Patent ID: 6713991
Filing Date: 2004-03-30
Classification: G05F

Abstract:
A shunt regulator for a high voltage power source, said high voltage power source capable of producing power having one of a first polarity and a second polarity opposite to said first polarity, said regulator comprising:an input terminal coupled to said high voltage power source to receive input power therefrom; an output terminal configured to provide a regulated output power characterized by an output power characteristic; a first conduction path including a first solid-state shunt selectively engageable to shunt a variable amount of current away from said input terminal if the magnitude of said output power characteristic exceeds a first desired value and said input power has said first polarity; and a second conduction path including a second solid-state shunt selectively engageable to shunt a variable amount of current toward said input terminal if the magnitude of said output power characteristic exceeds a second desired value and said input power has said second polarity, and a control circuit configured to compare said output power characteristic to one of said first desired value and said second desired value, and further configured to engage one of said first solid-state shunt and said second solid-state shunt by transmitting a drive signal thereto.