Abstract: An overvoltage protection portion (14) includes a transistor (P1) that achieves continuity with an input voltage (VIN) used as an output voltage (VOUT) to an internal circuit when the input voltage (VIN) applied to an external terminal (T1) is not in an overvoltage state. The overvoltage protection portion (14) also includes: a transistor (P2) operating as a short circuit that short-circuits the source and the gate of the transistor (P1) and that interrupts the input voltage (VIN) when the input voltage (VIN) is in the overvoltage state; a resistor (R2); and a Zener diode (ZD1). The overvoltage protection portion (14) also includes: a transistor (NTr1) operating as a bypass circuit that supplies a constant output voltage (VOUT) from the external terminal (T1) to the internal circuit when the input voltage (VIN) is brought into the overvoltage state; a resistor (R3); and a Zener diode (ZD2).

Abstract: An apparatus for breaking a line bidirectional current and a control method therefore. The apparatus comprises a breaking current branch circuit and an on-state current branch circuit, the breaking current branch circuit comprises one nonlinear resistor being connected in parallel to one first power semiconductor device, or one nonlinear resistor being connected in parallel to at least two first power semiconductor devices mutually connected in series; and the on-state current branch circuit comprises at least one bidirectional power semiconductor switch being connected in series to at least one high-speed isolation switch. The apparatus also comprises a bridge-type branch circuit. An apparatus for breaking a line bidirectional current, thereby greatly reducing costs of the apparatus and reducing difficulty in device layout, mounting and wiring of the apparatus on the premise of ensuring a breaking speed that is quick enough and a low loss.

Abstract: An electrical wiring system/method implementing transient voltage suppression is disclosed. The system/method incorporates HOT, NEUTRAL, GROUND wiring in conjunction with a series drop resistor (SDR) on the HOT conductor that supplies current to the load device. Parallel shunting metal oxide varistors (MOVs) are used in conjunction with corresponding shunt diode rectifiers (SDRs) to suppress transients on the HOT conductor to either the GROUND conductor and/or NEUTRAL conductor. The parallel shunting MOV/SDR pairs may be integrated into a singular structure that is encapsulated in an insulating material to permit implementation of the transient protection wiring system/method into electrical loads and common power distribution equipment such as electrical outlets and power strips.

Abstract: The device for driving the semiconductor element is provided with a drive circuit section, a charging circuit section and a shutting circuit section. The charging circuit section is electrically connected to an external circuit provided with a diode and a capacitive element. The semiconductor element has a first electrode, a second electrode and a control terminal. The cathode of the diode is connected to the first electrode. One of two terminals of the capacitive element is connected to the cathode of the diode, and the other terminal is connected to the second electrode. The charging circuit section enables the capacitive element to be charged at a higher rate after a timed point at which the voltage on the capacitive element becomes equal to a saturation voltage in a case where the input signal is an on-signal.

Abstract: An electronic cigarette battery reverse connection protection device and method for using the same, comprising: a battery, a switch circuit, an alarm circuit, a discharge control circuit and a load circuit. The battery is connected with the switch circuit, the switch circuit is connected with the discharge control circuit and the alarm circuit respectively, the discharge control circuit is connected with the load circuit. The switch circuit is configured to determine whether the battery is reversely connected according to a power signal provided by the battery; when the battery is reversely connected, the discharge control circuit is turned off, and the alarm circuit is turned on and generates an alarm signal; and when the battery is correctly connected, the discharge control circuit controls the load circuit working.

Abstract: Methods may be provided to control an electro-permanent magnetic device powered from an AC mains power source provided through first and second power lines of a controller, wherein a first switch is provided on the first power line between the AC mains power source and the electro-permanent magnetic device and a second switch is provided on the second power line between the AC main power source and the electro-permanent magnetic device. In particular, a sequence of switching pulses may be transmitted through the first and second switches to change a magnetic state of the electro-permanent magnetic device. Related controllers are also discussed.

Abstract: Protection circuits, device structures and related fabrication methods are provided. An exemplary protection circuit includes a first protection arrangement and a second protection arrangement. The first protection arrangement includes a first transistor having a first collector, a first emitter, and a first base coupled to the first emitter at a first node, and a second transistor having a second collector, a second emitter, and a second base coupled to the second emitter at a second node, the second collector being coupled to the first collector at a third node. The second protection arrangement is coupled electrically in series between the second node and a fourth node. The protection circuit further includes a first diode coupled between the third node and the fourth node.

Abstract: A discharge switch device is provided that includes a comparator portion, a temperature compensation diode, and a trigger portion. The comparator portion is configured to compare an input voltage value to a reference voltage value. The temperature compensation diode is configured to reduce variation of the reference voltage value. The trigger portion is configured to discharge stored energy when the input voltage value exceeds the reference voltage value.

Abstract: A surge arrester comprises an electrical insulator (10), which surrounds a cavity (20), a pin electrode (30) and a tube electrode (40), which are arranged in the cavity (20), wherein the pin electrode (30) projects into the tube electrode (40). An ignition strip (50) is applied on an inner surface (S10a) of the insulator facing the cavity (20). An outer metallization (61, 62, 63) is arranged on an outer surface (S10b) of the insulator (10). As a result, an effective reduction of the protection level can be achieved in the case of the surge arrester.

Abstract: A medical system (100, 300) comprises internal parts (30, 32) for implantation in a patient and external parts (10, 12, 20). The external parts comprise an energy source (10) with a primary coil (12) and the internal parts comprise an electrically powered medical device (40, 41) and an energy receiver (30) with a secondary coil (32) for inductively receiving energy from the external energy source (10). The system (100, 300) is arranged to determine a balance between the energy received in the energy receiver (30) and the amount of energy used by the medical device (40, 41). The internal control unit (50) transmits feedback information to the external control unit (20), and the system (100, 300) is arranged to determine the feedback information based on a first (P1) and a second (P2) parameter.

Abstract: Techniques for improving electro-static discharge (ESD) performance in integrated circuits (IC's). In an aspect, one or more protective diodes are provided between various nodes of the IC. For example, protective diode(s) may be provided between the drain and gate of an amplifier input transistor, and/or between the drain and ground, etc. In certain exemplary embodiments, the amplifier may be a cascode amplifier. Further aspects for effectively dealing with ESD phenomena are described.

Abstract: Described is an apparatus which comprises a pass-gate; and a control unit to control gate terminal of the pass-gate according to first availability of first or second power supplies, the control unit including: a voltage detector to detect the second power supply; and a supply switching circuit to generate a local supply for controlling the gate terminal of the pass-gate according to an output of the voltage detector.

Abstract: A device and a method for temporarily closing a switch are disclosed. In an embodiment the device includes a first switch configured to be coupled to a load and a control circuit configured to temporarily close the first switch in response to a detection of a failure event in the first switch.

Abstract: A subsystem is configured to apply a voltage source to a gated circuit domain in a manner that limits in-rush current and affords minimal time delay. A control signal turns on a wake-up switch that connects the voltage source to the domain. The equivalent series resistance of the wake-up switch has a magnitude that limits the transient charge current to the gated domain. A digital control circuit monitors the resulting rising domain voltage and determines when the domain voltage reaches operating level, at which point additional transient current will be minimal. The control circuit then activates a primary switch that connects the voltage source to the domain through a series resistance of negligible magnitude. An adjustment element provides the option to permanently set a control signal that marginally reduces the time at which the control circuit activates the primary switch to compensate for variations in circuit parameters.

Abstract: A sample holder includes a substrate composed of ceramics, having a sample holding surface provided in an upper face thereof; a supporting member composed of metal, an upper face of the supporting member covering a lower face of the substrate; and a joining layer composed of indium or an indium alloy, the substrate and the supporting member being joined to each other via the joining layer. The joining layer has a layer region in at least one of a joining surface to the substrate and a joining surface to the supporting member, a content percentage of indium oxides of the layer region being higher than that of an intermediate region in a thickness direction of the joining layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a safety device for a high-voltage system, having a coupling device which switchably couples high-voltage components of the high-voltage system to external components, and which is designed to electrically separate the high-voltage components from the external components depending on actuation of a safety switch, having a discharge circuit which is designed to electrically discharge the high-voltage components depending on actuation of the safety switch, and having a monitoring device which is designed to monitor electric parameters of the discharge circuit or of the high-voltage components, and to release the lock of a housing for the high-voltage components if at least one of the electric parameters of the discharge circuit or of the high-voltage components falls below a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: A solid state power controller (SSPC) for an electrical power distribution system (EPDS), the SSPC may include a solid state switching device (SSSD) configured to interrupt current in a feeder line of the EPDS and a processing engine. A clamping device may be interposed between the feeder line and an electrical ground of the EPDS, An opto-coupler may be interposed between the processing engine and the clamping device. The opto-coupler may coupled to the clamping device to provide a lightning-detected signal to the processing engine only when a voltage drop develops across the clamping device. The processing engine may be constrained from commanding an alteration of state of the SSSD upon receiving the lightning-detected signal.

Abstract: The removable device (20) according to the invention is designed to be connected to an electronic trip unit (10). The trip unit (10) comprises an internal electrical power supply bus (55) and the device (20) is adapted to be supplied with electrical energy via the internal electrical power supply bus (55). The device (20) comprises a withdrawal member (68) for withdrawing electrical energy on the internal electrical power supply bus (55). The trip unit (10) includes a switched-mode power supply (54) capable of delivering a power supply signal (S1). The withdrawal member (68) comprises detection means for detecting each rising edge of the power supply signal (S1), and the electrical energy of the power supply signal (S1) is withdrawn as of the detection of a rising edge.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the inventive subject matter provide an apparatus for driving a shunt trip actuator for a circuit breaker or other switch. The apparatus includes an energy storage device and an accumulator circuit configured to store energy in the energy storage device responsive to a shunt trip control signal. The apparatus further includes a detector circuit configured to generate a detection signal responsive to a state of the energy storage device meeting a predetermined criterion and a driver circuit configured to drive the shunt trip actuator using the energy stored in the energy storage device responsive to the detection signal.

Abstract: A contactless power feeding system includes a power transmitting device and a power receiving device. The power transmitting device includes a first AC power source configured to generate an AC power with a first frequency, a second AC power source configured to generate an AC power with a second frequency which is different from the first frequency, a first electromagnetic induction coil, and a first resonant coil. The power receiving device includes a second resonant coil, a second electromagnetic induction coil, and a power storage unit. Power is wirelessly supplied to the power storage unit at the second frequency by a magnetic resonance phenomenon which occurs between the first resonant coil and the second resonant coil.