Methods and systems for generating interim voltage supplies

An interim voltage generator for protecting a circuit from excessive voltage differences across first and second terminals of said circuit when a first voltage amplitude is applied to said first terminal before a second voltage amplitude is applied to said second terminal, comprising:

• first and second terminal pads;
• a voltage sensor coupled between said first and second terminal pads, said voltage sensor including first and second thresholds;
• a switch having a first contact coupled to said second terminal pad and a control input coupled to an output of said voltage sensor;
• an interim voltage supply coupled to a second contact of said switch, said interim voltage supply providing an interim voltage amplitude that is below said second threshold;
• whereby said voltage sensor senses voltage amplitudes at said first and second terminal pads and controls said switch to couple said interim voltage supply to said second terminal pad when said voltage amplitude at said first terminal pad exceeds said first threshold and said voltage amplitude at said second terminal pad is below said second threshold.

A system for protecting a circuit from excessive voltage across first and second terminals of said circuit, comprising:

• means for sensing first and second voltage amplitudes at said first and second terminals, respectively;
• means for generating an interim voltage amplitude;
• means for coupling said interim voltage amplitude to said second terminal when said first voltage amplitude exceeds a first threshold and said second voltage amplitude is below a second threshold, wherein said interim voltage amplitude is less than said second threshold;
• means for de-coupling said interim voltage amplitude from said second terminal when said second voltage amplitude exceeds said second threshold;
• and
• means for de-coupling said interim voltage amplitude from said second terminal when said first voltage amplitude is below said first threshold.