Patent ID: 6034561
Filing Date: 2000-03-07
Classification: H03K

Abstract:
In combination:a power driver responsive to a load activation signal to permit current to flow through said power driver and through an inductive load connected thereto; andan inductive load snubbing device for providing transient protection of the power driver, said device comprising:a silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) having first, second, third and fourth regions of alternating semiconductor material defining PN junctions therebetween with the first region being of a P-type conductivity, said first region defining an anode of said SCR and said fourth region defining a cathode of said SCR, said anode being electrically connected to a circuit ground reference and said cathode being electrically connected to a node defined by a connection of said power device to a first end of the inductive load; andan NPN power transistor having an emitter, base and collector, said fourth region of said SCR defining said emitter, said third region of said SCR defining said base, and said collector being defined by a fifth region of semiconductor material of an N-type conductivity which surrounds said third region of said SCR and defines a PN junction therebetween, said fifth region being electrically connected to said anode of said SCR.