Abstract: In some embodiments, a method includes providing an input voltage to a level-shifting circuit, where the input voltage is in a first power domain, shifting the input voltage to an output voltage using the level-shifting circuit, where the output voltage is in a second power domain different from the first power domain, and where the level-shifting circuit is coupled to power supply voltages in the second power domain. The method further includes in response to an electrostatic discharge (ESD) event, turning off a first transistor coupled between a first node of the level-shifting circuit and a reference low voltage level of the second power domain.

Abstract: A current limiting device for a power grid includes a first current limiting reactor; a first smart fast switch connected with the first current limiting reactor in parallel; a current transformer sleeved on a bus bar located on one side of a circuit resulting from the parallel connection of the first current limiting reactor with the first smart fast switch to monitor the current in the bus bar in real time; and a controller connected with the current transformer to control the switch-off of the first smart fast switch when the current in the bus bar is higher than a first preset value and the switch-on of the first smart fast switch when the current in the bus bar is smaller than a second preset value, wherein the first preset value is higher than the second preset value. The current limiting device improves the operational reliability of a power grid.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a method for low emission charge neutralization, comprising: generating a high frequency alternating current (AC) voltage; transmitting the high frequency AC voltage to at least one non-metallic emitter; wherein the at least one non-metallic emitter comprises at least 70% silicon by weight and less than 99.99% silicon by weight; wherein the at least one emitter comprises at least one treated surface section with a destroyed oxidation layer; and generating ions from the at least one non-metallic emitter in response to the high frequency AC voltage. Another embodiment of the invention provides an apparatus for low emission charge neutralization wherein the apparatus can perform the above-described operations.

Abstract: A power circuit is described that includes a switch coupled to a resistive-inductive-capacitive load and a driver coupled to the switch. The driver is configured to detect an emergency event within the power circuit. After detecting the emergency event within the power circuit, the driver is further configured to perform a controlled emergency switch-off operation of the switch to minimize the maximum temperature of the switch during the detected emergency event and switch-off operation.

Abstract: A DC circuit breaker including a pair of arcing contact members for holding an arc, an interaction element, adapted for interacting with the arc in dependence of whether the arc is in a first or second state such that the arc voltage drop in the first state is lower than the drop in the second state, a resonance branch coupled in parallel to the contact members thereby forming a resonance circuit adapted for letting a resonance branch current Ir oscillate thereby inducing oscillations of an arc current Ia, wherein the resonance branch includes a coupling element for coupling the resonance branch with the arc, such that the arc is brought to the first state when the current Ir in the resonance branch has a first direction, and that the arc is brought to the second state when the current Ir in the resonance branch has a second direction.

Abstract: A circuit for protecting a semiconductor element is provided in a system for supplying power from an input node to an output node. The circuit has an analog multiplier responsive to a voltage across the semiconductor element and a current flowing through the semiconductor element to produce an output voltage. A transconductance amplifier is coupled to an output of the analog multiplier for receiving the output voltage of the analog multiplier to produce an output current. An analog RC circuit coupled to the output of the transconductance amplifier is configurable to include a selected number of resistive elements having selected resistance values and a selected number of capacitive elements having selected capacitance values. The configuration of the RC circuit is carried out to provide an RC thermal model that reproduces a desired thermal behavior of the semiconductor element.

Abstract: A circuit for protecting a semiconductor element is provided in a system for supplying power from an input node to an output node. The circuit has an analog multiplier responsive to a voltage across the semiconductor element and a current flowing through the semiconductor element to produce an output voltage. A transconductance amplifier is coupled to an output of the analog multiplier for receiving the output voltage of the analog multiplier to produce an output current. An analog RC circuit coupled to the output of the transconductance amplifier is configurable to include a selected number of resistive elements having selected resistance values and a selected number of capacitive elements having selected capacitance values. The configuration of the RC circuit is carried out to provide an RC thermal model that reproduces a desired thermal behavior of the semiconductor element.

Abstract: A spark gap arrangement comprises a triggerable spark gap (TF) and a trigger circuit (TRG), which comprises a first and a second charge store (C1, C2), a first resistor (R1), a triggerable dissipation element (SF, SF3, TD, TH) and a transformer (T1). The trigger circuit is set up to intermediately store the energy of an input pulse supplied to the input side of the trigger circuit (TRG), wherein storage takes place at least by means of the first charge store (C1). A part of the stored energy is transferred to the second charge store (C2) via the first resistor (R1). The triggerable dissipation element (SF, TD, TH) is set up to turn on on the basis of a voltage across the second charge store (C2) and to discharge the first charge store (C1) via a primary side (T11) of the transformer (T1). In this case, a secondary side (T12) of the transformer (T1) is connected to a main electrode (HE) of the triggerable spark gap (TF) and to a trigger electrode (TE) of the triggerable spark gap (TF).

Abstract: One or more electrostatic discharge (ESD) control circuit are disclosed herein. In an embodiment, an ESD control circuit has first and second trigger transistors, first and second ESD transistors, and first and second feedback transistors. The ESD transistors provide ESD current paths for ESD current generated during an ESD event. The first and second trigger transistors are on during normal operation to maintain the ESD transistors in an off state. During an ESD event, the first and second transistors are turned off to enable the first and second ESD transistors to provide ESD current paths. The first and second feedback transistors turn on during an ESD event to reinforce the on state of the ESD transistors and to reinforce the off state of the trigger transistors. In this way, the ESD control circuit stably provides multiple ESD current paths to discharge ESD current.

Abstract: A self-testing fault detector having a line side and a load side and a conductive path there between is provided. The self-testing fault detector includes an auto-monitoring circuit electrically coupled to a fault detection circuit and an interrupting device and it continuously monitors one or more signals to determine an operating state of the fault detector. At least one of the monitored signals includes a fault detection signal, wherein if said automonitoring circuit determines that the fault detection circuit is not properly driving the interrupting device, the automonitoring device converts an input-output port receiving the fault detection signal from an input to an output and drives the interrupting device into a tripped condition using the input-output port.

Abstract: A control signal protection device protects a current-receiving field device from an undesirable interruption in a control signal provided to the field device. The control signal protection device includes a first terminal to connect the signal protection device to a control system and a second terminal that connects the control signal protection device to a field device. The control signal device further includes a power storing element for temporary accumulation of electric energy and a switching circuit for controlling operational mode of the signal protection device. Electric energy is stored in the power storing element in a first operational mode. Electric energy stored in the power storing element is supplied to a positive terminal in the second terminal pair in a second operational mode.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for use in initiating explosives used in application including well perforating systems. The initiator uses an air gap separating an electrically triggered semiconductor bridge plasma energy creator and a reactive foil abutting an explosive.

Abstract: Provided is an electrostatic charge dissipator for removing electrostatic charge inside a storage tank or other enclosed volume. The dissipator comprises yarns of electrically conductive polymeric fibers, such as carbon fiber. The yarns have broken fiber tips or stray fibers projecting away from the yarns, thereby functioning to concentrate electric fields and facilitate charge collection. The yarns are attached to a bracket for mechanical attachment to the tank, and are electrically connected to a feedthrough for providing an electrical path to ground potential. The present dissipator can also comprise a support, such as a rope, chain, or the like, and a weight for limiting the movement of the dissipator. The present dissipator is highly corrosion resistant and does not threaten pumps or valves with damaging metal debris.

Abstract: A personal defense accessory for interaction with a mobile communications device includes a main housing. A pair of electrodes are disposed in the main housing. A controller is disposed with the main housing and connected to the pair of electrodes to deliver a stun rated shock.

Abstract: A device for digitally protecting against an overvoltage event may include a front-end circuit, an overvoltage protection circuit, and a protection switch. The protection switch may be coupled to the overvoltage protection circuit and may be configured to decouple the front-end circuit from an external medium, in response to a clamp signal. The overvoltage protection circuit may be configured to detect the overvoltage event at one or more nodes of a circuit. In response to the detection of the overvoltage event, the overvoltage protection circuit may generate the clamp signal to activate the protection switch.

Abstract: An aircraft assembly comprising a plurality of structural components and an electrically conductive bonding network, wherein at least one of the structural components is formed of material of low electrical conductivity, and the bonding network includes either: at least one substantially planar strip of highly electrically conductive material attached to at least the one structural component, and wherein the strip includes a substantially omega-shaped loop extending out of the plane of the strip; or at least one strip of highly electrically conductive material attached to at least the one structural component, wherein the strip comprises first and second planar attachment portions for attaching the strip to the structural component(s) and an intermediate portion extending between the first and second attachment portions, and wherein the intermediate portion includes a loop which extends outwards from the plane of the first attachment portion.

Abstract: An overvoltage protection device capable of protecting a power supply line and including in parallel a break-over diode, a controlled switch, and a circuit for controlling the switch.

Abstract: The following are included: a series circuit that is connected between a first node and a second node and includes an impedance element and a capacitor connected to each other by a third node; a first transistor that is connected between the first node and a fourth node and turns on in accordance with an increase in voltage generated in the impedance element; a voltage divider circuit that divides voltage between the fourth node and the second node; a second transistor that turns on in accordance with an increase in the divided voltage and increases current flowing in the impedance element; a detection circuit that activates an output signal upon detection of an on state of the second transistor; and a discharge circuit that allows current to flow from the first node to the second node when the output signal of the detection circuit is activated.

Abstract: Systems and methods for transferring a micro device from a carrier substrate are disclosed. In an embodiment, a mass transfer tool includes an articulating transfer head assembly, a carrier substrate holder, and an actuator assembly to adjust a spatial relationship between the articulating transfer head assembly and the carrier substrate holder. The articulating transfer head assembly may include an electrostatic voltage source connection and a substrate supporting an array of electrostatic transfer heads.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems for detecting a location of a fault on an electric power transmission line using a state-of-polarization traveling wave in an optical ground wire Various embodiments may also detect a traveling wave on a conductor of the transmission system. The arrival times of the state-of-polarization traveling wave and the electrical traveling wave may be compared. Using the difference in times and the known propagation velocities of the traveling waves, a distance to the fault may be calculated. Arrival time of the state-of-polarization traveling wave may be calculated using electrical signals from photodetectors in an optical channel with polarizing filters at different orientations or reference frames.