Patent attributes
An apparatus and method for temperature-dependent transient blocking employing a transient blocking unit (TBU) that uses at least one depletion mode n-channel device interconnected with at least one depletion mode p-channel device. The interconnection is performed such that a transient alters a bias voltage Vp of the p-channel device and a bias voltage Vn of the n-channel device in concert to effectuate their mutual switch off to block the transient. The apparatus has a temperature control unit that is in communication with the TBU and adjusts at least one of the bias voltages Vp, Vn in response to a sensed temperature Ts, thereby enabling the apparatus to also respond to over-temperature. In some embodiments the p-channel device is replaced with a positive temperature coefficient thermistor (PTC). The temperature control unit can use any suitable circuit element, including, among other a PTC, resistor, negative temperature coefficient element, positive temperature coefficient element, transistor, diode.
