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Circuit-protection devices

  • US 8,766,365 B2
  • Filed: 02/21/2012
  • Issued: 07/01/2014
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/21/2012
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A circuit-protection device, comprising:

  • first and second circuit-protection units, each comprising first and second nodes; and

    a gate that selectively electrically couples the first node of the first circuit-protection unit to the first node of the second circuit-protection unit in response to a voltage that is selectively applied to a control gate of the gate while a voltage is applied to the first node of the first circuit-protection unit and while a voltage is applied to the first node of the second circuit-protection unit, wherein the voltage that is selectively applied to the control gate of the gate is applied-separately from the voltage applied to the first node of the first circuit-protection unit and separately from the voltage applied to the first node of the second circuit-protection unit;

    wherein the first nodes of first and second circuit-protection units are on a common active region of a single conductivity type; and

    wherein the gate is configured to electrically isolate the first nodes of first and second circuit-protection units from each other when the first nodes of first and second circuit-protection units are at different voltages and to couple the first nodes of first and second circuit-protection units when the first nodes of first and second circuit-protection units are at about a same voltage that is higher than either of the different voltages.

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