High Voltage Dissipation (e.g., Lightning Arrester) Patents (Class 361/117)
  • Patent number: 9171654
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a pellet composition having enhanced thermal stability for use in a thermally-actuated, current cutoff device. Certain inorganic stability additive particles, such as silica, talc, and siloxane, can be mixed with one or more organic compounds to form a thermal pellet composition. A solid thermal pellet maintains its structural rigidity up to a transition temperature (Tf), but further has improved overshoot temperature ranges. Therefore, the improved thermal pellets have a maximum dielectric capability temperature (Tcap), above which the pellet composition may lose substantial dielectric properties and conducts current that is at least 50° C. greater than the Tf. In certain variations, maximum dielectric capability temperature (Tcap) is greater than or equal to about 380° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Therm-O-Disc, Incorporated
    Inventors: Katherine Hinrichs, Changcai Zhao
  • Patent number: 9153956
    Abstract: A test device (1) for testing power engineering equipment comprises at least one connection socket (4) which is electrically connected to an overvoltage protection arrangement (2). The overvoltage protection arrangement (2) comprises at least one overvoltage protection element (5) and is configured such that the at least one overvoltage protection element (5) is exchangeable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: OMICRON Electronics GmbH
    Inventors: Dirk Flax, Horst Schedler, Reinhard Kaufmann
  • Patent number: 9136702
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are an electrostatic discharge protection device including: a substrate; a pair of electrodes formed on the substrate so as to be spaced apart from each other; and an insulating layer formed on the electrodes, wherein each of the electrodes has a shape in which it protrudes from a cross section thereof toward a surface thereof, and a manufacturing method thereof, and a composite electronic component including the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sang Moon Lee, Sung Kwon Wi, Ju Hwan Yang, Won Chul Sim, Young Do Kweon
  • Patent number: 9130325
    Abstract: A current return network element for aircraft particularly with high conductivity. The purpose is achieved by using a plurality of electrically conducting strips intersecting each other and made from a single piece, at a spacing from each other so as to form a plurality of openings between them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS S.A.S.
    Inventors: Guillaume Gallant, Pierre Charon
  • Patent number: 9083172
    Abstract: A portable lightning protection system is described for placement adjacent structures requiring lightning protection. The system includes a base mast section with an upper end and a plurality of radially extending, axially aligned ribs; a top mast section; preferably at least one intermediate mast section attachable to the upper end of the base mast section and to the lower end of the top mast section, the mast sections being axially aligned when attached; an air terminal having a conductive rod insertable into the bore of the top mast section; a base including a plurality of radially extending horizontal beams having inner ends attachable to the base mast section ribs and a plurality of inclined beams having inner ends attachable to the base mast section ribs and outer ends attachable to the horizontal beams; and grounding cables connecting the mast to the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: LBA Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence V. Behr
  • Patent number: 9042072
    Abstract: A method of method of forming a wide band-gap semiconductor transient voltage suppressor (TVS) assembly and a system for a transient voltage suppressor (TVS) assembly are provided. The TVS assembly includes a connecting component configured to electrically couple a first electrical component to a second electrical component located remotely from the first electrical component through one or more electrical conduits and a transient voltage suppressor device positioned within the connecting component and electrically coupled to the one or more electrical conduits wherein the TVS device includes a wide band-gap semiconductor material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Aaron Jay Knobloch, Emad Andarawis Andarawis, Harry Kirk Mathews, Jr., Avinash Srikrishnan Kashyap
  • Publication number: 20150124365
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a lightning protection and grounding device for a vehicle including: a dipole lightning rod mounted on the vehicle to in advance remove the focusing of an electric field of a lightning strike and to induce the discharge of lightning current when the lightning strike is induced thereto; grounding means disposed on earth to allow the lightning current of the lightning strike induced to the dipole lightning rod to flow to the earth, the ground means being formed of a flat plate disposed behind the rear wheels of the vehicle in such a manner as to be fixed compressedly to earth by means of the driving pressure of the rear wheels; and a connection terminal box adapted to connect the dipole lightning rod and the grounding means with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventor: Young-ki Chung
  • Publication number: 20150124364
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a lightning protection and grounding device for a vehicle including: a dipole lightning rod mounted on the vehicle to in advance remove the focusing of an electric field of a lightning strike and to induce the discharge of lightning current when the lightning strike is induced thereto; grounding means disposed on earth to allow the lightning current of the lightning strike induced to the dipole lightning rod to flow to the earth; a connection terminal box adapted to connect the dipole lightning rod and the grounding means with each other; and a lifting driving unit adapted to move the dipole lightning rod in upward and downward directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventor: Young-ki Chung
  • Patent number: 9007739
    Abstract: A protective system is provided including a material comprising a first and second surface opposite one another and a thickness, and where the first surface has a low-electrical resistance and the second surface has a high-electrical resistance that is higher than the electrical resistance of the low-electrical resistance surface, and the material conducts charge from the first surface to the second surface through the thickness. This can be provided in a bilayer structure where a first protective layer having a low-resistivity is disposed upon a second protective layer having a high-resistivity. This protective system is particularly useful for dissipating electrical charge, for example as a lightning strike protection system for composite aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: LORD Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy D. Fornes, Seth B. Carruthers, Christopher J. Cox
  • Patent number: 9001485
    Abstract: An overvoltage protector includes a first discharging electrode, a second discharging electrode, and an overvoltage protection part provided between the first and second discharging electrodes. The overvoltage protecting part has an insulating property under a normal operation condition, and has a conductive property if an overvoltage is applied between the first and second discharging electrodes. The overvoltage protecting part is made of a mixture of resin having an insulation property, an inorganic compound having an insulating property, and metallic boride compound powder. The metallic boride compound powder has a high melting point therefore it is hardly melted. Under high temperatures causing the powder to melt, the powder is oxidized and loses conductivity, thus providing a high reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Nozoe, Hideaki Tokunaga, Takeshi Iseki, Takashi Morino, Kouichi Yoshioka
  • Patent number: 8964346
    Abstract: An exemplary surge arrester includes a housing with protection against electric shock. A voltage-limiting active part is arranged in the housing and has a stack of varistor elements formed as a varistor column. An electrical connection is arranged outside the housing and is electrically conductively connected to the varistor column for connecting a high-voltage installation. The electrically conductive connection between the varistor column and the electrical connection is a flexible high-voltage cable conductor. The high-voltage cable has a first section arranged in the interior of the housing and formed without a shield, and a second section arranged outside the housing and having cable insulation and an electrically conductive shield that surrounds the cable conductor. The high voltage cable is electrically conductively connectable first to the housing and second to an encapsulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Bernhard Doser, Lutz Gebhardt, Peter Dubach, Nils Weiss, Denis Buergi
  • Publication number: 20150022932
    Abstract: A fault-tolerant self-indicating surge protector system and methods are presented. An unwanted surge of electrical energy induced by a lightning strike is directed away from a sensitive electrical or electronic component, and the unwanted surge of electrical energy is directed through series connected pairs of varistors. A voltage signal is extracted from a center tap point between the series connected pairs of the varistors, and the voltage signal is monitored for a health of the varistors. A high impedance in a varistor among the varistors is provided for a low voltage across the varistor, and a low impedance in the varistor is provided and the unwanted surge of electrical energy is diverted through the varistor in response to a high voltage across the varistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2013
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Thomas R. Hasenoehrl, John T. Paterson, Marvin Whitney, Kevin S. Callahan, Shahriar Khosravani
  • Patent number: 8937798
    Abstract: A method of controlling a magnitude of an electrical parameter in a power system via a high voltage electron tube. The method includes the steps of measuring the magnitude of the electrical parameter; generating a control signal based on the magnitude of the electrical parameter and on a reference magnitude of the electrical parameter; and switching the high voltage electron tube via the control signal such that the reference magnitude of the electrical parameter is essentially obtained. A control arrangement and a power system is also presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Falah Hosini, Tomas Jonsson, Tomas Larsson, Mauro Monge, Jean-Philippe Hasler
  • Patent number: 8929048
    Abstract: A device for suppressing very fast transients, applicable in protecting electric and/or electric power equipment, and especially transformers operating in electric power substations and in wind power plants, connected in a supply network circuit downstream of a circuit breaker and upstream of the protected equipment is disclosed. The device is a component of an induction character, comprising a high-frequency magnetic core arranged around the current-conducting lead. On the magnetic core is wound at least one winding with at least one pair of terminals used for connecting at least one damping resistor. The inventive device contains an insulating body in which there is a magnetic core, a damping resistor and a winding, or an insulating body in which there is a magnetic core together with a damping resistor, a winding and a section of a current-conducting lead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Dariusz Smugala, Wojciech Piasecki, Grzegorz Bywalec, Magdalena Ostrogorska, Ole Granhaug, Pal Skryten
  • Patent number: 8922968
    Abstract: An electrical insulator including: a first connector of an electrically conducting material; a second connector of an electrically conducting material; and an electrically insulating material being arranged between the first connector and the second connector, insulating the connectors from each other; wherein a part of the first connector extends past a part of the second connector, partly enveloping part of the second connector. The invention also relates to a surge arrester arrangement, to a use of an electrical insulator for insulating a surge arrester, and to a method for production of such an electrical insulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Anders Kampe, Daniel Johansson
  • Patent number: 8861144
    Abstract: A triggered arc flash arrester includes an envelope structured to operate at: a pressure less than about 1.33 Pa; or a pressure greater than 0.10857 MPa; a plurality of conductors partially disposed within the envelope; a number of gaps disposed between the plurality of conductors within the envelope; and a shorting structure selected from the group consisting of a triggered gap and a fuse. The shorting structure is operatively associated with the number of gaps. The shorting structure is structured to electrically short the plurality of conductors either together or to ground, in order to create an arc within the envelope which is electrically in parallel to an arc fault causing the arc fault internal to switchgear to be extinguished.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: John J. Shea, Robert Kirkland Smith, Benjamin A. Rosenkrans, Louis G. Campbell
  • Patent number: 8854785
    Abstract: An improved surge protection for protecting an electronic device is disclosed, the device having a closed casing with walls made of a non-conducting material and being internally coated with a thin metallic layer. The device also has at least one connector, being arranged in an opening in the walls and including a connector body, at least a portion of which projects outwardly from the wall and which accommodates an internal coupling device, to which a transmission cable, including a central conductor and an outer shield conductor, is connectable. According to the invention, the connector body is also made of a non-conducting material and strong currents, being present at a conducting protection sleeve, are diverted by at least one conducting diversion member to at least one metallic structure, being in permanent electric contact with ground and having a high capacity of conducting strong currents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Powerwave Technologies S.a.r.L.
    Inventors: Göran Poshman, Jarmo Mäkinen
  • Patent number: 8854786
    Abstract: Methods and systems described herein provide protection for sensitive circuits against power surges on power lines. A surge protector for protecting a load coupled to a power source is provided. The surge protector includes an input having a first node, a second node and a third node to respectfully couple to line, neutral, and ground connections of a power source, an output having a fourth node, a fifth node, and a sixth node for respectfully coupling to line, neutral and ground connections of the load, a first voltage limiting circuit coupled between the fourth node and the fifth node, a first inductor coupled between the first node and the fourth node, and a second voltage limiting circuit coupled between the first node and the second node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Schneider Electric IT Corporation
    Inventors: Dengmeng Fu, Marlon Galsim, Qing Yun, Jinsong Lee
  • Publication number: 20140268471
    Abstract: An elbow arrester with a T-body is disclosed capable of coupling with an apparatus for protection from transient over voltage, and coupling with additional cable accessories, without having to loosen the initial connection with the coupled apparatus. The elbow body of the T-body arrester has a first portion, and a second portion protruding from an intermediate section of the first portion to define a T-body. A receiving feature is located within the first portion extending towards a first end, while a male feature is coupled to a second end of the first portion, opposite from the receiving feature. A coupling fastener is integrally molded into the first portion, providing for an apparatus coupled to the coupling fastener to be decoupled without loosening the connection of another apparatus connected to the T-Body elbow. Further, decoupling the other apparatus does not loosen the apparatus coupled to the coupling fastener.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Richards Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Glenn J. Luzzi, Jeffrey J. Madden
  • Patent number: 8817445
    Abstract: A voltage surge protection device for protection of a high voltage device includes a varistor having a first part and a second part separated by varistor material. The voltage surge protection device further includes an expandable member arranged to act on a movable electrical contact for short-circuiting the voltage surge protection device upon a threshold voltage being applied between the first part and the second part of the varistor. A high voltage circuit breakers includes one or more semiconductor devices connected in series and the voltage surge protection device connected in parallel thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Jan Lundquist, Jürgen Häfner, Leif Sköld, Håkan Wieck, Dag Andersson
  • Patent number: 8816812
    Abstract: The purpose of the invention is to create such a varistor fuse element, which should within a single housing include both a varistor (1) as well as an electric fuse (2), wherein said varistor part i.e. a varistor (1) is intended to protect each electric installation against overvoltage impulses and consequently against current strokes, while the fuse (2) is capable to transmit the current stroke due to increased voltage and to interrupt each permanently increased electric current, which might occur due to defects on the varistor (1). Moreover, such varistor fuse should not exceed dimensions of already known and widely used protective means, in particular melting fuses. In accordance with the invention, the fuse (2) with its round tubular casing (20) and the varistor, which is also embedded within a round tubular casing (10), are serial interconnected and arranged coaxially within each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: ETI Elektroelement d.d.
    Inventor: Mitja Koprivsek
  • Patent number: 8810988
    Abstract: A voltage suppression device for suppressing voltage surges in an electrical circuit having a voltage sensitive assembly comprised of a plurality of tubular sections within a tubular casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Mersen USA Newburyport-MA, LLC
    Inventors: Jerry L. Mosesian, Jean-Francois de Palma, Mark A. Radzim
  • Patent number: 8804298
    Abstract: The present invention is provided to satisfy insulation and conductivity performance requirements, to reduce the size of a gas insulated bus, and also to make conditioning for a particle more reliable. In a gas insulated bus having a conductor supported in a cylindrical metal container via an insulator, insulating gas being contained in the metal container, the metal container has an expanded diameter part formed over a given range in an area of the metal container in which the insulator is positioned and a reduced diameter part formed over the entire area of the metal container except for the expanded diameter part. Thus, when the temperature of the insulator increases during conduction, heat from the insulator is transferred to the metal container via a large space in the expanded diameter part and released to the air through a large outer surface of the expanded diameter part of the metal container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuro Kato, Toshiaki Rokunohe, Hisashi Urasaki, Ryoichi Shinohara
  • Patent number: 8796925
    Abstract: A discharge tube 10 includes first electrode 12, second electrode 14 and third electrode 16 which are arranged in parallel, airtight outer enclosure 22 including first tubular body 18 sandwiched between first electrode 12 and second electrode 14, and second tubular body 20 sandwiched between second electrode 14 and third electrode 16. Through-holes 24 is formed in second electrode 14 and allows internal spaces of first tubular body 18 and second tubular body 20 to communicate with each other. On first electrode 12 and third electrode 16, discharge electrode portions 26 are formed which protrude toward a center of airtight outer enclosure 22 and are disposed opposite to each other with discharge gap 28 provided in between, and discharge gas is filled in airtight outer enclosure 22. The discharge electrode portions 26 are inserted and arranged in through-hole 24 of second electrode 14.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Okaya Electric Industries, Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koichi Imai, Yoshikazu Hanamura, Takeshi Nishigata
  • Patent number: 8785768
    Abstract: A method for vertically grounding and leading down form an outer side of a composite pole tower and pole tower thereof, wherein the method includes the following steps: extending an upper metal cross arm from an extended line of at least one side of a ground wire cross arm, vertically leading down a ground down-leading wire from a distal end of the upper metal cross arm, connecting the ground down-leading wire to the pole tower via a lower metal cross arm at a distance under a lower lead, and grounding the ground down-leading wire along a tower body of the pole tower, wherein when an lower portion of the tower body is a metal pipe, the ground down-leading wire is selectively directly connected to the metal pipe via the lower metal cross arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignees: Shenzhen Power Supply Burea of Guangdong Power Grid Corp., State Grid Electric Power Research Institute
    Inventors: Hanming Li, Zhijun Li, Qianhu Wei, Ting Liu, Shicong Deng, Feng Huo, Ming Zhan, Min Dai, Weicai Zhou, Kai Liu, Yuhua Zhang, Xiong Wu, Ning Cao, Dingxie Gu, Peihong Zhou, Huiwen He, Ying Lou, Zhenqiang Li
  • Patent number: 8785769
    Abstract: A method for vertically grounding and leading down form an inner side of a composite pole tower and pole tower thereof, wherein the method includes the following steps: extending an upper metal cross arm from an extended line of at least one side of a ground wire cross arm which is made of metal, vertically leading down a ground down-leading wire from a distal end of the upper metal cross arm, connecting the ground down-leading wire to the pole tower via a lower metal cross arm at a distance under a lower lead, and grounding the ground down-leading wire along a tower body of the pole tower, wherein when an lower portion of the tower body is a metal pipe, the ground down-leading wire is selectively directly connected to the metal pipe via the lower metal cross arm. The upper metal cross arm and the lower cross arm are able to provide a distance between the ground down-leading wire and the pole tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignees: Shenzhen Power Supply Burea of Guangdong Power Grid Corp., State Grid Electric Power Research Institute
    Inventors: Zhijun Li, Hanming Li, Ting Liu, Qianhu Wei, Feng Huo, Ming Zhan, Min Dai, Shicong Deng, Kai Liu, Ning Cao, Xiong Wu, Yuhua Zhang, Dingxie Gu, Weicai Zhou, Peihong Zhou, Zhenqiang Li, Ying Lou, Huiwen He
  • Patent number: 8786994
    Abstract: A configuration includes a surge arrester. The surge arrester includes first and second connecting terminals. At least one connecting terminal is connected to an electrically conductive connecting path to contact the surge arrester. The connecting path is mounted in a universally jointed manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Gundolf Barenthin, Erhard Pippert, Dirk Springborn, Markus Sulitze
  • Patent number: 8784589
    Abstract: A method for reworking an electrically conductive layer of a composite skin is disclosed in which a patch replaces the altered section of the electrically conductive layer. The method is performed by removing a portion of the electrically conductive layer to reveal the underlying composite skin. A patch is formed, having an electrically conductive section coupled to an adhesive having a low dielectric breakdown strength, and is then introduced over the underlying composite skin such that the adhesive layer covers the underlying composite skin and overlaps an unremoved portion of the electrically conductive layer. The patch is applied such that the electrically conductive section within the patch covers the adhesive layer and overlaps the unremoved section of the electrically conductive layer. The adhesive layer preferably has a low dielectric breakdown strength, so that electricity from lightning which strikes the composite skin may be conducted through the adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Patrice K. Ackerman, Steven D. Blanchard, Daniel J. Kovach
  • Patent number: 8786995
    Abstract: A surge current suppressing circuit is applied between an AC power and an electronic device that receives the AC power via a first AC power line and a second AC power line. The surge current suppressing circuit has a first input fuse connected to the first AC power line, and a first air-core inductor connected in series with the first input fuse on the first AC power line to suppress a surge current. Depending upon the practical applications, the surge current suppressing circuit can further have a second air-core inductor connected to the second AC power line, a capacitor connected between the two AC power lines or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Leader Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: René Frederik Koch, Min-Ta Hsiao, Ming-Cheng Chuang
  • Patent number: 8779286
    Abstract: A one piece integrally formed non-metallic electrical box assembly is produced by molding an electrical box onto a metallic ground strap so that the ground strap is fixed to the electrical box. The electrical box is molded with retaining members surrounding selected portions of the metallic ground strap so that the electrical box can be molded onto the metallic ground strap without buckling or deforming the electrical box and the ground strap during the molding process by compensating for the differences in expansion between the non-metallic electrical box and the metallic ground strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: Richard M. Cousineau, Jason W. Crossman, Cerefino A. Reyes
  • Patent number: 8773834
    Abstract: Systems and methods for dynamically defending a site from lightning strikes are provided. The systems and methods involve dynamically altering electrostatic fields above the site and/or dynamically intervening in lightning discharges processes in the vicinity of the site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLC
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Thomas Allan Weaver, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood
  • Patent number: 8760835
    Abstract: To include a serial member, a pair of first electrodes sandwiching the serial member, a pair of second electrodes arranged on both outer sides of the first electrodes in a stacking direction, a plurality of insulating clamp members, and a wedge-shaped member tapered in the stacking direction. An annular member that presses the wedge-shaped member is provided on an axial-direction inner end surface of an outer circumferential edge of the second electrode, and the wedge-shaped member is pressed by the annular member by a leading edge portion of a bolt inserted from an axial-direction inner end surface of the annular member being tightened in the second electrode, thereby pressing an axial-direction outer surface of the insulating clamp member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Akihide Ozaki, Hiroki Saito, Koichi Akaso
  • Patent number: 8755158
    Abstract: An electronic system protected against an incoming energy pulse, comprising a semiconductor device (310a, 310b) connected in sequential order to a first impedance (320), a coupling noise filter (330) having an internal frequency-dependent second impedance (331), a third impedance (340), a transient voltage suppressor (350), a fourth impedance (360), and an entry port exposed to the incoming energy pulse (380).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Charvaka Duvvury, Stephane Bertonnaud
  • Patent number: 8743524
    Abstract: A lightning arrester for protecting elements of electrical facilities or a power transmission line comprises an insulating body which is made of a solid dielectric, preferably in the form of a bar, a strip or a cylinder, two main electrodes that are mechanically coupled to the insulating body and two or more intermediate electrodes. The intermediate electrodes, preferably made in the form of bars or cylinders, are arranged between the main electrodes so that said intermediate electrodes are mutually shifted along the longitudinal axis of the insulating body or along a spiral line. Such design makes it possible to form a discharge channel between the adjacent electrodes. Furthermore, said electrodes are located inside the insulating body and are separated from the surface of the body by an insulation layer. Discharge chambers formed as cavities or through bores opened to the surface of the insulating body are arranged between the pairs of the adjacent electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Otkrytoe Aktsionernoe Obschestvo “NPO Streamer”
    Inventors: Georgy Viktorovich Podporkin, Eugeny Sergeevich Kalakutsky
  • Patent number: 8743525
    Abstract: An overvoltage protection device includes first and second electrically conductive electrode members and a varistor member formed of a varistor material and electrically connected with each of the first and second electrode members. The overvoltage protection device has an integral fail-safe mechanism operative to electrically short circuit the first and second electrode members about the varistor member by fusing first and second metal surfaces in the overvoltage protection device to one another using an electric arc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Raycap Intellectual Property, Ltd
    Inventors: Fotis Xepapas, Evaggelia Giannelaki, Grigoris Kostakis, Zafiris Politis, Kostas Samaras
  • Patent number: 8730638
    Abstract: A lightning surge detector 1 includes a first terminal unit 3 connected to a ground-side terminal unit of a surge protective device, a second terminal unit 4 connected with a ground wire, a conducting coupling bar 5 adapted to couple the first terminal unit 1 and the second terminal unit 4, a detection coil 7 placed in a vicinity of the conducting coupling bar 5 and adapted to detect a lightning surge current flowing through the conducting coupling bar 5, a waveform processing unit adapted to stretch a voltage waveform of the detected lightning surge current and thereby output a waveform-modified voltage, a computation control unit adapted to produce a calculation result of the lightning surge current from the waveform-modified voltage, and a display unit 40 adapted to display the calculation result, wherein all the above components are unitized by being housed in a casing 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Sankosha Corporation
    Inventors: Shuji Higashi, Yuichi Takahashi, Kenichi Ebuchi, Tsuyoshi Kawabata
  • Patent number: 8730637
    Abstract: A surge protection apparatus or method for opening a surge path upon failure of a surge protection element as a short. The surge protection device may include a switch controlled by a solenoid or other switch controlling component that changes a position of the switch if the surge protection element fails as a conductive element. A first position of the switch is configured to allow transmittal of a signal from a signal connection, through the surge protection element, and to a ground connection. A second position of the switch is configured to prevent transmittal of a signal from the signal connection, through the surge protection element, and to the ground connection. A delay may be added between the changing of the switch position after the surge protection element fails as a conductor. Visual or other notifiers may indicate when the switch is in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Transtector Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan L. Jones, Louis Ki Won Chang
  • Patent number: 8717723
    Abstract: A driver circuit of an integrated circuit is described. The driver circuit comprises a signal node coupled to receive an output signal of the integrated circuit; an inductor circuit having a resistor coupled in series with an inductor between a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the first terminal is coupled to the signal node; an electrostatic discharge protection circuit coupled to the second terminal of the inductor circuit; and an output node coupled to the second terminal of the inductor circuit. A method of generating an output signal is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: XILINX, Inc.
    Inventors: Vassili Kireev, Hsung J. Im
  • Patent number: 8705220
    Abstract: A surge arrester according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a switching unit connected to a gas-insulated electric equipment in which insulating gas is sealed, and switching a limited voltage of the surge arrester into a limited voltage smaller than a low-temperature critical voltage indicating a withstand voltage generating a dielectric breakdown when the insulating gas is liquefied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Kazuhide Bannai
  • Patent number: 8699197
    Abstract: A transient voltage surge suppression device includes a varistor assembly having a compact thickness, and thermal disconnect assembly carrying a separable contact bridge movable along a linear axis to disconnect the varistor element from external circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: Robert Stephen Douglass, Hundi Panduranga Kamath, Piyush K. Saxena, William Charles Giancola, Keith Allen Spalding
  • Patent number: 8699203
    Abstract: A system for dissipating a lightning current produced by a thunderstorm discharge on an avionic equipment installed on the external skin of an aircraft, the external skin being made of a composite material covered with a layer of expanded metal and including an orifice in which there is positioned an aerodynamic plate covering the avionic equipment. The aerodynamic plate is attached to the external skin by a doubler. The system includes at least one metal plate at least partially surrounding the aerodynamic plate and mounted so as to ensure electrical continuity between the doubler and the layer of expanded metal so as to dissipate the lightning current into the layer of expanded metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Airbus Operations S.A.S.
    Inventors: Amelie Le Louarn, Frederic Labal
  • Patent number: 8687340
    Abstract: A method of and actuator/device for passively actuating or protecting a system, body or circuit during a lightning strike or other high voltage/current generation event, utilizing an active material element activated by the spike in current or voltage potential, and preferably a barrier connected in series to the element and configured to be overcome by the voltage/current event, so that the element is activated only during the event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Alan L. Browne, Nancy L. Johnson, Nicholas W Pinto, IV, Mohan Sundar, Paul W. Alexander
  • Patent number: 8681467
    Abstract: A surge protection apparatus is provided. The surge protection apparatus includes a non-linear element unit, a signal generation unit, and a switching element unit. The non-linear element unit enables an electrical surge to pass therethrough by rapidly decreasing resistance of the non-linear element unit when the difference in voltage between two ends of the non-linear element unit is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. The signal generation unit generates a control signal in response to current which passes through the non-linear element unit. The switching element unit switches the status thereof in response to the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Kwang-Uk Chu, Up Namkoong, Kyung-Hoon Lee
  • Patent number: 8674216
    Abstract: An early streamer emission terminal is disclosed. According to some embodiments, the early streamer emission terminal can create an upward propagating streamer earlier than conventional lightning protection systems and/or devices. In particular, the early streamer emission terminal can collect ground charges during an initial phase of thunderstorm development. When a thunderstorm begins to generate downward step leaders, the ambient electric field around a grounded lightning protection system can induce a current into the grounded lightning protection system. The induced current can include a flow of negative charge toward the ground, while a positive charge can be released to form an upward streamer. The construction of the early streamer emission terminal can trigger the flow of positive upward charge microseconds earlier than traditional lightning rods or other similar devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Alltec LLC
    Inventors: Christopher A. Bean, Woei Chiang Lee
  • Patent number: 8659866
    Abstract: A transient voltage surge suppression device includes a varistor assembly having a compact thickness, and two different disconnect elements responsive to distinct overvoltage conditions to disconnect a varistor assembly prior catastrophic failure thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: Robert Stephen Douglass, Hundi Panduranga Kamath
  • Patent number: 8649148
    Abstract: Systems and methods for dynamically defending a site from lightning strikes are provided. The systems and methods involve dynamically altering electrostatic fields above the site and/or dynamically intervening in lightning discharge processes in the vicinity of the site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I LLC
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Thomas Allan Weaver, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood
  • Patent number: 8643997
    Abstract: A lightning current transfer assembly (2) for a wind turbine (1) is arranged to transfer lightning current from a wind-turbine part (8) to another part (8) rotatable relative to it. The assembly comprises at least one electric contact arrangement (11?, 11?) comprising complementary contact members (12a?, 12b?, 12a?, 12b?) which provide electric connection by mechanically contacting each other while being movable relative to each; a spark gap (4) connected in series with the movement-enabling contact arrangement (11?, 11?); and a spark-gap-bridging resistance (6) connected parallel to the spark gap (4). Thereby, the assembly provides at least two alternative current paths: (i) a lightning current path across the at least one electric contact arrangement and the spark gap, and (ii) a permanent-discharge current path across the at least one electric contact arrangement and through the spark-gap-bridging resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/S
    Inventors: Claus Grøn Lyngby, Hans V. Erichsen
  • Patent number: 8643996
    Abstract: A fine arrestor having a body with a bore there through, an inner conductor within the bore, an inner conductor capacitor within the bore coupled between a surge portion of the inner conductor and a protected portion of the inner conductor, and an inner conductor inductor within the bore coupled electrically in parallel with the inner conductor capacitor. A first shorting portion coupled between the surge portion of the inner conductor and the body and a second shorting portion coupled between the protected portion of the inner conductor and the body, for conducting a surge to ground. Also, other coaxial in-line assemblies may be formed incorporating the inner conductor cavity for isolation of enclosed electrical components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Andrew LLC
    Inventors: Frank A Harwath, Tom King, Joon Lee
  • Patent number: 8634177
    Abstract: Provided is a coupling structure for airframe components that is capable of ensuring sufficient lightning protection capability. A conductive pattern part 40 made of a conductive material is formed around each fastener member 24 between wing surface panels 21A and 21B. The conductive pattern part 40 is formed, for example, around each of holes 21c and 21d on the plane on which the wing surface panel 21A and the wing surface panel 21B abut against each other. Then, the conductive pattern part 40 is pushed against both the wing surface panel 21A and the wing surface panel 21B by the fastening power of the fastener members 24, whereby electrical conduction between the wing surface panel 21A and the wing surface panel 21B can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Kawahara, Hideo Yamakoshi, Yuichiro Kamino, Atsuhiro Iyomasa, Toru Hashigami
  • Patent number: 8633391
    Abstract: A device includes a cover that includes a base. The cover is configured to be positioned over a mount that couples a support structure of an electrical device to another element. The electrical device includes an energized terminal that is configured to connect to an electrical power system and a grounded terminal. The device also includes an insulating interface coupled to the base of the cover such that, when the cover is positioned over the mount, the interface contacts the support structure to substantially electrically insulate the mount. A system includes an electrical device, a support structure that holds the electrical device on the first side, a mount configured to couple the structure to another element, the mount being grounded during operation of the system, and a protective device positioned over the mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: James Alan Strong, David R. Miller