Patent ID: 9066406
Filing Date: 2015-06-23
Classification: H02M,H05B,Y02B

Abstract:
1. A driver circuit operable to provide current to a load from a direct current (DC) power source, the driver circuit comprising: first and second output terminals coupled to a power rail and a circuit ground, respectively; first and second switching elements coupled in series between the DC power source and one of the output terminals, each of the first and second switching elements having a respective gate terminal; a first energy storage device coupled to the gate terminals for the first and second switching elements and configured to define a first gate charge time for the first and second switching element; a failure detection circuit comprising wherein the failure detection circuit is configured to block voltage from the gate terminal of the third switching element during the normal operating mode, and wherein the failure detection circuit is configured to charge the gate terminal of the third switching element during a failure mode, further wherein the gate terminals of the first and second switching elements are shorted.