Surge protector
OwnerRobert Albert Dawleyinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A surge protector detects surge events using a rate of change detection circuit, which evaluates the rate of change of current through a monitored conductive element that serves as a defined load that is connected in parallel with an output load that is fed by the current. The initial surge-induced current is conducted through the conductive element, and when the rate of change of current is indicative of surge conditions, additional electronic loads are connected to absorb the surge energy and/or clamp the surge voltage.
Claims16
A surge protector comprising:
- a. a defined load (conductive element) which is configured between/across two electrical power supply conductors (power rails) that supply power to an output load also connected across the power rails so as to be connected in parallel with the output load;
- b. an optional diode bridge;
- c. a surge detection circuit including a component to detect a rate of change of current through the defined load;
- d. a detector to detect a rate of change of current;
- e. a generator to generate one or more switching control signals;
- f. one or more switches controlled responsive to the one or more switching control signal(s) to control the switches into conductive, non-conductive, and/or semi-conductive states;
- and
- g. the switches are configured to connect one or more electronic components in a conductive path between the two electrical power supply conductors.
A method for protecting electrical and electronic devices from a voltage surge comprises:
- a. connecting a conductive element between two electrical power supply conductors.
- b. connecting one or more controlled electronic components between two electrical power supply conductors.
- c. connecting switch(es) in series with the controlled components.
- d. determining a rate of change of current through the conductive element.
- e. comparing the rate of change to a set of criteria.
- f. controlling the switch(es) to connect one or more of the controlled electronic components in a conductive path between the two electrical power supply conductors if the comparison of the rate of change satisfies the criteria.
A surge protector for power supplied on power rails from a power input to an output load that is connected across the power rails and that is downstream from the power input, comprises:
- a. first series-connected components including a defined load and a surge detector connected between the rails to be in parallel with the output load, wherein the surge detector is configured to derive a rate signal indicative of a rate of change of current that flows through the defined load;
- b. second series-connected components including a surge reducer and a switch connected between the rails;
- and
- c. a controller to control the switch responsive to the rate signal to:
- i. when the rate signal is in a range indicative of a power surge, control the switch to enable the surge reducer to reduce the power surge.
- ii. when the rate signal is not in the range, control the switch to disable the surge reducer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.