Abstract: On the surface of a ceramic sinter, at least an external electrode for input, an external electrode for output, and external electrodes for grounding are disposed, and the ceramic sinter includes an inductor electrically connected to the external electrode for input and external electrode for output, and a varistor electrically connected to the external electrode for input and external electrodes for grounding. By connecting the inductor to the signal line of the circuit of an electronic appliance and connecting the varistor between the input side of the signal line and the ground, electrostatic discharge pulses of about 0.5 to 2 nanoseconds can be suppressed efficiently.

Abstract: A circuit for attenuating a surge is disclosed that might include a conductor for receiving the surge, a capacitor, positioned along the conductor, for blocking the surge, and a gas tube having a first end coupled to the conductor and a second end coupled to a ground. The circuit might also include a transformer having a first wire and a second wire, the transformer being coupled to the conductor, a resistor coupled to the first and second wires of the transformer, a varistor coupled to the first wire of the transformer, and a diode coupled to the second wire of the transformer.

Abstract: A protection circuit for use with a 1394-compliant network of devices is disclosed. The protection circuit comprises a power source, a switch connecting the protection circuit to power supplied by another device, a transceiver having at least one outbound data line, the at least one data line connected to an electrostatic discharge line, and a diode connected between the at least one outbound data line and the electrostatic discharge line.

Abstract: A combination of a current limiting resistor and a clamping Schottky diode prevent substantial forward biasing of a pn junction associated with a pad in a snapback device during normal operation, but do not substantially affect triggering of the device during an unbiased electrostatic discharge event. Minority carrier injection from n+ devices is substantially reduced, and the circuit may also be used to clamp an oxide voltage in a thin oxide semiconductor device.

Abstract: A monitoring or watchdog unit (UWE) for a current or voltage supply system, wherein a supply voltage is taken across at least one cut-out safeguard to two or more outputs, the at-least one cut-out safeguard device configured as a controlled switch device and the watchdog unit providing a cut-out signal to the at-least one controlled switch device upon changes in a voltage or current exceeding a predetermined tolerance value.

Abstract: A protective circuit for limiting the voltage for a device to be protected, particularly a load with an upstream-connected voltage and current limiting device. The device to be protected is provided in an output circuit of the protective circuit and is separable by means of a switching element, a voltage detector being provided with an electronic switch on the one hand and a voltage sensor on the other. The control terminal of the electronic switch is in electrical operative connection with the voltage sensor. A microdevice with a control circuit is provided, the microdevice having the switching element and being designed with a high input resistance of the control circuit. The control circuit is galvanically separated from the output circuit and switchable by the control circuit. The output circuit in the opened state has a galvanic separation of its output terminals.

Abstract: Systems and methods for immobilizing a target such as a human or animal with a stimulus signal coupled to the target via numerous electrodes select particular electrodes to use for the stimulus signal. Subsets of electrodes may be tested by applying a test signal and monitoring the energy or charge delivered during a prescribed time. If the delivered energy or charge using a particular subset of electrodes as indicated by monitoring test pulse amplitude suitably compares to a limit, then the particular subset is selected for applying the stimulus signal. A first stimulus signal may be applied to a first subset of electrodes to prompt movement of the target toward an electrode that, when better coupled to the target as a consequence of movement of the target will provide a more effective subset of electrodes for further stimulus.

Abstract: Electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection clamp circuitry including current tunneling circuitry to provide control current for controlling current shunting circuitry for shunting ESD current from the protected signal terminal.

Abstract: An electronic detonator such as is used in electronic blasting systems, utilizing a pre-fire countdown, during which time other commands may be issued such as to conduct diagnostic tests or other measures to ensure more reliable and/or safer firing.

Abstract: A control apparatus for an electromagnetically driven valve is provided which is applied to an electromagnetically driven valve in which a movable portion including an armature and a valve element is driven using an electromagnetic force generated by an electromagnet. This control apparatus includes a controller. This controller performs feedback control such that a value of a current which is actually supplied to the electromagnet becomes substantially equal to a value of a desired attracting current when displacing the movable portion by supplying an attracting current to the electromagnet. Further, the controller variably sets a feedback gain used in feedback control of the attracting current, based on a distance between the electromagnet and the armature.

Abstract: A device for easily determining whether a rare short circuit, which results from the generation of heat exceeding a predetermined value, has occurred in a load circuit. The device includes a fuse for detecting a load current that flows through the load circuit and generates a detection signal. A determination circuit is connected to the fuse to determine whether a rare short circuit has occurred. The determination circuit calculates one of a first parameter and a second parameter based on the detection signal. The first parameter relates to a first time period during which the load current exceeds a predetermined reference current value. The second parameter relates to a second time period during which the load current is less than or equal to the predetermined reference current value.

Abstract: Arrangements for preventing electrical energy from lightning strikes against aircraft dissipating via aircraft fasteners 10 in an aircraft structure of composite materials in which a fastener 10 is covered with a layer of an insulating material 30 and a layer of a conductive material 32 is arranged to cover the insulating material 30 and extend over and beyond the lateral edges of the fastener 10, and preferential dielectric breakdown paths are provided at the edges of the conductive layer 32 distant from the fastener 10 so that in the event of a lightning strike electrical energy is not dissipated via the fastener 10, risking arcing and sparking, but instead from the edges of the conducting layer 32 to the underlying aircraft skin 12.

Abstract: A power transformer/inductor includes at least one winding. The winding is made of a high voltage cable that includes an electric conductor, and around the electric conductor is arranged a first semiconducting layer, around the first semiconducting layer is an insulating layer, and around the insulating layer is a second semiconducting layer. The second semiconducting layer is directly earthed at both ends of the winding and furthermore at least at two points per turn of every winding such that one or more points are indirectly earthed.

Abstract: An apparatus for immobilizing a target includes electrodes deployed after contact is made between the apparatus and the target. Spacing of deployed electrodes may be more accurate and/or more repeatable for more effective delivery of an immobilizing stimulus signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multi-layer plastic container (10) for the storage and transport of materials in particular with an explosion risk, comprising at least two layers of plastic, whereby the inner layer (14) is not electrically conducting and the outer layer (12) is electrically conducting. According to the invention, an electrostatic charging of the plastic container or/and the inner filled material with a risk of explosion may be avoided, whereby a permanent electrical connection between the inner packed material and the base on which the plastic container (10) is mounted is provided which guarantees a secure discharge of electrostatic charging of the container body or the packed material to the base.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for charging or adjusting the charge of gas-borne particles into a defined charge distribution under utilization of corona discharge in the aerosol space. In addition to an appropriate geometry of the charger and the electrodes, the voltage waveform and the voltage regulation are of great significance for the result. The application further relates to a method for operating the device.

Abstract: A stacked high-voltage ESD protection clamp is provided that realizes the desired triggering characteristics of a BJT or BSCR stacked snapback clamp. The operational principle of the new circuit is based upon introduction of a middle node capacitor into the stacked (cascoded) clamp. The capacitor (or driver) provides conditions for a two-stage turn-on. At the beginning of an ESD pulse, the capacitor is discharged. With the ESD voltage increase, part of the current is used to charge the capacitor, thus shunting one of the BJTs (BSCRs). As a result, the other BJT (BSCR) will experience fast turn-on. After turn-on, the current provides a fast charge of the capacitor and the turn-on of the second device. Thus, the middle node capacitor allows the triggering characteristics of the clamp to be controlled.

Abstract: Devices and methods for using multiple transformers to provide a power supply to a device or system. Included are systems for using multiple transformers and multiple fuses or circuit breakers to provide a power supply. In one embodiment two transformers and two fuses or circuit breakers are used to provide a power supply. Embodiments with greater numbers of fuses and transformers are also disclosed. Also illustrated are methods and devices using thermal circuit breakers to equalize current between multiple transformer sources or to compensate for differences between multiple transformers. Also included are switched schemes for assuring proper phasing of power supply transformers.

Abstract: High voltage tolerant electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection clamp circuitry including a self-triggering device having a blocking junction with a two-dimensional geometrical lateral profile.

Abstract: An ESD protection circuit includes a stacked NMOS transistor pair coupled between a pad and a negative voltage supply, with a first transistor's drain connected to the pad and a second transistor's source connected to the negative power supply. A first voltage divider provides reduced voltage from a high voltage positive power supply to a gate of the first transistor, a first diode string coupled between the gates of the first and second transistors, a second diode string with its anode coupled to the pad, an inverter with a source of its PMOS transistor coupled to a cathode of the second diode string and with its NMOS transistor coupled to the negative power supply, an output node of the inverter coupled to a gate of the second transistor, and a RC circuit coupled to an input node of the inverter, for dissipation of ESD current.