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US 4,045,623 AGranted
Short circuit indicator for a terminator matrix
OwnerLuis Albert Arceinventor
Life of this patent
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OwnerLuis Albert Arceinventor
Estimating the term…
A matrix of electrical termination points arranged in pairs is provided with a detection circuit for detecting short circuits between termination points. A transistor circuit is associated with each pair of termination points. A connection is provided from one of the points in each terminal pair to the transistor base which is forward biased in the absence of short circuits. A collector-emitter connection is provided through the transistor to the other terminal point in the terminal pair. A current indicator responsive to the collector-emitter current is provided for each transistor circuit. When the transistor base is forward biased, a collector-emitter current actuates thecurrent indicator associated therewith. Short circuits between terminal points within a terminal pair greatly reduces collector-emitter current and short circuits between terminal points of different terminal pairs causes the base current of the transistor of at least one transistor circuit to be bypassed, thereby removing the forward bias current of that transistor. In both instances, the current indicator is deactuated.
An electrical circuit for detecting electrical shorts among matrix terminal points in an electrical circuit termination framework having at least two opposing D.C voltage power supply bus lines, wherein said terminal points are arranged in pairs with the individual terminal points within each pair connected to opposite ones of said power supply bus lines and with a load connected across each pair of terminal points and with at least a first terminal point in each pair maintained at a unique voltage potential relative to corresponding first terminal points in other pairs under normal conditions, comprising:
In an electrical circuit termination framework having at least two opposing D.C. voltage power supply lines in which said terminal points are arranged in pairs with the individual terminal points within each pair connected to opposite ones of said electrical power supply lines, and wherein at least one of said points in each terminal pair is maintained at a unique electrical potential relative to all corresponding points in other terminal pairs, the improvement comprising a circuit for detecting short circuits between any combination of said terminal points and including for each terminal pair a transistor with its base connected to one terminal point in the associated terminal pair and with an emitter-connection between the other terminal point in the same terminal pair and the electrical power supply line connected to said one terminal point, and with a current indicating means associated with each terminal pair operative in response to collector emitter current through said transistor, whereby in the absence of short circuits between terminal points a forward base bias is maintained on said transistor means, thereby sustaining a collector-emitter current to operate said current indicating means and a short circuit between points in different terminal pairs removes said forward base bias and a short circuit between the points within a terminal pair greatly reduces the emitter-collector current whereby a short circuit between terminal points in any instance deactivates said current indicating means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.