Patent ID: 6204693
Filing Date: 2001-03-20
Classification: F02P

Abstract:
An apparatus for regulating a flow of current through a load, comprising:a measurement line connecting a load to ground;a current source connected to said measurement line and to an output line, said current source outputting a current onto said output line in dependence on a voltage on said measurement line;an arithmetic and logic unit having an analog input and a digital input each connected to said output line;a switch connected to said arithmetic and logic unit;said arithmetic and logic unit determining a value of the voltage on said output line via said analog input and, depending on the voltage determined via said analog input, regulating the flow of current through the load via said switch;said arithmetic and logic unit determining the voltage on said output line via said digital input and deciding whether there is a low signal; andsaid arithmetic and logic unit, if there is a low signal at said digital input, opening said switch in a predeterminable time range and thereby interrupting the flow of current through the load.