Abstract: Methods and apparatus for static charge neutralization in variable pressure environments are disclosed. In particular, barrier discharge ionization apparatus may include a hollow dielectric channel disposed within a variable pressure environment and may have at least one open end, a reference emitter disposed on the outer surface of the channel, and a high voltage electrode disposed within the channel. The high voltage electrode may present a high intensity electric field to the reference emitter through the dielectric channel in response to the provision of a variable-waveform signal dictated by conditions in the variable pressure environment. This results in the generation of a plasma region with electrically balanced charge carriers within the variable pressure environment due to barrier discharge occurring at the interface of the reference emitter and the outer surface of the dielectric channel. The disclosed apparatus are compatible with either radio frequency or micro-pulse voltage power supplies.

Abstract: A surge arrester comprising stacked arrester units is provided that is that is easy to assemble. For that, a surge arrester comprises stacked arrester units, a capacitor, and a resilient element, where the resilient element electrically and mechanically connects the capacitor with a node of the arrester stack.

Abstract: The embodiments described herein include a system and a method. One embodiment provides an industrial automation system an emergency stop system configured to interrupt power to at least a portion of an industrial control system. The industrial automation system further includes a user perceptible indicator associated with the emergency stop system that in use provides an indication to a user of an operative state of the emergency stop system.

Abstract: A surge protection circuit, related to the power electronics field. The surge protection circuit includes: an input configured to provide direct current power supply, an output configured to connect to a next circuit, and a cutoff circuit connected to the output; the surge protection circuit further includes: a discharge circuit connected between the input and the cutoff circuit; the discharge circuit includes: a diode and a field-effect transistor; the cathode of the diode is connected to the positive end of the input, and the anode of the diode is connected to the source of the field-effect transistor; the gate of the field-effect transistor is connected to the positive end of the input, the drain of the field-effect transistor is connected to the negative end of the input, and the direction of the parasitic diode of the field-effect transistor is opposite to the direction of the diode.

Abstract: In one embodiment an ionic airflow system comprises an anode, a cathode platform having an elongated surface, and a first ultrasonic transducer to direct ultrasonic waves into the cathode platform. Other embodiments may be described.

Abstract: A surge protection apparatus includes a first surge protection device (10) having a number of first transient suppressing elements, a second surge protection device having a number of second transient suppressing elements, and a circuit coupled to the surge protection devices. The circuit has a number of display elements, wherein the circuit is structured to receive input signals from the first and second surge protection devices and (i) responsive to any one of the first transient suppressing elements failing, causes the number of display elements to provide a first indication indicating that at least one of the first transient suppressing elements has failed, and (ii) responsive to any one of the second transient suppressing elements failing, cause the number of display elements to provide a second indication indicating that at least one of the second transient suppressing elements has failed.

Abstract: An electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit is provided. The ESD protection circuit includes an impedance device coupled between a pad and a power line and a clamp unit coupled between the pad and a ground line.

Abstract: An electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit is provided. The ESD protection circuit includes an impedance device coupled between a pad and a power line and a clamp unit coupled between the pad and a ground line, wherein no ESD current flows through the impedance device when an ESD event occurs at the pad.

Abstract: A circuit is configured for providing reverse battery protection. The circuit includes a load driver circuit having at least a first half-bridge circuit with topside and bottomside transistors coupled at a midpoint node by a first current terminal of both the topside and bottomside transistors. A second current terminal of the bottomside transistor is coupled to a voltage common node. The circuit also includes: a reverse battery protection transistor having a first current terminal coupled to a battery supply node and a second current terminal coupled to a second current terminal of the topside transistor; a bootstrap capacitor having a first terminal coupled to a the midpoint node between the topside and bottomside transistors of the first half-bridge circuit; and a diode having an anode coupled to a second terminal of the bootstrap capacitor and a cathode coupled to a control terminal of the reverse battery protection transistor.

Abstract: A drive transistor is connected to a resonant load in a low-side drive configuration. The voltage across the conduction terminals of the drive transistor is sensed and compared to an over-voltage threshold. An over-voltage signal is asserted in response to the comparison. The drive transistor is controlled by a PWM control signal in normal mode. In response to the assertion of the over-voltage signal, the drive transistor is forced to turn on (irrespective of the PWM control signal) to relieve the over-voltage condition. Operation of the circuit may be disabled or forced into soft start mode in response to the assertion of the over-voltage signal. Additionally, the pulse width of the PWM control signal may be reduced in response to the assertion of the over-voltage signal.

Abstract: An electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection device is disclosed. The ESD protection device comprises a trigger circuit, a switch, and an output buffer. When an ESD event occurs, the trigger circuit turns on the switch. One part of the current of the electrostatic discharge (ESD) event may be routed to a ground through the switch from the output buffer coupled to the output pad.

Abstract: A power equipment protection system is provided. The power equipment protection system includes a first trip unit configured to monitor a first circuit, a second trip unit configured to monitor a second circuit that is downstream from the first circuit, an arc-flash (AF) sensor configured to detect an arc flash, an AF mitigation device, at least one current sensor, and a controller. The power equipment protection system is operable in a first mode and a second mode, wherein in the first mode, the controller is configured to activate the AF mitigation device based on signals generated by both the AF sensor and the at least one current sensor, and wherein in the second mode, the controller is configured to activate the AF mitigation device based on signals generated by at least one of the at least one current sensor and the AF sensor.

Abstract: A magnetic excitation circuit is used as a circuit for providing a magnetic excitation electric current based on a magnetic excitation power supply voltage to a magnetic excitation coil of an electromagnetic flow meter. The magnetic excitation circuit includes four voltage storing circuits that store and output a driving voltage that is charged by a common driving voltage. The voltage storing circuits are connected respectively between the control terminals and the output terminals of four switching elements. When the four switching elements are turned ON in relation to a positive interval or a negative interval, the four switching elements operate by the driving voltages that are outputted from the respective voltage storing circuits.

Abstract: A power cord having a circuit interrupter such as a leakage current detection interrupter (LCDI) or arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI), with a detection signal conductor wire in addition to the current carrying wires between the source and the load, and a temperature controlled switch coupled to the detection signal conductor wire on the load side. The temperature controlled switch is affixed to a device under measurement which is associated with the load, and changes its open or closed state when the device overheats. This in turn changes the state of the current flowing in the detection signal conductor wire. In response thereto, the circuit interrupter, which is coupled to the detection signal conductor wire on the source end, interrupts the power supply to the load.

Abstract: A supply system for supplying energy in an aircraft includes at least one electrical line including at least one core connectable to a pole of a current source, an electrically conductive shield, and a detection unit having at least two electrical inputs. The shield surrounds the at least one core under a distance and creates an intermediate space between the at least one core and the shield. At least one port of the detection unit is connected to the at least one core. At least another port of the detection unit is connected to at least one of the shield and the at least one core. The detection unit is adapted for detecting a differential current over the at least one core or an absolute current between the shield and a ground potential for generating a warning signal if a predetermined threshold value for the detected current value is exceeded.

Abstract: An over-current protection device adapted to be soldered onto a circuit board comprises a PTC material layer, a first electrode foil, a second electrode foil, a bonding section and a metal connecting member. The PTC material layer has opposite first and second surfaces. The first electrode foil is in physical contact with the first surface, and the second electrode foil electrically connects to the second surface. Both the second electrode foil and the bonding section are disposed on bottom of the device, and the bonding section is separated from the second electrode foil. The metal connecting member is disposed on the lateral surface of the device. The second electrode foil is adapted to be soldered onto an electrode section of the circuit board. The bonding section and the metal connecting member connect to corresponding joint section of the circuit board.

Abstract: An apparatus for short-circuit protection of a three-phase load in a three-phase system includes an input for connection of the apparatus to a three-phase network, an output for connection of the three-phase load to the apparatus, a means for producing an auxiliary short circuit in the three-phase network by ignition of the means, a means for identifying a short circuit at the three-phase load, and a means for generating an ignition pulse upon identification of the short circuit. The means for producing the auxiliary short circuit and the means for identifying the short circuit are provided in the current path between the input and the output. The means for producing the auxiliary short circuit is ignitable by the ignition pulse. The means for generating the ignition pulse is formed so that the ignition pulse can be generated by a short-circuit current established by the means for identifying the short circuit.

Abstract: The invention concerns energy delivery system and method for a gate drive unit controlling a thyristor-based valve (19). The system comprises at least one current transformer (22) located in the main current path of the valve.

Abstract: Methods for producing a laser-guided underwater electrical discharge are provided. One or more electrodes defining a desired electrical discharge path are situated in a body of water and are attached to an external electrical power supply. A high-powered, intense laser beam is fired through one or more focusing lenses into the water. The laser beam forms an optical filament in the water, which in turn forms an ionized channel having a much greater conductivity than the surrounding water. An external power supply drives an electrical discharge along the path of the ionized channel due to its greater conductivity.

Abstract: A power switching circuit includes a power semiconductor element that includes a main switching element connected in parallel with a main body diode and a sense switching element connected in parallel with a sense body diode; a reverse overcurrent detection circuit that detects an overcurrent flowing in the reverse direction out of currents flowing through a parallel-connection body of the sense switching element and the sense body diode; and a control circuit that drives the gate of the power semiconductor element; wherein when the reverse overcurrent detection circuit detects a reverse overcurrent, the control circuit controls the main switching element and the sense switching element to turn on.