Shunt voltage regulator with a variable load unit
First Claim
1. A voltage regulator for regulating a power source that supplies an input signal, comprising:
- input terminals connected across the power supply;
a voltage sensor connected across the input terminals that receives the input signal and generates a scaled input signal from the input signal that is a fraction of the input signal in magnitude;
a reference generator that receives the scaled input signal from the voltage sensor and generates a reference signal;
a variable load unit connected across the input terminals; and
a control unit that receives and compares the scaled input signal and the reference signal and controls the variable load unit to dissipate a first portion of the input signal if the scaled input signal exceeds the reference signal.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A voltage regulator for regulating a power source that supplies an input signal includes input terminals connected across the power supply, a voltage sensor, a reference generator, a variable load unit, and a control unit. The voltage sensor is connected across the input terminals and receives the input signal and generates a scaled input signal from the input signal that is a fraction of the input signal in magnitude. The reference generator receives the scaled input signal from the voltage sensor and generates a reference signal. The variable load unit is connected across the input terminals. The control unit receives and compares the scaled input signal and the reference signal and instructs the variable load unit to dissipate a first portion of the input signal if the scaled input signal exceeds the reference signal.
40 Citations
48 Claims
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1. A voltage regulator for regulating a power source that supplies an input signal, comprising:
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input terminals connected across the power supply; a voltage sensor connected across the input terminals that receives the input signal and generates a scaled input signal from the input signal that is a fraction of the input signal in magnitude; a reference generator that receives the scaled input signal from the voltage sensor and generates a reference signal; a variable load unit connected across the input terminals; and a control unit that receives and compares the scaled input signal and the reference signal and controls the variable load unit to dissipate a first portion of the input signal if the scaled input signal exceeds the reference signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. A method for regulating an input voltage signal, the method comprising the acts of:
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sensing the voltage of the input signal to determine an input voltage; determining a reference voltage dependent on the input voltage that varies in response to changes in the input voltage; comparing the input voltage and the reference voltage; and dissipating a portion of the energy in the input signal when the input voltage exceeds the reference voltage. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 48)
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46. A voltage regulator connected to a power source that supplies an input signal, comprising:
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means for receiving the input signal and generating a scaled input signal from the input signal that is a fraction of the input signal in magnitude; means for receiving the scaled input signal and generating a reference signal; means for dissipating energy in the input signal; and means for receiving and comparing the scaled input signal and the reference signal and instructing the dissipating means to dissipate a first portion of the input signal if the scaled input signal exceeds the reference signal. - View Dependent Claims (47)
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Specification