Patent ID: 6806668
Filing Date: 2004-10-19
Classification: H02M

Abstract:
A protection device for protecting a switching device arranged to control a current through an inductive load subject to a supply voltage, by switching a first and a second terminal of the inductive load to the respective pole of the supply voltage, the switching device being controlled by a switching control device, the switching control device operating based on a predetermined algorithm, and the switching device including flyback body diodes, said protection device comprising:measuring means for measuring a voltage level on a first terminal of the load; decision means for making a decision on switching the first terminal of the load if the measured voltage level exceeds the supply voltage, to counteract the voltage level of the first terminal; and instructing means for instructing the switching control device based on the decision on switching the first terminal of the load, to limit the current through a body diode by counteracting the voltage level over the load.