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: The present invention provides a system and method for controlling a solenoid that ensures accurate timing between the enabling of the driving circuit and the activation of the solenoid, while simultaneously providing a two energy level driving scheme to reduce power consumption. The present invention utilizes a single enable signal and supplies the solenoid two different energy levels, a higher “set” level and a lower “hold” level. The generation of these two levels is based on the enabling signal and guarantees that the higher “set” level is present when the solenoid is activated, thereby minimizing undesirable timing jitter.

Abstract: A driver circuit for an electronic switch, the driver circuit having a first input for receiving a first control signal, and a second input for receiving a signal from a current sensor, the driver circuit further including a shut-off circuit for operating the electronic switch to cause an interruption to current flow in the event of a fault condition arising, such as current through the electronic switch exceeding a predetermined threshold, wherein operation of the shut-off circuit can be invoked by a predetermined event at the first input.

Abstract: A drive circuit that controls a switching device ON/OFF and a soft cutoff command circuit that gradually decreases the gate terminal voltage of the switching device when short circuit of the switching device is detected. Additionally, an ON-pulse retention command circuit retains the output of the drive circuit ON when the gate terminal voltage is judged to have exceeded a specified value by a gate voltage judgment comparator that detects the gate terminal voltage of the switching device.

Abstract: A detachable electrostatic chuck can be attached to a pedestal in a process chamber. The electrostatic chuck has an electrostatic puck comprising a dielectric covering at least one electrode and a frontside surface to receive a substrate. A backside surface of the chuck has a central protrusion that can be a D-shaped mesa to facilitate alignment with a mating cavity in the pedestal. The protrusion can also have asymmetrically offset apertures, which further assist alignment, and also serve to receive electrode terminal posts and a gas tube. A heat transfer plate having an embedded heat transfer fluid channel is spring loaded on the pedestal to press against the chuck for good heat transfer.

Abstract: A versatile stun glove having at least two electrodes placed in the palm region, and/or on the back of the hand and/or on the fingers of the glove. A rechargeable power supply that uses simple thin diameter and thickness replaceable batteries for powering the electrodes. Batteries can include 9-volt battery, a double A, and triple A batteries. A thin watch battery can also be used so that no protrusions extend outward from the glove body. The power supply can be located in the palm region and/or on the back of the hand of the glove. The power supply can be accessed by a foldable panel cover that can be removed by hook and loop fasteners (Velcro®), snaps, a zipper and the like. The power can be activated by a simple switch located adjacent to the finger tip of the index finger of the user so that touching the tip of the thumb against the index finger tip activates the power.

Abstract: Spark-gap device including two discharge electrodes (2; 3) each having an elongated conductor portion (10; 5), called the active portion, with a connecting longitudinal end (11; 7) fixed to a connector. The electrodes are arranged in such a way that, when an electric arc is generated, the arc is formed between the active portions and the resulting electric current induces a magnetic field moving the electric arc along the active portions, preferably at an erosion-limiting high speed. At least a discharge electrode further includes at least a second conductor portion (9, 16; 6), called the passive portion, electrically connected to the connector and/or the active portion and with a form adapted to prevent a spontaneous electric arc from being inopportunely generated in normal usage conditions of the device.

Abstract: Method and device for protecting against electrostatic discharge. The method includes configuring a gate of at least one upper transistor of a transistor network connected between power rails to be biased to a prescribed value, and coupling an electrostatic discharge event to a gate of a lower transistor of the transistor network. The at least one upper and at least one lower transistors of the transistor network are respectively coupled between the power rails from a higher voltage to a lower voltage.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus for detecting an arc fault, which prevents a malfunction caused by a conventional current detecting method by detecting a source voltage applied onto a conductive wire to determine whether there is an arc fault, prevents a malfunction with respect to a pseudo arc signal by dividing a current detecting route into two according to the magnitude of a load current occurring onto the conductive wire to determine whether there is the arc fault by voltage detection, and lessens the danger of a fire by reducing a circuit break time according to the magnitude of the load current. A voltage detector detects the arc fault by use of two detecting routes. Each route differs in a filtering value of a filter, presence/absence of level limit, an amplification factor of an amplifier, an accumulation value of a comparator, etc. according to the magnitude of a load current occurring on a conductive wire, thereby reducing a circuit break time.

Abstract: An object is to provide an inverter device for an automobile capable of detecting a ground fault with simple circuitry, and in summary, the inverter device has an inverter (inverter module) which generates an AC output from a battery loaded on a vehicle body to drive a motor, and the inverter device comprises a ground fault detection circuit connected between a negative line of the battery and the vehicle body, and a controller, wherein the ground fault detection circuit includes a serial circuit of a resistor element and a condenser element or a serial circuit of a plurality of resistor elements, and a potential at a connection point of the elements is input to the controller to detect a ground fault.

Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit device includes: a protected circuit protected against electro-static discharge applied from outside the device; an SCR protection circuit having an anode terminal connected to a power line, a cathode terminal connected to a ground line and a trigger terminal; and a trigger circuit connected to the trigger terminal and including an RC circuit connected between the power line and the ground line.

Abstract: A solenoid type switch has at least two driving coils. The driving coils turn off a switch with a current for example an overcurrent that flows in the switch. The driving coils are magnetized or demagnetized by a driving circuit so as to turn on or off the switch. The driving circuit magnetizes or demagnetizes the driving coils in accordance with a control signal supplied from a controlling circuit. Thus, the switch can be turned off with the current that flows in the driving coils.

Abstract: An electrostatic chuck is configured for electrostatically securing a wafer while limiting charge on the wafer and physical contact between the electrostatic chuck and the wafer. The electrostatic chuck has a pair of electrodes and at least one support pin electrically isolated from the electrodes. The top portion of the support pin protrudes above the top surface of the electrodes. The support pin can be such that the top portion of the support pin is adjustable with respect to the top surfaces of the electrodes.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a protective device including a plurality of line terminals and a plurality of load terminals configured to be connected to at least one load. A test circuit is coupled to the plurality of line terminals and the plurality of load terminals. The test circuit is configured to generate a simulated fault signal to the fault detection circuit in response to a user stimulus. A fault detection circuit is coupled to the plurality of line terminals and the plurality of load terminals. The fault detection circuit is configured to detect at least one fault condition. The at least one fault condition includes the simulated fault signal. A circuit interrupter assembly is coupled to the fault detection circuit. The circuit interrupter assembly includes a set of movable contacts configured to open in response to the fault detection circuit in a tripped state. The plurality of line terminals are decoupled from the plurality of load terminals.

Abstract: An IC having inputs and outputs for a plurality of frequency bands from a high frequency band to a low frequency band is protected from electrostatic damage. A high-frequency section of the IC is provided with a protection circuit including diode-connected transistors connected by multiple stages. In addition, there are applied the transistors in which elements thereof are isolated by insulator that can prevent thyristor operation.

Abstract: A circuit board is enclosed in a housing containing rows of metal oxide varistors. Multiple surge ferrule type fuses are soldered directly to circuit board holes between the rows of metal oxide varistors. A ring connector electrically connects pairs of fuses and an electrical conductor connects the ring connector to an electrical circuit to be protected.

Abstract: A lightning protection system having a sensor for detecting a polarity of atmospheric charges, a direct current power supply, a controller interactively connected to the power supply and to the sensor so as to select a polarity of the direct current in relation to polarity of atmospheric charges, a first lead connected to one location on the structure, and a second lead connected to another location on the structure such that direct current passes from the first lead to the second lead. The controller selects a polarity of the direct current that is opposite to the polarity of the atmospheric charges sensed by the sensor.

Abstract: An electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit for the protection of an electronic circuit from an ESD event. The electronic circuit, in operation, is provided with a supply voltage and a reference voltage (typically electrical ground) via voltage terminals and/or power supply buses. The protection circuit includes two bipolar transistors in series, where the transistors are coupled between the supply voltage terminal/bus and the reference voltage terminal/bus. The bases of the transistors are coupled via a connection including two resistors in series, where the connection point between the two resistors is coupled with the connection point between the two transistors.

Abstract: A universal hybrid solid-state switchgear for power transmission or distribution systems incorporates a fast mechanical switch and solid-state power electronics switching circuits to provide circuit breaker and fault current limiting applications.

Abstract: A control circuit for an electromagnetic drive includes first and second electronic switching elements, which in conjunction with a timing element subject the drive coil to a corresponding direct current in the starting phase or in the maintenance phase. A starting current and a maintenance current are provided by means of a current source that is controlled by the timing element and a direct current converter with downward control.