Abstract: A floating symmetrical current limiter device blocks large bipolar input signals to the input circuit of an instrumentation device by transitioning between a low-impedance mode and a high-impedance mode. The current limiter device includes a signal path and a control path that are each coupled between an input terminal and an output terminal. The signal path has a low impedance that passes small differential signals across the limiter from the input terminal to the output terminal. The control path is responsive to large bipolar signals that appear across the limiter terminals by transitioning between a voltage divider and a constant-current source-based bias that controls the impedance of the signal path to become a large impedance, thereby blocking the large bipolar input signal from the output terminal.

Abstract: By using a plurality of diodes and resistors, an overcurrent protector is implemented in a power supply device that supplies drive power to a peripheral device. The overcurrent protector blocks drive power from a power supply source from being supplied to the peripheral device when an overcurrent is applied from the power supply device to the peripheral device. The diodes and resistors are incorporated into the power supply device to form the circuit thereof. Since the power supply device is not added with a separate circuit for preventing an overcurrent from being applied to the peripheral device, there is no increase in the cost due to additional parts used for implementing the separate circuit. Since a smaller number of parts are used to implement the overcurrent protector, it is easy to design the device, while preventing a decrease in the reliability due to errors in the additional parts.

Abstract: An input circuit for an integrated circuit includes an electrostatic discharge circuit. The input circuit incorporates an interconnect pad, an ESD protection resistor, and an interconnect line that are coupled to the active internal components of the integrated circuit. The interconnect pad is coupled to the interconnect line, and the interconnect line is coupled to the ESD protection resistor which is coupled to the active internal components of the integrated circuit. The ESD protection resistor is positioned physically proximate to the active internal components of the integrated circuit and adjusted in value to compensate for the intrinsic resistance or RC time constant of the interconnect line. The circuitry provides for a lower signal propagation delay through the external connection because of lower RC time constants to drive the capacitance of the interconnect.

Abstract: An ESD protection circuit including the following: one or more inverters (I1, I2, I3), each of the one or more inverters having an input and an output; an RC network (11) having an output node (RCT), output node (RCT) connected with the input of at least one of said one or more inverters; a clamping device (N3) joined with the output of at least one of one or more inverters (I1, I2, I3); and a feedback device (NKP) in communication with clamping device (N3) and output node (RCT) of RC network (11). An RC network may include one or more resistors, and one or more decoupling capacitors. In one embodiment, feedback device (NKP) is an NFET and each of one or more inverters (I1, I2, I3) includes a PFET and NFET pair (P0/N0, P1/N1, P2/N2).

Abstract: A semiconductor switching element performs operations of bringing a current path from a power supply to a load into conduction and interrupting the path and is controlled by an operating-mode control circuit so as to operate in a first operating mode in which a conductive operation is shifted to an interrupt operation by using a change in resistance of a first positive-temperature-coefficient thermistor when the temperature of a temperature detection portion increases and reaches a predetermined interrupt temperature, and to be in a second operating mode in which the interrupt operation is shifted to the conductive operation by using a change in resistance of a second positive-temperature-coefficient thermistor when the temperature of the temperature detection portion decreases and reaches a return temperature, which is lower than the interrupt temperature by a predetermined value.

Abstract: A self-defense wearable with a body portion, an electrically conductive pathway applied over the body portion, an electrically charged seam construction for producing an electric charge relative to an outer surface of the body portion, a power source, an activating switch for inducing the self-defense wearable into a charged condition, and a wiring network for producing an electrical association between the electrically conductive pathway, the power source, and the at least one activating switch. The self-defense wearable can be an upper body covering, and the activating switch can be a compression activated switch disposed on a tongue disposed at a distal end of an arm of the self-defense wearable to underlie the wearer's palm whereby the self-defense wearable can be induced into a charged condition by a clenching of the wearer's hand.

Abstract: An exemplary device and method for providing electric service are disclosed. The exemplary device may provide construction power during the construction of a facility and permanent power at the facility thereafter. The electric service device, when energized at a construction site, is operable to provide construction power through an electrical outlet at the device during construction of the facility and to provide metered or unmetered permanent power at the facility thereafter.

Abstract: A system for protecting networks from overvoltage and overcurrent conditions.

Abstract: A protective element safely dissipates overvoltages which is comprised of a parallel connection of a varistor and an surge arrester. To reduce the capacity of the protective element, the varistor is fashioned as a disc and arranged between a contact pins and the surge arrester. An electrical isolation between contact pin and varistor is ensured by an electrically isolated spacer, in which openings for electrical contact elements are provided to connect the varistor with the cup and the contact pin with the surge arrester. The surge arrester and the spacer are preferably fit positively into the cup.

Abstract: A high-speed, solid-state circuit breaker is capable of interrupting high DC currents without generating an arc, and it is maintenance-free. Both the switch and the tripping unit are solid-state, which meet precise protection requirements. The high-speed, solid-state DC circuit breaker uses an emitter turn-off (ETO) thyristor as the switch. The ETO thyristor has an anode, a cathode and first, second and third gate electrodes. The anode is connectable to a source of DC current, and the cathode is connectable to a load. A solid-state trip circuit is connected to the first, second and third gate electrodes for controlling interrpution of DC current to the load by turning off said ETO thyristor.

Abstract: A pad that experiences a high-voltage, high dV/dT signal during normal operation is prevented from falsely triggering by utilizing a bipolar transistor connected to the pad to provide ESD protection, and a MOS transistor connected to the bipolar transistor to turn off the bipolar transistor during normal circuit operation.

Abstract: A power protection device protects electronic equipment from AC supply system disturbances. An electronically controlled relay circuit passes power to connected equipment if the electrical supply system, to which the equipment is connected, is properly wired for continuity and correct polarity of line, neutral, and ground conductors, and the line voltage is within twenty-five percent of nominal levels. Thermal cut-offs are used as a back-up to the over-voltage protection provided by the electronically controlled relay circuit. These thermal cut-offs are connected in a way that when either or both trip, the relay of the electronically controlled relay circuit is de-energized and power is disconnected to the device output stage and connected equipment.

Abstract: A converter includes building blocks, each building block being a switching unit. Each building block must be able to receive high power at an elevated switching frequency with low power dissipation in semiconductor switches. The building block includes semiconductor switches and a reactor connected in series, and a series connection of a voltage clamp and a diode. The series connection is connected in parallel to each of the semiconductor switches. The clamps are arranged in such a way that all clamping and voltage control is realised by a clamp connected in parallel with the corresponding semiconductor switch.

Abstract: An electrical component includes a mounting substrate, a common-mode rejection filter mounted to the substrate, and at least one circuit protection element mounted to or formed by the substrate. The circuit protection element may provide a PPTC resistor element for overcurrent protection and/or a spark gap NTC element for overvoltage protection. The substrate includes a plurality of contacts including filter contacts connected to the common-mode rejection filter, and protection contacts connected to the protection element, the electrodes enabling surface mounting and connection of the component to aligned connection features of a host printed circuit board.

Abstract: A device and a method for at least partial removal of electric charges from dielectric surfaces, in particular surfaces of plastic films, paper webs or plastic fibers are described. First, a plasma is generated through microstructure discharges with a plasma device in at least one plasma region. In addition, the dielectric surface is introduced into the plasma region with a feed mechanism and is temporarily exposed to electrically charged particles generated by the plasma there.

Abstract: Active transient suppression apparatus coupleable in series with an electrical pathway into a potentially explosive environment for limiting current, voltage and energy thereto comprises: an impedance element coupleable in series with the electrical pathway; a protection circuit comprising: at least one semiconductor element including a current conduction channel in series with the impedance element in the electrical pathway; and a driver circuit operative in response to a drive signal to switch the at least one semiconductor element to a non-conducting state; and a sense circuit coupled to the impedance element for sensing current conducted therethrough and generating a signal proportionally representative of the sensed current, the generated signal becoming the drive signal as it reaches a threshold level. The active transient suppression apparatus may be embodied in a system for determining a quantity of fuel in a container.

Abstract: A power system controller design for controlling fault current or load flow current by applying a variable inductive impedance. The device comprising multiple stages of transformers connected such that their primary coils are in series and carry the primary power. Their secondary circuits containing a device for interruption of secondary current. The secondary circuit of each stage having a small part of the primary energy flowing through them. Under normal conditions the interrupter allows secondary current to flow, producing no impedance on primary side. Upon operation of interrupter, inductive impedance appears across primary. Operation of single stages producing low inductive impedance on primary circuit. Operation of multiple stages producing higher inductive impedance on primary circuit. In a preferred embodiment, the transformers have saturating cores such that operation of single stages saturates their cores, producing low inductive impedance on primary circuit.

Abstract: A protective circuit for a secondary battery is formed with a heater and a thermistor that are connected in parallel, and a main fuse is connected in series with the parallel circuit. In a secondary battery equipped with this protective circuit, a charging/discharging current passes through the protective circuit and is limited by the operation of the thermistor when the voltage applied during abnormal conditions is relatively low. On the other hand, the current will cause the main fuse to blow when the voltage during abnormal conditions is high.

Abstract: A static neutralizing roll follower includes a static charge dissipating device on a carrier movably held by a support. Sensors follow the changing diameter of a roll, and a control unit processes signals from the sensor to operate a drive mechanism to move the carrier with respect to the changing roll diameter. Consistent spacing is maintained between the dissipating device and the roll surface.

Abstract: Protection circuits (1) to be located between power supplies (2) and further circuitries (20,30) for protecting further circuitries (20,30) against voltage irregularities and comprising main transistors (7) coupled to switching circuits (10) for rendering main transistors (7) operative/non-operative can be made more allround by providing them with comparators (11) for controlling gate voltages of main transistors (7) via switches (12,13) to get protection against small negative voltage pulses and voltage fluctuations. Said switches (12,13) comprise two switches (12,13) for interrupting a reference voltage generated by a reference voltage source and for supplying a nearby ground voltage to said gate. A diode (14) between switch (13) and gate allows negative voltages at said gate for simplifying the introduction of further stages. Thick oxide transistors (15) protect further circuitries (20,30) and main transistors (7) against large negative voltage pulses.