Abstract: A sensing instrument includes a first electrode, a second electrode that surrounds the first electrode, and a sensing module configured to sense a capacitance of a material by applying a voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode while the first electrode and the second electrode are adjacent to the material. A method of operating a sensing instrument includes applying a voltage between a first electrode and a second electrode while the first electrode and the second electrode are positioned adjacent to a material. The second electrode surrounds the first electrode. The method further includes sensing a capacitance of the material based on a response of the material to the voltage.

Abstract: A lightning protection apparatus and related methods are described. The lightning protection apparatus includes a housing that defines a cavity, a gas generating device disposed within the housing, and a signal acquisition device. The housing is coupled to an aircraft. The signal acquisition device is configured to detect a lightning arc and responsively activate the gas generating device to emit a stream of gas to suppress the lightning arc.

Abstract: An example lightning strike protection system of an aircraft includes: (i) a capacitor having a predetermined capacity to hold a predetermined quantity of electric charges provided to the capacitor; (ii) a voltage generating device coupled to the capacitor, where as a quantity of electric charges provided to the capacitor exceeds the predetermined capacity of the capacitor, the voltage generating device converts the electric charge stored in the capacitor into a voltage to generate a lightning leader from the aircraft; and (iii) a conductive path embedded in the aircraft to channel a lightning strike induced by a connection of the lightning leader with an oncoming lightning leader therethrough to be discharged away from the aircraft.

Abstract: An example lightning strike protection system of an aircraft includes: (i) a capacitor having a predetermined capacity to hold a predetermined quantity of electric charges provided to the capacitor; (ii) a voltage generating device coupled to the capacitor, where as a quantity of electric charges provided to the capacitor exceeds the predetermined capacity of the capacitor, the voltage generating device converts the electric charge stored in the capacitor into a voltage to generate a lightning leader from the aircraft; and (iii) a conductive path embedded in the aircraft to channel a lightning strike induced by a connection of the lightning leader with an oncoming lightning leader therethrough to be discharged away from the aircraft.

Abstract: A lightning protection apparatus and related methods are described. The lightning protection apparatus includes a housing that defines a cavity, a gas generating device disposed within the housing, and a signal acquisition device. The housing is coupled to an aircraft. The signal acquisition device is configured to detect a lightning arc and responsively activate the gas generating device to emit a stream of gas to suppress the lightning arc.

Abstract: A system that includes micro-electromechanical system switching circuitry is provided. The system may include a first over-current protection circuitry connected in a parallel circuit with the micro-electromechanical system switching circuitry for suppressing a voltage level across contacts of the micro-electromechanical system switching circuitry during a first switching event, such as a turn-on event. The system may further include a second over-current protection circuitry connected in a parallel circuit with the micro-electromechanical system switching circuitry for suppressing a current flow through the contacts of the micro-electromechanical system switching circuitry during a second switching event, such as a turn-off event.

Abstract: A current control device is described. The current control device includes at least one line socket configured to couple to a first power system. The current control device also includes at least one load socket configured to couple to a second power system and at least one micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) switching device coupled between the at least one line socket and the at least one load socket. The at least one MEMS switching device is configured to selectably couple the first power system to the second power system.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a MEMS switch is provided. The MEMS switch includes a substrate, a first and a second actuating element electrically coupled together, an anchor mechanically coupled to the substrate and supporting at least one of the first and second actuating elements, and a gate driver configured to actuate the first and second actuating elements.

Abstract: An electrical distribution system includes at least one circuit breaker device having an electrical interruption system provided with an electrical pathway, at least one micro electro-mechanical switch (MEMS) device electrically coupled in the electrical pathway, at least one hybrid arcless limiting technology (HALT) connection, and at least one control connection. A HALT circuit member is electrically coupled to HALT connection on the circuit breaker device and a controller is electrically coupled to the control connection on the circuit breaker device. The controller is configured and disposed to selectively connect the HALT circuit member and the at least one circuit breaker device via the HALT connection to control electrical current flow through the at least one circuit breaker device.

Abstract: A method to reduce an inductive voltage surge across a switch array is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of, (a) directing at least a portion of an electric current away from at least a portion of said switch array; and (b) independently opening different portions of the switch array. A system to reduce an inductive voltage surge across an electrical device comprising a current bypass circuit is also disclosed.

Abstract: A current control device is disclosed. The current control device includes control circuitry integrally arranged with a current path and at least one micro electromechanical system (MEMS) switch disposed in the current path. The current control device further includes a hybrid arcless limiting technology (HALT) circuit connected in parallel with the at least one MEMS switch facilitating arcless opening of the at least one MEMS switch, and a pulse assisted turn on (PATO) circuit connected in parallel with the at least one MEMS switch facilitating arcless closing of the at least one MEMS switch.

Abstract: Provided is a device, such as a switch structure, that includes a contact and a conductive element that is configured to be deformable between a first position in which the conductive element is separated from the contact and a second position in which the conductive element contacts the contact. The conductive element can be formed substantially of metallic material configured to inhibit time-dependent deformation. For example, the metallic material may be configured to exhibit a maximum steady-state plastic strain rate of less than 10?12 s?1 when subject to a stress of at least about 25 percent of a yield strength of the metallic material and a temperature less than or equal to about half of a melting temperature of the metallic material. The contact and the conductive element may be part of a microelectromechanical device or a nanoelectromechanical device. Associated methods are also provided.

Abstract: An electrical distribution system includes at least one circuit breaker device having an electrical interruption system provided with an electrical pathway, at least one micro electro-mechanical switch (MEMS) device electrically coupled in the electrical pathway, at least one hybrid arcless limiting technology (HALT) connection, and at least one control connection. A HALT circuit member is electrically coupled to HALT connection on the circuit breaker device and a controller is electrically coupled to the control connection on the circuit breaker device. The controller is configured and disposed to selectively connect the HALT circuit member and the at least one circuit breaker device via the HALT connection to control electrical current flow through the at least one circuit breaker device.

Abstract: An on-load tap changer (OLTC) for a transformer winding is disclosed. The OLTC includes a first MEMS switch coupled in series with a first tap on the transformer winding and a neutral terminal. The OLTC also includes a second MEMS switch coupled in series with a second tap on the transformer winding and the neutral terminal. The OLTC further includes a controller coupled to the first MEMS switch and the second MEMS switch, the controller configured to coordinate the switching operations of the first MEMS switch module and the second MEMS switch module to obtain a first predetermined turns ratio or a second predetermined turns ratio for the transformer winding.

Abstract: A current control device is disclosed. The current control device includes control circuitry and a current path integrally arranged with the control circuitry. The current path includes a set of conduction interfaces and a micro electromechanical system (MEMS) switch disposed between the set of conduction interfaces. The set of conduction interfaces have geometry of a defined fuse terminal geometry and include a first interface disposed at one end of the current path and a second interface disposed at an opposite end of the current path. The MEMS switch is responsive to the control circuitry to facilitate the interruption of an electrical current passing through the current path.

Abstract: An optically powered MEMS gate driver includes a photovoltaic converter configured to receive a light signal from a light source and output a DC supply voltage for a MEMS gate driver in response thereto. The MEMS gate driver further includes a DC to DC converter electrically coupled to the photovoltaic converter and configured to output a line level DC voltage in response to the DC supply voltage. An electrical circuit, also included as a portion of the MEMS gate driver is electrically coupled to both the photovoltaic converter and the DC to DC converter is configured to receive the supply voltage and the line level voltage and to output a line level drive signal in response thereto. The optically powered MEMS gate driver is self-contained within a common EMI enclosure thus providing isolation between the gate driver and command signal electronics.

Abstract: A micro electromechanical system switch having an electrical pathway is presented. The switch includes a first portion and a second portion. The second portion is offset to a zero overlap position with respect to the first portion when the switch is in open position (or in the closed position depending on the switch architecture). The switch further includes an actuator for moving the first portion and the second portion into contact.

Abstract: A switching array includes a plurality of switching elements electrically coupled to each other, each switching element being configured to be switched between conducting and non-conducting states. The switching array also includes at least one parasitic minimizing circuitry electrically coupled to the plurality of switching elements and configured to provide near zero electrical voltage and current across and through each of the plurality of switching elements during switching of the plurality of switching elements between the conducting and non-conducting states.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method for over-current protection. The method comprising monitoring a load current value of a load current passing through a plurality of micro-electromechanical switching system devices, determining if the monitored load current value varies from a predetermined load current value, and generating a fault signal in the event that the monitored load current value varies from the predetermined load current value. The method also comprises diverting the load current from the plurality of micro-electromechanical switching system devices in response to the fault signal and determining if the variance in the load current value was due to a true fault trip or a false nuisance trip.

Abstract: A device for controlling the flow of electric current is provided. The device comprises a first conductor as thin film form; a second conductor switchably coupled to the first conductor to alternate between an electrically connected state with the first conductor and an electrically disconnected state with the first conductor. At least one conductor further comprises an electrical contact, the electrical contact comprising a solid matrix comprising a plurality of pores; and a filler material disposed within at least a portion of the plurality of pores. The filler material has a melting point of less than about 575 K. A method to make an electrical contact is provided. The method includes the steps of: providing a substrate; providing a plurality of pores on the substrate; and disposing a filler material within at least a portion of the plurality of pores. The filler material has a melting point of less than about 575 K.