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Controlling a thermally sensitive over-current protector

  • US 9,450,401 B2
  • Filed: 11/05/2012
  • Issued: 09/20/2016
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/20/2012
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A circuit for over-current protection, comprising:

  • a current sense and control circuit to be coupled to monitor a load current, and provide a control signal that is responsive to the monitored load current exceeding a predetermined threshold for a predetermined time interval;

    an automatically resettable, thermally sensitive over-current protector that conducts the load current;

    an electrical heating element that is in proximity to the resettable, thermally sensitive over-current protector and is to conduct a heating current, being separate from the load current; and

    a current source circuit having a control input coupled to receive the control signal, wherein the current source circuit is coupled to the electrical heating element that is in proximity to the resettable, thermally sensitive, over-current protector, wherein the current source circuit is to raise the heating current through the electrical heating element in accordance with the control signal to a high enough level that causes the over-current protector to trip.

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