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Title: Universal power transistor base drive control unit

Abstract

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.

Inventors:
 [1];  [2]
  1. Allen Park, MI
  2. Racine, WI
Issue Date:
Research Org.:
Eaton Corp
OSTI Identifier:
866615
Patent Number(s):
4749876
Assignee:
Eaton Corporation (Cleveland, OH)
Patent Classifications (CPCs):
H - ELECTRICITY H03 - BASIC ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY H03K - PULSE TECHNIQUE
DOE Contract Number:  
AC07-84NV10366
Resource Type:
Patent
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
universal; power; transistor; base; drive; control; unit; saturation; condition; regulator; achieves; regulation; objectives; baker; clamp; dumping; excess; current; output; circuit; sensed; active; feedback; produce; error; signal; modulates; linearly; operating; fet; collector; voltage; independently; monitored; regulate; current-sensitive; operates; limiter; addition; fail-safe; timing; disclosed; automatically; resets; event; predetermined; time; input; transition; active feedback; feedback circuit; power transistor; predetermined time; base drive; input signal; error signal; control unit; timing circuit; output circuit; circuit operates; drive current; determined time; /327/323/

Citation Formats

Gale, Allan R, and Gritter, David J. Universal power transistor base drive control unit. United States: N. p., 1988. Web.
Gale, Allan R, & Gritter, David J. Universal power transistor base drive control unit. United States.
Gale, Allan R, and Gritter, David J. Fri . "Universal power transistor base drive control unit". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/866615.
@article{osti_866615,
title = {Universal power transistor base drive control unit},
author = {Gale, Allan R and Gritter, David J},
abstractNote = {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.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {1988},
month = {1}
}