Circuits and methods for protecting the switches of charge pump-based power converters from damage if a V.sub.OUT short circuit event occurs and/or if V.sub.IN falls rapidly with respect to V.sub.X or V.sub.OUT. A general embodiment includes a V.sub.X Detection Block coupled to the core block of a power converter. The V.sub.X Detection Block is coupled to V.sub.X and to a control circuit that disables operations of an associated converter circuit upon detection of large, rapid falls in V.sub.X during the dead time between clock phase signals, thereby prevent damaging current spikes. Some embodiments include a V.sub.IN Detection Block configured to detect and prevent excessive in-rush current due to rapidly falling values of V.sub.IN to the power converter. The V.sub.IN Detection Block is coupled to V.sub.IN, and to V.sub.X or V.sub.OUT in some embodiments, and to a control circuit to that disables operation of an associated converter circuit.

An apparatus (such as a power converter circuit) includes s primary winding, an auxiliary winding, and an over-voltage protection circuit (such as a controller and corresponding one or more circuit components). The primary winding receives an input voltage. The auxiliary winding is magnetically coupled to the primary winding. The primary winding receives energy from the input voltage, the auxiliary winding receives the energy from the primary winding. The over-voltage protection circuit controls conveyance of the energy received from the primary winding through a discharge circuit path to a reference voltage (such as ground). Conveyance of the energy (as received from the auxiliary winding) associated with the input voltage through the discharge circuit path prevents damage to a respective power converter circuit during exposure of the input voltage to a power surge condition such as due to lightning.

The present disclosure provides a method for controlling a surgical instrument. The method includes connecting a power assembly to a control circuit, wherein the power assembly is configured to provide a source voltage, energizing, by the power assembly, a voltage boost convertor circuit configured to provide a set voltage greater than the source voltage, and energizing, by the voltage boost convertor, one or more voltage convertors configured to provide one or more operating voltages to one or more circuit components.

The present disclosure provides a method for controlling a surgical instrument. The method includes connecting a power assembly to a control circuit, wherein the power assembly is configured to provide a source voltage, energizing, by the power assembly, a voltage boost convertor circuit configured to provide a set voltage greater than the source voltage, and energizing, by the voltage boost convertor, one or more voltage convertors configured to provide one or more operating voltages to one or more circuit components.

A driver for a power device. The driver includes: a voltage providing module, configured to provide a voltage required for the power device; a drive signal isolation module, including a signal input end and a signal output end isolated with each other, the signal input end being configured to receive an external drive signal, and the signal output end being connected to a control end of the power device and configured to provide an isolation drive signal for the power device; a short circuit/overcurrent protection module, connected to a drain electrode of the power device, and configured to cut off the power device when a short circuit or an overcurrent occurs for the power device. The driver also includes a Miller clamp module, an under-voltage protection module and an over-temperature protection module.

A low-power-consumption protection circuit includes a load detection module, a secondary feedback control module, and a primary control module. The load detection module is coupled to a current detection unit. The secondary feedback control module is coupled to the load detection module and an isolation unit. The primary control module is coupled to the isolation unit and an isolation switch. When the load detection module detects that the current detection unit outputs a voltage level, the secondary feedback control module transmits a protection signal to the primary control module through the isolation unit.

A Boost DC-DC switching converter, having a safety protection method for a short circuit to ground during normal Boost operations, is described. A short circuit protection mechanism, to be used at startup, is also described. A low current capability active clamp is activated, during a soft or hard short circuit condition, and an isolation switch is turned off. An input of the switching converter is isolated from an output of the switching converter, and the Boost switching converter is able to safely discharge high energy stored in its coil, with no external components and minimum extra silicon area.

A low-power-consumption protection circuit includes a load detection module, a secondary feedback control module, and a primary control module. The load detection module is coupled to a current detection unit. The secondary feedback control module is coupled to the load detection module and an isolation unit. The primary control module is coupled to the isolation unit and an isolation switch. When the load detection module detects that the current detection unit outputs a voltage level, the secondary feedback control module transmits a protection signal to the primary control module through the isolation unit.

The present embodiments relate to methods and apparatuses for providing fault protection in a power controller such as a voltage regulator, and particularly protection against reverse over current fault conditions. Some embodiments are capable of distinguishing between different types of reverse over current conditions, such as a high-side short or a normal over voltage condition. In these and other embodiments, fault protection is performed in favor of a load connected to the voltage regulator, rather than components of the voltage regulator itself.

Various implementations described herein are directed to a methods and apparatuses for disconnecting, by a device, elements at certain parts of an electrical system. The method may include measuring operational parameters at certain locations within the system and/or receiving messages from control devices indicating a potentially unsafe condition, disconnecting and/or short-circuiting system elements in response, and reconnection the system elements when it is safe to do so. Certain embodiments relate to methods and apparatuses for providing operational power to safety switches during different modes of system operation.