Protection circuit and method for floating power transfer device
First Claim
1. A protection circuit comprising:
- a control circuit for controlling switching of at least one switch of a floating power transfer device, the at least one switch controlling charging of a reservoir capacitor of the floating power transfer device across which a load is applied when in use;
a fault detection circuit for detecting a fault in at least one of the floating power transfer device or the load, and for sending a fault detect signal to the control circuit responsive thereto; and
a precharge driver circuit for pre-charging the reservoir capacitor, the precharge driver circuit being enabled by the control circuit responsive to receipt of the fault detect signal from the fault detection circuit, wherein when enabled, the precharge driver circuit attempts to precharge the reservoir capacitor to a voltage level sufficient for switching of the at least one switch to proceed without damaging the at least one switch.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A protection circuit and method are provided for a floating power transfer device having one or more switches for controlling charging of a reservoir capacitor across which a load is applied when in use. The protection circuit includes a control circuit, a fault detection circuit and a precharge driver circuit. The control circuit at least partially controls switching of the at least one switch, while the fault detection circuit detects when a fault in the floating power transfer device or the load occurs and sends a fault detect signal to the control circuit in response thereto. The precharge driver circuit, which is enabled by the control circuit responsive to receipt of the fault detect signal, attempts to precharge the reservoir capacitor to a voltage level sufficient for switching of the one or more switches to proceed without damaging the switches.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A protection circuit comprising:
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a control circuit for controlling switching of at least one switch of a floating power transfer device, the at least one switch controlling charging of a reservoir capacitor of the floating power transfer device across which a load is applied when in use; a fault detection circuit for detecting a fault in at least one of the floating power transfer device or the load, and for sending a fault detect signal to the control circuit responsive thereto; and a precharge driver circuit for pre-charging the reservoir capacitor, the precharge driver circuit being enabled by the control circuit responsive to receipt of the fault detect signal from the fault detection circuit, wherein when enabled, the precharge driver circuit attempts to precharge the reservoir capacitor to a voltage level sufficient for switching of the at least one switch to proceed without damaging the at least one switch. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A device comprising:
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a reservoir capacitor across which a load is applied when in use; a power supply voltage for charging the reservoir capacitor; at least one switch coupled between the power supply voltage and the reservoir capacitor to selectively connect and disconnect the power supply voltage from the reservoir capacitor; and a protection circuit for the at least one switch, the protection circuit including; a control circuit for controlling switching of the at least one switch of the device, a fault detection circuit for detecting a fault in at least one of the device or the load, and for sending a fault detect signal to the control circuit responsive thereto, and a precharge driver circuit for precharging the reservoir capacitor, the precharge driver circuit being enabled by the control circuit responsive to receipt of the fault detect signal from the fault detection circuit, and wherein when enabled, the precharge driver circuit attempts to precharge the reservoir capacitor to a voltage level sufficient for switching of the at least one switch to proceed without damaging the at least one switch. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method comprising:
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controlling switching of at least one switch, the at least one switch controlling charging of a reservoir capacitor of a floating power transfer device across which a load is applied when in use; monitoring at least one of the floating power device and the load for detecting a fault, and upon detecting a fault, generating a fault detect signal; and responsive to generating of the fault detect signal, attempting to precharge the reservoir capacitor to a voltage level sufficient for switching of the at least one switch to proceed without damaging the at least one switch. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A circuit comprising:
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means for controlling switching of at least one switch, the at least one switch controlling charging of a reservoir capacitor or a floating power transfer device across which a load is applied when in use; means for monitoring at least one of the floating power device and the load for detecting a fault, and upon detecting a fault, for generating a fault detect signal; and means for attempting, responsive to generating of the fault detect signal, to precharge the reservoir capacitor to a voltage level sufficient for switching of the at least one switch to proceed without damaging the at least one switch.
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Specification