Patent ID: 6369533
Filing Date: 2002-04-09
Classification: H01L,H02H

Abstract:
A circuit for piloting an inductive load, in particular for a DC electric motor, comprisinga circuit branch connected to a DC voltage supply source to receive a voltage of predetermined polarity, and in which, in series with a load, there is disposed a drain-source path of a first MOSFET transistor intended to receive an on-off piloting signal on its gate, a current recirculation diode connected in parallel to the load, and protection circuit means operable to prevent damage to said first MOSFET transistor and the recirculation diode in the event of polarity reversal of the supply voltage; said protection circuit means comprising a first electronic switch disposed in series with the recirculation diode and piloted to prevent the flow of current in said recirculation diode when a supply voltage of reversed polarity with respect to said predetermined polarity is applied to said circuit branch.