Abstract: In a method for cleaning an on-load tap changer (19) in a regulating transformer (20), provision is made for the on-load tap changer (19) to comprise a moving contact (11) and a fixed contact (12); for a cleaning signal to be generated; for the moving contact (11) to be frictionally moved relative to the fixed contact (12) on the basis of the cleaning signal. An on-load tap changer (19) in a regulating transformer (20) comprises: —a moving contact (11) and a fixed contact (12); —a contact drive (17) which is coupled to the moving contact (11); —a control device (18) which is connected to the contact drive (17) and is designed in such a manner that the control device can generate a cleaning signal and can transmit said signal to the contact drive (17); wherein the contact drive (17) is designed in such a manner that the contact drive can frictionally move the moving contact (11) relative to the fixed contact (12) on the basis of the cleaning signal.

Abstract: A signal processing circuit includes a first circuit coupled between a power terminal and a first ground terminal and a second circuit coupled between the power terminal and a second ground terminal. The signal processing circuit is configured to receive a first signal at a voltage level relative to the first ground terminal and, in response to the first signal, provide a second signal at a voltage level relative to the second ground terminal. The signal processing circuit can be used in a battery protection circuit for a mobile device having an embedded battery. The battery protection circuit is configured with two NMOS transistors to allow the cell phone circuit to switch between the embedded battery and an external power source.

Abstract: An electrostatic chuck heater includes an electrostatic chuck in which an electrostatic electrode is embedded in a ceramic sintered body; a small-zone formation region including a plurality of small zones in which small heater electrodes are wired; a power source to which the plurality of small heater electrodes are connected in parallel; and a small-zone control apparatus that performs control such that desired electric power is supplied to each of the small heater electrodes, wherein among the plurality of small heater electrodes, a small heater electrode that is wired in a small zone including a cool spot has a resistance that is set to a smaller value than that of the other small heater electrodes.

Abstract: A controller for driving a power switch incorporates a hard turn-on disable circuit to prevent the power switch from turning on when the power switch is sustaining a high voltage value. The hard turn-on disable circuit includes a hard turn-on detection circuit and a protection logic circuit. The hard turn-on disable circuit is configured to block or to pass the system input signal to the normal gate drive circuit of the power switch depending on the detection indicator signal. In particular, the protection logic circuit blocks the system input signal VIN in response to a high voltage detection so that the power switch ignores the system input signal VIN, which may be erroneous, and the power switch is prevented from undesirable hard switching.

Abstract: An antistatic device for reducing electrostatic charges on moving material webs may include an active positive electrode assembly having a plurality of active individual positive electrodes electrically connected to a positive high voltage source. The device may include an active negative electrode assembly having a plurality of active negative electrodes electrically connected to a negative high voltage source. A sensor system may be included for detecting a polarity of a neutralizing current between the material web and the antistatic device during operation of the antistatic device, and a controller for controlling the high voltage sources. The controller may be coupled to the sensor system and may be at least one of programmed and configured to one of active or leave activated the high voltage source required in each case and one of deactivate and leave deactivated the high voltage source not required in each case in response to the detected polarity of the neutralizing current.

Abstract: A current-breaking device for high-voltage direct current includes a main conduction-line and a secondary conduction-line connected in parallel between its terminals. The main conduction-line comprises a first controlled-switch and a circuit connected in series. The circuit comprises a first current-limiter and a first capacitor connected in parallel. The secondary conduction-line comprises a second controlled-switch. These conduction lines cooperate to form an oscillating circuit that oscillates with an amplitude that is at least equal to limiting current passing through the current limiter.

Abstract: An arrester is disclosed. In an embodiment, the arrester includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a switching contact, a first discharge space between the first and second electrodes and a short-circuiting mechanism suitable for short-circuiting the first and second electrodes and for switching a state of the arrester, wherein, in a first state, at least one electrode of the first and second electrodes is not electrically conductively connected to the switching contact and, in a second state, the at least one electrode is electrically conductively connected to the switching contact.

Abstract: Described herein are an electrostatic chuck and method for using the same. In one example, an electrostatic chuck is provided that includes a plurality of independently replaceable electrostatic chuck assemblies mounted in an array across a chuck body. The electrostatic chuck assemblies define a substrate support surface suitable for supporting a large area substrate. At least a first electrostatic chuck assembly of the plurality of electrostatic chuck assemblies is operable independent of an operation of a second electrostatic chuck assembly of the plurality of electrostatic chuck assemblies. In yet another example, a method for chucking a substrate is provided.

Abstract: An electrostatic chuck includes a dielectric layer including an oriented alumina sintered body having a degree of c-plane orientation of 5% or more, the degree of c-plane orientation being determined by a Lotgering method using an X-ray diffraction profile obtained by the irradiation of an X-ray in the 2? range of 20° to 70°; a ceramic layer integrated with a surface disposed opposite a wafer placement surface of the dielectric layer; and an electrostatic electrode between the dielectric layer and the ceramic layer.

Abstract: An ESD protection circuit for an IC having multiple diodes coupled in series between a signal pad and a reference pad including a first diode coupled to the signal pad, a last diode coupled to the reference pad, and at least one intermediate diode. The protection circuit includes a bias network which may include one or more resistors, each coupled in parallel with a corresponding intermediate diode. One or more capacitors may be included, each coupled in parallel with a corresponding intermediate diode. For diode strings with four or more diodes, the resistances of the resistors may increase in the direction from the signal pad to the reference pad. The capacitances of the capacitors, if included, may decrease in the direction from the signal pad to the reference pad. The reference pad may be a voltage supply pad, such as a ground pad or a positive supply voltage pad.

Abstract: A cleaning brush for eliminating static electricity, including a conductive housing, wherein a containing slot is on a bottom surface of the conductive housing, and the conductive housing has two opposite end walls; and a conductive brush, which is embedded in the containing slot of the conductive housing, and is electrically connected to the conductive housing. Thus, the cleaning brush have both the functions for eliminating static electricity and removing dust.

Abstract: In aspects, the present invention provides a method for controlled energizing of a transformer (150) being connected to a first electrical subsystem (110) through a first circuit breaker (140). The method comprises acquiring electrical current waveform in a first phase of the transformer during a closing operation of the first circuit breaker at an instance for switching determined by a controller (130), determining a first peak (310) in the current in the first phase within a first predetermined time window (Tpw), calculating a first correction factor for adjusting the instance for switching in the first phase, and adjusting the instance for switching based on the calculated first correction factor for performing a next controlled energization at the adjusted instance of switching in the first phase.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a component in which inductors and capacitors necessary for a low-pass filter and the like can be mounted at high density, and to in turn reduce the size of an electronic control unit in which the component is installed. The electronic control unit is characterized in that: the electronic control unit is provided with a laminated capacitor having built-in circuit patterns and dielectric bodies; the circuit patterns comprise a laminated plurality of coil effect generation patterns and inter-layer connection patterns for series connection of the plurality of coil effect generation patterns; and at least some of the plurality of coil effect generation patterns are used as electrodes for the laminated capacitor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a connection circuit capable of detecting erroneous wiring of an interconnect device in order to prevent a safety fuse from being melted and quickly perform an overcurrent protection in the event of erroneous wiring or the like. In this connection circuit of the interconnect device, a preliminary wiring check operation is performed when a power control unit receives a power-on signal. It is detected whether or not a power line and a ground line are short-circuited in the preliminary wiring check operation. When the power line and the ground line are not short-circuited, an operation instruction is output from the power control unit to a power unit. As a result, power is turned on after it is checked whether or not the power line and the ground line are short-circuited in advance. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the safety fuse from being melted.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of determining an electrical operating time of a circuit breaker (140) in a multiphase electrical system having a subsystem (160) at an electric potential resulting from electrical characteristics of electrical components within the subsystem. The method comprises monitoring (145) the voltage of the subsystem in the first phase, determining a first rate of change from the monitored voltage in the first phase, detecting at least one instance of switching based on the first rate of change, determining an electrical operating time of the circuit breaker based on the detected at least one instance of switching and an instance at which a command for switching was provided to the circuit breaker.

Abstract: In aspects, the present invention discloses a method of determining an electrical operating time of a circuit breaker (140) in a multiphase electrical system having a subsystem (160) connectable to a power source (110) through a circuit breaker (140) operated by a controller (130). The controller is connected to a current transformer (120, 150) for measuring current of the subsystem in a one phase. The method comprises monitoring the current of the subsystem in the one phase, determining a first rate of change from the monitored current in the one phase, detecting an instance of switching in an another phase based on the first rate of change, and determining an electrical operating time of the circuit breaker in the another phase based on the detected instance of switching and an instance at which a command for switching in the another phase was provided to the circuit breaker.

Abstract: There are provided circuits and methods for surge protection. For example, there is provided a clamp circuit for protecting a load against a surge. The clamp circuit can include a power dissipation circuit including at least one transistor and a resistor. The clamp circuit can further include a voltage sensitive device configured to cause a voltage limit across the load when the surge occurs. The power dissipation circuit can be configured to turn on the at least one transistor to dissipate power across one of the resistor and the at least one transistor.

Abstract: An operation coil drive device includes a drive control unit to perform control to set, for a semiconductor switching element to switch on and off the source voltage applied to an operation coil of a magnetic contactor, a larger ON/OFF time ratio for a circuit-closing control and a smaller ON/OFF time ratio for a holding control, wherein the drive control unit includes: a circuit-closing-control inductance calculation unit to calculate an inductance of the operation coil immediately after a start of the circuit-closing control; a circuit-closing-control resistance value calculation unit to calculate a direct current resistance value of the operation coil based on the calculation result; and a circuit-closing-control switching correction unit to correct the ON/OFF time ratio of the semiconductor switching element for the circuit-closing control based on the calculation result.

Abstract: A circuit and method for controlling a voltage applied to a coil to actuate electromechanical relays or contactors. The strength of a magnetic field operating the coil is a function of the product of the number of turns of the coil wire and the magnitude of current, in amperes, passing through the coil wire. An adjustable voltage regulator provides a regulated voltage as an output to a first terminal of a coil to energize the coil based on the temperature of the coil as sensed by a temperature sensing device located proximate the coil. The regulated voltage is controlled based on the sensed coil temperature to consistently provide a current of optimal magnitude to actuate the coil at the sensed temperature. A transient voltage suppression circuit may be used with the coil to suppress back electromotive force generated currents and voltages when the coil is de-energized.

Abstract: A controller for driving a power switch incorporates a protection circuit to protect the power switch from fault conditions, such as over-voltage conditions or power surge events. The protection circuit includes a fault detection circuit and a protection gate drive circuit. The fault detection circuit is configured to monitor the voltage across the power switch and to generate a fault detection indicator signal and the protection gate drive circuit is configured to generate a gate drive signal to turn on the power switch in response to a detected fault condition. In particular, the protection gate drive circuit generates a gate drive signal that has a slow assertion transition and is clamped at a given gate voltage value. In this manner, the protection circuit implements active clamping of the gate terminal of the power switch and safe handling of the power switch during over-voltage events.