System and Method to Limit In-Rush Current
AssigneeThe Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.
InventorJohn Pellegrino
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Abstract
An in-rush current limiting system has a fast response time so that it can be used with power supplies that turn on and off rapidly. The system dissipates very little power during the normal mode of operation. This is achieved, in various embodiments, by connecting a regulator in series with a load capacitance and in parallel with the system load.
Claims15
An in-rush current-limiting system for a circuit comprising a load and a load capacitor, the system comprising:
- a regulator adapted for parallel connection to the load and in series with the load capacitor;
- and
- a feedback circuit for controlling the regulator.
A method of limiting in-rush current in a circuit having a load and a load capacitor, the method comprising the steps of:
- sensing, in a feedback circuit, a current flow in a regulator connected in parallel to the load and in series with the load capacitor;
- and
- in response to the current flow, adjusting an impedance of the regulator.
A method of limiting in-rush current in a circuit having a capacitive load and a system load, the method comprising the steps of:
- connecting an active component in series with the capacitive load, but in parallel with the system load;
- and
- controlling the active component using feedback responsive to current through the load capacitor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.