Patents by Inventor Howard W. Collins

Howard W. Collins has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Fast turn-off circuit for photovoltaic driven MOSFET
    Patent number: 4777387
    Abstract: A power MOSFET is controlled by illuminating a single photovoltaic generator which produces an output current which charges the gate capacitanace of the power MOSFET to turn on the device. A sensing impedance which may be a diode, MOSFET or other component is connected between the photovoltaic generator and the gate of the power MOSFET. The sensing impedance in the disclosed embodiment is a diode. The sensing impedance forces the power MOSFET gate voltage instantaneously to follow the photovoltaic generator output voltage. The diode is connected in series with the charging circuit and a switching transistor is connected in parallel with the gate capacitance of the MOSFET.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1988
    Assignee: International Rectifier Corporation
    Inventor: Howard W. Collins