Abstract: A method of tripping a circuit breaker including sampling an AC line voltage at regular intervals during a first time period to generate a plurality of AC line voltage samples. Each sample of the set of AC line voltage samples is summed to generate a voltage area value. A controller determines whether the voltage area value exceeds a threshold. In response to the voltage area value exceeding the threshold, an amount determined as a function of the voltage area value is added to a count value. The circuit breaker is caused to trip in response to the count value equaling or exceeding a maximum count value. An improper line-to-neutral voltage can be detected by monitoring the line-to-neutral voltage and comparing it to a function such as a trip curve. Thus, components downstream from a circuit breaker, as well as the circuit breaker itself, can be protected from prolonged exposure to improper voltages, which can lead to component failure.

Abstract: Current differential protection is provided for a multi-terminal power apparatus, such as a power transmission line. Currents measured at each of the multiple terminals are used to calculate a differential current and a restraining current, which are then converted into a first equivalent current and a second equivalent current of an equivalent two-terminal power apparatus. In the equivalent two-terminal power apparatus, a differential current derived from the first and second equivalent currents is substantially equal to the differential current of the original multi-terminal power apparatus. Similarly, a restraining current derived from the first and second equivalent currents is substantially equal to the restraining current of the original multi-terminal power apparatus. The first and second equivalent currents may be used in an alpha plane analysis to determine whether or not to trip the multi-terminal power apparatus.

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: A circuit arrangement for enforcing an intrinsically safe situation in a hazardous zone features a first switching device that lies in the series arm and a second switching device that lies in the shunt arm. If a fault occurs that would violate the conditions of intrinsic safety, the first switching device is initially blocked and the second switching device is switched through with a time delay such that the output terminals are mutually short-circuited. In addition, a monitoring device is provided for monitoring the load conditions at the switching device arranged in the series arm.

Abstract: A power circuit protection system includes a current sensor configured to measure a first current level through a conductor of the circuit, a voltage sensor configured to measure a first voltage level across a plurality of conductors of the circuit, and a controller communicatively coupled to the current sensor and to the voltage sensor. The controller is configured to receive a first signal from the current sensor, wherein the first signal is representative of the first current level, and receive a second signal from the voltage sensor, wherein the second signal is representative of the first voltage level. Based on the first signal and the second signal, the controller is configured to determine whether to activate a first circuit protection device or a second circuit protection device.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an over-voltage protection circuit is configured to have two control circuits that respond at different values of the input voltage.

Abstract: An electrical contactor with high DC and AC interrupt capability is disclosed. The invention is intended for applications where load break capability is only required under abnormal operating conditions. Under overload conditions, an alternate path is automatically provided through a sacrificial fuse to divert current from opening, or open and arcing, contacts such that the fuse interrupts the fault current and not the contacts. The current rating of the sacrificial fuse may be orders of magnitude less than the normal carry current of the contactor. The contactor provides a one-time load break function that is renewable by the replacement of a fuse.

Abstract: A thermal protection circuit to protect an electronic device from over-heat comprises a temperature sensor, a hysteresis comparator and a switch circuit. The temperature sensor senses internal temperature of the electronic device and output an internal temperature signal with voltage. The hysteresis comparator outputs a power-off signal when the voltage of the internal temperature signal is lower than a low voltage threshold representing an a determined temperature, or outputs a power-on signal when the voltage of the internal temperature signal is higher than a high voltage threshold representing a restarting temperature. The switch circuit stops transmitting power signals to the electronic device in response to the power-off signal, or continues to transmit the power signals to the electronic device in response to the power-on signal.

Abstract: A power semiconductor device for an igniter comprises: a first semiconductor switching device; and an integrated circuit, wherein the integrated circuit includes: a second semiconductor switching device connected in parallel with the first semiconductor switching device and having a smaller current capacity than a current capacity of the first semiconductor switching device; a delay circuit delaying a control input signal so that the second semiconductor switching device is energized prior to the first semiconductor switching device; a third semiconductor switching device including a thyristor structure connected to a high voltage side main terminal of the second semiconductor switching device and being made conductive by a part of a main current flowing through the energized second semiconductor switching device; and a first excess voltage detection circuit stopping the first semiconductor switching device when voltage on the high voltage side main terminal is equal to or more than a predetermined voltage.

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.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention provide an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection device with reduced current leakage, and a related method. In one embodiment, an ESD protection device for an integrated circuit (IC) is provided. The ESD protection device includes: a resistor-capacitor (RC) timing circuit for selectively turning on the ESD protection device during an ESD event; a trigger circuit for receiving an output of the RC timing circuit and generating a trigger pulse for driving at least one of: a first ESD clamp and a second ESD clamp; and a selection circuit for selecting one of: the trigger circuit or a charge pump for controlling the second ESD clamp.

Abstract: A surge suppression device may include a housing having a cavity, a center conductor positioned within the cavity, a spiral inductor having an inner curve coupled to the center conductor and an outer curve, a coil capture device connected to the outer curve of the spiral inductor, and a ring assembly having a first ring connected to the coil capture device, a second ring connected to the housing, and a voltage limiting device positioned between the first ring and the second ring.

Abstract: A method of controlling a solid state power controller includes determining whether a voltage across a switch of the solid state power controller is within a predetermined voltage threshold. If the voltage is outside of the predetermined voltage threshold, the current is limited to a non-zero current. As result of this method a SSPC in Offstate stays off and a SSPC in Onstate stays on during lightning events.

Abstract: A device may include a switch and a circuit coupled to the switch. The switch may include a structure with a top portion and a bottom portion and a material included within the structure. The material is configured to expand within the structure when voltage is applied to the material. The switch may also include a conductive element located in a bottom portion of the structure and connected to the material, wherein the conductive element operates to electrically close the switch when the applied voltage exceeds a threshold. The circuit includes a resistor. The circuit is configured to reduce the voltage supplied to components of the device when the switch is closed.

Abstract: A power amplifier for driving a load connected to an output terminal having an output transistor connected in parallel with a corresponding current detection path between the output terminal and a power supply. The detection path includes a switching device and a resistor connected in series, the switching device is turned on only during an on-state period of the corresponding output transistor, and the presence or absence of over-current generation is detected at the output transistors on the basis of a sensing signal obtained from a point connecting the switching device and the resistor. When over-current is detected, the operation of the output transistors is stopped to protect the amplifier.

Abstract: An electrostatic discharge (ESD) clamp circuit is provided, which includes a plurality of identical module circuits. The anode of the first module circuit is coupled to the cathode of the ESD clamp circuit. The anode of each of the other module circuits is coupled to the cathode of the previous module circuit. The cathode of the last module circuit is coupled to the ground terminal of the ESD clamp circuit. Each module circuit includes a conduction path and a detection circuit. The detection circuit is coupled to the anode, the cathode and the conduction path of the module circuit. When the rising speed of the voltage at the anode of the module circuit surpasses a threshold value, the detection circuit makes the conduction path conducting.

Abstract: An electrostatic clamp (ESC), system, and method for clamping a workpiece is provided. A clamping plate of the ESC has central disk and an annulus encircling the central disk, wherein the central disk is recessed from the annulus by a gap distance, therein defining a volume. Backside gas delivery apertures are positioned proximate to an interface between the annulus and the central disk. A first voltage to a first electrode of the annulus clamps a peripheral region of the workpiece to a first layer. A second voltage to a second electrode of the central disk generally compensates for a pressure of a backside gas within the volume. The ESC can be formed of J-R- or Coulombic-type materials. A cooling plate associated with the clamping plate further provides cooling by one or more cooling channels configured to route a cooling fluid therethrough.

Abstract: A power diverter has a first terminal for interposition between a signal input and a signal output. A MEMS switch is coupled to the first terminal and has a MEMS switch control input. A MEMS protection switch is coupled to the MEMS switch and has a protection switch control input. The switch control inputs are configured to receive control signals for selectively placing the power diverter in i) an ON state in which signal power at the signal input is diverted from the signal output via the MEMS switch and the MEMS protection switch, ii) an OFF state in which signal power at the signal input is not diverted from the signal output, and in which the MEMS switch mitigates an insertion loss and distortion imparted by the MEMS protection switch to a signal path between the signal input and the signal output, and iii) an intermediary state in which the MEMS protection switch reduces current flow through the MEMS switch.

Abstract: A multiphase current supplying circuit according to the present invention includes a diode bridge, an intervening circuit, an inverter, a control circuit, and a lightning arrester. The diode bridge is connected to a single-phase AC power supply system via the lightning arrester, and performs full-wave rectification on a single-phase AC voltage. The intervening circuit includes a capacitor and an inductor, and is constituted by a choke input type low-pass filter. More specifically, one end of the inductor and one end of the capacitor are connected, output from the diode bridge is received between the other end of the inductor and the other end of the capacitor, and a rectified voltage generated at both ends of the capacitor is output to the inverter.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a primary and a secondary protection to a load in a power switching application uses an electronic circuit breaker to selectively permit a flow of current from an input to a load. The circuit breaker comprises a plurality of first switches coupled in parallel, and a plurality of fuses coupled to the plurality of first switches. In a disclosed embodiment, each first switch is coupled to a first fuse and to a second fuse. A controller opens and closes the plurality of first switches by commanding a driver current ON and OFF. The controller is operable to detect a fault condition and to open the plurality of first switches in response to the fault condition by commanding the driver current OFF. If the controller fails to open one of the first switches, one of the fuses coupled to the switch is operable to blow.