Abstract: A power plugging device with a function of releasing charges from electric surges serves for resolving problems caused by the switching surge generated by the electric system load switch, or the lightning surge generated directly or indirectly by the lightning. Accordingly, the damages of the electric appliances caused by electric pulses are avoided. A wrap layer forms between the plugging terminals. The wrap layer comprises a hollowed space. Furthermore, an electric discharging hole penetrates through the wrap layer from the hollowed space. Two terminals are mounted within the wrap layer and separated to each other for a certain distance. The tails of the two terminals are electrically connected to the plugging terminals respectively. While an instant high voltage/electric pulse generates, the terminals are used for point discharging. The hollowed space and the electric discharging hole form an electric discharging path for protecting the circuit.

Abstract: A fireguard circuit for a power cable, which comprises a power line, a neutral line and a metal sheath surrounding the power line and the neutral line, includes a switch located in one of the lines. A solenoid sets the switch in either an open position or a closed position. A first silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) causes the solenoid to open the switch upon detecting the presence of an arcing condition between the power line and the metal sheath. A second silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) causes the solenoid to open the switch upon detecting the presence of an arcing condition between the neutral line and the metal sheath. The second SCR is connected in parallel with the first SCR, the anode of the first SCR being connected to the cathode of the second SCR and the cathode of the first SCR being connected to the anode of the second SCR.

Abstract: The invention relates to a monitoring method for an actuator (CP), in particular for a piezoelectric actuator (CP) on an injection valve for an internal combustion engine, comprising the following steps: measurement of the electrical current (iR1), flowing through the actuator (CP) in an actuator circuit, measurement of the electrical current (iR3), flowing before or after the actuator (CP) in the actuator circuit, comparison of both measured currents (iR1, iR2) for recognition of a fault and generation of a diagnostic signal (DIAG), displaying the fault, depending on the comparison. According to the invention, the diagnostic signal (DIAG) can take on at least three different values for the representation of an earth short-circuit, a voltage short-circuit and an error-free status depending on the comparison of the measured currents. The invention further relates to a corresponding driver circuit.

Abstract: A bipolar semiconductor overvoltage protection circuit presents less capacitance to a communication line. The overvoltage protection circuit includes an overvoltage protection device that is biased with a voltage to not only reduce the capacitance thereof, but also to reduce the change in capacitance as a function of frequency. Changes in communication line voltages thus change the capacitance of the overvoltage protection device less, resulting in the ability to allow the transmission of high capacity data protocols with reduced error rates.

Abstract: An electrostatic chuck structure for holding an article is presented. The chuck structure comprises an electrically insulating chuck body layer having a first flat surface for holding the article thereon, and a second opposite surface having a honeycombed pattern in the form of an array of spaced-apart grooves. This second patterned surface of the chuck body surface for depositing thereon an electrically conductive layer (electrodes). A dielectric spacer between the electrodes and the article on the chuck body layer is defined by a portion of the chuck body layer between the grooves' bottom and the flat surface.

Abstract: An over-voltage protection system including a phase bus connected to a phase conductor of an electrical system and one or more transient-suppressing lines connected to the phase bus. Each of the transient-suppressing lines includes a contactor and a transient-suppressing element. The contactor of each transient-suppressing line is selectively opened and closed by a processor, thereby protecting the transient suppressing element from excessive currents.

Abstract: A PCU having an inverter and the like includes a connector electrically connecting the PCU and external equipment located outside the PCU, a safety bar attaching the connector for preventing the connector from being touched, and an ECU detecting that an interlock circuit is opened via an interlock signal line in response to detachment of the safety bar to shut off supply of electric power to the PCU.

Abstract: This invention relates to a circuit breaker device comprising a main branch (1) comprising a mechanical switch element (2) and an auxiliary branch (3) containing a semiconductor breaking cell (4), this auxiliary branch (3) being mounted in parallel with the main branch (1). The main branch (1) comprises a serial switching assistance module (M2) in series with the mechanical switch element (2), comprising a semiconductor breaking cell (5) controllable in opening in parallel with an impedance (Z1). The auxiliary branch (3) comprises a parallel switching assistance module (M4) comprising an impedance (Z2), this impedance (Z2) including at least one capacitor type element (C).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for applying a magnetic mark to a rotatable article (1) to be positioned, to a corresponding device and to a system (2) consisting of a device for applying a magnetic mark and a device (25) for determining the angle of rotation. In the region that comprises magnetizable material of the rotatable article to be positioned and is selected for determining the angle of rotation, a magnetic dipole is generated as a magnetic mark by a magnetic field, by means of the device for applying a magnetic mark. Said mark is used for determining the angle of rotation of the rotor.

Abstract: An overcurrent protecting device for protecting a semiconductor element from an overcurrent includes: the semiconductor element; a shunt resistor for detecting the overcurrent when the electric current in the semiconductor element exceeds a threshold value; a reference resistor for setting the threshold value; a constant electric current circuit for supplying a constant electric current to the reference resistor; and a comparator for comparing a terminal voltage of the shunt resistor and a terminal voltage of the reference resistor. The shunt resistor is made of a same kind of resistor as the reference resistor.

Abstract: An I/O ESD protection configuration of an integrated circuit that includes an ESD protection circuit connected between an I/O pad and an internal circuit at a first node and to an inductor at a second node. The inductor is connected between the second node and an external power supply. The external power supply provides a high reverse bias voltage across a diode of the ESD protection circuit. An ESD clamp is connected between the second node and a ground. An ESD discharge current is shunted through the ESD protection circuit and through the ESD clamp during a positive I/O ESD event. The inductor can be chosen to tune out a parasitic capacitance of the ESD clamp. The inductor can also block high frequency signals between the I/O pad and the external power supply, thereby minimizing the parasitic capacitance of the diode of the ESD protection circuit at high frequency.

Abstract: An electrical switch unit (1, 60, 61, 70) is provided for controlling the supply of electrical energy to an appliance (7, 65) that also has its own electrical control switch (38), in particular a water heater. The switch unit has a normally open load switch operatively closed by a electronic timer means, and a bypass detector circuit (25) is connected in parallel across the load switch so as to become energized when the electrical control switch of a connected appliance is closed. The timer means is operative to become activated consequent on the initiation of current flow through the detector circuit to effect closure of said load switch after a predetermined optionally adjustable time delay (that is independent of real-time), and to maintain the load switch in a closed condition for a time period after which the load switch is returned to its normally open condition.

Abstract: A power supply apparatus that output two types of power supply includes a first series regulator for outputting power supply to a first power supply line, a second series regulator for outputting power supply to a second power supply line, an OR circuit for outputting High level signal to activate the first series regulator upon when detecting presence of either one of output from the second series regulator and an activation command by an ON/OFF control signal, and an AND circuit for outputting High level signal to activate the second series regulator when detecting presence of both of output from the first series regulator and an activation command by the ON/OFF control signal.

Abstract: A method for directing a current generated by a lightning striking a wind turbine is described. The method includes directing the current from a main shaft of the wind turbine to a brake disc attached to the shaft, and directing the current from the brake disc to one of a spark gap and a roller mechanism coupled to a down-conductor at a ground voltage.

Abstract: A vacuum-type electrical switching apparatus (10) for high voltage electrical power. A vacuum pressure condition in a vacuum pressure space (21) surrounding electrical contact points (18) is monitored and movement of the contact points between open and closed positions is automatically prevented when the pressure exceeds a predetermined threshold in order to avoid destructive arcing between the points. A sensor (32) provides a vacuum signal (34) responsive to the vacuum pressure condition. A controller (36) automatically inhibits movements of the contact points when the vacuum signal indicates that the vacuum has degraded. A contactor (38) may be placed in series with power supply (28) and a solenoid (24) used to move the contact points, with the contactor being automatically opened by the controller in response to the degraded vacuum condition.

Abstract: A switch provided between a first terminal and a second terminal with a varying cross terminal voltage. The switch contains two transistors, with the source terminal of the first transistor being coupled to the first terminal and a drain terminal of the second transistor being coupled to the second terminal. The gate terminal of the first transistor is coupled to the first terminal, the gate terminal of the second transistor is coupled to the second terminal, and the drain terminal of the first transistor is coupled to the source terminal of the second transistor. Due to such a topology, the cross-terminal voltage across the first and second terminals can be substantially higher than the voltage of the control signal indicating whether the switch is to be in on or off state.

Abstract: A circuit which produces a current pulse through a load element, includes a primary energy storage unit and a secondary energy storage unit which can be charged up by the primary energy storage unit; an opening switching element which is configured to interrupt or establish a connection between the primary energy storage unit and the secondary energy storage unit; and a closing switch, which is configured to interrupt or establish a connection between the secondary energy storage unit and the load element and a counter current element which is connected to the opening switching element such that a counter current flows from the counter current element through the opening switching element when the closing switch is closed.

Abstract: An exemplary dual power supply system includes a first sensor connected to a first power supply, a second sensor connected to a second power supply, a selection switch, a control circuit, and a relay switch. Each of the output terminals of the first sensor, the second sensor, and the selection switch are connected to a corresponding input terminal of the control circuit. The first and the second power supplies are connected to an electronic device via the relay switch. A control terminal of the relay switch is coupled to an output terminal of the control circuit for selectively coupling the first or the second power supply to the electronic device according to a control signal generated by the control circuit.

Abstract: A power abnormal protection circuit includes a power detection unit, a voltage drop correction unit, a drop out detection unit, a delay unit and a delay masking unit. By detecting an input power average value of a power supply occurring of a brown out condition can be determined. The power supply includes a power factor correction unit which has an output capacitor. By detecting the voltage of the output capacitor a drop out condition can be determined. When a power abnormal condition occurs all units of the power supply can be set off sequentially according to a delay time to protect circuit elements and a connecting computer.

Abstract: A static eliminator comprises at least one discharge needle for generating ions to eliminate static charge. A first hollow cylinder includes at least one opening for ions generated by the discharge needle to be emitted outside and provided with brushes for cleaning the discharge needle. A second hollow cylinder is provided with the discharge needle and rotatably disposed inside the first hollow cylinder. A discharge needle rotating mechanism is provided for causing to rotate the second hollow cylinder around the axis thereof to clean the discharge needle by wiping the discharge needle with the brushes.