to the current is maintained at or below an acceptable level. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An opto-isolator multi-voltage detection circuit comprising:
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a voltage input, the voltage input arranged for connection to the voltage source; an opto-isolator having a light-emitting diode (LED), the opto-isolator configured to detect the presence of an input voltage applied to the voltage input from the voltage source; a rectifier, the rectifier arranged for connection to the voltage input; and a first transistor and a second transistor operatively coupled in series, each transistor having a gate, a source, and a drain, the source of the first transistor operatively coupled to the drain of the second transistor, and the drain of the first transistor operatively coupled to the rectifier; wherein a current output from the rectifier biases the LED, and wherein the first and second transistors are configured to dissipate a first power level across the first and second transistors, the first power level different than a second power level dissipated across the circuit. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An opto-isolator multi-voltage detection circuit comprising:
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a voltage input, the voltage input arranged for connection to the voltage source; an opto-isolator having a light-emitting diode (LED), the opto-isolator configured to detect the presence of an input voltage applied to the voltage input from the voltage source; a diode, a resistor, and a capacitor connected in series and cooperating to define a rectifier, the rectifier connected to the voltage input; a first transistor and a second transistor operatively coupled in series, each transistor having a gate, a source, and a drain, the source of the first transistor connected to the drain of the second transistor, and the drain of the first transistor connected to the rectifier; a voltage divider connected to the gates of the first and second transistors, the voltage divider configured to divide the input voltage across the first and second transistors; and a DC to DC converter connected to the source of the second transistor and the opto-isolator; wherein a current output from the DC to DC converter biases the LED, and wherein the first and second transistors are configured to dissipate a first power level across the first and second transistors, the first power level different than a second power level dissipated across the circuit.
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20. A method for handling a variety of input voltages from a voltage source comprising:
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operatively coupling an opto-isolator to a voltage input to detect the presence of the input voltage applied to the voltage input from the voltage source; forward biasing a light-emitting diode (LED) of the opto-isolator when a current from a diode operatively to the voltage input is detected; and operatively coupling a first transistor to the diode and the opto-isolator; wherein maintaining any power dissipated through the first transistor at or below an acceptable level. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification