Hot-swap protection circuit

• US 6,922,320 B2
• Filed: 03/08/2004
• Issued: 07/26/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: IXYS Corporation (Littelfuse Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: IXYS Corporation (Littelfuse Incorporated)
• Inventors: Ochi, Sam Seiichiro
• Primary Examiner(s): Sircus, Brian
• Assistant Examiner(s): KITOV, ZEEV V
• Application Number:
  US10/796,402
• Publication Number:
  US 20040233603A1
• Time in Patent Office: 505 Days
• Field of Search: 361/93.1, 361/58, 361/111, 361/118
• US Class Current: 361/93.1
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 9/004 in connection with live-insertion of plug-in units involving communication with a central processing unit G06F13/40
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/0822 in field-effect transistor switches
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/163 Soft switching

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and circuitry for protecting a circuit during hot-swap events. Hot swap protection circuitry includes as overcurrent detection circuit which decouples power from a load. Circuitry is provided to detect ground-fault conditions. Noise detection circuitry is provided to reduce noise in the power that is delivered to the load.

Claims

1. A circuit comprising:

a switch configured to couple a target circuit with a source of power;

a first detector configured to detect power provided by the source of power, the first detector operatively coupled with the switch, wherein the switch closes responsive to the first detector;

a second detector configured to detect noise in the power, the second detector operatively coupled to the switch, wherein a conductivity of the switch varies responsive to the second detector;

a positive terminal; and

a negative terminal,

wherein the switch is a transistor device having a gate, a source, and a drain,

wherein the second detector comprises;

a bias voltage source;

an operational amplifier having;

an inverting input coupled with the positive terminal and coupled with the bias voltage source;

a non-inverting input coupled with a negative terminal; and

an output coupled to the gate of the switch,

wherein the bias voltage source is coupled with the first detector.

2. The circuit of claim 1 wherein the second detector couples between the source of power source and a gate of the switch.

3. The circuit of claim 1 wherein the output of the operational amplifier couples with the first detector.

4. The circuit of claim 1 wherein the bias voltage source is a voltage divider.

5. A circuit for coupling a power source to an electronic device comprising:

first circuit means for detecting a connection event wherein a connection is made between a device and a power source, the first circuit means configured to be selectively coupled to and decoupled from the power source;

second circuit means, responsive to the first circuit means, for coupling power from the power source to the electronic device so that power is applied to the electronic device in a gradual manner;

third circuit means for detecting an overcurrent event wherein the electronic device draws current from the power source exceeding a predetermined level of current; and

fourth circuit means for reducing the amount of power that is applied to the electronic device in response to the third means.

6. The circuit of claim 5 further including fifth circuit means for producing a signal indicative of an occurrence of the overcurrent event.

7. The circuit of claim 5 further including a first connection terminal and a second power connection terminal, the power connection terminals suitable for connection to the power source, the third circuit means operable to detect an overcurrent event by monitoring electrical activity on only one of the first and second connection terminals.

8. The circuit of claim 5 further including fifth circuit means for detecting electrical noise in the power, the second circuit means further being responsive to the fifth circuit means by varying the amount of power that is applied to the electronic device.

9. The circuit of claim 5 wherein the fourth circuit means is effective for decoupling the power supply from the electronic device.

10. A circuit for coupling a power source to a device comprising:

first circuit means for detecting a connection event wherein a connection is made between a device and a power source, the first circuit means configured to be selectively coupled to and decoupled from the power source;

second circuit means, responsive to the first circuit means, for coupling power from the power source to the device, the second circuit means operable to vary the amount of power that is applied to the device;

third circuit means for detecting a change in an electrical parameter of the second circuit means indicative of a disconnection between the circuit and the power source;

fourth circuit means for decoupling the power source from the device in response to the third means.

11. The method of claim 10 further including fifth circuit means for producing a signal indicative of an occurrence of the disconnection between the circuit and the power source.

12. The circuit of claim 10 further including fifth circuit means for detecting electrical noise in the power source, the second circuit means further being responsive to the fifth circuit means by varying the amount of power that is applied to the device.

13. A circuit for coupling a power source to a device comprising:

first circuit means for detecting a connection event wherein a connection is made between a device and a power source, the first circuit means configured to be selectively coupled to and decoupled from the power source;

second circuit means, responsive to the first circuit means, for providing a varying amount of power from the power source to the device;

third circuit means for detecting when the device draws current from the power source exceeding a predetermined level of current;

fourth circuit means for decoupling the power source from the device in response to the third means;

fifth circuit means for detecting a change in an electrical parameter of the second circuit means indicative of a disconnection between the circuit and the power source; and

sixth circuit means for decoupling the power source from the device in response to the fifth means.

14. The circuit of claim 13 further including seventh circuit means for detecting electrical noise in the power, the second circuit means further being responsive to the seventh circuit means by varying the amount of power that is applied to the device.