Galvanically isolated switch system

Abstract

A galvanically isolated switch system and method comprising a plurality of switches having at least one terminal in series electrical connection, at least one control input electrically connected to at least one of the plurality of switches, wherein the at least one control input is isolated from direct current voltages and at least one passive component connected across the plurality of switches.

1 - 29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . A device comprising:
 a plurality of serially-connected, galvanically isolated switches configured to be individually actuated in response to a control signal received at a control input that is galvanically isolated from direct current voltages, each switch having at least two terminals;   at least one bleed circuit electrically connected between the at least two terminals of at least one switch of the plurality of switches and configured to be actuated;   wherein one or more of the switches is configured to transmit at least one data signal from as a function of the control signal; and   wherein one or more of the switches is configured to transmit at least one power signal as a function of the control signal.   
     
     
         31 . The device of  claim 30 , wherein the at least one bleed circuit comprises at least one bleed resistor. 
     
     
         32 . The device of  claim 30 , wherein the at least one bleed circuit comprises at least one bleed transistor. 
     
     
         33 . The device of  claim 30 , further comprising at least one communication link circuit operatively coupled to at least one of the plurality of switches. 
     
     
         34 . The device of  claim 33 , wherein the at least one communication link circuit comprises at least one of at least one wireless link and at least one wired link. 
     
     
         35 . The device of  claim 34 , wherein the at least one wireless link comprises at least one of at least one resonant coupling. 
     
     
         36 . The device of  claim 34 , wherein the at least one wireless link comprises at least one magnetic coupling, at least one capacitive coupling or at least one resistive coupling. 
     
     
         37 . The device of  claim 30 , further comprising at least one input capacitor electrically connected to the at least one control input. 
     
     
         38 . The device of  claim 30 , further comprising at least one input transistor electrically connected to the at least one control input. 
     
     
         39 . The device of  claim 30 , wherein at least one of the plurality of switches comprises at least one field effect transistor. 
     
     
         40 . The device of  claim 30 , wherein at least one of the plurality of switches comprises at least one bipolar transistor. 
     
     
         41 . The device of  claim 30 , wherein at least one of the plurality of switches comprises at least one microelectromechanical switch. 
     
     
         42 . The device of  claim 30 , wherein at least one of the plurality of switches comprises at least one double pole double throw switch. 
     
     
         43 . The device of  claim 30 , wherein at least one of the plurality of switches comprises at least one non-volatile memory switch. 
     
     
         44 . The device of  claim 30 , wherein at least one passive component is coupled to at least one of the plurality of switches and comprises at least one leakage path. 
     
     
         45 . The device of  claim 30 , wherein at least one passive component is coupled to at least one of the plurality of switches and comprises at least one power diode. 
     
     
         46 . The device of  claim 30 , wherein at least one passive component is coupled to at least one of the plurality of switches and comprises at least one power capacitor. 
     
     
         47 . A device comprising:
 a plurality of galvanically isolated switches, each having at least two terminals, in series electrical connection, each of the galvanically isolated switches having at least one switch input;   at least one control input interface galvanically isolated and electrically connected to at least one of the plurality of galvanically isolated switches;   at least one bleed circuit electrically connected between the at least two terminals of at least one switch of the plurality of galvanically isolated switches; and   a fault detection circuit having at least one input electrically connected to at least one of the galvanically isolated switches.   
     
     
         48 . A device comprising:
 a plurality of galvanically isolated switches, each having at least two terminals, in series electrical connection, each of the galvanically isolated switches having at least one switch input;   at least one control input interface galvanically isolated from and electrically connected to at least one of the plurality of galvanically isolated switches;   at least one bleed circuit electrically connected between the at least two terminals of at least one switch of the plurality of galvanically isolated switches; and   at least one communication link circuit operatively coupled to at least one of the plurality of galvanically isolated switches.