Abstract: A battery module including a temperature sensor according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: a flexible printed circuit board where the temperature sensor is provided; a battery cell that overlaps a portion of the flexible printed circuit board, in which the temperature sensor is provided; and an upper plate that is disposed above the flexible printed circuit board, wherein the upper plate is partially cut so as to define an elastic member, and the elastic member presses the portion of the flexible printed circuit board in which the temperature sensor is provided so as to cause the flexible printed circuit board to contact the battery cell.

Abstract: A vehicle configured to execute one or more methods for detecting function of a charging receptacle during a charging cycle. The methods include supplying a charging current through the pins; monitoring a pin temperature of the pins during the charging current; and applying a first step function to the charging current. The methods may also include monitoring a first step change in the pin temperature during the first step function; comparing the first step change in the pin temperature to a first expected temperature change to create a first deviation; and comparing the first deviation to a predetermined threshold. If the first deviation exceeds the predetermined threshold, signaling a maintenance alert, and if the first deviation is less than the predetermined threshold, logging the first deviation.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure relate, generally, to a control system for a movable partition. In one embodiment, the control system is an access control system that includes a lock control interface and a remote line interface at which lock modes are asserted, and which are communicated to a door controller. Protocols installed at the controller enable the controller to provide control signals to the movable partition responsive to the various lock modes asserted at the lock control interface and remote line interface.

Abstract: A power-control device comprises an energy-import portion and an energy-export portion. The power-control device may additionally include a general processing and power supply circuit providing linear control of the power-control device's production of power to the load. The energy-import portion is coupled between a VLINE terminal and a load terminal, and is capable of importing energy to the load terminal during a first portion and a third portion of an alternating voltage VAC waveform. The energy-export portion is coupled between the load terminal and a NEU terminal, and is capable of exporting energy from the load terminal during a second portion and a fourth portion of the alternating voltage VAC waveform. The first, second, third and fourth portions of the alternating voltage VAC waveform are equal to a period of the alternating voltage VAC waveform and respectively are consecutive during the period of the alternating voltage VAC waveform.

Abstract: A protection system described herein includes a first connector, a second connector, and a voltage-limiter device. The first connector is configured to connect to a first load-side terminal of an electric meter, and the second connector is configured to connect to a second load-side terminal of the electric meter. In a circuit between the first connector and the second connector, the voltage-limiter device is configured to clamp a voltage between the first and second load-side terminals at a trigger voltage, to prevent a greater voltage from reaching the electric meter when a service-disconnect switch of the electric meter is open and an external voltage greater than the trigger voltage is applied to a load side of the electric meter. The voltage-limiter device provides a conductive path in parallel with a customer premises associated with the electric meter when the voltage between first and second connectors reaches the trigger voltage.

Abstract: A power supply apparatus includes a latch type first relay inserted between a system power supply and a load, where the latch type first relay includes a switch, a tripping coil configured to open the switch, and a closing coil configured to close the switch, an electricity storage system including a charging and discharging unit inserted between a secondary battery and the load, a non-latch type second relay including a contact and an operating coil configured to open and close the contact, where the operating coil is connected between the electricity storage system and the load, and a control circuit connected to the first relay via the contact of the second relay.

Abstract: An auxiliary radio communications system includes a dispatch radio console (DRC), a plurality of antennas, and a radio amplification unit (RAU). The RAU includes first and second repeaters that are in communication with an RAU interconnect board. The first and second RF repeaters receive first and second communication signals from the RAU interconnect board, respectively, and retransmit them to the antennas and to the DRC. The antennas rebroadcast the first and second communication signals over first and second communication channels, respectively. The DRC can include first and second dispatch control modules (DCMs) that receive the first and second communication signals, respectively. The first and second communication signals can originate from the first and second DCMs, respectively, from a first handheld radio tuned to the first communication channel, and/or from a second handheld radio tuned to the second communication channel.

Abstract: A sensor comprises: an electrically comprises a switchable polymeric element. The polymeric element has at least a first electrical state and a second electrical state and is switchable between the first and second electrical states as a function of predefined environmental changes. The sensor comprises a polymeric matrix and a plurality of conductive particles embedded in the polymeric matrix.

Abstract: A universal serial bus (USB) cable including a power conductor configured to transmit power between a first device and a second device, a configuration channel (CC) conductor configured to allow the first device and the second device to determine whether a connection has been established via the USB cable, and a first positive temperature coefficient (PTC) element coupled to the CC conductor and configured to mitigate current flowing through the CC conductor if a temperature of the first PTC element rises above a predefined trip temperature.

Abstract: A ground fault circuit interrupter with a residual current device is suggested which comprises a tripping characteristic having a combined time-current curve that implements a minimum tripping time value of a first time-current curve and a second time-current curve for each current value.

Abstract: A method for operating an electric motor-driven refrigerant compressor of a motor vehicle is provided. A first temperature of a power semiconductor is measured, and a second temperature of the power semiconductor is determined using a theoretical model of the motor-driven refrigerant compressor. A difference between the first temperature and second temperature is determined. A fault is detected if the difference is greater than a first threshold. The invention further relates to a motor-driven refrigerant compressor of a motor vehicle, to the use of a motor-driven refrigerant compressor, and to a motor vehicle comprising a refrigerant circuit.

Abstract: A sensor having a positive temperature coefficient shroud is described, as well as a computing system to control actuation of the positive temperature coefficient shroud. According to one example, the computing system executes a method that actuates the positive temperature coefficient shroud of the sensor based on a transmittance parameter of the sensor.

Abstract: A method for improving safety of voltage regulator is disclosed. In order to improve safety of a voltage regulator, a MOS-FET is disposed on a source power lane that receives power supplied from a DC power supply. A set of voltage regulators is connected to a set of fork power lanes, correspondingly, branching off from the source power lane. PTC thermistors are disposed on a surface or in the vicinity of semiconductor chips of the voltage regulators. When temperature at any one of the PTC thermistors increases, a protection controller turns off the MOS-FET. When temperature detected by a temperature sensor incorporated within the semiconductor chip has increased, each of the voltage regulators turns off the MOS-FET via a base management controller.

Abstract: An outdoor, in-line cable splitter or multitap is situated in a pedestal and connects a number of customer drop cables with an underground or buried main trunk cable or network cable. To avoid sharp bends in the customer cables, the face plate of the multitap has customer connectors that are bent downwards at an angle. In an example the customer drop connectors can emerge straight out at 90 degrees to the face plate and then angle down about 45 degrees. This allows room in the pedestal enclosure for the male connectors on the drop cables. The face plate can be exchanged for the corresponding face plate of a previously installed multitap.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide for impedance shift analysis for failure prediction in an electrical power distribution network. In an embodiment of the invention, the method includes receiving a sequence of electrical measurements indicative of an impedance measured for a segment of an electrical power distribution network over a period of time. Then, a set of impedance measurements is computed for the period of time and the set of impedance measurements is organized into a distribution correlating each one of the impedance measurement with a corresponding computed current measurement. A trend line for the distribution is identified and a slope computed of the trend line. Finally, on condition that the slope exceeds a threshold steepness, an impending failure in the segment is determined and a notification transmitted over a computer communications network to an end user requesting physical inspection of the segment.

Abstract: An industrial input/output device with movable connector is provided. The industrial input/output device with movable connector is controlled to make the first connector provide connection or not by moving a moving link thereof. Therefore, the technical effect of preventing the interruption of the operation of the industrial input/output device can be achieved.

Abstract: A drive device to drive a semiconductor element includes: an identification signal generating circuit generating an identification signal depending on a type of an input error signal; a protection operation signal generating circuit generating a protection operation signal having a pulse width equal to that of one of the error signal and the identification signal having a longer pulse width; an identification signal terminal inputting and outputting the identification signal; a protection operation signal terminal inputting and outputting the protection operation signal; and a protection circuit performing an error protection operation depending on an own-phase protection operation signal generated by the protection operation signal generating circuit and an other-phase protection operation signal input through the protection operation signal terminal.

Abstract: A protection module and a decoupling component thereof for symmetrical twisted pairs are provided. The protection module includes an input interface, an output interface, a ground interface, a first protection element, the decoupling component and a second protection element. The decoupling component has an inductor, first and second resistors, and first to fifth contacts. The inductor and the first resistor are coupled in series between the third contact and the fourth contact. The inductor and the second resistor are coupled in series between the third contact and the fifth contact. The first contact is located between the inductor and the first resistor. The second contact is located between the inductor and the second resistor. The first and second contacts are coupled to the input interface. The third contact is coupled to the ground interface through the first protection element. The fourth and fifth contacts are coupled to the output interface.

Abstract: An over-temperature protection system has a control board mounted in a charging device and a temperature sensor mounted in a charging plug. A switch is coupled on a power circuit of the charging plug and controlled by the control board. When the charging plug is connected to a power supply and the charging device begins a charging operation, the control board periodically receives temperature information of the charging plug sensed by the temperature sensor. When the control board determines that the temperature of the charging plug is abnormal, the switch is open to interrupt the power circuit so as to stop the charging operation for ensuring safety of the charging device.

Abstract: A system for detecting and controlling temperature of a layered heater is provided that includes a layered heater having in one form a substrate, a first dielectric layer disposed on the substrate, a sensor layer disposed on the first dielectric layer, a second dielectric layer disposed on the sensor layer, a resistive heating layer disposed on the second dielectric layer, and a third dielectric layer disposed on the resistive heating layer. An overtemperature detection circuit is provided in one form that is operatively connected to the resistive heating layer. The circuit includes a resistor, the sensor layer, and an electromechanical relay in parallel with the sensor layer. The sensor layer defines a material having a relatively high TCR and the resistive heating layer defines a material having a relatively low TCR such that a response time of the control system is relatively fast.

Abstract: A positive electrode lead of the present invention comprises: a strip-shaped first lead half body electrically connected to a sealing body of a nickel-hydrogen secondary battery; a strip-shaped second lead half body electrically connected to a positive electrode of an electrode group of the nickel-hydrogen secondary battery; a PTC thermistor joined between the first lead half body and the second lead half body; and a protective member covering a portion of the positive electrode lead where the PTC thermistor is joined. The second lead half body includes a portion to be bent on the outer side of the portion covered with the protective member. A recessed groove is formed in the portion covered with the protective member and has a shape elongated in a direction intersecting with a bend line of the portion to be bent.

Abstract: Water-resistant gypsum boards and compositions and methods for their manufacture are provided. The methods include forming a mixture of water, hydroxide, and siliconate, adding siloxane to the mixture, adding calcium sulfate hemi-hydrate to the mixture to form an aqueous slurry, curing the aqueous slurry under heat, drying the aqueous slurry, and forming a water-resistant gypsum board.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining a lower voltage set-point, an upper voltage set-point, a temperature-dependent upper current set-point, a time limit value, and a lower current hysteresis threshold set-point based on a measured temperature of a battery. A charge current from a battery charging circuit is provided. If a charge voltage is above the lower voltage set-point and below the upper voltage set-point and the charge current exceeds the temperature-dependent upper current set-point, timer is started. If the timer reaches a time limit value while the charge current exceeds the temperature-dependent upper current set-point and the charge voltage is between the lower voltage set-point and the upper voltage set-point, the charge current is reduced.

Abstract: A secondary battery pack including a battery cell having first and second electrode terminals at a top thereof, an electrically insulative mounting member having an opening, through which the second terminal is exposed, the mounting member being mounted to a top of the cell, a protection circuit module (PCM) including a protection circuit board (PCB), having a protection circuit, loaded on the mounting member, a connection member (A) connected to the first terminal, and a connection member (B) connected to the second terminal, the PCB being provided with a through hole, through which the connection member (B) is exposed, and an insulative cap coupled to an upper end of the cell to surround the mounting member in which the connection members and the PCB are loaded on the mounting member, wherein the sum of a height of the PCM and a height of the cap is 3.0 mm or less.

Abstract: An electricity storage device includes an electrode assembly, a case, a safety valve, and a cover member. The case accommodates the electrode assembly. The safety valve is arranged in the case and opens to discharge gas out of the case when an inner pressure of the case exceeds a release pressure. The cover member is arranged in the case opposing the safety valve and includes a flow passage for the gas.

Abstract: A package may include a plurality of stacked semiconductor devices (chips) is disclosed. Each chip may include through vias (through silicon vias—TSV) that can provide an electrical connection between chips and between chips and external connections, such as solder connections or solder balls. Electro static discharge (ESD) protection circuitry may be placed on a bottom chip in the stack even when through vias connect circuitry on a top chip in the stack exclusive of the bottom chip. In this way, ESD protection circuitry may be placed in close proximity to the ESD event occurring at an external connection. In particular, every chip in the stack of semiconductor chips may have circuitry electrically connected to the external connection and by placing ESD protection circuitry on the bottom chip closest to the electrical connection, instead of on all chips ESD protection may be more area efficient.

Abstract: An opening and closing portion is opened and closed. A switch is turned off when a voltage applied to a drive terminal is smaller than a first voltage and to be turned on when the voltage is greater than or equal to a second voltage. A drive unit generates a drive voltage. A first line applies the drive voltage to the switch. A second line is arranged such that at least a part thereof is near the first line. A voltage drop element provided on the first line drops a voltage applied from the second line through the first line to the drive terminal when the first line and the second line short-circuit in a state where the portion is open, to lower the voltage applied to the drive terminal to be smaller than the first voltage.

Abstract: An inverter and a method for operating the inverter. In one instance, a pulse-controlled inverter comprises multiple phase systems. Each of the phase systems has an outer conductor and at least one semiconductor component, and a temperature monitoring device that has multiple temperature sensors which sense the temperature of at least one part of at least one of the phase systems. In said method, a temperature gradient is determined from each of the sensed temperatures, the difference of the determined temperature gradients from an estimated gradient value is ascertained, and if the difference exceeds a threshold value, a fault of the inverter is identified.

Abstract: This invention discloses a type of intelligent magnetic-hold miniature circuit breaker and its control method, comprising a casing, a magnetic-hold relay, and a drive circuit, wherein said drive circuit receives control signal and then drives operation of said magnetic-hold relay; said magnetic-hold relay comprises a dynamic spring assembly, a static spring assembly, a deflector rod, a pushing piece, and a magnetic steel assembly; rotation of said magnetic steel assembly drives said deflector rod and then closing or opening of contacts of said dynamic spring assembly and said static spring assembly via said pushing piece; said miniature circuit breaker also includes a central processor, a communication chip, and a voltage state circuit; and said deflector rod extends out through a hole on said casing to allow manual operation.

Abstract: A mating connector assembly for electrically coupling modular electrical devices. A first stationary connector is coupled to a first rigid circuit board positioned within a first housing of a first modular electrical device. The first floating connector is coupled to a flexible circuit element positioned within a second housing of a second modular electrical device, the flexible circuit element coupled to a circuit board positioned within a second housing of a second modular electrical device. The second housing includes a first latch plate adjustable between an unlatched position and a latched position, the first latch plate including a biasing member, such that, when the first modular electronic device is pressed together with the second modular electronic device, the biasing member applies a force to the first floating connector during a latch plate transition position to ensure that the first floating connector has fully mated with the first stationary connector.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention include a power conversion device control device, including multiple drive circuits having an alarm signal formation circuit that sets a pulse signal having as one cycle a period. The one cycle period includes a determination period, of which a different period is set for each of plural protection circuits that detect information for carrying out a protection operation of semiconductor elements configuring a power conversion device, and a constant period, in which a condition varies with respect to the determination period, takes a protection circuit for which it is first detected that a protection operation is necessary to be a first-come first-served protection circuit, and outputs the pulse signal corresponding to the first-come first-served protection circuit as an alarm signal, wherein the alarm signal formation circuit is such that a resetting condition of the alarm signal is a condition that a protection operation stopped condition.

Abstract: A cooking oven comprising a cooking cavity and an exhaust gas purification assembly comprising a self-heated filter element comprising a gas-permeable, electrically conductive silicon carbide material and a current supply structure operable for self-heating said filter element. Preferably, said purification assembly comprises a self-heated filter element comprised of a foamed silicon carbide structural element.

Abstract: In one general aspect, an apparatus can include an input terminal, an output terminal and a ground terminal. The apparatus can also include an overcurrent protection device coupled between the input terminal and the output terminal. The apparatus can further include a thermal shunt device coupled between the output terminal and the ground terminal, the thermal shunt device being configured to, at a threshold temperature, operate in a thermally-induced low-impedance state.

Abstract: A semiconductor package including a fail open mechanism is disclosed. An embodiment includes a semiconductor package having a chip carrier, a chip disposed on the chip carrier and an encapsulant encapsulating the chip and the chip carrier. The semiconductor package further including a pin protruding from the encapsulant and a fail open mechanism disposed on the encapsulant and connected to the pin, wherein the fail open mechanism is configured to be disconnected from the pin if a temperature exceeds a pre-determined temperature.

Abstract: A protection circuit board is disclosed. The protection circuit board includes a main printed circuit board and an auxiliary printed circuit board. In the auxiliary printed circuit board, a thermistor is electrically interposed between an external electrode terminal and auxiliary electrodes.

Abstract: An electrical component package has integrated therein first and second pairs of electrodes, wherein the first pair of electrodes are electrically isolated from the second pair of electrodes. A thermally sensitive positive temperature coefficient (PTC) conductive element abuts the first pair of terminals. Also integrated in the package is an electrical heating element that abuts the second pair of terminals, and receives a drive current for generating heat that is transferred to trip the PTC conductive element. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A charger capable of charging an electronic apparatus includes a charger main body having a power output unit which output charging power, a connection unit which is attached to the charger main body, which is configured to be connected to the electronic apparatus, and which is configured to supply the charging power from the power output unit to the electronic apparatus in a state that the connection unit is connected to the electronic apparatus, and a temperature sensor which is provided in the connection unit, and which is configured to detect a temperature in the vicinity of the connection unit.

Abstract: A resettable circuit protection system for a vehicle includes a power outlet, a resettable circuit protection device, a resettable switch, a control module, and a user interface. The resettable circuit protection device is disposed in power communication with the power outlet, is operable between open and closed positions, and is configured to automatically open in response to an electrical overload condition at the power outlet. The resettable switch is electrically disposed in series with the circuit protection device, and operates between open and closed positions. The control module is disposed in signal communication with the circuit protection device and the switch. The user interface is disposed in signal communication with the control module. When the circuit protection device is open, the control module is responsive to facilitate display of a message at the user interface indicative of the circuit protection device being open, and to facilitate opening of the switch.

Abstract: A surge protection device (SPD) includes a spark gap (SG) and in series to the spark gap (SG) a temperature-dependent resistance element (R) with positive temperature coefficient, wherein the spark gap (SG) has a certain holding current, wherein the resistance element (R) is sized such that when a switching temperature is reached, the current is limited such that the holding current of the spark gap is undercut and is switched off, and wherein the resistance element is sized such that in the case of a transient event, the switching temperature is not reached.

Abstract: A power cord apparatus for remotely detecting excessive operational parameters in an alternating current (AC) powered machine (e.g., dehumidifiers, air conditioners, refrigerators, and Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) machines) is provided. The power cord apparatus includes a cooperative remote parametric sensing device (e.g., heat sensing, vibration transducer) in the vicinity of the electrically powered machine.

Abstract: A protection circuit used to protect a first metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) includes a control circuit and a conversion circuit. The control circuit includes a negative temperature coefficient thermistor. When a temperature of the first MOSFET is not higher than a preset value, the control circuit controls the conversion circuit to operate normally. When the temperature of the first MOSFET is higher than the preset value, the control circuit stops the operating of the first MOSFET.

Abstract: A thermal control circuit comprises a positive temperature coefficient thermistor array, a negative temperature coefficient thermistor array, and a resistor array. The positive temperature coefficient thermistor array and the resistor array are electrically connected in parallel to a first terminal of the thermal control circuitry. The negative temperature coefficient thermistor array is electrically connected to a second terminal of the thermal control circuit. The positive temperature coefficient thermistor array, a negative temperature coefficient thermistor array, and the resistor array are all connected by a negative bus to a third terminal of the thermal control circuit.

Abstract: A display panel driver circuit includes multiple drivers adapted for cooperatively driving a display panel and each operable under a protection mode, and an overheat protection device including multiple protection circuits, each of which controls a respective one of the drivers to operate under the protection mode in response to receipt of an enable signal, an interface circuit which transmits the enable signal to each of the protection circuits in response to receipt of a warning signal, and multiple temperature detection circuits, each of which is able to detect a temperature associated with a respective one of the drivers, and outputs the warning signal to the interface circuit based on the temperature thus detected.

Abstract: A charger capable of charging an electronic apparatus includes a charger main body having a power output unit which output charging power, a connection unit which is attached to the charger main body, which is configured to be connected to the electronic apparatus, and which is configured to supply the charging power from the power output unit to the electronic apparatus in a state that the connection unit is connected to the electronic apparatus, and a temperature sensor which is provided in the connection unit, and which is configured to detect a temperature in the vicinity of the connection unit.

Abstract: A battery pack that can quickly transfer heat from a battery cell to a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) to quickly cut off a current when the battery cell is heated to a high temperature. A battery pack includes: a battery cell including a cell tab; a protective circuit module including an internal terminal connected to the cell tab, a PTC connected to the internal terminal, and an interconnection pattern between the internal terminal and the PTC and electrically connecting the internal terminal to the PTC; and a heat transfer member including a surface contacting the interconnection pattern, and opposite sides respectively connected to the internal terminal and the PTC.

Abstract: An over-current protection device includes a resistive device, an insulation layer, an electrode layer and at least one electrically conductive connecting member. The resistive device includes a first electrode foil, a second electrode foil and a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) material layer laminated between the electrode foils. The insulation layer is formed on the surface of the first electrode foil, and the electrode layer is formed on the surface of the insulation layer. The conductive connecting member penetrates the electrode layer, the insulation layer and the first electrode foil for electrically connecting the electrode layer and the first electrode foil. The conductive connecting member is insulated from the second electrode foil. One of the first and second electrode foils is configured to electrically connect to a protective circuit module (PCM), and the other one is configured to electrically connect to an electrode terminal of a battery to be protected.

Abstract: A power protection circuit includes a power source, a first voltage division module, a second voltage division module, a comparison module, an electronic switch, and a power module. The first voltage division module divides a voltage from the power source and outputs a first voltage. The second voltage division module divides the voltage from the power source and outputs a second voltage. The second voltage has a negative temperature coefficient. A temperature of the second voltage division module increases when a temperature of the power module increases. The comparison module is used to compare the first voltage to the second voltage and output first or second signals corresponding to the comparing result. The electronic switch is turned on or off when the electronic switch receives the first or second signals from the comparison module.

Abstract: A battery pack includes a first bare cell and a second bare cell having positive electrodes electrically connected to each other at a first node and negative electrodes electrically connected to each other at the second node, a first protective device connected between the positive electrode of the first bare cell and the first node, and a protective circuit module electrically connected between the first bare cell and second bare cell.

Abstract: A time-multiplexed thermal sensing circuit is provided for control and sensing of two thermistors over a single line electrical coupling. The circuit may include a first diode that selectively couples or isolates a first thermistor from a sense node based on the polarity of an applied voltage to the sense node. The circuit may further include a second diode that selectively couples or isolates a second thermistor from the sense node based on the polarity of the applied voltage to the sense node such that only of the thermistors is coupled to the sense node at any time.

Abstract: An overheat-protection device with a cord that includes a transmission wire to transmit electrical power and a sensor wire to transmit a signal, a plug attached to an end of the cord, and a thermistor includable in the plug and connected to the sensor wire. The signal may be received and/or analyzed by a sensing device, which may control a switching device to open and/or close a power circuit. The thermistor may detect a level of heat, which may be communicated as a signal via the sensor wires. The signal may be definable by the thermistor varying a level of resistance to the signal responsive to the level of detected heat. The thermistor may be a NTC thermistor and may be constructed from a thermal plastic or a ceramic.