Current limiting voltage regulator
First Claim
1. A current limiting voltage regulator for a DC power supply that provides an output DC voltage comprising:
- a current sensor means for sensing the current provided by the DC power supply to obtain a sensed current signal;
a threshold generator means for generating a dynamic current threshold reference signal;
a detector means for detecting when the sensed current signals exceed the dynamic current threshold reference signal and if detected to provide a voltage override signal according to a preselected function;
voltage control means for controlling the output DC voltage and in response to the voltage override signal adjusts the output DC voltage to limit the current flow from the DC power supply; and
the first threshold generator means includes;
a first threshold generator means for generating a first preselected threshold that is a first stage of the dynamic current threshold reference signal and when exceeded by the sensed current signal will cause the detector means to provide the voltage override signal of a first magnitude that will cause the voltage control circuit to reduce the DC output voltage to a first preselected output voltage, and a second threshold generator means for generating a second preselected threshold that is a second stage of the dynamic threshold reference signal and when exceeded by the sensed current signal at the first preselected output voltage will cause the detector means to provide the voltage override signal of a second magnitude that will cause the voltage control circuit to reduce the DC output voltage to a second preselected output voltage, and a third threshold generator means for generating a third preselected threshold that is a third stage of the dynamic threshold reference signal and when exceeded by the sensed current signal at the second preselected voltage will cause the detector means to provide the voltage override signal of a third magnitude that will cause the voltage control circuit to reduce the DC output voltage to a third preselected voltage.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A voltage regulator for a DC power supply senses the current in the return line of the power supply and compares the sensed current to a threshold that is generated within the regulator section of the power supply. When the sensed current exceeds the threshold, a detector circuit will sense the threshold being exceeded and override the voltage control circuit that is used to regulate the DC power supply and reduce or remove the output voltage until the sensed current falls below the threshold level. The current limiting action is preformed by controlling the conductance of the pass element so that the pass element is always operating within its safe operating area.
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Citations
7 Claims
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1. A current limiting voltage regulator for a DC power supply that provides an output DC voltage comprising:
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a current sensor means for sensing the current provided by the DC power supply to obtain a sensed current signal; a threshold generator means for generating a dynamic current threshold reference signal; a detector means for detecting when the sensed current signals exceed the dynamic current threshold reference signal and if detected to provide a voltage override signal according to a preselected function; voltage control means for controlling the output DC voltage and in response to the voltage override signal adjusts the output DC voltage to limit the current flow from the DC power supply; and the first threshold generator means includes;
a first threshold generator means for generating a first preselected threshold that is a first stage of the dynamic current threshold reference signal and when exceeded by the sensed current signal will cause the detector means to provide the voltage override signal of a first magnitude that will cause the voltage control circuit to reduce the DC output voltage to a first preselected output voltage, and a second threshold generator means for generating a second preselected threshold that is a second stage of the dynamic threshold reference signal and when exceeded by the sensed current signal at the first preselected output voltage will cause the detector means to provide the voltage override signal of a second magnitude that will cause the voltage control circuit to reduce the DC output voltage to a second preselected output voltage, and a third threshold generator means for generating a third preselected threshold that is a third stage of the dynamic threshold reference signal and when exceeded by the sensed current signal at the second preselected voltage will cause the detector means to provide the voltage override signal of a third magnitude that will cause the voltage control circuit to reduce the DC output voltage to a third preselected voltage. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method for current limiting for a voltage regulated DC power supply that provides an output DC voltage comprising the steps of:
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sensing the current provided by the DC power supply to obtain a sensed current signal; generating a dynamic current threshold reference signal; detecting when the sensed current signal exceeds the dynamic current threshold reference signal and to provide a voltage override signal according to a preselected function; controlling the output DC voltage and in response to the voltage override signal adjusts the output DC voltage to limit the current from the DC power supply; and the steps of generating the dynamic current threshold reference signal includes the steps of;
generating a first preselected threshold that is a first stage of the dynamic current threshold reference signal and when exceeded by the sensed current will generate the voltage override signal of a first magnitude that will reduce the DC output voltage to a first preselected output voltage, generating a second preselected that is a second stage of the dynamic threshold reference signal and when exceeded by the sensed current signal at the first preselected output voltage will generate the voltage override signal of a second magnitude that will reduce the DC output voltage to a second preselected output voltage, and generating a third preselected threshold that is a third stage of a dynamic threshold reference signal and when exceeded by the sensed current signal at the second preselected voltage will generate the voltage override signal of a third magnitude that will reduce the DC output voltage to a third preselected voltage.
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Specification