Voltage regulator
First Claim
1. A voltage regulator, comprising:
- first and second circuit points connectable to a source of rectified AC power;
third and fourth circuit points connectable to a device requiring DC power;
means connected between said third and fourth circuit points for storing power;
means for monitoring a current flow between said first and third circuit points;
means for monitoring the voltage potential between said third and fourth circuit points;
means for controlling said current flow between said first and second circuit points, said controlling means being responsive to said current flow monitoring means and said voltage potential monitoring means;
means for connecting and disconnecting said first and second circuit points in shorted electrical communication with each other;
means, responsive to a preselected signal from said device, for causing said connecting and disconnecting means to connect said first and second circuit points in shorted electrical communication with each other; and
means, responsive to said causing means, for charging said storing means more rapidly in response to a presence in said preselected signal than in an absence of said preselected signal.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A voltage regulator circuit is provided for a sensor that is connected in a two-wire scheme to a circuit comprising a power supply and a load. The circuit regulates the current flowing through the load when the sensor output is inactive and provides power to the sensor during periods of time when the input power of the regulator circuit is insufficient to do so. A current monitor and a voltage monitor are provided which utilize common circuit elements to control the current flowing through the circuit. The operational characteristics of a MOSFET device are used advantageously to control the magnitude of current flowing through the sensor and regulate the current as a function of both the magnitude of current and the magnitude of a voltage potential across a bulk capacitor.
-
Citations
19 Claims
-
1. A voltage regulator, comprising:
-
first and second circuit points connectable to a source of rectified AC power; third and fourth circuit points connectable to a device requiring DC power; means connected between said third and fourth circuit points for storing power; means for monitoring a current flow between said first and third circuit points; means for monitoring the voltage potential between said third and fourth circuit points; means for controlling said current flow between said first and second circuit points, said controlling means being responsive to said current flow monitoring means and said voltage potential monitoring means; means for connecting and disconnecting said first and second circuit points in shorted electrical communication with each other; means, responsive to a preselected signal from said device, for causing said connecting and disconnecting means to connect said first and second circuit points in shorted electrical communication with each other; and means, responsive to said causing means, for charging said storing means more rapidly in response to a presence in said preselected signal than in an absence of said preselected signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A voltage regulator, comprising:
-
first and second circuit points connectable to a source of rectified AC power; third and fourth circuit points connectable to a sensor; a capacitor connected between said third and fourth circuit points; means for monitoring a current flow between said first and third circuit points; means for monitoring the voltage potential between said third and fourth circuit points; means for controlling said current flow between said first and second circuit points, said controlling means being responsive to said current flow monitoring means and said voltage potential monitoring means; means for connecting and disconnecting said first and second circuit points in shorted electrical communication with each other; means, responsive to a preselected signal from said sensor, for causing said connecting and disconnecting means to connect said first and second circuit points in shorted electrical communication with each other; means, responsive to said causing means, for charging said capacitor more rapidly in response to a presence of said preselected signal than in an absence of said preselected signal; and means for disabling said current monitoring means in response to receipt of said preselected signal. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
-
19. A voltage regulator, comprising:
-
first and second circuit points connectable to a source of rectified AC power; third and fourth circuit points connectable to a sensor; a capacitor connected between said third and fourth circuit points; means for monitoring a current flow between said first and third circuit points, said current flow monitoring means comprising a PNP transistor having its emitter and base connected in series between said first and third circuit points; means for monitoring the voltage potential between said third and fourth circuit points, said voltage potential monitoring means comprising a Zener diode; means for controlling said current flow between said first and second circuit points, said controlling means being responsive to said current flow monitoring means and said voltage potential monitoring means; means for connecting and disconnecting said first and second circuit points in shorted electrical communication with each other; means, responsive to a preselected signal from said sensor, for causing said connecting and disconnecting means to connect said first and second circuit points in shorted electrical communication with each other; and means, responsive to said causing means, for charging said capacitor more rapidly in response to a presence in said preselected signal than in an absence of said preselected signal.
-
Specification