17956343. CURRENT LIMITER CIRCUIT WITH ADJUSTABLE RESPONSE TIME simplified abstract (TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED)

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CURRENT LIMITER CIRCUIT WITH ADJUSTABLE RESPONSE TIME

Organization Name

TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED

Inventor(s)

Sahana Sriraj of Dallas TX (US)

Ralph Braxton Wade, Iii of McKinney TX (US)

CURRENT LIMITER CIRCUIT WITH ADJUSTABLE RESPONSE TIME - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 17956343 titled 'CURRENT LIMITER CIRCUIT WITH ADJUSTABLE RESPONSE TIME

Simplified Explanation

The current limiter described in the patent application includes a gain adjustment circuit that allows for changing the response time of the limiter by selecting different speed modes. Additionally, a speedup circuit is implemented to initiate a nonlinear speedup of the response time after a certain overcurrent stimulus is received.

  • The current limiter has a gain adjustment circuit to change the response time.
  • Different selectable speed modes (e.g., slow mode, fast mode) affect how quickly the limiter responds to an overcurrent stimulus.
  • Speed modes are selected by choosing between different current mirror arrangements in the gain adjustment circuit.
  • A speedup circuit is included to initiate a nonlinear speedup of the response time after a specific overcurrent stimulus.

Potential Applications

The technology described in the patent application could be applied in various industries and systems, including:

  • Power distribution systems
  • Electric vehicles
  • Renewable energy systems
  • Industrial machinery

Problems Solved

The current limiter with adjustable response time addresses the following issues:

  • Preventing damage to electrical components from overcurrent situations
  • Improving safety in electrical systems
  • Enhancing the efficiency of power distribution systems

Benefits

The benefits of this technology include:

  • Customizable response time for different applications
  • Enhanced protection against overcurrent events
  • Improved reliability and safety in electrical systems

Potential Commercial Applications

The current limiter with adjustable response time has potential commercial applications in:

  • Electrical equipment manufacturing
  • Power distribution companies
  • Automotive industry for electric vehicles
  • Renewable energy sector for solar and wind power systems

Possible Prior Art

One possible prior art for this technology could be current limiters with fixed response times that do not offer the flexibility of adjusting the speed modes for different applications.

Unanswered Questions

How does the gain adjustment circuit work in changing the response time of the current limiter?

The patent application mentions a gain adjustment circuit, but it does not provide detailed information on the specific mechanism or components involved in changing the response time. Further clarification on this aspect would be beneficial for a deeper understanding of the technology.

What criteria determine the initiation of the nonlinear speedup in the response time by the speedup circuit?

While the patent application mentions a speedup circuit that triggers a nonlinear speedup in the response time after a certain overcurrent stimulus, it does not specify the exact criteria or thresholds for this initiation. Understanding the factors that determine when the speedup circuit activates could provide insights into the functionality of the current limiter.


Original Abstract Submitted

A current limiter includes a gain adjustment circuit designed to change the response time (e.g., operation mode) of the current limiter. The current limiter may be designed to operate at different selectable speed modes (e.g., slow mode, fast mode) that affect how quickly the current limiter responds to an overcurrent stimulus. The speed modes may be selected by choosing between different current mirror arrangements in the gain adjustment circuit. Regardless of which mode of operation is selected for the current limiter, a speedup circuit may also be implemented, which includes a switch to initiate a nonlinear speedup of the response time after a certain overcurrent stimulus is received.