Power amplifier for an inductive load

Abstract

Power amplifier circuit for an inductive load including a supply voltage applied to the inductive load via a series circuit comprising a first transistor electronically coupled to a second transistor for conducting current from the supply voltage through the first and second transistors to the inductive load, wherein a reference potential smaller than the supply voltage is coupled at a center point of the series circuit. A circuit network is electronically coupled at a first node to a base of the first transistor and at a second node to a control voltage, the control voltage being greater than the supply voltage, wherein, when a voltage induced in the inductive load resulting from a change in current through the inductive load reaches a threshold level, the control voltage is fed via the circuit network to the base of said first transistor to block current flow between the first and second transistors to cause the second transistor to be electronically disconnected from the supply voltage and to be electronically connected to the reference potential, whereby the second transistor remains conducting while permitting the voltage at the inductive load to be greater than the supply voltage.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.