Solid state switch

• Main Author: ROGERS, WESLEY A
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 15.07.1980
• Subjects: APPARATUS FOR CONVERSION BETWEEN AC AND AC, BETWEEN AC AND DC,OR BETWEEN DC AND DC, AND FOR USE WITH MAINS OR SIMILAR POWERSUPPLY SYSTEMS; BASIC ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY; CONTROL OR REGULATION THEREOF; CONVERSION OF DC OR AC INPUT POWER INTO SURGE OUTPUTPOWER; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER; ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHTING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; ELECTRICITY; GENERATION; PULSE TECHNIQUE

A semiconductor circuit actuable by a low power input signal for controlling the application of a power source to a load. The input signal is applied to a control circuit for biasing a gate controlled switch (GCS) on and off. The control circuit comprises a diode responsive to a positive input signal for conducting turn-on bias current from the input to the gate electrode of the GCS, and a pull-down transistor responsive to a ground potential input signal for conducting turn-off bias current from the gate electrode of the GCS to a ground potential. A power transistor responsive to the state of conduction of the GCS operates to conduct current from the power source to the load when the GCS is turned on and to disconnect the power source from the load when the GCS is turned off.