Abstract: A substrate package arrangement may include a substrate that contains a ceramic body, a top metal layer, disposed on a top side of the ceramic body, and a bottom metal layer, disposed on a bottom side of the ceramic body, opposite the top surface. The substrate package arrangement may further include a lead structure, electrically connected to the top metal layer, and being electrically isolated from the bottom metal layer, wherein the substrate and lead structure are arranged in a discrete package, and wherein the ceramic body is formed of a high thermal conductivity material.

Abstract: Disclosed is a control circuit, for use in a solid state battery disconnect and protection system, wherein control circuit includes a high-voltage switch coupled between an electric battery and a DC link capacitor of an electric vehicle, wherein the electric vehicle is powered by the electric battery, and a control block. The control block may by operable to monitor a rate of change and a value of a current on a connection to the high-voltage switch, determine whether the rate of change of the current exceeds a first predetermined threshold and determine whether the value of the current exceeds a second predetermined threshold, and determine an overcurrent fault exists in the case that the first or second predetermined threshold is exceeded.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a power semiconductor device in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure may include providing a substrate disposed atop a heatsink, electrically connecting a semiconductor die to a top surface of the substrate, disposing a thin metallic layer atop the substrate, disposing a terminal atop the thin metallic layer, and performing a welding operation wherein a laser beam is directed at a top surface of the terminal to produce a plurality of weld connections connecting the terminal to the substrate, wherein the weld connections are separated by gaps, and wherein heat generated during the welding operation melts the thin metallic layer and molten material of the thin metallic flows into the gaps.

Abstract: A self-limiting heater and method for building the self-limiting heater are disclosed. The self-limiting heater consists of a resistor and a PTC resistor coupled together in series with a power supply. Both resistive devices have good thermal coupling. The resistor has a minimal resistance change over changes in temperature while the resistance of the PTC resistor increases with an increase in temperature. The ohmic resistance ratio between the resistor and the PTC may be used to adjust the heater characteristics and limit the characteristic sharpness.

Abstract: Methods for making reverse-blocking insulated gate bipolar transistors and associated structures. A first and a second silicon wafer substrates are provided and bonded. One or more separation diffusion regions are formed in the first silicon wafer substrate. One or more front side metal-oxide semiconductor (MOS) structures are formed on a top surface of the first silicon wafer substrate. The second silicon wafer substrate layer is removed. A contact diffusion layer is formed on a bottom surface of the first silicon wafer substrate. A backside metallization layer is formed on a bottom surface of the contact diffusion layer.

Abstract: A metal oxide varistor (MOV) device including a MOV chip, electrically conductive first and second electrodes disposed on opposite sides of the MOV chip, and electrically conductive first and second leads connected to the first and second electrodes, respectively, wherein the first and second electrodes are formed of a material having a melting point greater than 1100 degrees Celsius.

Abstract: A miniature circuit breaker for providing short circuit and overload protection is disclosed herein. The miniature circuit breaker features a field effect transistor (FET), which may be a depletion mode metal oxide semiconductor FET (D MOSFET), a junction field-effect transistor (JFET), or a silicon carbide JFET, the FET being connected to a bi-metallic switch, where the bi-metallic switch acts as a temperature sensing circuit breaker. In combination, the D MOSFET and bi-metallic switch are able to limit current to downstream circuit components, thus protecting the components from damage.

Abstract: Provided herein a circuit protection devices including a fusible element attached to a ceramic substrate, the fusible element comprising a paste including a plurality of nickel particles.

Abstract: A fuse holder includes a housing and a knob. The housing has a telescoping chamber designed to receive a knob terminal, where the knob terminal is adapted to receive a fuse. The knob has a neck which is inserted into the telescoping chamber to enclose the cylindrical fuse. The housing and neck are made of a polymer having a thermal conductivity in a range of 4.0 to 10 W/mK.

Abstract: A relay circuit, including a solid state relay switch, connected to a first relay line and to a charging capacitor, and connected to a second relay line. The relay circuit may also include a solid state relay control circuit, coupled between the charging capacitor and the solid state relay switch. The solid state relay control circuit may include a voltage detection circuit, having an input coupled to an output of the charging capacitor, and having an output arranged to generate a LOW voltage signal when a voltage level of the charging capacitor is below a low threshold value. The solid state relay control circuit may also include a zero crossing circuit, coupled to the first relay line and the second relay line, and having an output to generate a clock signal when a zero crossing event takes place between the first relay line and the second relay line.

Abstract: A fuse element includes a bridge assembly located adjacent one side of a center portion. The bridge assembly includes multiple bridges connected to a fuse terminal. Each bridge has a cross-sectional area different from each other bridge. A first bridge is adjacent the center portion and has a first cross-sectional area. A last bridge is adjacent the fuse terminal and has a second cross-sectional area greater than the first cross-sectional area.

Abstract: A chip fuse includes a first terminal disposed on a first end of a fuse element array and a second terminal disposed on a second end of the fuse element array opposite the first end. The fuse element array includes multiple layers disposed in a stacked arrangement, each layer including a first terminal portion disposed within the first terminal, a second terminal portion disposed within the second terminal, a first fuse element portion orthogonal to and extending between the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion, and a second fuse element portion orthogonal to and extending between the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion. The first fuse element portion is adjacent the second fuse element portion.

Abstract: Provided herein are approaches for improving performance of current sensors. In some embodiments, an apparatus may include a current sensor coupled to a busbar, the current sensor comprising a coil, wherein a current flowing through the busbar generates a first magnetic field detectable by the current sensor, wherein the coil is operable to generate a second magnetic field, and wherein by orienting the coil, the current sensor will receive part of the second magnetic field, superposed to the first magnetic field.

Abstract: A circuit protection device including a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) device and a backup fuse electrically connected in series with one another, the backup fuse comprising a quantity of solder disposed on a dielectric chip and having a melting temperature that is higher than a trip temperature of the PTC device, wherein the a surface of the dielectric chip exhibits a de-wetting characteristic relative to the solder such that, when the solder is melted, the solder draws away from the surface to create a galvanic opening in the backup fuse.

Abstract: An adaptive pre-charge control circuit includes include a high-voltage switch and a control circuit. The high-voltage switch controls the flow of current between an electric battery and a DC link capacitor, the electric battery to supply power to an electric vehicle. The DC link capacitor is made up of a sum of individual input capacitors of multiple subunits within an electric vehicle. The control circuit sends a PWM signal to the high-voltage switch based on a difference between an electric battery voltage and a DC link capacitor voltage.

Abstract: A fuse assembly includes a fuse element, a first terminal, a second terminal, a socket, and a capsule. The fuse element is disposed between first and second end bells. The first terminal includes a first bell portion, a first socket portion, and a first capsule portion, the first bell portion being connected to the first end bell. The second terminal includes a second bell portion, a second socket portion, and a second capsule portion, the second bell portion being connected to the second end bell. The first socket portion and the second socket portion are integrated through the socket. The first capsule portion and the second capsule portion are integrated through the capsule. The socket is seated atop the capsule to create an interior chamber inside which the fuse element is disposed.

Abstract: A power control switch assembly. The assembly may include a thyristor device, where the thyristor device includes a first device terminal, a second device terminal, and a gate terminal> The assembly may include a negative temperature coefficient (NTC) device, electrically coupled to the gate terminal of the thyristor device on a first end, and electrically coupled to the first device terminal of the thyristor device on a second end, wherein the NTC device is thermally coupled to the thyristor device.

Abstract: Provided herein is a fuse assembly including an anti-rotation device. In some embodiments, the fuse assembly may include a fusible device connected to a conductive component, wherein the conductive component is operable to connect to a terminal of a power source and a securement device coupled to the fusible device. The securement device may include a body including a recess operable to receive the fusible device and a support post extending from the body, wherein the support post is operable to engage the power source to reduce rotation of the securement device and the fusible device relative to the power source.

Abstract: An electrical contactor including a contactor assembly including a housing, an electromagnet coil and an electrically conductive core disposed within the housing, the core being movable relative to the coil under influence of an electromagnetic force produced by the coil, and an electrically conductive bridge connected to a lower end of the core and movable with the core, an interrupter assembly including a base located below the bridge and having a trench formed in a top surface thereof, an input bus bar and an output bus bar disposed on the base on opposing sides of the trench, and a pyrotechnic interrupter disposed within the trench. The pyrotechnic interrupter may include a plunger and pyrotechnic ignitor disposed below the plunger, wherein, when the pyrotechnic ignitor is actuated, the plunger forcibly drives the bridge away from the input bus bar and an output bus bar to break an electrical connection therebetween.

Abstract: A fuse includes a fuse body, two terminals, and a termination reinforcement. The fuse body surrounds a fusible element. The first terminal is located at one end of the fuse body and the second terminal is located at the other end of the fuse body. The fusible element is mechanically connected to the first and second terminals. The termination reinforcement is located at one end of the fuse body.