Electronic circuit breaker apparatus and systems
First Claim
1. An electronic circuit breaker configured to isolate a load from a power-supply unit, comprising:
- a current sensor configured to be coupled to the power-supply unit;
a first switch coupled to the current sensor and configured to be coupled to the load;
a switch controller coupled to the current sensor and the first switch, the switch controller configured to be also coupled to and receive power from the power-supply unit and configured to switch OFF the first switch when the current sensor detects an amount of current from the power-supply unit greater than a predetermined amount, the switch controller comprisingan anti-latch-up circuit, the anti-latch-up circuit including;
a band gap reference including a first cathode and a first anode, anda diode including a second cathode and a second anode coupled in series with the first anode, the anti-latch-up circuit coupled to the power-supply unit and configured to enable the switch controller to maintain the first switch in an ON condition during start-up; and
a comparator including;
a first negative terminal,a first positive terminal coupled to the first cathode,a first output terminal coupled to the second cathode, anda second switch coupled to the first output terminal and configured to be coupled to the first switch.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Electronic circuit breakers and systems for isolating a load from a power-supply unit are provided. One electronic circuit breaker includes a current sensor, a switching element coupled to the current sensor, and a switch controller coupled to the current sensor and the switching element. The switch controller is powered by the power-supply unit and is configured to switch OFF the switching element when the current sensor detects an amount of current from the power-supply unit greater than a predetermined amount. An electronic system includes a power-supply unit, a load, and the above-referenced electronic circuit breaker coupled to the power-supply unit and the load.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. An electronic circuit breaker configured to isolate a load from a power-supply unit, comprising:
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a current sensor configured to be coupled to the power-supply unit; a first switch coupled to the current sensor and configured to be coupled to the load; a switch controller coupled to the current sensor and the first switch, the switch controller configured to be also coupled to and receive power from the power-supply unit and configured to switch OFF the first switch when the current sensor detects an amount of current from the power-supply unit greater than a predetermined amount, the switch controller comprising an anti-latch-up circuit, the anti-latch-up circuit including; a band gap reference including a first cathode and a first anode, and a diode including a second cathode and a second anode coupled in series with the first anode, the anti-latch-up circuit coupled to the power-supply unit and configured to enable the switch controller to maintain the first switch in an ON condition during start-up; and a comparator including; a first negative terminal, a first positive terminal coupled to the first cathode, a first output terminal coupled to the second cathode, and a second switch coupled to the first output terminal and configured to be coupled to the first switch. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An electronic circuit breaker configured to isolate a load from a power-supply unit, comprising:
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a current sensor configured to be coupled to the power-supply unit; a first switch coupled to the current sensor and configured to be coupled to the load, wherein the electronic circuit breaker is capable of being coupled to loads in the range of about 1.0 mA to about 1.0 kA or loads in the range of about 1.0 mV to about 1.2 kV; a switch controller coupled to the current sensor and the first switch, the switch controller configured to be also coupled to and receive power from the power-supply unit and configured to switch OFF the first switch when the current sensor detects an amount of current from the power-supply unit greater than a predetermined amount, the switch controller comprising an anti-latch-up circuit, the anti-latch-up circuit including; a band gap reference including a first cathode and a first anode, and a diode including a second cathode and a second anode coupled in series with the first anode, the anti-latch-up circuit coupled to the power-supply unit and configured to enable the switch controller to maintain the first switch in an ON condition during start-up; and a comparator including; a first negative terminal, a first positive terminal coupled to the first cathode, a first output terminal coupled to the second cathode; and a second switch coupled to the first output terminal and configured to be coupled to the first switch. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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7. An electronic system, comprising:
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a power-supply unit; a load; and an electronic circuit breaker comprising; a current sensor coupled to the power-supply unit, a first switch coupled to the current sensor and the load, and a switch controller coupled to the power-supply unit, the current sensor, and the first switch, wherein the switch controller is powered by the power-supply unit and is configured to switch OFF the first switch when the current sensor detects an amount of current from the power-supply unit greater than a predetermined amount, wherein the switch controller comprises; an anti-latch-up circuit configured to be coupled to the power-supply unit, the anti-latch-up circuit configured to enable the switch controller to maintain the first switch in an ON condition during start-up, a second switch coupled to the first output terminal and the first switch, and a comparator including; a first negative terminal; a first positive terminal coupled to the anti-latch-up circuit; and a first output terminal coupled to the anti-latch-up circuit, the first output terminal coupled to the second switch. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
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Specification