Inductive load driver protection circuits having minimal power dissipation

A circuit for limiting current in an inductive load, comprising:

• a transistor having first and second current conducting electrodes and a control electrode, said first current conducting electrode coupled to said load;
• current sensing means coupled between said second current conducting electrode and a first reference voltage, said current sensing means having a sensed voltage;
• comparator means having a first input adapted to receive a bias voltage, a second input coupled to said current sensing means, and an output having a first state representative of said sensed voltage being greater than said bias voltage and a second state representative of said sense voltage being less than said bias voltage;
• control circuit means having a control terminal responsive to said output of said comparator means and having an output coupled to said control electrode for rendering said transistor nonconductive when said output of said comparator means is in said first state and for rendering said transistor conductive when said output of said comparator means is in said second state;
• and
• time delay means coupled between said output of said comparator means and said control circuit means for disabling said transistor for a predetermined period of time following the transition at said output of said comparator means from said second state to said first state.