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Solid state electrical switch

  • US 6,603,221 B1
  • Filed: 07/07/1999
  • Issued: 08/05/2003
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/22/1999
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A solid state electrical switch for controlling a electrical load, comprising:

  • a first terminal;

    a second terminal;

    a semiconductor switch coupled by said first terminal and said second terminal to form with said electrical load a series circuit across said AC power source, said semiconductor switch becoming conducting in response to receiving a control signal at a control terminal, said solid state electrical switch being in an “

    on”

    state when said semiconductor switch is conducting and in an “

    off”

    state when said semiconductor switch is not conducting; and

    a control circuit providing said control signal, said control circuit being coupled to said first and second terminals in a parallel configuration with said semiconductor switch wherein current in said control circuit has no current path in said “

    off”

    wherein said control circuit, which receives an electrical signal, comprises;

    a rectifier receiving, during said “

    off”

    state, an AC signal from said AC power source and rectifying said AC signal to provide a rectified signal; and

    a capacitor which is (a) coupled to receive said rectified signal during said “

    off”

    state; and

    (b) discharged in response to said electrical signal to generate said control signal, thereby rendering said semiconductor switch conducting.

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