Low dissipation controllable electron valve
First Claim
1. An electron valve having an input, an output, and a controller coupled to the input and the output, the controller capable of controlling the output so as to be operable in a linear mode, an external switching mode, and a self-switching mode, and in any combination of the linear mode, the external switching mode, and the self-switching mode.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A controllable electron valve for controlling an energy delivered to a load circuit in response to an input power source, comprising a power controller for controlling a voltage across said load circuit, an input current being introduced to said power controller via an input voltage (VIN) electrode, said input current being generated by said input power source, said input current including a load current and an internal current (IIN), said load current being output by said power controller to said load circuit, IIN being output via a switching output; a current controller for maintaining IIN at a constant value, said current controller having an output coupled to a ground, having an input, and having at least one current control electrode; a voltage threshold controller for outputting a threshold current, said voltage threshold controller having at least one input and at least one output; and a current separator for controlling the passage of IIN and said threshold current to said constant current source, a first input of said current separator being coupled to said switching output of said power controller, a second input of said current separator being coupled to said output of said voltage threshold controller, an output of said current separator being coupled to said input of said current controller.
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Citations
15 Claims
- 1. An electron valve having an input, an output, and a controller coupled to the input and the output, the controller capable of controlling the output so as to be operable in a linear mode, an external switching mode, and a self-switching mode, and in any combination of the linear mode, the external switching mode, and the self-switching mode.
- 4. A monolithic integrated circuit having an input, an output, and a controller coupled to the input and the output, the controller capable of controlling the output so as to be operable in a linear mode, an external switching mode, and a self-switching mode, and in any combination of the linear mode, the external switching mode, and the self-switching mode.
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7. An electron valve configured to operate in a linear mode, an external switching mode switching mode, and in any combination of the linear mode, the external switching mode, and the self-switching mode.
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8. A monolithic integrated circuit configured to operate in a linear mode, an external switching mode, and a self-switching mode, and in any combination of the linear mode, the external switching mode, and the self-switching mode.
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9. A method for controlling an output current of an electron valve, comprising providing an input to the electron valve;
- providing an external control signal to the electron valve; and
controlling the output current in response, at least in part, to the input and the external control signal, thereby enabling operation of the electron valve in a linear mode, an external switching mode, and a self-switching mode, and in any combination of the linear mode, the external switching mode, and the self-switching mode.
- providing an external control signal to the electron valve; and
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10. A method for controlling operation of an electron valve having an output current, comprising coupling the electron valve to an external input source;
- providing an internal electron valve feedback signal that is a function at least in part of the output current; and
operating the electron valve, a linear mode, an external switching mode responsive of the external input source, and a self-switching mode responsive to the feedback signal, and in any combination of the linear mode, the external switching mode, and the self-switching mode.
- providing an internal electron valve feedback signal that is a function at least in part of the output current; and
- 11. A controllable electron valve having an output current and an output voltage, the electron valve having a controller that controls the output current and the output voltage separately or simultaneously such that the output can be operated in a linear mode, an external switching mode, and a self-switching mode responsive to the feedback signal, and in any combination of the linear mode, the external switching mode, and the self-switching mode.
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15. A controllable electron valve having an output current and an output voltage, the electron valve comprising a comparator for controlling, at least in part, the output voltage and a current controller for controlling the output current to permit either separate or simultaneous control of the output current and the output voltage, such that the output is operable in a linear mode, an external switching mode, and a self-switching mode responsive to the feedback signal, and in any combination of the linear mode the external switching mode, and the self-switching mode.
Specification