Patent ID: 6614134
Filing Date: 2003-09-02
Classification: H02J

Abstract:
A voltage supply circuit for an Electronic Control Unit comprising:a voltage regulator having an input terminal and an output terminal, said output terminal adapted to be continuously connected to the Electronic Control Unit, said voltage regulator also having a ground terminal; a power supply having a ground terminal connected to said voltage regulator ground terminal, said power supply also having a supply terminal; a diode having a cathode connected to said supply terminal of said power supply and an anode connected to said voltage regulator input terminal; a capacitor having first and second ends, said first end of said capacitor connected to said voltage regulator ground terminal; a charge supply connected said second terminal of said capacitor, said charge supply operable to charge said capacitor to a voltage which is greater than the voltage available at said supply terminal of said power supply; an electronic switch connected between said second terminal of said capacitor and said input terminal of said voltage regulator, said electronic switch including a control port; and a controller having first and second input ports and an output port, said first controller input port connected to said voltage regulator input terminal and said second controller input port connected to a reference voltage, said controller output port connected to said electronic switch input terminal with said controller being operative to cause said electronic switch to connect said second terminal of said capacitor to said voltage regulator input terminal when said power supply voltage decreases to a predetermined voltage such that said capacitor maintains the voltage at said voltage regulator input terminal above said predetermined level for a period of time.