IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,808,757
Granted Patent B2
US 7,808,757 · App. 11/576,135 · Granted Oct 5, 2010

Power switching apparatus with overload protection

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,808,757
App. No.
11/576,135
Granted
Oct 5, 2010
Kind
B2
Abstract

Power supply apparatus with overload protection comprising a switch responsive to an input signal for switching between an ON-state for supplying current from a source of power to a load and an OFF-state for interrupting the supply of current to the load, and protection means responsive to an overload condition to switch the switch to the OFF-state. The protection means is responsive to a first overload condition during an initial phase after the switch switches to the ON-state so as to switch the switch back to the OFF-state and maintain the switch in the OFF-state. The protection means is subsequently responsive to a second overload condition if the first overload condition is not detected during the initial phase so as to switch the switch to the OFF-state and subsequently switch the switch back to the ON-state after an interval of time. The protection means is responsive to the current exceeding a first threshold value in detecting the first overload condition, and is responsive to the current exceeding a second threshold value in detecting the second overload condition, the second threshold value being lower than the first threshold value. The protection means is responsive to a temperature of the switch means exceeding a temperature threshold value in detecting at least the first overload condition.

Claims (32)

1. Power supply apparatus with overload protection comprising:

switch means responsive to an input signal for switching between an ON-state for supplying current from a source of power to a load and an OFF-state for interrupting the supply of current to the load; and

protection means responsive to an overload condition to switch said switch means to said OFF-state;

wherein said protection means is responsive to a first overload condition during an initial phase of a predetermined duration after said switch means switches to said ON-state so as to switch said switch means back to said OFF-state and maintain said switch means in said OFF-state, and is subsequently responsive to a second overload condition if said first overload condition is not detected during said initial phase so as to switch said switch means to said OFF-state and subsequently switch said switch means back to said ON-state after an interval of time;

wherein said protection means is again responsive to said first overload condition during a further phase of a predetermined duration when said switch means switches back to said ON-state after said interval of time so as to switch said switch means back to said OFF-state and maintain said switch means in said OFF-state, said further phase having a shorter duration than said initial phase.

2. Power supply apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said protection means is responsive to said current exceeding a first threshold value in detecting said first overload condition and is responsive to said current exceeding a second threshold value in detecting said second overload condition said second threshold value being lower than said first threshold value.

3. Power supply apparatus as claimed in claim 2 , wherein said protection means is responsive to a temperature of said switch means exceeding a temperature threshold value in detecting at least said first overload condition.

4. Power supply apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said protection means is responsive to a temperature of said switch means exceeding a temperature threshold value in detecting at least said first overload condition.

5. Power supply apparatus with overload protection comprising:

a switch responsive to an input signal for switching between an ON-state for supplying current from a source of power to a load and an OFF-state for interrupting the supply of current to the load; and

a protection circuit responsive to an overload condition to switch said switch to said OFF-state;

wherein said protection circuit is responsive to a first overload condition during an initial phase of a predetermined duration after said switch switches to said ON-state so as to switch said switch back to said OFF-state and maintain said switch in said OFF-state, and is subsequently responsive to a second overload condition if said first overload condition is not detected during said initial phase so as to switch said switch to said OFF-state and subsequently switch said switch back to said ON-state after an interval of time; and

wherein said protection circuit is again responsive to said first overload condition during a further phase when said switch switches back to said ON-state after said interval of time so as to switch said switch back to said OFF-state and maintain said switch in said OFF-state, said further phase having a shorter duration than said initial phase.

6. Power supply apparatus as claimed in claim 5 , wherein said protection circuit is responsive to said current exceeding a first threshold value in detecting said first overload condition, and is responsive to said current exceeding a second threshold value in detecting said second overload condition, said second threshold value being lower than said first threshold value.

7. Power supply apparatus as claimed in claim 6 , wherein said protection circuit is responsive to a temperature of said switch exceeding a temperature threshold value in detecting at least said first overload condition.

8. Power supply apparatus as claimed in claim 5 , wherein said protection circuit is responsive to a temperature of said switch exceeding a first temperature threshold value in detecting at least said first overload condition.

9. Power supply apparatus as claimed in claim 8 , wherein said protection circuit is responsive to a temperature of said switch exceeding a second temperature threshold value in detecting at least said second overload condition, said second temperature threshold value being lower than said first temperature threshold value.

10. The power supply apparatus of claim 5 , when the protection circuit includes a temperature and current detection circuit.

11. The power supply apparatus of claim 10 , when the temperature and current detection circuit detects current flowing in the switch and the operating temperature of the switch.

12. A method comprising:

providing a power supply apparatus comprising a switch responsive to an input signal for switching between an ON-state for supplying current from a source of power to a load and an OFF-state for interrupting the supply of current to the load, and comprising a protection circuit responsive to an overload condition to switch said switch to said OFF-state;

responsive to a first overload condition during an initial phase of a predetermined duration after said switch switches to said ON-state, operating said protection circuit so as to switch said switch back to said OFF-state and maintain said switch in said OFF-state; and

subsequently responsive to a second overload condition if said first overload condition is not detected during said initial phase, operating the protection circuit so as to switch said switch to said OFF-state and subsequently switch said switch back to said ON-state after an interval of time;

again responsive to said first overload condition during a further phase of a predetermined duration when said switch switches back to said ON-state after said interval of time, operating said protection circuit so as to switch said switch back to said OFF-state and maintain said switch in said OFF-state, said further phase having a shorter duration than said initial phase.

13. The method as claimed in claim 12 , wherein said protection circuit is responsive to a temperature of said switch exceeding a temperature threshold value in detecting at least said first overload condition.

14. The method as claimed in claim 12 , further comprising:

detecting said first overload condition responsive to a temperature of said switch exceeding a first temperature threshold value.

15. The method as claimed in claim 14 , further comprising:

detecting said second overload condition responsive to a temperature of said switch exceeding a second temperature threshold value, the second temperature threshold value being lower than the first temperature threshold value.

16. The method as claimed in claim 12 , further comprising:

detecting said first overload condition responsive to said current exceeding a first threshold value; and

detecting said second overload condition responsive to said current exceeding a second threshold value, said second threshold value being lower than said first threshold value.

Assignments (29)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 11759915 AND REPLACE IT WITH APPLICATION 11759935 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 040925 FRAME 0001. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST. Recorded Feb 17, 2020
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: NXP, B.V. F/K/A FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
Reel/Frame 052917/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 11759915 AND REPLACE IT WITH APPLICATION 11759935 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 040928 FRAME 0001. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST. Recorded Jan 17, 2020
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: NXP B.V.
Reel/Frame 052915/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 11759915 AND REPLACE IT WITH APPLICATION 11759935 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 037486 FRAME 0517. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS. Recorded Dec 10, 2019
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 053547/0421 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 12298143 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 042985 FRAME 0001. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT. Recorded Oct 22, 2019
From: NXP B.V.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 051029/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 12298143 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 039361 FRAME 0212. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT. Recorded Oct 22, 2019
From: NXP B.V.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 051029/0387 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 12298143 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 038017 FRAME 0058. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT. Recorded Oct 22, 2019
From: NXP B.V.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 051030/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 12298143 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 042762 FRAME 0145. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT. Recorded Oct 22, 2019
From: NXP B.V.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 051145/0184 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 10, 2019
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: NXP B.V.
Reel/Frame 050745/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE TO CORRECT THE APPLICATION NO. FROM 13,883,290 TO 13,833,290 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 041703 FRAME 0536. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE THE ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS.. Recorded Feb 20, 2019
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: SHENZHEN XINGUODU TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 048734/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 12681366 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 039361 FRAME 0212. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT. Recorded May 9, 2017
From: NXP B.V.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 042762/0145 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 12681366 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 038017 FRAME 0058. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT. Recorded May 9, 2017
From: NXP B.V.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 042985/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE PATENTS 8108266 AND 8062324 AND REPLACE THEM WITH 6108266 AND 8060324 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 037518 FRAME 0292. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS. Recorded Feb 1, 2017
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 041703/0536 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE NATURE OF CONVEYANCE LISTED CHANGE OF NAME SHOULD BE MERGER AND CHANGE PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 040652 FRAME: 0180. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE MERGER AND CHANGE OF NAME. Recorded Jan 12, 2017
From: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR INC.
To: NXP USA, INC.
Reel/Frame 041354/0148 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Nov 8, 2016
From: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR INC.
To: NXP USA, INC.
Reel/Frame 040652/0180 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 7, 2016
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: NXP B.V.
Reel/Frame 040928/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 21, 2016
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: NXP, B.V., F/K/A FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
Reel/Frame 040925/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 12092129 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 038017 FRAME 0058. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT. Recorded Jul 14, 2016
From: NXP B.V.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 039361/0212 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT Recorded Mar 7, 2016
From: NXP B.V.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 038017/0058 →
ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Jan 13, 2016
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 037518/0292 →
ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Jan 12, 2016
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 037486/0517 →
PATENT RELEASE Recorded Dec 21, 2015
From: CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
Reel/Frame 037356/0553 →
PATENT RELEASE Recorded Dec 21, 2015
From: CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
Reel/Frame 037354/0640 →
PATENT RELEASE Recorded Dec 21, 2015
From: CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
Reel/Frame 037356/0143 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 6, 2013
From: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
To: CITIBANK, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 031591/0266 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 18, 2013
From: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
To: CITIBANK, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 030633/0424 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 13, 2010
From: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
To: CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 024397/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Mar 15, 2010
From: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
To: CITIBANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 024085/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 19, 2007
From: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
To: CITIBANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 019847/0804 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 5, 2007
From: GUILLOT, LAURENT; ROSADO, PHILIPPE; TURPIN, PIERRE; VAREILHIAS, FRANCOISE; JOOS, ULI; SCHNELL, JOSEF
To: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.; CONTI TEMIC MICROELECTRONIC GMBH
Reel/Frame 019517/0513 →