Patent ID: 8542076
Filing Date: 2013-09-24
Classification: H01J,H03H,H05H

Abstract:
1. An impedance matching circuit selectively operable in a normal matching mode and a protection mode, the impedance matching circuit comprising: a control circuit configured to, while the impedance matching circuit is operating in the normal matching mode, cause the impedance matching circuit to operate in the protection mode in response to determining that a load is in a hazardous state; a set of reactances in a first reactance arrangement configured to transform an impedance of the load to an impedance within a range of a nominal impedance of an HF generator in the normal matching mode; and a PIN diode switch having a first invariable switching state in the normal matching mode, and a second switching state that reconfigures the set of reactances into a second reactance arrangement in the protection mode, wherein the second reactance arrangement is configured to transform the impedance of the load to prevent damage to the HF generator or to transmission circuitry arranged between the HF generator and the load and further comprising a DC voltage source having an associated overshoot device and associated with the PIN diode switch to produce a reverse bias voltage.