Smooth switching module
First Claim
1. A switching circuit module having a relatively smooth turn-on conduction transition characteristic and a relatively low power consumption and which is adapted to replace a conventional thyristor, the switching circuit module comprising:
- a gate terminal;
an anode terminal and a cathode terminal between which current flows when the switching circuit is in conduction;
a controlled transition circuit electrically connected to conduct current between the anode and cathode terminals when in a fully conductive state and not to conduct current between the anode and cathode terminals when in a non-conductive state, the controlled transition circuit transitioning from the non-conductive state to the fully conductive state over a first predetermined amount of time when a predetermined voltage is applied to the gate terminal, the controlled transition circuit creating a first predetermined voltage across the terminals when in the fully conductive state; and
a low forward voltage conduction circuit electrically connected to conduct current between the anode and cathode terminals when in a conductive state and to divert current to the controlled transition circuit when in a non-conductive state, the low forward voltage conduction circuit creating a second predetermined voltage across the anode and cathode terminals when in the conductive state which is substantially less than the first predetermined voltage.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A switching module having a switching circuit which achieves a relatively smooth turn-on conduction transition characteristic and a relatively low power consumption. A controlled transition circuit conducts current to between two of its three terminals when in a fully conductive state. The transition circuit transitions from a non-conductive state to the fully conductive state over a predetermined amount of time to limit the di/dt and the interference signals generated by the di/dt. A low forward voltage conduction circuit also conducts current to the load in a conductive state and diverts current to the transition circuit when in a non-conductive state. The conduction circuit creates a second predetermined voltage across the terminals when in the conductive state which is substantially less than the first predetermined voltage to reduce the power consumption.
93 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A switching circuit module having a relatively smooth turn-on conduction transition characteristic and a relatively low power consumption and which is adapted to replace a conventional thyristor, the switching circuit module comprising:
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a gate terminal; an anode terminal and a cathode terminal between which current flows when the switching circuit is in conduction; a controlled transition circuit electrically connected to conduct current between the anode and cathode terminals when in a fully conductive state and not to conduct current between the anode and cathode terminals when in a non-conductive state, the controlled transition circuit transitioning from the non-conductive state to the fully conductive state over a first predetermined amount of time when a predetermined voltage is applied to the gate terminal, the controlled transition circuit creating a first predetermined voltage across the terminals when in the fully conductive state; and a low forward voltage conduction circuit electrically connected to conduct current between the anode and cathode terminals when in a conductive state and to divert current to the controlled transition circuit when in a non-conductive state, the low forward voltage conduction circuit creating a second predetermined voltage across the anode and cathode terminals when in the conductive state which is substantially less than the first predetermined voltage. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification