Abstract: A polymeric positive temperature coefficient (PPTC) tank heater features a first conductive region, a heater body, and a second conductive region, forming a sandwich. The first conductive region includes a first conductive surface connected to a first lead and a second conductive surface connected to a second lead. The heater body is a PPTC polymer matrix including a conductive filler and a semi-crystalline polymer. The sandwich includes multiple heating elements connected in series and each heating element supplies a different resistance.

Abstract: Circuits for providing overcurrent protection are disclosed herein. The circuits feature depletion mode MOSFETs connected to resistive elements, preferably, Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) devices, configured in such a way so that the voltage across the PTC device is the same as the gate-to-source voltage of the MOSFET. The circuit may further be configured using a TVS diode, for clamping the drain-to-source voltage of the MOSFET during the overcurrent events. Heat transfer between the MOSFET and the PTC device facilitates overcurrent protection. A two-terminal device including a depletion mode MOSFET, a PTC device, and a TVS diode may provide overcurrent protection to other circuits. A bidirectional circuit c including two MOSFETS disposed on either side of a PTC is also contemplated for AC voltage overcurrent protection.

Abstract: A fault protection arrangement. The fault protection arrangement may include a neutral grounding resistor including a first non-ground end, connected to a neutralizing point, and a second non-ground end. The fault protection arrangement may include a neutral grounding resistance monitor assembly, directly coupled to the second non-ground end of the neutral grounding resistor. The neutral grounding resistance monitor assembly may include comprising a signal source coupled to the neutralizing-point; a first current sense circuit coupled between the signal source and the neutralizing-point; a first voltage sense circuit coupled between the signal source and the neutralizing-point; a second current sense circuit, comprising a current sensor, coupled between the second non-ground end of the neutral grounding resistor and a protective earth connection.

Abstract: Circuits for providing overcurrent and overvoltage protection are disclosed herein. The circuits feature a depletion mode MOSFET (D MOSFET) as a current limiter, the D MOSFET 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: A power semiconductor device may include a junction termination region, bounded by a side edge of a semiconductor substrate. The junction termination region may include a substrate layer of a first dopant type, a well layer of a second dopant type, a conductive trench assembly having a first set of conductive trenches, in the junction termination region, and extending from above the substrate layer through the well layer; and a metal layer, electrically connecting the conductive trench assembly to the well layer. The metal layer may include a set of inner metal contacts, electrically connecting a set of inner regions of the well layer to a first set of trenches of the conductive trench assembly; and an outer metal contact, electrically connecting an outer region of the well layer to a second set of conductive trenches of the conductive trench assembly, wherein the outer region borders the side edge.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of active/passive automotive fuse module in accordance with the present disclosure may include an electrically insulating base, a fuse plate including a bus bar portion disposed on a top surface of the base above a projectile cavity formed in the base, the fuse plate further including a fusible portion electrically connected to the bus bar portion and adapted to open when an amount of current flowing through the fuse plate exceeds a current rating of the active/passive automotive fuse module, the active/passive automotive fuse module further including a pyrotechnic interrupter (PI) disposed atop the base and including a projectile positioned above the bus bar portion, the PI configured to drive the projectile through the bus bar portion upon actuation of the PI.

Abstract: A method of assembly of an open-cavity, wire-in-air fuse which provides improved manufacturing yield and fuse reliability, involving coiling, braiding or twisting a fusible element around a sacrificial member during the manufacturing process to provide support for the fusible element to prevent mechanical breakages and necking problems commonly encountered during manufacture.

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: 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: A fuse including a fuse body having a main body portion formed of a dielectric material, a plurality of arc chambers formed in the main body portion, the arc chambers arranged in a matrix configuration, a conductor extending through the main body portion and intersecting the arc chambers, the conductor having bridge portions disposed within the arc chambers, the bridge portions being mechanically weaker than other portions of the conductor and configured to melt and separate upon the occurrence of an overcurrent condition in the fuse.

Abstract: An in-line fuseholder quick connection device is disclosed. In addition to allowing easy insertion of a fuse cartridge, the in-line fuseholder quick connection device includes easy wire connection using spring clamps, enabling the customer to avoid wire terminal crimping processes.

Abstract: Disclosed are various protection devices and associated methods. In some embodiments, a protection device may include a fuse assembly having a fusible link extending between a first lead end and a second lead end, and a first lead extending from the first lead end and a second lead extending from the second lead end. The protection device may further include a body including a first section coupleable with a second section, wherein the first and second sections define a central cavity housing the fusible link. The first section may include an interior face operable to engage an opposite interior face of the second section, an engagement member extending away from the interior face towards the second section, and an engagement channel adjacent the engagement member, the engagement channel operable to receive a corresponding engagement member of the second section.

Abstract: A floating two-terminal unipolar current limiting circuit arrangement implemented with enhancement mode devices and bipolar devices with a unique voltage-current operation curve. This operation curve makes this device particularly advantageous to instrumentation systems that are intended to experience large voltage transients and long-term exposure to voltages that would normally damage measurement equipment. The present current limiting device is designed to have a large impedance value prior to a “turn-on” voltage, then quickly transitions to a low-impedance state. When the conducted current exceeds a setpoint or a high-voltage event occurs, the current limiting device further transitions to the “cutoff” region, which transition resumes the initial high-impedance state. In one embodiment the threshold current may be set with internal components, while a further embodiment allows the current setpoint to be set by external components.

Abstract: A pPTC heating device having areas with different power densities distributed over the surface of the device. The device is constructed using a base layer composed of a pPTC material having a layer of sectioned conductive plates disposed over and under the layer of pPTC such as to control the path of the current through the device, thereby controlling resistance of the device and the power density of the device.

Abstract: Switch assemblies and switching methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, a switch assembly may include a first blade having a first contact within an enclosed cavity, and a second blade having a second contact within the enclosed cavity. The first and second contacts are operable to make or break contact with one another in response to a magnetic field. The switch assembly may further include a coating formed over each of the first and second contacts, the coating including a titanium layer, a second layer formed over the titanium layer, and a tungsten-copper layer formed over the second layer. In some embodiments, the second layer is copper or molybdenum.

Abstract: A fuse including an electrically insulating, tubular fuse body, electrically conductive first and second endcaps disposed over opposing ends of the fuse body, a fusible element extending through the fuse body and connecting the first endcap to the second endcap, the fusible element having a central portion adapted to melt and separate upon an overcurrent condition in the fuse, and first and second arc barriers disposed on the fusible element on opposing sides of the central portion, the first and second arc barriers formed of a silicone composition that includes an arc quenching filler suspended in a silicone resin.

Abstract: A device may include an inner layer comprising a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) material. The device may also include a first interface layer, disposed on a first side of the inner layer, and a second interface layer, disposed on a second side of the inner layer. The first interface layer and the second interface layer may comprise a mixture of PVDF material and a scavenger component.

Abstract: A self-oscillating spread spectrum frequency control loop contains a gated voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) which receives a digital signal that can start or stop its oscillation. The VCO generates a spread spectrum carrier by receiving a triangle wave signal from a delaying ramp generator in a loop, its ramp direction controlled by a frequency comparator. The loop generates a spectrum spread as wide as possible above a minimum frequency. RF isolators that utilize low-pass filters in the transmitter and high-pass filters in the receiver, where the F-3 dB cutoff frequencies of both filters vary in a correlated manner, are used to not produce spread spectrum frequencies below the minimum frequency. Die from a given wafer lot, when designed such that the low- and high-pass cutoff frequencies track, can be used to form RF digital isolators whose minimum spread spectrum frequency does not go below the minimum frequency required by that wafer lot.

Abstract: Switch assemblies and switching methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, a switch assembly may include a first blade having a first contact within an enclosed cavity, and a second blade having a second contact within the enclosed cavity. The first and second contacts are operable to make or break contact with one another in response to a magnetic field. The switch assembly may further include a coating formed over each of the first and second contacts, the coating including a titanium layer, a second layer formed over the titanium layer, and a tungsten-copper layer formed over the second layer. In some embodiments, the second layer is copper or molybdenum.

Abstract: Provided herein is an improved bi-stable relay. In some embodiments, the bi-stable relay assembly may include a housing, and a core assembly within the housing. The core assembly may include a coil support structure, a first coil and a second coil along a central section of the coil support structure, a first magnet at a first end of the coil support structure, a second magnet at a second end of the coil support structure, and a first electromagnetic shell component and a second electromagnetic shell component each extending between the first and second magnets.