Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring the output of an ionizing blower. A measuring channel captures a portion of the air ion stream, and measures balance plus air ion current. Since the measurement channel is isolated from extraneous electrostatic fields, measurements contain less analytical noise. Air flow through the measurement chamber is created by the inherent pressure difference between the high pressure and low pressure sides of an air mover. Two electrodes inside the measurement chamber are combined with a power supply, a low current amplifier, and a controller. The controller also makes adjustments to the ionizing blower.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for providing a process, temperature and over-drive invariant over-current protection circuit. The over-current protection circuit comprises a power transistor, a sense transistor, at least one current sense transistor and at least one current reference transistor. The over-current protection circuit provides a current limit trip value that remains substantially constant over temperature variations, and over-drive voltage variations, and process variations.

Abstract: Over-voltage indicator and related circuit and method. The over-voltage indicator can work with an I/O circuit of a chip for detecting over-voltage in an I/O pad and providing an indication signal accordingly. When over-voltage does not happen, the over-voltage indicator continues to detect a signal level of the I/O pad and keeps the indication signal low. Once over-voltage is detected, the over-voltage indicator pauses detecting, asserts a high level in the indication signal, and periodically resumes detecting until end of over-voltage is detected. With informing provided by the indication signal, a core cell of the chip can perform proper operation to reduce potential damage caused by over-voltage.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing over current protection for a digital pulse width modulator is disclosed. The apparatus includes first logic circuitry for generating a primary interrupt indicating that a detected output current is greater than a threshold current. Second logic circuitry generates a secondary input responsive to the occurrence to the primary interrupt for a predetermined number of times.

Abstract: A surge protector coated with an oxide layer having an excellent chemical stability at the high temperature range and excellent adherence with respect to main discharge electrodes. The surge protector includes a column-shaped ceramic member that has a conductive film divided by a discharge gap interposed therebetween; a pair of main discharge electrode members opposite to each other on both ends of the column-shaped ceramic member to come in contact with the conductive film; and a cylindrical ceramic tube which is fitted to the pair of main discharge electrode members opposite to each other to seal both the column-shaped ceramic member and sealing gas inside thereof. Oxide films are formed on main discharge surfaces of at least the protrusive supporting portions of the pair of main discharge electrode members opposite to each other, by performing an oxidation treatment, respectively.

Abstract: An electrostatic chuck capable of widening a temperature range and reducing a variation in thermal conductivity between the electrostatic chuck and the flat substrate over time is provided. The chuck includes: a body that has an internal electrode for attracting a flat substrate by an electrostatic force provided therein, a plurality of protrusions formed on one surface of the body serving as an electrostatic attraction surface, and projections provided on the top surfaces of some or all of the plurality of protrusions. In the electrostatic chuck, a region of the top surface of each of the minute projections on which the flat substrate is loaded is referred to as a mounting surface, and the total area of the mounting surfaces of the minute projections is equal to or larger than 0.01% and equal to or smaller than 2% of the area of the electrostatic attraction surface.

Abstract: A protection circuit for intrinsically safe electromagnetic actuators operating on the voltage from a power unit (1) approved for underground mining, for switching electrohydraulic valves (5) in underground mining, comprising at least two spaced-apart short-circuit means (14, 16 or 16A) connected in parallel with the electromagnetic actuator coil (11) for short-circuiting the coil in the event of a reversal of the coil voltage. According to the invention, at least one of the short-circuit means comprises a short-circuit semi-conductor switch (16 or 16A) and a voltage-reversal detecting circuit (30) for activating the short-circuit semiconductor switch (16).

Abstract: An ESD detection circuit which includes: a triggering circuit for generating an ESD trigger signal when the ESD detection circuit is in ESD mode; a bias circuit for providing at least a first bias voltage and a second bias voltage for controlling the operation of the triggering circuit; a trigger controlling circuit for decreasing a voltage difference between the first bias voltage and the second bias voltage when the ESD detection circuit is in the ESD mode, and for controlling a duration of the ESD trigger signal that is generated by the triggering circuit; and an activating control circuit for activating the trigger controlling circuit and the triggering circuit to enter the ESD mode according to a voltage level at a first node.

Abstract: An ion implanter includes an electrostatic chuck. The electrostatic chuck is configured to repel charged particles from a surface of the electrostatic chuck to limit deposits of the charged particles on the surface when the electrostatic chuck is not supporting any workpiece. An electrostatic chuck including a dielectric layer and at least one electrode is also provided. The at least one electrode is configured to accept a DC voltage signal to produce a first charge to repel charged particles from the dielectric layer when the dielectric layer is not supporting any workpiece to thereby limit deposits of the charged particles on the dielectric layer.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a small surge absorption element that exhibits superior impedance matching even for high-speed signals and a surge absorption circuit. The surge absorption element comprises first and second inductor sections and first and second surge absorption sections. The first inductor section comprises first and second coils and the second inductor section comprises third and fourth coils. By suitably setting the coupling coefficients between the respective coils and the induction coefficients of the first to fourth coils, image impedance with an even frequency characteristic can be implemented over a wide area. Further, because the first to fourth coils have a positive magnetically coupled state with respect to one another, the induction coefficients of the first to fourth coils can be reduced in comparison with a case where the first to fourth coils are not afforded a positive magnetically coupled state.

Abstract: A static eliminator capable of replacing a discharge needle and improving maintainability of the eliminator is disclosed. The static eliminator comprises: an air-guiding duct having a tubular portion provided with an outer electrode and a boss portion; and an electric discharge module detachably mounted on the tubular portion, wherein ionized air is supplied to the air-guiding duct by a fan of an air blower. The electric discharge module has a holder fitted in a boss portion and a plurality of discharge electrodes attached to the holder so as to protrude toward the outer electrode in an outer-radial direction. When foreign substances or the like adhere to a tip of the discharge electrode or when the discharge electrode deteriorates, the electric discharge module is detached from the boss portion.

Abstract: A transistor active bridge circuit (100) provides operation and protection for devices from the effects of battery polarity reversal. The circuit includes first and second field-effect transistors (102, 104) of a first channel type, and third and fourth field-effect transistors (106, 108) of a second channel type that is different from the first channel type. A set of voltage dividers (110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 124) and voltage clamping devices (126, 128, 130, 132) permit the circuit (100) to efficiently operate over a wider range of input voltages, without potential damage to the field-effect transistors.

Abstract: Electrostatic discharge and electrical overstress protection circuit is disclosed to include a discharging circuit, a detection circuit and a controller. The controller is operable to sense and compare the output voltage from the detection circuit to a reference voltage. The controller, upon detection of a normal operating condition or an electrical overstress (EOS) situation, is operable to cause the discharging circuit to discharge any excess voltage from the voltage supply to the electrical ground at a safety voltage level. The controller, upon detection of an electrostatic discharge (ESD) event, is operable to cause the discharging circuit to discharge the excess voltage at a second voltage level that is less than the safety voltage level.

Abstract: A system and method for conditioning an alternating current (“AC”) power transmission for supply to a load circuit. In one aspect, the invention is a system comprising: a power conditioning circuit comprising a voltage surge protector for eliminating voltage spikes in the AC power transmission, an inrush current suppressor for limiting the current of the AC power transmission, and a voltage sensing circuit for monitoring a voltage level of the AC power transmission; means for electrically coupling the power conditioning circuit to a source of AC power; outlet means for electrically coupling the power conditioning circuit to a load circuit; and wherein the voltage sensing circuit is adapted so that upon detecting that the voltage level of the AC power transmission exceeds a predetermined upper limit, the AC power transmission is prohibited from reaching the outlet means.

Abstract: A multiphase DC-DC converter is provided that includes a multiphase transformer, the multiphase transformer including a plurality of input voltage terminals and an transformer output voltage terminal, each input voltage terminal associated with a corresponding phase. Each phase is assigned to an input voltage terminal of the plurality of input voltage terminals to minimize a ripple current at the input voltage terminals of the multiphase transformer.

Abstract: A surge absorber has a first terminal electrode, a second terminal electrode, a third terminal electrode, an inductor portion, a surge absorbing portion, and a capacitor portion. The inductor portion has a first internal conductor and a second internal conductor mutually coupled in a polarity-reversed relation. One end of the first internal conductor is connected to the first terminal electrode. One end of the second internal conductor is connected to the second terminal electrode. The other end of the first internal conductor is connected to the other end of the second internal conductor. The surge absorbing portion has a first internal electrode connected to a connection point between the first internal conductor and the second internal conductor, and a second internal electrode connected to the third terminal electrode. The capacitor portion has a capacitance component connected between the first terminal electrode and the second terminal electrode.

Abstract: A constant voltage circuit including an input terminal to receive an input voltage, an output terminal configured to output a constant voltage converted from the input voltage to a load and an overcurrent protection circuit portion to perform an overcurrent protection operation of restricting an output current from the output terminal within a threshold current and to generate and provide logic signals including information on an operation state of the overcurrent protection operation to a control device disposed outside the constant voltage circuit to control the load based on the information.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes first and second power supply voltage terminals, a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO), and a deep N-well field effect transistor (FET). The VCO has a first node coupled to the first power supply terminal, a second node, and first and second oscillator output terminals, at least one of which is coupled to a common pin. The deep N-well field-effect transistor (FET) has a first terminal coupled to the second node of the voltage controlled oscillator, a second terminal coupled to the second power supply terminal, and a control electrode to receive a power on signal, a deep N-well is coupled to the first power supply terminal and a P-channel is coupled to the second power supply terminal to form a high impedance electrostatic discharge path between the common pin and the first and the second power supply terminals through the deep N-well.

Abstract: A microcomputer 60 takes in voltages output from the sustaining voltage Vsus generation circuit 52, the addressing voltage Vadd generation circuit 53, and the standby voltage generating circuit 54 via A/D input ports 1 through 6 mounted on the microcomputer board, and performs examinations to judge whether abnormal values are detected about the voltages. If there is at least one abnormal value detected, the main power supply is set OFF and after a predetermined time the main power supply is set ON again to perform a reexamination. If the number of times when abnormal values about a certain voltage are detected reaches the number of abnormal value detections N, the main power supply is left OFF. The number of abnormal value detections N for the Vsamp, the Vset, the Ve or the Vscan, is set larger than the number of abnormal value detections set for the Vsus or the Vadd.

Abstract: A field discharge circuit may rapidly reduce the field current of a generator, thereby avoiding an overvoltage condition. The field discharge circuit of the present invention may use another storage device, such as a capacitor, to quickly transfer the field current energy thereto and then slowly dissipate the transferred energy after the event (such as removal of a load) has passed. By transferring this energy to a storage device and subsequently slowly discharging this energy through a resistor, electromagnetic interference caused by a conventional resistive discharge can be reduced.