Abstract: A method and apparatus for protecting against certain energy sources used to charge a battery is disclosed.

Abstract: A device for monitoring and protecting electrical equipment, placed in series on a power supply line between an electrical power source and the equipment, includes: at least one voltage regulator for regulating a power supply voltage of the equipment, at least one current limiter, coupled to the voltage regulator to reduce the power supply voltage of the equipment if a power supply current absorbed by the equipment exceeds an upper operating value, at least one crowbar short-circuit device, adapted to be activated when the input voltage exceeds a safety limit value, higher than the upper operating value, and to cause a fuse placed in series between the power source and the equipment, to blow, and calculating and storage elements adapted to generate a clock and to log a date of occurrence of a fault and the operating parameters of the power supply for the equipment in a non-volatile memory.

Abstract: A universal controlling device is provided with one or more buttons which, when activated in a set up mode, serves to initiate a rapid configuration of the controlling device to utilize one of a group of pre-selected command data sets.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement for protection against electrostatic discharges has a diverting structure (ESD1), which comprises a diverting element (DE1) and a switchable element (SW1). The diverting element (DE1) is set up to drain off an electrostatic discharge between a first and a second terminal (K1, K2). The switchable element (SW1) can take a first and a second switching state, where a function of the diverting element (DE1) can be activated depending on the switching state of the switchable element (SW1).

Abstract: An ESD module includes an ESD circuit coupled between a first source and a second source. A trigger circuit is also included in the ESD module for activating the ESD circuit to provide a low resistance current path between the first and second sources. The trigger circuit includes a reverse diode between the first source and the ESD circuit or between the second source and main ESD circuit. The trigger circuit provides a low trigger voltage to activate the ESD circuit.

Abstract: An arc fault detector, an electrical device having the arc fault detector, and a method of controlling the electrical device. The arc fault detector includes a current detector to detect current flowing through a plurality of loads in an electrical device, a filter unit to pass current having a frequency equal to or higher than a predetermined cut-off frequency from the frequency of the detected current, a comparison unit to compare a voltage of the passed current with a predetermined threshold voltage and output a comparison signal based on a comparison result, and a controller to determine whether an arc fault has been generated by comparing the comparison signal with a predetermined reference arc fault signal, determine a load having the arc fault from among the plurality of loads, and control cut-off of power to the determined load.

Abstract: An electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit includes a first n-type transistor, a discharge acceleration circuit and a discharge time circuit. The first n-type transistor has a first terminal coupled to a supply voltage, a second terminal coupled to a reference voltage, and a gate, wherein the first n-type transistor couples the supply voltage to the reference voltage during an ESD event at an I/O pad. The discharge acceleration circuit is coupled to the gate of the first n-type transistor to the I/O pad during the ESD event and coupled to the gate of the first n-type transistor to the reference voltage when there is no ESD event. The discharge time circuit, coupled to the discharge acceleration circuit and the supply voltage, controls a discharge time of the first n-type transistor of coupling the supply voltage to the reference voltage during the ESD event at the I/O pad.

Abstract: In one embodiment, there is provided a carrier comprising a top semiconductor layer having isolated positive electrode regions and isolated negative electrode regions separated by a frontside trench through the top semiconductor layer extending at least to an underlying insulating layer positioned between the top semiconductor layer and a bottom semiconductor layer. A dielectric layer covers the top exposed surfaces of the carrier. Backside trenches through the bottom semiconductor layer extending at least to the insulating layer form isolated backside regions corresponding to the frontside positive and negative electrode regions. Backside contacts positioned on the bottom semiconductor layer and coupled to the positive and negative electrode regions allow for the electric charging of the frontside electrode regions.

Abstract: A surge protection device has a pulse controlled switch, a pulse generation circuit and an abnormal voltage detection circuit. The surge control switch is connected in series to a power line loop and has at least one control terminal respectively connected to output terminals of the pulse generation circuit and the abnormal voltage detection circuit. An output terminal of the abnormal voltage detection circuit is connected to the power line loop and is located in the back end of the pulse controlled switch. The pulse generation circuit serves to send a pulse to the pulse controlled switch to close the pulse controlled switch and connect to the power line loop. When continuously detecting abnormal voltage in the power line loop, the abnormal voltage detection circuit opens the pulse controlled switch and disconnects from the power line loop so as to protect back-end equipment or circuit.

Abstract: An ionizer that acts as an electric charge generating device includes a first high voltage power source and a second high voltage power source, which are disposed in confronting relation to each other, and a first wiring arrangement and a second wiring arrangement, which are disposed in confronting relation to each other. The first high voltage power source applies an AC high voltage to needle electrodes via the first wiring arrangement, whereas the second high voltage power source applies an AC high voltage, which is 180° out of phase with the aforementioned AC high voltage, to needle electrodes via the second wiring arrangement.

Abstract: A DC circuit breaker arrangement for interrupting a direct current on a line, includes: n DC circuit breakers connected in parallel, where n>2, which parallel connection of DC circuit breakers is connected in series with the line, the direct current of the line being divided between the n DC circuit breakers, and n reactors, each reactor being connected to one of the DC circuit breakers, for preserving the current division during current interruption. A method for interrupting or commutating a direct current on a transmission line or in a HVDC circuit is also provided.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement for protection against electrostatic discharges has a diverting structure, which includes a diverting element and a switchable element. The diverting element can be set up to drain off an electrostatic discharge between a first and a second terminal. The switchable element can take a first and a second switching state, where a function of the diverting element can be activated depending on the switching state of the switchable element.

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.

Abstract: An earth fault detection circuit for detecting an earth fault between a high-voltage battery and a motor includes: an A.C. signal generation portion generating an A.C. signal; a first capacitive element between the A.C. signal generation portion and one end side of the high-voltage battery; a voltage dividing circuit dividing a voltage on the one end side of the high-voltage battery; an earth fault detection portion detecting the earth fault between the high-voltage battery and the motor based on an earth fault detection signal inputted thereto; and a second capacitive element inputting an A.C. component of the voltage, on the one end side of the high-voltage battery, which is obtained by the voltage division in the voltage dividing circuit as the earth fault detection signal to the earth fault detection portion.

Abstract: Technologies for sequentially initiating squibs in one or more release mechanisms in order to reduce delay between successive squibs are provided. A squib initiation sequencer is configured to initiate squibs of one or more release mechanisms in a pre-programmed sequence. The squib initiation sequencer is further configured to detect when the initiation of each squib in the sequence is complete, and immediately move to the next sequential step without waiting the entire maximum initiation time per the squib manufacturer's specifications.

Abstract: There is provided a method for mitigating static discharge in a fuel container. The method provides a static dissipative coating having a volume resistivity of 1.0×109 ?-m (ohm-meter) or less when measured at 40 V (volts) or less, having a surface resistivity of 1.0×1011 ?/sq (ohm per square) or less when measured at 100 V (volts) or less, having a breakdown voltage of 4000 V (volts) or less, and having a charge decay of 60 seconds or less. The method further provides applying the static dissipative coating to a surface of the fuel container to form a coated surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a transmission device for a wind turbine, having a holder, a sliding contact device having pressing means, and at least one electrode having adjustment means for transmitting lightning current. The electrode can form a spark gab having a sparking distance S together with a ring electrode, wherein the ring electrode can be arranged on the rotary device, or can be connected to a grounding device that cannot be rotated with respect to the rotary device. To improve the transmission, the holder is rotationally fixed arranged on the rotary device, or arranged in a non rotatable manner with respect to the grounding device. Furthermore, the electrode is arranged in a movable manner relative to the holder by means of a tracking device having support means. The electrode is supported by way of the supporting means relative to the rotary device or the ring electrode such that the sparking distance S can not fall below a minimum dimension.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a leakage detection protective circuit. This leakage detection protective circuit includes a rectification circuit, a current-limiting resistance, a controlled silicon rectifier (SCR), a power supply main circuit switch linked with a reset button and a tripping coil with a built-in iron core. The rectification circuit, tripping coil, and SCR are connected in series with each other, forming a circuit. The control pole of the SCR is connected, through the current-limiting resistance and the diode, to the shielding layer of the power output wires. When a leakage failure occurs, the shielding layer connected to the control pole of the controlled silicon rectifier becomes electrified, triggering the controlled silicon rectifier. A magnetic field is then generated within the tripping coil and its built-in iron core moves, causing the reset button to trip. This invention is characterized by a compact circuit and robust operation.

Abstract: An arrester includes a switch and a lightning detection breaker connected to the switch. The lightning detection breaker includes a metal conducting terminal electrically connected to an earth return, a DC power supply terminal, a ground terminal and an output terminal. When the power supply is under a lightning strike, a potential difference of both the DC power supply terminal and the ground terminal of the lightning detection breaker will go up to several thousands of volts. However, a voltage of the metal conducting terminal will not go up because the metal conducting terminal is electrically connected to the earth return. The switch will automatically become open circuit by the lightning detection breaker, and therefore an electronic device connected to the arrester is protected from damage done by the lightning.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fault detection of series diodes in rectifiers is disclosed, wherein the voltages across one or both of the individual diodes, and/or the voltage across the pair of diodes are measured to determine a ratio between two of those voltages. The ratio is then analyzed to determine if a fault (e.g., a short circuit or an open circuit) is present. In some embodiments, circuitry can be included to compensate for the normal variations in diode characteristics (e.g., reverse leakage current, reverse recovery charge) between the pair of series diodes to minimize the potential for erroneous fault detection.