A reverse current inhibitor includes: at least one diode that is bridged by a first variable resistance element; a sensing circuit; a first switching device for switching the first variable resistance element from a first higher resistance to a second lower resistance in response to a forward current that has passed the diode in its forward direction; and a second switching device for switching the first variable resistance element to a higher resistance in response to the sensing circuit detecting a reverse current corresponding to the reverse direction of the diode. The sensing circuit includes a current-voltage converter that includes a sensing resistor and amplifies a voltage drop over the sensing resistor for one sign of the voltage drop only.

A reverse current inhibitor includes: at least one diode that is bridged by a first variable resistance element; a sensing circuit; a first switching device for switching the first variable resistance element from a first higher resistance to a second lower resistance in response to a forward current that has passed the diode in its forward direction; and a second switching device for switching the first variable resistance element to a higher resistance in response to the sensing circuit detecting a reverse current corresponding to the reverse direction of the diode. The sensing circuit includes a current-voltage converter that includes a sensing resistor and amplifies a voltage drop over the sensing resistor for one sign of the voltage drop only.

A wireless electric vehicle charging system comprises base-side equipment for generating a magnetic field and vehicle-side equipment for receiving energy via the magnetic field to supply power to a vehicle-driving battery. Monitoring circuitry monitors one or more of voltage, current, or phase associated with the base-side equipment and halts generation of the magnetic field in response to a change in the voltage, current, or phase associated with the operation of the base-side equipment that indicates a fault condition at the vehicle-side equipment, which may include a loss of power or disconnection of a battery. Based on detection of the change, the monitoring circuitry can halt generation of the magnetic field to prevent damage at the vehicle-side equipment.

A wireless electric vehicle charging system comprises base-side equipment for generating a magnetic field and vehicle-side equipment for receiving energy via the magnetic field to supply power to a vehicle-driving battery. Monitoring circuitry monitors one or more of voltage, current, or phase associated with the base-side equipment and halts generation of the magnetic field in response to a change in the voltage, current, or phase associated with the operation of the base-side equipment that indicates a fault condition at the vehicle-side equipment, which may include a loss of power or disconnection of a battery. Based on detection of the change, the monitoring circuitry can halt generation of the magnetic field to prevent damage at the vehicle-side equipment.

A circuit and method for protecting from reverse current is disclosed. A reverse current protection circuit is coupled to a pass transistor of power circuitry (e.g., a power switch or voltage regulator), the pass transistor being coupled between first and second voltage nodes, the first voltage node being coupled to a power supply circuit. The reverse current protection circuit includes a sensing circuit that is configured to sense an amount of reverse current flowing through the pass transistor (from the second voltage node to the first voltage node). Responsive to the amount of reverse current exceeding a threshold value, the reverse current sensing circuit activates a shunt circuit, which redirects at least some of the reverse current to a reference node (e.g., ground).

A circuit and method for protecting from reverse current is disclosed. A reverse current protection circuit is coupled to a pass transistor of power circuitry (e.g., a power switch or voltage regulator), the pass transistor being coupled between first and second voltage nodes, the first voltage node being coupled to a power supply circuit. The reverse current protection circuit includes a sensing circuit that is configured to sense an amount of reverse current flowing through the pass transistor (from the second voltage node to the first voltage node). Responsive to the amount of reverse current exceeding a threshold value, the reverse current sensing circuit activates a shunt circuit, which redirects at least some of the reverse current to a reference node (e.g., ground).

An electronic system for a surgical instrument is disclosed. The electronic system comprises a main power supply circuit configured to supply electrical power to a primary circuit. A supplementary power supply circuit configured to supply electrical power to a secondary circuit. A short circuit protection circuit coupled between the main power supply circuit and the supplementary power supply circuit. The supplementary power supply circuit is configured to isolate itself from the main power supply circuit when the supplementary power supply circuit detects a short circuit condition at the secondary circuit. The supplementary power supply circuit is configured to rejoin the main power supply circuit and supply power to the secondary circuit, when the short circuit condition is remedied.

An electronic system for a surgical instrument is disclosed. The electronic system comprises a main power supply circuit configured to supply electrical power to a primary circuit. A supplementary power supply circuit configured to supply electrical power to a secondary circuit. A short circuit protection circuit coupled between the main power supply circuit and the supplementary power supply circuit. The supplementary power supply circuit is configured to isolate itself from the main power supply circuit when the supplementary power supply circuit detects a short circuit condition at the secondary circuit. The supplementary power supply circuit is configured to rejoin the main power supply circuit and supply power to the secondary circuit, when the short circuit condition is remedied.

An electronic system for a surgical instrument is disclosed. The electronic system comprises a main power supply circuit configured to supply electrical power to a primary circuit. A supplementary power supply circuit configured to supply electrical power to a secondary circuit. A short circuit protection circuit coupled between the main power supply circuit and the supplementary power supply circuit. The supplementary power supply circuit is configured to isolate itself from the main power supply circuit when the supplementary power supply circuit detects a short circuit condition at the secondary circuit. The supplementary power supply circuit is configured to rejoin the main power supply circuit and supply power to the secondary circuit, when the short circuit condition is remedied.

An electronic system for a surgical instrument is disclosed. The electronic system comprises a main power supply circuit configured to supply electrical power to a primary circuit. A supplementary power supply circuit configured to supply electrical power to a secondary circuit. A short circuit protection circuit coupled between the main power supply circuit and the supplementary power supply circuit. The supplementary power supply circuit is configured to isolate itself from the main power supply circuit when the supplementary power supply circuit detects a short circuit condition at the secondary circuit. The supplementary power supply circuit is configured to rejoin the main power supply circuit and supply power to the secondary circuit, when the short circuit condition is remedied.