Abstract: A device and method for reducing ground currents and electromagnetic interference in pulsed signal devices are described. In one embodiment, the device may include, in addition to regular filtering components and circuits, a separate noise-suppressing choke in the ground wire to reduce current in the ground wire that causes damage to bearings and electrical overstress. Such choke may be of a saturation type that offers high inductance and good noise-blocking properties in normal operating conditions and sufficiently low impedance at fail currents which provides proper tripping of safety circuits.

Abstract: A device and a method of reducing high-frequency currents between the tip of the soldering iron and the circuit board are described. In one embodiment, a special EMI filter and a method of it implementation in soldering process is described. This device and this method of implementation provide significant reduction of high-frequency current to the sensitive components. Another embodiment describes an implementation of EMI-reducing filter inside the soldering iron. Yet other embodiments include implementation of EMI-reducing filter as a part of the solder station, of the vise holding the circuit board, of the solder spool holder and as a stand-alone device.

Abstract: An electrostatic discharge (ESD) event and transient signal detection and measurement device and method are described. The device and method are able to distinguish between an ESD event and other non-ESD events.

Abstract: A system includes a plurality of carriers for storing articles sensitive to electrostatic discharge (ESD), wherein each of the plurality of carriers includes a device having a sensor to sense one or more environmental parameters. At least one of the environmental parameters comprises an ESD parameter. The system also includes a plurality of radio frequency (RF) receiving devices and a coordinator unit to which the RF receiving devices communicate according to a wireless networking standard. The RF receiving devices are configured to obtain data associated with the sensed environmental parameters from the devices of the plurality of carriers via wireless communications according to the wireless networking standard. The plurality of RF receiving devices route the data obtained from the devices of the plurality of carriers to the coordinator unit.

Abstract: A carrier includes an enclosure for storing articles sensitive to electrostatic discharge (ESD) and a replacement component that is affixed to the enclosure as an integral component of the carrier. The replacement component includes a housing that provides an enclosure for a device having a sensor for sensing one or more environmental parameters. At least one of the sensed environmental parameters is an ESD parameter.

Abstract: A device and method of monitoring ground connection of moving equipment with insulative bearing arrangement is provided that does not use a spring contact that wears out and fails. The device provides a reliable method to monitor the ground connection of the moving equipment with an insulative bearing.

Abstract: A device for monitoring the voltage or current applied to sensitive components on a circuit board by an assembly tool protects the sensitive components from damage caused by the voltage or current applied to the circuit board.

Abstract: An electrostatic discharge (ESD) event and transient signal detection and measurement device and method are described. The device and method are able to distinguish between an ESD event and other non-ESD events.

Abstract: The invention is a grounding device that grounds the wearer when the wearer is in a designated area and automatically disengages when the wearer leaves the designated area. The device may include a magnetic wriststrap connector that disengagably connects to a wriststrap terminal (or a wriststrap monitor when the terminal is integrated into the monitor). The wriststrap connector may provide an indication to the monitor of the proper mating of the connector and the terminal.

Abstract: An electrostatic discharge (ESD) event and transient signal detection and measurement device and method are described. The device and method are able to distinguish between an ESD event and other non-ESD events.

Abstract: A device and method for ionization control is provided. The device and method controls the ionization balance using a sensor element, a control circuit that produces output signal as a function of an input signal from the sensor and transmits that output signal to the ionizer being controlled. The device also has a mechanism for detecting rapid changes in the input signal and a mechanism for disabling changes in the control signal for the duration of presence of said rapidly-changing signal.

Abstract: A device for monitoring the voltage or current applied to sensitive components on a circuit board by an assembly tool protects the sensitive components from damage caused by the voltage or current applied to the circuit board.

Abstract: An electrostatic discharge (ESD) event and transient signal detection and measurement device and method are described. The device and method are able to distinguish between an ESD event and other non-ESD events.

Abstract: A connector assembly for a wriststrap jack is provided wherein the jack may be easily replaced in accordance with the invention.

Abstract: The invention is a grounding device that grounds the wearer when the wearer is in a designated area and automatically disengages when the wearer leaves the designated area. In more detail, the grounding device includes a wristband that is electrically coupled to a grounded object with a fastening mechanism, wherein the fastening mechanism automatically releases to separate the wristband from the grounded object if the wristband is outside of the designated area. Where the fastening mechanism includes a coupling mechanism (e.g., a wire), there may be a rotating device that retracts the coupling mechanism after the fastening mechanism is released. The device may be enhanced with a grounding device monitoring unit that monitors whether the grounding device is in use and a sensor that detects whether the operator is in the designated area, so that an alarm is triggered if the operator is in the designated area and the grounding device is not in use.

Abstract: A device and method for ionization control is provided. The device and method controls the ionization balance using a sensor element, a control circuit that produces output signal as a function of an input signal from the sensor and transmits that output signal to the ionizer being controlled. The device also has a mechanism for detecting rapid changes in the input signal and a mechanism for disabling changes in the control signal for the duration of presence of said rapidly-changing signal.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring process parameters in a process machine is described. The system is synchronized to the operation of the process machine so that spurious process parameters events are filtered out.

Abstract: A device and method for ionization control is provided. The device and method controls the ionization balance using a sensor element, a control circuit that produces output signal as a function of an input signal from the sensor and transmits that output signal to the ionizer being controlled. The device also has a mechanism for detecting rapid changes in the input signal and a mechanism for disabling changes in the control signal for the duration of presence of said rapidly-changing signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring grounding of personnel and equipment in electrostatic discharge (ESD) sensitive areas. The device generates a low voltage alternating current control signal (60) which is applied to personnel (50) and equipment (350) being monitored. The device further includes signal conditioning (66) and detection means (70) to distinguish static charges from the control signal and transmit an alarm (72) upon detection of such static charge. The method encompasses the use of an alternating current control signal to detect static charge.

Abstract: The invention is a grounding device that grounds the wearer when the wearer is in a designated area and automatically disengages when the wearer leaves the designated area. In more detail, the grounding device includes a wristband that is electrically coupled to a grounded object with a fastening mechanism, wherein the fastening mechanism automatically releases to separate the wristband from the grounded object if the wristband is outside of the designated area. Where the fastening mechanism includes a coupling mechanism (e.g., a wire), there may be a rotating device that retracts the coupling mechanism after the fastening mechanism is released. The device may be enhanced with a grounding device monitoring unit that monitors whether the grounding device is in use and a sensor that detects whether the operator is in the designated area, so that an alarm is triggered if the operator is in the designated area and the grounding device is not in use.