Patent ID: 6091166
Filing Date: 2000-07-18
Classification: H03K

Abstract:
A semiconductor device based relay for controlling from a relay control input which of relay first and second power inputs are electrically connected therethrough to a relay first power output, said relay first power output being suited for selective coupling to a corresponding one of first and second periodical electrical energization sources, and said first and second relay power inputs being suited for selective coupling to a corresponding one of said first and second periodical electrical energization sources, said relay comprising:first and second semiconductor switches each having first and second power terminating regions and a control input by which said semiconductor switch is capable of being directed to provide a conductive path between said first and second terminating regions thereof, said first and second semiconductor switches first terminating regions each being electrically connected to said first relay power output, said first semiconductor switch second terminating region being electrically connected to said relay first power input and said second semiconductor switch second terminating region being electrically connected to said relay second power input;a operation converter having a pair of outputs, and having a pair of inputs suited for electrical connection to a pair of outputs of said first periodic electrical energization source, said operation converter providing a constant polarity operational electrical energy between said pair of outputs thereof in response to said operation converter being electrically energized at said inputs thereof from said first periodic electrical energization source;an input selection switch having at least one terminating region, a common region, and a control input by which said input selection switch is capable of being directed to provide a conductive path between said common region thereof and a said terminating region thereof, said input selection switch common region being coupled to an initial one of said first operation converter pair of outputs, said input selection switch control input being coupled to said relay control input; anda switching controller having first, second and third constant polarity electrical energization inputs with first and second constant polarity electrical energization inputs each being coupled to one of said input selection switch first and second terminating regions and said initial one of said first operation converter pair of outputs, and with said third constant polarity electrical energization input being coupled to that one of said pair of control converter outputs other than said initial one thereof, and said switching controller further having first and second outputs each coupled to a corresponding one of said first and second semiconductor switches control inputs, said switching controller for providing a switching signal to just one of said first and second outputs thereof in response to a signal on said relay control input directing said input selection switch to provide a conductive path between said common region thereof and said terminating region thereof, and of providing such a said switching signal on just that remaining one of said first and second outputs thereof in response to a signal on said relay control input directing said input selection switch to eliminate any conductive path between said common region thereof and said terminating region thereof.