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

Universal power transistor base drive control unit

Patent ·
OSTI ID:866615

A saturation condition regulator system for a power transistor which achieves the regulation objectives of a Baker clamp but without dumping excess base drive current into the transistor output circuit. The base drive current of the transistor is sensed and used through an active feedback circuit to produce an error signal which modulates the base drive current through a linearly operating FET. The collector base voltage of the power transistor is independently monitored to develop a second error signal which is also used to regulate base drive current. The current-sensitive circuit operates as a limiter. In addition, a fail-safe timing circuit is disclosed which automatically resets to a turn OFF condition in the event the transistor does not turn ON within a predetermined time after the input signal transition.

Research Organization:
Eaton Corp
DOE Contract Number:
AC07-84NV10366
Assignee:
Eaton Corporation (Cleveland, OH)
Patent Number(s):
US 4749876
OSTI ID:
866615
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English