Abstract: In one embodiment, a voltage protection circuit uses two back-to-back transistors to receive an unprotected voltage and form a protected voltage.

Abstract: Current sensing resistors are connected directly to output terminals of MOSFETs forming the series switching stage of a PWM sinewave dimmer. An analog sensed current signal is coupled through an EMI resistant current link to comparators that provide an overcurrent indication in response to an overcurrent condition. A logic circuit overrides PWM control signals from a programmable controller, and operates drivers to render the series switching stage nonconductive and to render a clamp switching stage conductive until after the end of the current PWM duty cycle power on segment. The logic circuit sends an overcurrent signal through an optocoupler to an input of the programmable controller. The input of the controller is polled at a clock frequency for overcurrent signals and if the count exceeds a limit in any half cycle, or a maximum sum in sixteen half cycles of the AC supply, the series switching stage is rendered nonconductive and the clamp switching stage is rendered conductive pending a reset signal.

Abstract: A circuit protection device includes a solid-state resettable switch, a first terminal in electrical communication with a first portion of the switch, the first terminal configured to be connected to a load. A second terminal is placed in electrical communication with a second portion of the switch, the second terminal configured to be connected to a power source. A controller is configured to enable the switch to be opened if an accumulated energy meets or exceeds a preset I2t rating, the accumulated energy based on a current sensed from an electrical point between one of (i) the load and the switch or (ii) the voltage source and the switch.

Abstract: In a condition monitor system for controlling a power supply in a vehicle, a charge/discharge circuit has a capacitor which is discharged in response to each of speed pulses of a speed sensor and periodic pulses of a microcomputer. When none of the pulses are generated due to abnormality, the capacitor is continuously charged without being discharged. When the charge voltage of the capacitor reaches a switching voltage, a relay is turned off to shut off the power supply to various parts in the vehicle. The charge/discharge circuit is commonly used to check generation of the speed pulses and the periodic pulses by setting the switching voltage in accordance with a possible maximum time interval of the speed pulses.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrostatic protection device for a semiconductor device, which protects the semiconductor device from damage due to electrostatic discharge (ESD). The electrostatic protection device includes a delivery unit for inducing the static electricity introduced to the input/output port to an external voltage line, a detection unit for detecting the static electricity induced to the external voltage line and outputting a detected voltage in response to the static electricity induced to the external voltage line, and a driver driven by the detected voltage in order to drive the electrostatic discharge unit in response to the static electricity induced to the external voltage line.

Abstract: A back-pack power supply module is for a circuit interrupter including an elongated line conductor. The back-pack power supply module includes a housing having an opening therethrough. The opening receives the elongated line conductor, which passes through the opening. A power supply circuit is housed by the housing and is adapted to input a line voltage from the elongated line conductor and output direct current voltages. A capacitive divider circuit includes two capacitors electrically connected in series between a first terminal and an output of the capacitive divider circuit. One of these two capacitors receives the line voltage. The two capacitors are embedded in insulation within one portion of the housing. Another capacitor is electrically connected between a second terminal and the capacitive divider circuit output. The other capacitor is disposed in another portion of the housing opposite the opening.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrostatic chuck comprising a substrate, a dielectric layer formed by thermal spraying on an upper face of the substrate, an internal electrode embedded in the dielectric layer, a feeder terminal portion extending from a lower face of the substrate to the internal electrode, and an electrode provided in the feeder terminal portion, wherein the feeder terminal portion and the substrate are fixed to each other by mechanical joining.

Abstract: A receptacle which is defined in a given interface standard, performs data transfer by using differential signals, and is connected to a plug when transmitting a signal between devices. The receptacle includes: a power supply terminal; a ground terminal; a first differential signal terminal used for transmitting a first differential signal; a second differential signal terminal used for transmitting a second differential signal, the second differential signal terminal making a pair with the first differential signal terminal; and at least one protection element provided between the power supply terminal and the ground terminal.

Abstract: An over voltage protection circuit for single phase and multiphase buck converters. According to one embodiment, upon the occurrence of an over voltage condition, the high side switch is turned Off and the low side switch is On. As the output voltage drops below a lower threshold, the low side switch is turned Off thereby reducing or eliminating negative spikes on the voltage output.

Abstract: An electrostatic chuck is provided which includes a circular ceramic plate having an electrostatic attractive electrode, a mounting surface for supporting a waferhich is formed on one of the main surfaces of the circular ceramic plate, an annular gas groove formed on the periphery of the mounting surface in the form of concentric circles with a gas inlet communicating with the annular gas groove, and a circular gas recess formed inside the ceramic plate and surrounded by the annular gas groove with a gas inlet communicating with the circular gas recess, wherein the annular gas groove and the circular gas recess are independently separated from each other by an annular rib protrusion, with a plurality of dotted protrusions being formed within both the annular gas groove and the circular gas recess.

Abstract: An electronic circuit for protecting a field effect transistor from high voltage includes a switching device having a first state in which the switching device turns the field effect transistor ON, and a second state in which the switching device turns the field effect transistor OFF. A charging device is connected to the switching device and receives an electrical charge when an electrode of the field effect transistor is shorted to a voltage source. The charging device applies the electrical charge to the switching device to thereby place the switching device in the second state.

Abstract: A protection circuit and method are provided for a floating power transfer device having one or more switches for controlling charging of a reservoir capacitor across which a load is applied when in use. The protection circuit includes a control circuit, a fault detection circuit and a precharge driver circuit. The control circuit at least partially controls switching of the at least one switch, while the fault detection circuit detects when a fault in the floating power transfer device or the load occurs and sends a fault detect signal to the control circuit in response thereto. The precharge driver circuit, which is enabled by the control circuit responsive to receipt of the fault detect signal, attempts to precharge the reservoir capacitor to a voltage level sufficient for switching of the one or more switches to proceed without damaging the switches.

Abstract: A method for removing a substrate that is attached to a bipolar electrostatic chuck (ESC) by application of a bipolar ESC voltage is provided which includes discontinuing the bipolar ESC voltage after processing a current substrate, and determining a monopolar component error of the processing. The method also includes correcting the monopolar component error for a subsequent substrate.

Abstract: An adapter module for detecting an electronic fault condition in an electronic circuit is disclosed wherein the adapter module may include electrical fault indicator circuitry. In general, the electrical fault indicator circuitry may include ground fault indicator circuitry, line fault indicator circuitry, or ground and line fault indicator circuitry. The adapter module may also include a magnetic device capable of detecting a magnetic field between the electrical fault indicator circuitry and an electrical circuit module. The electrical circuit module may include a switch such as a circuit breaker, a relay, or a magnetically sensitive switch. The magnetic device may include a Hall effect device or a magnetic core.

Abstract: An active vibration insulator includes an electromagnetic actuator, a cyclic-control-signals output device, and an electromagnetic-actuator driver. The electromagnetic-actuator driver includes an asymmetric half-bridge circuit, and an actuating-signals output device. The actuating-signal output device outputs a signal for turning on one of a high-side switch and a low-side switch of the asymmetric half-bridge circuit, and outputs a pulse-width-modulated actuating signal for actuating the other one of them by means of pulse-width modulation based on the cyclic control signals, which the cyclic-control-signals output device outputs, or outputs a pulse-width-modulated actuating signal for actuating both of them by means of pulse-width modulation when the cyclic control signals are positive.

Abstract: An electrostatic discharge protection (ESD) circuit includes an NPN Darlington circuit and an n-type metal oxide semiconductor (NMOS) transistor. The drain of NMOS transistor is connected to the input end of the NPN Darlington circuit. The source of NMOS transistor is connected to the control end of the NPN Darlington circuit. The gate of NMOS transistor is connected to the output end of the NPN Darlington circuit.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting arc faults that have reduced susceptibility to nuisance tripping. The apparatus includes a current sensor, an input sense circuit, an arcing sense circuit, a power supply, a tripping (firing) circuit, a processor, and an electromechanical interface. The current sensor monitors a power input comprising an AC current, and provides high frequency components of the. AC current to the input sense circuit. The input sense circuit filters and rectifies the AC signal, and provides the rectified signal to the arcing sense circuit. The arcing sense circuit provides a voltage level accumulated over a predetermined time period, and digital signals indicative of possible electrical arcing occurring during the sampling period, to the processor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting arc faults that have reduced susceptibility to nuisance tripping. The apparatus includes a current sensor, an input sense circuit, an arcing sense circuit, a power supply, a tripping (firing) circuit, a processor, and an electromechanical interface. The current sensor monitors a power input comprising an AC current, and provides high frequency components of the. AC current to the input sense circuit. The input sense circuit filters and rectifies the AC signal, and provides the rectified signal to the arcing sense circuit. The arcing sense circuit provides a voltage level accumulated over a predetermined time period, and digital signals indicative of possible electrical arcing occurring during the sampling period, to the processor.

Abstract: An overvoltage protection circuit for a receiver including first and second pass devices and a protection control circuit. The receiver detects the state of a high voltage level input signal using a switching threshold based on a low voltage level source voltage. The receiver has a maximum voltage limit between the low and high voltage levels. The first pass device passes the input signal up to a first voltage level below the source voltage. The second pass device is effectively coupled in parallel with the first pass device. The protection control circuit controls the second pass device to allow the input signal to rise above the first voltage level up to a threshold voltage that is above the source voltage sufficient to meet the logic switching threshold yet below the maximum voltage limit.