Patent ID: 7489198

Claim:
A switched source of linearly regulated voltage, said switched source comprising: a source of nominally unregulated direct voltage; a load for receiving switched regulated direct voltage having a first value; a solid-state device defining first and second terminals and a controllable path for the flow of current therebetween, also defining an electrical control terminal for controlling the flow of current through said controllable path; current conducting means serially coupling said source, said path, and said load to allow flow of current during those times in which said path is conductive; regulation control means for sensing the voltage across said load, and for comparing the sensed voltage with a reference to generate a degenerative error signal centered about a second voltage having a value different from said first value; a voltage shifting arrangement coupled to said regulation control means and to said control terminal, for shifting the value of said degenerative error signal to said first value at said control terminal, whereby the voltage across said load tends to be maintained constant; and an ON-OFF control signal source coupled to said control terminal, for overriding said error signal and for disabling said path during OFF times.