Switching device to linearly conduct a current between a source and a load

摘要

A switching circuit (90) configured to substantially linearly conduct current between a source (101) and a load (103) includes a switching device (102) and a steering circuit (103). The switching device (102) has a conductive state in which a first portion of the current flows between the source and the load, the conductive state being dependent on the magnitude of the current. The steering circuit (103) has a conductive state in which a second portion of the current flows, such that substantially the entire current is conducted between the source and the load. The switching circuit is particularly suited for use in a magnetic resonance imaging system to conduct gradient current between the gradient amplifiers and the gradient coils.