Abstract: An electric cutoff circuit for preventing overheating of a load. The current shutoff circuit includes an FET connected to a motor circuit. A relay fault detection circuit is connected to the motor circuit to detect potential at the motor circuit. A CPU sends a control signal to a relay. The CPU determines whether a fault has occurred in the relay based on the control signal sent to the relay and the detection of the relay fault detection circuit. When determining that a fault has occurred in the relay, the CPU opens the FET to configure an open circuit with the motor circuit.

Abstract: An aircraft cabin including at least two seats, which seat each include at least two elements which can be moved relative to each other and at least one actuator for the relative displacement of these movable elements, and at least one central power control unit in the cabin in order to allocate a total available power level to each seat, where each seat includes parts for reading at least one item of morphological information of the passenger sitting in the seat, and a part for transmitting information to the central power control unit in accordance with each item of morphological information, and the central power control unit is capable of allocating to each seat a total available power level in accordance with each item of morphological information.

Abstract: A power converter that can continue to operate after suffering a partial failure. The power converter includes multiple array transformers; normally-on switches connected respectively in series with the ends of each of the primary windings of the array transformers; normally-off current bypass devices connected in parallel with the series connections of the primary windings of the array transformers and the switches at the transformer ends; AC-DC converter units having AC sides respectively connected secondary windings of the array transformers; and mutually independent DC circuits respectively connected to DC sides of the AC-DC converter units. By turning on the current bypass device of the primary winding of a specified array transformer and turning off the switches at the ends of that primary winding, it is possible to isolate the specified array transformer and the AC-DC converter unit connected to it.

Abstract: A system for controlling the operation of conductive plates immersed in an aqueous solution, such as in water treatment applications. The system allows independent control of the current sourced or sunk by each of a plurality of plates. The system also allows each plate to be placed in a high-impedance state in which no appreciable current is sourced or sunk by the system. A plate or a group of plates is controlled by a control module which interfaces to a central controller such as a personal computer or a programmable logic controller. Multiple control modules can be added to a system to support multiple plates, each of which can be controlled individually from the central controller. Each control module is also capable of sensing voltage and current at its corresponding plate and providing that information to the central controller.

Abstract: A wiring error detection circuit for providing the status of the wiring of an AC outlet and the status of the AC outlet's ground connection.

Abstract: An ESD protection circuit is implemented for a semiconductor device having a first circuit system operating with a first power supply voltage and a first complementary power supply voltage, and a second circuit system operating with a second power supply voltage and a second complementary power supply voltage. The ESD protection circuit includes a first diode having an anode coupled to the first power supply voltage and a cathode coupled to a first node connecting the first circuit system and the second circuit system for preventing a crosstalk of current between the first power supply voltage and the second complementary power supply voltage. A first MOS transistor module is coupled between the first node and the first complementary power supply for selectively creating a current path from the first node to the first complementary supply voltage for dissipating an ESD current during an ESD event.

Abstract: A chain reaction control circuit for parallel power supply provides greater power without changing the design of the original power supply structure. It includes a control unit to receive a first power actuation signal output from a power actuation unit, then output multiple sets of second power actuation signals to parallel power supplies. The multiple power supplies that are coupled in parallel receive the second power actuation signals and transform electric power simultaneously, then output electric power. After the electric power transformation has been finished, first power confirmation signals are output from the power supplies to the control unit which receives the first power confirmation signals and outputs a second power confirmation signal to a linked load. And the power supplies supply the corresponding and matching electric power to a linked load.

Abstract: An arc fault circuit interrupter includes line and load terminals, separable contacts, a current sensor sensing current flowing between the terminals and associated with one type of load, and a first arc fault detection circuit generating a first trip signal responsive to the sensed current. A second arc fault detection circuit collects a plurality of sensed current samples for a current line cycle and also for a previous line cycle, determines a total current value from a peak current of the current line cycle samples, employs the total current value and some of the samples to determine the type of load, and generates a second trip signal responsive to the sensed current and the determined type of load. A trip circuit generates a third trip signal responsive to the first and second trip signals. An operating mechanism opens the contacts responsive to the third signal.

Abstract: A current-sensing switching circuit includes a first terminal clamp for the current feed for a first unit, based on the state of a second unit the state of which is detected at a second terminal clamp. The first terminal clamp may be switched, based on the current that is picked off at the second terminal clamp.

Abstract: A controller implements a state machine for operating the bi-directional power converter with a flexible load pattern while maintaining a thermal condition of the power converter within acceptable limits. The state machine implements a wait loop in response to selected conditions to maintain the thermal condition.

Abstract: An arc fault circuit breaker includes line and load terminals, separable contacts electrically connected between the terminals, a current sensor adapted to sense current associated with a load and flowing between the terminals and through the separable contacts. An arc fault detection circuit provides series arc protection and generates a trip signal responsive to the sensed current. The arc fault detection circuit collects a plurality of samples of the sensed current over plural line cycles, determines that the load is a dimmer-controlled load, determines a phase angle at which the sensed current begins conduction within one of the line cycles, and determines that the phase angle consistently moves in a forward direction or a reverse direction. If so, then series arc protection is responsively inhibited. An operating mechanism opens the separable contacts responsive to the trip signal.

Abstract: Electrostatic discharge (ESD) clamp using output driver. An electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection device for an output driver having a p-channel transistor and n-transistor pair connected between a power supply terminal and ground for driving an input/output pad therefrom. An ESD event detector is provided for detecting an ESD event on the pad. A drive circuit drives the n-channel and p-channel drive transistors in response to receiving a logic control signal to either drive the pad from the supply terminal or to sink the pad to ground. ESD protection logic circuitry is provided to cause both the p-channel and n-channel transistors to turn on when the ESD event detector detects an ESD event, the ESD protection circuitry disposed forward of the drive circuit such that the ESD protection logic circuitry operates independent of the state of the drive circuit.

Abstract: A steering lock for ensuring an unlock state when it is imperative that the steering lock remain in the unlock state. The steering lock includes a motor for generating drive force that engages and locks a lock bar with a steering shaft. The steering lock includes an ECU. When shifting the steering lock to the unlock state from a lock state, the ECU controls the motor to generate drive force acting in a direction to urge the lock bar to disengage from the steering shaft. The ECU continuously controls the motor to generate drive force acting in the direction to urge the lock bar to disengage from the steering shaft even after the lock bar has moved to the unlock position.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for supplying an uninterruptible power source to a dual power device capable of being alternately powered through either a primary power input connected to a primary power source or a secondary power input connected to a secondary power source is provided. One implementation includes a power input for receiving AC from the primary power source, one or more converter elements operative to receive the AC from the power source, to convert the AC to DC, and to deliver the DC to a power storage element. The apparatus also includes a power storage element that stores at least a portion of the DC delivered from the converter elements. The power stored in the power storage elements is delivered to the secondary power input of the dual power device when the primary power source is disconnected from the dual power device.

Abstract: An apparatus for preventing a contact from being corroded includes a power source, a signal line connected to the contact, a resistance connected to the signal line, a switching section, a comparator, and an overheat detecting section. The switching section has a switch between the power source and the signal line. An impedance of the switch is smaller than that of the resistance when the switch is turned on. The comparator compares a potential of the signal line with a predetermined potential to determine as to whether or not the contact is corroded. The comparator outputs a driving signal when the comparator concludes that the contact is corroded. The overheat detecting section detects whether or not temperature of the apparatus exceeds a predetermined temperature. The overheat detecting section decreases current flowing through the switching section when the temperature of the apparatus exceeds the predetermined temperature.

Abstract: In the case of a protective device in a controller which contains at least one processor and is connected to a sensor via a sensor ground line and at least one further line, the invention provides that a ground in the controller is connected to the sensor ground line via a semiconductor switch which disconnects or connects the ground and the sensor ground line as a function of whether the current through the sensor ground line and/or the voltage between ground and the sensor ground line are/is in each case greater or less than a predetermined value, and that the voltage which is applied to ground or is applied to the sensor ground line can be applied to an internal ground, which is used for measurement purposes, controlled by the processor with the aid of two further semiconductor switches.

Abstract: A modular and scalable Matrix-type Fault Current Limiter (MFCL) that functions as a “variable impedance” device in an electric power network, using components made of superconducting and non-superconducting electrically conductive materials. An inductor is connected in series with the trigger superconductor in the trigger matrix and physically surrounds the superconductor. The current surge during a fault will generate a trigger magnetic field in the series inductor to cause fast and uniform quenching of the trigger superconductor to significantly reduce burnout risk due to superconductor material non-uniformity.

Abstract: An arc fault circuit interrupter includes a line terminal, a load terminal, separable contacts electrically connected between the line terminal and the load terminal, and a current sensor structured to sense current associated with the load and flowing between the line terminal and the load terminal and through the separable contacts. The sensed current includes a plurality of line cycles. An arc fault detection circuit is structured to provide series arc protection and to generate a trip signal responsive to the sensed current from the current sensor. The arc fault detection circuit collects a plurality of samples of the sensed current over the line cycles, determines a single current transient associated with energization of the load, and responsively inhibits the series arc protection. An operating mechanism is structured to open the separable contacts responsive to the trip signal.

Abstract: One embodiment provides a system for protecting at least one component in an integrated circuit (IC). The system includes a disconnect element that is electrically connected in series between a terminal of the IC and the at least one component. The disconnect element is configured to have a first state to permit an electrical signal to propagate from the terminal to the at least one component and a second state corresponding to a high impedance condition that electrically disconnects the terminal relative to the at least one component. A control system is configured to cause the disconnect element to transition from the first state to the second based on at least one predetermined activation condition.

Abstract: A circuit and method are disclosed for monitoring the state of at least one switch. The circuit may include a first circuit, coupled to a switch, for detecting whether the switch is in one of a closed state and an open state and generating a signal having a value based upon the detection. The circuit may further include a second circuit, coupled to the first circuit, for configuring the first circuit to selectively detect the switch switching from a normally open state and to selectively detect the switch switching from a normally closed state.