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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Peak voltage clamped power supply

Patent ·
OSTI ID:6762071
The cost and energy efficiency of a power supply are optimized in a semi-regulated circuit wherein regulation occurs only under a high voltage, low current condition when peak output voltage would otherwise exceed a maximum specified voltage. The circuit includes a full wave rectifier driving a modified pi filter. A transistor in series with the filter is biased by a resistor to normally operate in a fully saturated, low power dissipating mode. When the output voltage approaches the specified maximum, the breakdown voltage of a zener diode is exceeded, and the output voltage is clamped to the specified maximum through the zener diode and the base-emitter junction of the transistor.
Assignee:
Western Electric Co. Inc.
Patent Number(s):
US 4437148
OSTI ID:
6762071
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English