Abstract: An electric short-circuit device has a first electric contact piece, a second electric contact piece, and a component made of an electrical semiconductor crystalline material which blocks the flow of an electric current between the first contact piece and the second contact piece in at least one direction. An actuator is configured to apply a mechanical force to the component in response to an electric trigger signal and thereby at least partly destroy the crystalline structure of the component.

Abstract: An electronic ignition circuit for use with a fuse head may include a microcontroller; a firing capacitor operably coupled to the fuse head; a voltage measuring circuit operably coupled to the microcontroller and configured to measure a voltage across the firing capacitor; and a switch operably coupled to the microcontroller, the switch being provided in series with the fuse head and a ground. The microcontroller may be configured control the voltage measuring circuit to measure a first voltage across the firing capacitor; actuate the switch to discharge the firing capacitor across the fuse head in response to a firing signal; control the voltage measuring circuit to measure a second voltage across the firing capacitor; and output a shot detection signal based on the first voltage and the second voltage.

Abstract: The present invention provides a plasmonic optical transformer to produce a highly focuses optical beam spot, where the transformer includes a first metal layer, a dielectric layer formed on the first metal layer, and a second metal layer formed on the dielectric layer, where the first metal layer, the dielectric layer, and the second layer are patterned to a shape including a first section having a first cross section, a second section following the first section having a cross-section tapering from the first section to a smaller cross-section, and a third section following the second section having a cross-section matching the tapered smaller cross-section of the second section.

Abstract: An occupant protection device includes (i) an electronic control unit having a control board, (ii) a parallel connection bus having two lines, (iii) multiple satellite sensors connected to the parallel connection bus, (iv) a squib connected to the parallel connection bus, and (v) an accident prevention diode located close to the squib. The control board includes an interface and a processor. Each of the satellite sensors includes a distributed system interface which is located between the two lines. The parallel connection bus is supplied with a sensor drive voltage. The electronic control unit starts to operate at least one of the occupant protection portions based on a result of the collision determination by the control board.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor apparatus according to aspects of the invention can include the steps of coating solder on an predetermined area in the upper surface of a lead frame, mounting a chip on solder and melting solder with a hot plate for bonding the chip to the lead frame. The method can also include wiring with bonding wires, turning lead frame upside down, placing lead frame turned upside down on heating cradle, coating solder, the melting point of which is lower than the solder melting point and mounting electronic part on solder; and melting solder with heating cradle for bonding electronic part to lead frame. The bonding with solder can be conducted at a high ambient temperature. Aspects of the semiconductor apparatus can facilitate mounting semiconductor devices and electronic parts on both surfaces of a lead frame divided to form wiring circuits without through complicated manufacturing steps.

Abstract: An ignition circuit for a detonator is disclosed. The circuit includes; an igniter having a first terminal and an opposing second terminal, a first diode electrically connected in series with the igniter at the first terminal, and a second diode electrically connected in series with the igniter at the second terminal. The first and second diodes each have an anode terminal and a cathode terminal, wherein like terminals of the first and second diodes are electrically connected to the igniter, thereby defining proximal terminals proximate the igniter and distal terminals on an opposing side of each respective diode. An energy source and a switch are electrically connected in series with each other, and are electrically connected across the distal terminals. Current flow through the igniter sufficient to ignite the igniter is prevented until an ignition voltage is applied to the distal terminals that is equal to or greater than the reverse breakdown voltage of the first diode or the second diode.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for controlling the launch and burst of pyrotechnic projectiles in a pyrotechnic, or “fireworks”, display.

Abstract: An ignition circuit for a detonator is disclosed. The circuit includes; an igniter having a first terminal and an opposing second terminal, a first diode electrically connected in series with the igniter at the first terminal, and a second diode electrically connected in series with the igniter at the second terminal. The first and second diodes each have an anode terminal and a cathode terminal, wherein like terminals of the first and second diodes are electrically connected to the igniter, thereby defining proximal terminals proximate the igniter and distal terminals on an opposing side of each respective diode. An energy source and a switch are electrically connected in series with each other, and are electrically connected across the distal terminals. Current flow through the igniter sufficient to ignite the igniter is prevented until an ignition voltage is applied to the distal terminals that is equal to or greater than the reverse breakdown voltage of the first diode or the second diode.

Abstract: An integrated fuse has regions of different doping located within a fuse neck. The integrated fuse includes a polysilicon layer and a silicide layer. The polysilicon layer includes first and second regions having different types of dopants. In one example, the first region has an N-type dopant and the second region has a P-type dopant. The polysilicon layer can also include a third region in between the first and second regions, which also has a different dopant. During a fusing event, a distribution of temperature peaks around the regions of different dopants. By locating regions of different dopants within the fuse neck, agglomeration of the silicide layer starts reliably within the fuse neck (for example, at or near the center of the fuse neck) and proceeds toward the contact regions. An improved post fuse resistance distribution and an increased minimum resistance value in the post fuse resistance distribution is realized compared to conventional polysilicon fuses.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for controlling the launch and burst of pyrotechnic projectiles in a pyrotechnic, or “fireworks”, display.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for controlling the launch and burst of pyrotechnic projectiles in a pyrotechnic, or “fireworks”, display.

Abstract: An integrated fuse has regions of different doping located within a fuse neck. The integrated fuse includes a polysilicon layer and a silicide layer. The polysilicon layer includes first and second regions having different types of dopants. In one example, the first region has an N-type dopant and the second region has a P-type dopant. The polysilicon layer can also include a third region in between the first and second regions, which also has a different dopant. During a fusing event, a distribution of temperature peaks around the regions of different dopants. By locating regions of different dopants within the fuse neck, agglomeration of the silicide layer starts reliably within the fuse neck (for example, at or near the center of the fuse neck) and proceeds toward the contact regions. An improved post fuse resistance distribution and an increased minimum resistance value in the post fuse resistance distribution is realized compared to conventional polysilicon fuses.

Abstract: A fuse structure and method for fabricating same are disclosed. The fuse structure is designed for opening by conventional laser energy application. The fuse structure is characterized by an absence of high stress areas in the surrounding substrate thereby resulting in higher fabrication yields due to lower occurrence of substrate fracturing or other damage occasioned by the opening of the fuse.

Abstract: A semiconductor device of the present invention is provided with a first metal wire formed above a semiconductor substrate with an interlayer insulating film intervened, a fuse formed on interlayer insulating film so as to be spaced at a distance away from first metal wire, an insulating film which covers first metal wire and which has an opening above fuse, a second metal wire formed on insulating film, a first passivation film which covers second metal wire and fuse, and a second passivation film formed on first passivation film, made of a material different from that of first passivation film and having an opening above fuse.

Abstract: A semiconductor device with a fuse box includes at least two gate electrodes 8, 9 and a fuse member 6. The two gate electrodes 8, 9 are formed on at least one insulating film 13 on a semiconductor substrate 100. The fuse member 6 is formed on the insulating film 13 on the semiconductor substrate 100. The two gate electrodes 8, 9 are electrically connected each other by the fuse member 6. In addition, the insulating film 13 and a field region 2 constituted by a semiconductor region are arranged adjacent to each other in a frame-like guard ring 1. The guard ring 1 is constituted by a semiconductor region formed on the semiconductor substrate 100.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for controlling the launch and burst of pyrotechnic projectiles in a pyrotechnic, or “fireworks”, display.

Abstract: An ignitor has an outer metal can containing a quantity of reactive material for initiating a pyrotechnic material. A circuit board has a first side that is in contact with the reactive material and a second side that is isolated from the reactive material. A metal structure adjacent the circuit board is well grounded. At least two electrical pins are electrically connected to first electrical traces formed on the second side of the circuit board. Electrical discharge gaps are formed by second electrical traces extending from the first electrical traces to form sharp points which extend to within less than about 0.127 mm of a conductive path to ground.

Abstract: This invention provides highly reliable ignition device with superior ease of mass production, and a method for the manufacture thereof. An ignition device is constructed by taking a heating element 40 comprising a bridge element 25 composed of a heating bridge wire 25c which is heated by the passage of an electric current and heating electrodes 25a and 25b located at both ends thereof, and a flexible insulating sheet 26 which carries this bridge element; then welding this heating element to stem electrodes, formed in the stem, via connection guides which are openings provided in the insulating sheet at the location of the heating electrodes.

Abstract: An integrated circuit configuration, in particular for igniting a restraint device of a motor vehicle, has a capacitor and an ignition element. In this case, a porous region of a semiconductor layer forms a capacitor electrode, which is isolated from a further semiconductor layer by a dielectric layer. The further semiconductor layer being configured as a further capacitor electrode. The further semiconductor layer has a region that is tapered in its cross-section and serves as an ignition element electrically connected to the capacitor.

Abstract: The electro-pyrotechnic initiation system preferably comprises an electro-pyrotechnic initiator (1) consisting especially of an insulating support (14) over which a flat resistive heating element (3) and two separate conductive metal areas (15, 16) are extended, the said resistive heating element and the said conductive metal areas being electrically connected to a current source (2) by means of two electrodes (9, 10). A conductive filter device (5), connected in parallel with the said resistive heating element (3), is divided into a varistor (6) and into a capacitor (7) which are connected to the electrodes (9, 10). This conductive filter device (5) has an equivalent resistance which varies depending on the measured electric potential difference between the two electrodes (9, 10) and ensures that the initiator (1) is not operated when the latter is subjected to a high-voltage electrostatic discharge.

Abstract: A semiconductor bridge igniter device (10) having integral voltage anti-fuse protection provides an electric circuit including a first firing leg and, optionally, a monitor leg. The first firing leg includes a first semiconductor bridge having semiconductor pads (14a, 14b) separated and connected by a bridge (14c) and having metallized lands (16a, 16b) disposed over the pads (14a, 14b) so that an electrical potential applied across the metallized lands (16a, 16b) will cause sufficient current to flow through the firing leg of the electric circuit to release energy at the bridge (14c). A dielectric layer (15) is interposed within the first firing leg and has a breakdown voltage equal to a selected threshold voltage (Vth) and therefore provides protection against the device functioning at voltages below the threshold voltage (Vth). A continuity monitor leg of the electric circuit is comprised of either a fusible link (34) or a resistor (36) disposed in parallel to the first firing leg.

Abstract: An EFI (exploding foil initiator) or slapper detonator, including a explodable foil (or bridge), a flyer plate and a barrel plate having a movable barrier to close a barrel in a safety mode and for opening the barrel in an arming mode, wherein the movable barrier slides from a closed (safety) position to an open (armed) position under the control of a MEMS (microelectromechanical system) energetic actuator. The slidable barrier is maintained in the closed position by one or more locking devices of the MEMS energetic actuator until predetermined stimuli are detected to cause the locking device(s) to release the slidable barrier, thereby arming the EFI or slapper detonator.