Abstract: A device and method of detecting and protecting the power connections of a data processing system. The object of the invention is to determine the status of the power connections between each sub-system and the data processing system and protect the system when any of the power connections are not complete. If any of the sub-systems or interfaces have incomplete working power connections, then the protection device locks the working power source and protects the data processing system.

Abstract: A power converter for converting an input power into a desired output power adapted to a power-receiving device. The power converter includes a polarity reversal protection circuit preferably constructed with a schottky diode that is used to ensure the correct connection polarity of an input power, an inrush current protection circuit for limiting an inrush current from increasing, and a relay circuit coupled in parallel across the polarity reversal protection circuit and the polarity reversal protection circuit, the relay circuit being actuated to turn off in response to a polarity control signal for bypassing the inrush current so as to inhibiting the inrush current from flowing through the polarity reversal protection circuit.

Abstract: An energy recovery circuit wherein an energy stored in an inductor is applied to a panel to reduce a charge time and improve an energy recovery efficiency. In the energy recovery circuit, a switch, a capacitor and an inductor is provided to form a closed loop. A panel capacitor is equivalently provided at the panel. When the switch is turned on, a current component of an energy is charged in the inductor by an energy charged in the capacitor. When the switch is turned off, an inverse voltage is inducted into the inductor and a closed loop is formed by the inductor and the panel capacitor, thereby applying only an inverse voltage of the inductor to the panel capacitor.

Abstract: A power manager for managing power delivered to a battery operated peripheral device is disclosed. The power manager includes an input current limiter arranged to suppress a power surge associated with an insertion event by a power cable arranged to provide an external voltage. A voltage converter unit coupled to the input current limiter converts the received external voltage to a supply voltage that is transmitted by way of a main bus to a voltage sensor unit coupled thereto. During the insertion event, a comparator unit coupled to the voltage sensor, sends a first switching signal to a switchover circuit that responds by connecting the peripheral device and an uncharged battery to the main bus such that the supply voltage is provided thereto. When the battery is substantially fully charged, the switchover circuit responds by electrically disconnecting the battery so as to not overcharge the battery.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fire prevention in electronic equipment utilizes infrared imaging technology to monitor a substantial region of an enclosure within the electronic equipment. For example, a shelf within a computer cabinet may have a lens and thermal sensor array placed within to detect changes in temperature. A processor interprets the data from the thermal sensor array to determine whether to send an alert to an operator and/or to shut down a power supply.

Abstract: The power circuit device for vehicles is provided with a grounding portion for grounding portions closer to a power consumption device side than a relay of main conductive routes when the relays used for the main conductive routes extending from an accumulator of a vehicle to a fuel heating device, a catalyst heating device, an electric pump, or the like is turned OFF, so that a false power application is not executed even a short-circuit occurs in a part of a power circuit. Also, when two relays are arranged in series, the grounding portion is provided for the relay closer to the power consumption device in order to monitor a voltage level of the main conductive route and make it easy to detect a short-circuit or a disconnection occurrence.

Abstract: A telecom circuit protection apparatus includes a housing having at least first and second temperature responsive circuit protection devices, such as a fuse and a thyristor disposed therein. A first metal lead is connected to respective first terminals of the first and second circuit protection devices and is structured and arranged such as to transfer heat freely between the second circuit protection device and the first circuit protection device. A second metal lead is connected to a second terminal of the first device and a third metal lead is connected to a second terminal of the second device. The first, second and third metal leads extend from the housing. Advantageously, the portions of the first, second and third metal leads extending from the housing have reduced cross-sections to reduce heat loss from the apparatus and are formed and made solderable for use as connection points for surface mount connection to the apparatus.

Abstract: In an apparatus and a method for detecting a phase state capable of improving reliability of an air conditioner by preventing an abnormal operation of the air conditioner by detecting a phase state (antiphase and open-phase) of three phase AC power supplied to the air conditioner and displaying the detected phase state, the apparatus includes a phase detector for detecting first, second and third phases of a three phase current; an interrupt detector for detecting a falling edge of a pulse signal corresponded to the third phase of the detected first, second and third phases, recognizing an interrupt occurrence by the third phase when the falling edge is detected and generating a counting signal; a counter for counting a pulse signal corresponded to the first and second phases on the basis of the interrupt occurred-third phase according to the counting signal; an antiphase/open-phase detector for detecting a state as a normal connection state, an antiphase state on the basis of a pulse signal corresponded to t

Abstract: A surge protection device is disclosed that includes a conductor for receiving an rf signal and a dc current, a first shield having a lumen configured to accommodate at least a portion of the conductor, and a second shield having a lumen configured to accommodate the first shield so that a portion of the first shield is positioned within the lumen of the second shield. The surge protection device further includes a dc blocking device, coupled to the conductor, for attenuating the dc current, a device, coupled to the conductor, for diverting the dc current to the second shield, and a dielectric disposed between the first shield and the second shield for preventing the dc current from traveling from the second shield to the first shield.

Abstract: At a ship's magnetic silencing facility, calibration measurements are taken of onboard magnetic fields, and the off-board magnetic signature is minimized through an iterative degaussing process. Current data associated with the signature minimization is retained by a processor-controller implemented, along with degaussing coils and other apparatus, in a CLDG system effectuated onboard in a manner continually adaptive to changing conditions while voyaging. According to the CLDG methodology: Real time measurements are taken of the onboard magnetic fields, and are modified to account for the degaussing coils' magnetic effects. Via least squares fit mathematics, scale factors are calculated based on the relationship between (i) the real time measurements (as modified) of the onboard magnetic fields and (ii) the calibration measurements of the onboard magnetic fields.

Abstract: An early triggered MOSFET ESD protection circuit based on reduction of the trigger voltage is described. A transient negative voltage is generated and applied to a gate of a MOSFET during a positive ESD event. The instant invention improves ESD performance, and is particularly useful for thin gate oxide of 40 ? and less.

Abstract: A power protection device includes a power source switching unit for shutting off the power supply from an AC power source according to an open control signal, a surge voltage protecting unit for outputting the open control signal when a surge voltage occurs, a leakage current protecting unit for outputting the open control signal when a leakage current occurs, and an over-current protecting unit for outputting an open control signal according to a current value when an over-current occurs. The power protection device provides the surge voltage protection, the leakage current protection and the over current protection at the same time.

Abstract: The arc suppression system for electrical contacts includes a transistor, such as an IGBT, which is connected across the contacts. A control circuit controls the operation of the transistor such that the turning on of the transistor results in a current path around the contacts, thereby tending to prevent arcing across the contacts. A current sensor, such as a flyback transformer, is positioned in series with the contacts, wherein when the contacts open, current is interrupted through the contacts and the transformer, a secondary voltage results which is applied to the transistor, which tends to maintain the transistor on for a time which is sufficient to allow the contacts to either open or close without an arc.

Abstract: Metal oxide varistors (MOVs) are employed in surge protection devices, such as overvoltage protection devices, between a pair of signal lines and ground to reduce the capacitive imbalance introduced by the overvoltage protector, thereby improving higher frequency transmissions over twisted-pair telephone lines. The MOVs are sorted into subgroups having a capacitive tolerance of no more than about 1.0 picofarad. MOVs with asymmetrical electrodes can also be sorted to reduce both the capacitance and the capacitive tolerance of the MOVs. The sorted MOVs can then be electrically connected in parallel with a gas discharge tube on each signal line to produce an overvoltage protection device, for example a station protector for use at a customer premises, having a capacitive imbalance that does not exceed about 1.3 picofarads. The use of asymmetrical electrodes reduces the capacitance of the sorted MOVs to less than about 30 picofarads.

Abstract: A guard for an electrostatic chuck includes a ceramic annulus that has an inner surface shaped to fit around a circumference of the electrostatic chuck, and an outer surface having (i) a top portion with a recessed trench and (ii) a side portion. A metal coating is provided on the top portion of the outer surface.

Abstract: Resettable circuit interrupting devices, such as GFCI devices, that include an independent trip mechanism and a reset lockout mechanism are provided. The trip mechanism operates independently of a circuit interrupting mechanism used to break the connection, and the reset lockout mechanism prevents the resetting of electrical connections between input and output conductors if the circuit interrupting mechanism is non-operational or if an open neutral condition exists.

Abstract: Resettable circuit interrupting devices, such as ALCI and IDCI devices, that include reset lockout portion are provided.

Abstract: A disk drive is disclosed comprising a spindle motor for rotating a disk and a voice coil motor (VCM) for actuating a head over the disk. The spindle motor comprises a plurality of windings, and the VCM comprises a voice coil. If the current flowing from a supply voltage exceeds a threshold, the windings are disconnected from the supply voltage, the voice coil is disconnected from the supply voltage, and the first and second ends of the voice coil are connected to ground.

Abstract: A lightning arrester device for protecting an electrical circuit connected to a low-voltage network against transient overvoltages includes a plurality of gas-type spark gaps each connected directly in parallel with each other across two common nodes. Each of the plurality of gas-type spark gaps individually has a surge current rating below a desired surge current rating of the device.

Abstract: A ground fault current-limiting circuit for limiting telecommunication wireline voltage and ground fault current to prescribed safety parameters has a ground fault current sense resistor and associated line voltage control circuit installed in a ground-coupling link to the center tap of the output winding of a bipolar voltage converter's output transformer. The control circuit compares ground fault current of either polarity flowing through the sense resistor to a prescribed value. In response to this current limit being exceeded, the control circuit produces an output signal that causes the power source to reduce its output voltage so that the ground fault current will drop to within acceptable limits.