Patent ID: 7817400
Filing Date: 2010-10-19
Classification: H01H,H03K

Abstract:
1. An apparatus, comprising: a power supply to generate a supply current; at least one optoisolator coupled to the power supply and responsive to the supply current to generate a charging current, and including a light-emitting diode coupled between the power supply and a low-voltage ground, and at least one photodiode optically coupled to the light-emitting diode; a capacitor coupled to the at least one optoisolator and responsive to the charging current to build up a charge, wherein the at least one photodiode is coupled between the capacitor and a high-voltage ground, with a high voltage of the high-voltage ground being high relative to a low voltage of the low-voltage ground; and an actuating switch, coupled to the capacitor, to release the charge from the capacitor to generate a relay actuating current; wherein the power supply and the light-emitting diode define a low-voltage circuit portion and the at least one photodiode, the actuating switch and the capacitor define a high-voltage circuit portion, with a high voltage of the high-voltage circuit portion being high relative to a low voltage of the low-voltage circuit portion.