Abstract: A method of ionizing a liquid is disclosed herein. The method includes the steps of dispensing an electrically conductive liquid onto an electrically conductive membrane so as to form a liquid film on the surface of the membrane, applying an electrical charge to the liquid film on the membrane, generating ultrasonic waves to vibrate the membrane so as to induce capillary waves in the liquid film, and electrostatically attracting the electrically charged crests in the capillary waves so that electrically charged droplets are extracted from the capillary waves and accelerated therefrom for emission. The method is generally utile in various applications including, for example, spacecraft propulsion, paint spray techniques, semiconductor fabrication, biomedical processes, and the like. In addition to the above-described method, an electrostatic colloid thruster for implementing the method is disclosed herein as well.

Abstract: A load driving device according to the present invention includes: a first current generation section generating a first current in accordance with a driving current of a load; a second current generation section generating a predetermined second current; an integration section charging and discharging a capacitor in accordance with magnitude relation between the first current and the second current; a comparison section comparing a terminal voltage of the capacitor and a predetermined threshold voltage; and an output section generating a protection signal based on output logic of the comparison section. Such configuration permits appropriately preventing load burnout.

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and methodologies for protecting tire electronics from electrical discharge damage during a tire inspection procedure. Aspects of different embodiments of the disclosed subject matter relate to various techniques for providing protection from high-voltage discharge for tire electronics devices. Exemplary techniques disclosed correspond to methodologies for preventing contact with a high-voltage source, controlling conditions produced by contact with high-voltage sources, or nullifying effects of contact with high-voltage sources.

Abstract: A plasma generation system includes a pulse generator having at least one switch and that is configured to convert a DC voltage to a desired high frequency, high breakdown voltage pulse sufficient to break down a high-breakdown voltage gap, wherein all pulse generator switches are solely low to medium voltage, high frequency switches, and further configured to apply the breakdown voltage to a plasma load for the generation of plasma. In one application, the plasma generation system is useful to manipulate the flow of jets and provide highly efficient acoustic noise reduction.

Abstract: A current limit protection apparatus and a method for current limit protection are provided. The current limit protection apparatus includes a MOS transistor, a current detecting unit, and a current limit circuit. Two source/drain of the MOS transistor are used for receiving a first-voltage and outputting a second-voltage respectively. A gate of the MOS transistor is used for receiving a gate driving signal to determine a conducting current of the MOS transistor. The current detecting unit is used for detecting the conducting current, so as to generate a detecting result. The current limit circuit has a plurality of current threshold values. The current limit circuit selects one of the current threshold values according to an indicating signal and generates the gate driving signal according to a difference between the selected current threshold value and the detecting result.

Abstract: It is realized to efficiently energize a lifting magnet device, and reduce the devices used in an energization system of the lifting magnet device in size, energy consumption, and noise as well. Other than a lifting magnet device 8, the handling machine includes an engine 1 and an electric generator 5, which form a power source; a storage battery 20 for storing electric energy from the power source; and a generator motor (or a drive source for a driven body) 18 for driving an upper rotary body in which regenerative electric energy can be produced. The power source and the storage battery 20 are connected to be capable of supplying electric energy to the lifting magnet device 8. The generator motor 18 for driving the upper rotary body is connected to be capable of supplying its own regenerative electric energy to the storage battery 20.

Abstract: A FET monitoring and protecting system (10) that includes a FET switch device (20). The FET switch device (20) includes a FET (22), a logic device (57), and a feedback status output (26). The logic device (57) is electrically coupled to the FET (22) and generates a feedback status signal. A counter (60) is incremented in response to an actual short circuit condition of the FET switch device (20). A controller (18) is electrically coupled to the feedback status output (26). The controller (18) permits the activation of the FET (22) in response to the feedback status signal and a value of the counter (60).

Abstract: A ground detector circuit in the form of a live ground detector circuit. This live ground detector circuit can be combined with a circuit interrupting device. The circuit interrupting device can have a grounding conductive path, and a set of contacts which are configured to break an electrical connection between input and output terminals on the circuit interrupting device when operated. The ground detector when combined with a circuit interrupter, triggers the circuit interrupter into a fault condition when the detector circuit detects the presence of a signal or a fault.

Abstract: An apparatus and method provide protection for a synchronous generator in a power system. The method includes deriving a plurality of generator safe operating boundary data expressions from power system data and/or user-defined inputs. The power system data may include a plurality of generator data supplied by a manufacturer of the generator and/or power system parameters such as power system equivalent impedance. Each generator safe operating boundary data expression may relate to a generator capability curve, a steady-state stability limit curve, a minimum excitation limiter curve, an over excitation limiter curve, or an user-defined curve. The method also includes calculating an active power value sum and a reactive power value sum based on generator three-phase currents and voltages, comparing these sums to at least one of the plurality of generator safe operating boundary data expressions, and to provide protection and/or alarming functions for the generator based on this comparison.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses implement a thermal memory effect for a solid state power controller. A solid state power controller trip apparatus with thermal memory according to one embodiment comprises: a trip module including a first capacitor (156) and a counter (174), wherein the first capacitor (156) charges multiple times, when an over current event occurs, and the counter (174) accumulates a count related to the charging of the first capacitor (156) for the multiple times, to detect a trip condition; and a discharging module connected to the trip module, the discharging module including a resistor (166) and a second capacitor (158), wherein an electrical parameter associated with the count decays with time using the resistor (166) and the second capacitor (158).

Abstract: An electrostatic chuck is capable of attachment to a pedestal in a process chamber. The chuck has an electrostatic puck comprises a ceramic body with an embedded electrode. The ceramic body has a substrate support surface with an annular periphery. The chuck also has a base plate below the electrostatic puck that is a composite of a ceramic material and a metal. The base plate has an annular flange extending beyond the periphery of the ceramic body. The base plate and electrostatic puck can be supported by a support pedestal having a housing and an annular ledge that extends outwardly from the housing to attach to the annular flange of the base plate. A heat transfer plate having an embedded heat transfer fluid channel can also be provided.

Abstract: An electroshock device with a more effective physiological impact uses Shaped Pulse technology and integrated STUN GUN/EMD technology to produce high-voltage pulse transformers, and is distinguished by the considerable visual effect of its demonstration release of electric discharge. In one embodiment, the device employs parameters of electric discharges having frequencies of 100-200 Hz with pulse energy of at least 0.1 J and a pulse duration up to 1000 milliseconds, which allows one to achieve the goal of stopping and capturing the target. In other embodiments, a series of impulses based on STUN GUN technology alternate with separate impulses based on EMD technology in a single, uninterrupted electric discharge by which the target-stopping and target-capturing mechanisms are attained.

Abstract: This invention relates to overload protection for a circuit driving a direct current (DC) load.

Abstract: A device for protecting an electrical system against surge voltages, comprising one or more protection components (10), means (20) for disconnecting the protection component (10) and means (30) for visually indicating the state of the component (10), operationally connected to the disconnection means (20) and comprising at least one control part (40) and at least one means (50) for indicating the state of the protection component (10), combined with the control part (40), whereby the relative arrangement of the control part (40) and the disconnection means (20) is such that, when the disconnection means are opened (20), the disconnection means release the control part (40), thereby allowing the control part to move.

Abstract: The invention provides an electrostatic chuck in which a workpiece-chucking surface is made flat.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the bulk input voltage is used to form a reference signal that is used for controlling a switching power supply system to operate in a power overload operating mode.

Abstract: Systems and methods of overheat detection provide for generating a control signal on a die containing a processor based on an internal temperature of the processor and a control temperature threshold. It can be determined whether to generate a warning temperature event on the die based on a behavior of the control signal. In one embodiment, the warning temperature event provides for initiation of an automated data saving process, which reduces the abruptness of conventional warning temperature shutdowns. Other embodiments provide the user the option of saving his or her work before a shutdown temperature threshold is reached.

Abstract: An electrical circuit having a load that includes at least one semiconductor junction device supplied with operating current at a voltage sufficient to bias the semiconductor junction device into conduction and control means to provide or inhibit supply of power to said load. A protection arrangement for the electrical circuit includes a sensing circuit that detects characteristics of the load when the operating current is not flowing. The sensing circuit includes threshold comparison circuit that compares the sensed voltage level with at least one stored value representative of a threshold of a load characteristic indicative of a correctly functioning semiconductor junction device. The sensing circuit includes a sensing current generator which in the absence of operating current to the load effects passage through the load of a sensing current having a value that is less, for a semiconductor junction, than the forward conduction threshold thereof.

Abstract: A mobile, transportable, unipolar electrostatic chuck for clamping thin wafers is described, which avoids unintentional discharging of the package of Mobile Chuck and wafer during wet processing. Short circuits between the contact holes of the chuck and the clamped wafer can lead to the loss of clamping force. A pn-junction within the semiconductor substrate material electrode of the chuck is disclosed, which is using a diode effect to avoid the loss of charges. Dielectric protection layers of PTFE, Y2O3 or ferroelectric materials can be used to cover the open contacts of the chuck. This enables the application of Mobile Chucks also for wet etch-, photo- and cleaning processes. Mobile Chucks are made of semiconductor material and semiconductor manufacturing processes are applied. Those Mobile Chucks have nearly identical properties as the clamping substrate itself.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a new pushbutton incorporated into new circuit configurations of an improved intelligent electronic device (“IED”), for use in power substation control systems. The new pushbutton is non-mechanical and configured to control a breaker, or other type of substation equipment, after an IED associated with the circuit breaker, or other type of substation equipment, fails to operate. In an embodiment, the new pushbutton may be a low-energy, membrane-type pushbutton. During normal operation, a microprocessor within the IED operates a solid-state device to control the operation of substation equipment. When the IED fails, manually depressing the new pushbutton bypasses the IED microprocessor and manually controls the substation equipment associated with the failed IED.