Abstract: The present invention provides highly efficient system level EMI filtering in a dual feed Power Distribution Unit (PDU) using custom designed magnetic components that are uniquely designed to provide excellent performance under various load conditions. The PDU of the present invention includes filters for providing the necessary EMI filtering at all frequencies in the range between 200 Hz and 200 MHz under all load conditions including a single feed failure. Additionally, the present invention provides mechanisms for cooling EMI components using a combination of natural convection and conduction techniques at the board level to ensure no loss of EMI filtering performance. The present invention also includes blank panels made of formed Aluminum alloy sheet metal pieces or the like to direct air flow to components on printed wiring boards (PWB's) using air director plates.

Abstract: A clothes dryer cabinet has a rear wall with a wire entry opening through which wiring enters into the dryer cabinet. A fuse supporting block is mounted closely adjacent to the wire entry opening and supports fuses which are connected directly to the wiring entering through the wire opening so as to limit or minimize the length of wiring contained in the dryer drum that is not protected by the fuses. This safety feature reduces the chance of fires occurring in the dryer as a result of arcing between wires due to mishandling of the wires, malmanufacturing of the wires or a fire occurring in the dryer.

Abstract: A circuit protection device for protecting a photovoltaic (PV) system from an overcurrent condition. The circuit protection device includes a first electrode electrically connectable to a first line of an electrical circuit, a second electrode electrically connectable to a second line of the electrical circuit. A first thermal element, second thermal element and an overload assembly define a first conductive path between the first and second electrodes. A bypass shunt defines a second conductive path between the first and second electrodes. The overload assembly electrically connects the first thermal element to the second thermal element, and is moveable between a closed position and an open position (i.e., overload condition). A low melt temperature solder electrically connects the overload assembly to the second thermal element. The low melt temperature solder softens and melts as the temperature increases in response to an overcurrent condition.

Abstract: An electrical fuse circuit is provided with: a protection element having a first terminal connected to a power source and outputting a fusing voltage from a second terminal; an electrical fuse having a third terminal connected to the second terminal of the protection circuit; and a fusing transistor connected between the electrical fuse and ground to switch a current through the electrical fuse. The second terminal of the protection element is connected to a gate of the fusing transistor.

Abstract: The present invention teaches an overvoltage protection device that includes at least one non-linear resistance element and a single cut-off device coupled with the at least one non-linear resistance element to disable the at least one non-linear resistance element when the at least one non-linear resistance element reaches a pre-determined temperature. The single cut-off device may include stranded wire, a first solder having a first melting point connecting the stranded wire to the at least one non-linear resistance element, and a second solder having a second melting point, higher than the first melting point, connecting the stranded wire to the at least one non-linear resistance element. The single cut-off device may further include a shifting part that shifts when the at least one non-linear resistance element heats the first solder to the first melting point.

Abstract: An explosion-proof and flameproof pullout safety surge-absorbing module includes a surge-absorbing unit, a protective unit, a function member, and a hot melt component. The unit has a body defining an electrode side. The middle section of electrode side defines a partially exposed electrode side further connected to a first pin. The protective component includes a base and a top cover conjoint to the base. The body is between the base and the top cover. The function member includes a recovery component and a function part. The recovery component is flexible, of which one terminal connects the base and the other terminal connects the function part pivoting onto the base and working in a first state and a second state. In the first state, one terminal of the function part is connected to the partially exposed electrode side; in the second state, the hot melt component is heated and melt.

Abstract: A protective element is provided that is capable of stopping heat generation of a heat generation resistor after all of fuse elements are surely blown out in a case where the power is distributed from a specific power distribution path. The protective element can be configured to control blowout times of a plurality of respective fuse elements in such a manner that other fuse elements are blown out prior to the blowout of a specific fuse element in a case where the power is distributed from the specific power distribution path connected with the specific fuse element among the plurality of fuse elements.

Abstract: A load drive controller for controlling a heat generating member by a switching element includes a temperature detection portion for detecting a physical quantity of a level corresponding to a temperature of the switching element, a protection function portion for outputting an abnormality signal corresponding to an overheated state of the switching element when the physical quantity detected by the temperature detection portion is larger than a value, a control portion for causing the heat generating member to generate heat by driving the switching element via a driving portion. Furthermore, the control portion causes a temperature adjustment portion to increase the temperature of the heat generating member when the abnormality signal is input from the protection function portion.

Abstract: Fault protection is provided with fuse saving in a power distribution system. An operating characteristic of a fault protection device protecting a portion of the power distribution system is configured in view of fuse melting characteristics. In this manner, fault protection is provided with fuse saving, when possible, with reduced service disruptions.

Abstract: Power distribution busses and methods are disclosed that provide flexible protection and alarming capabilities. Various embodiments provide interchangeability of fuses and circuit breakers within the same power distribution bus configuration. These various embodiments also provide discrete alarming for fused lines, discrete alarming for lines with circuit breakers, combined alarming for lines having mixed forms of protection, and/or selectable alarming such as combined versus discrete in relation to employing all fused lines, employing all circuit breaker protected lines, or employing mixed line protection.

Abstract: A design structure embodied in a machine readable medium used in a design process includes a circuit that employs an anti-tamper sensor. The circuit employs an anti-tamper sensor that includes a circuit element that is responsive to a first input and to a second input. A selective coupling element couples the circuit element to the first input and is responsive to the anti-tamper sensor. The selective coupling element has a first state that allows the circuit element to operate normally when the anti-tamper sensor does not detect a tamper condition and is configured to enter a second state that causes the circuit element to become inoperable when the anti-tamper sensor detects a tamper condition. A decoy coupling element is disposed between the second input and the circuit element and has an appearance corresponding to the selective coupling element.

Abstract: A battery pack is provided. The battery pack comprises a bare cell, a protective circuit board electrically connected to the bare cell to control the charge/discharge of the bare cell, a secondary protective device connected between the bare cell and the protective circuit board and installed on one surface of the bare cell, and an insulating member disposed on the one surface of the bare cell and having a width greater than that of the secondary protective device. Due to this construction, the insulation performance of the secondary protective device is improved and the assembly of the insulating member is facilitated.

Abstract: A dual protection device for a circuit includes a first protection unit and a second protection unit functioning independently. The first protection unit includes an elastic contact piece having a first contact point and a conductive member having a second contact point to contact with the first contact point. When overloaded, the elastic contact piece is deformed and bent toward an opposite direction to separate the first contact point from the second contact point, thereby protecting the circuit. The second protection unit has a fuse member and a second terminal. The fuse member is connected between the conductive member and the second terminal. If the first protection unit does not function as expected and the temperature climbs to a predetermined value, the fuse member melts. The conductive member is disconnected from the second terminal, thereby protecting the circuit.

Abstract: A method is provided for reducing the power rating of a current limiting resistor (R) in a branch circuit having at least one protected element and the current limiting resistor connected between first and second nodes. The method includes the steps of: determining a maximum fault current in the branch circuit; determining a total current limiting resistance to limit the current in the branch circuit having the short-circuited elements to the maximum fault current; inserting a fuse having an intrinsic resistance in the branch circuit; and dividing the determined total current limiting resistance between the resistor (R) and the intrinsic resistance of the fuse.

Abstract: A double-sided printed circuit board may include: electrical conductor tracks fitted thereon and serving for electrically connecting components mounted on the printed circuit board, which has at least one conductor track fuse in the form of a conductor track with a fusible link part, wherein, upon the occurrence of an abnormal operating state, in particular an electrical short circuit, the electric circuit is interrupted by melting and evaporation of the fusible link part and plasma arises upon the evaporation of the fusible link part, wherein the fusible link part lies on the other side of the printed circuit board with respect to the supply line.

Abstract: An electric component includes a first base body that connects to a first contact, and an ally conducting element positioned along a current path between the first contact and a second contact. The electrically conducting element melts when an operating voltage of the electric component is exceeded. The electric component also includes an electrically insulating material that substantially surrounds the electrically conducting element and that is arranged so as to prevent an electric flashover between regions of the current path that are bridged by the electrically conducting element.

Abstract: A dual protection device for a circuit includes a first protection unit and a second protection unit functioning independently. The first protection unit includes an elastic contact piece which has a first contact point. A first conductive member has a second contact point to contact with the first contact point. The elastic contact piece is deformed and bent toward an opposite direction to separate the first contact point from the second contact point when overloaded. A second protection unit has a second conductive member which is connected between the second terminal and the first conductive member. A fuse member and a biasing member are disposed at two opposite sides of the second conductive member. When the fuse member melts due to high temperature, the second conductive member is pushed by the biasing member to be separated from the second terminal.

Abstract: A power supply controller having final test and trim circuitry. In one embodiment, a power supply controller for switched mode power supply includes a selector circuit, a trim circuit, a shutdown circuit and a disable circuit. The trim circuit includes a programmable circuit connection that can be selected by the selector circuit by toggling a voltage on an external terminal such as for example a power supply terminal, a control terminal or a function terminal of the power supply controller. The programmable circuit connection in the trim circuit can be programmed by applying a programming voltage to the external terminal. The shutdown circuit shuts down the power supply controller if the temperature rises above an over temperature threshold voltage. The shutdown circuit includes adjustment circuitry that can be used to test the shutdown circuit. The adjustment circuitry can adjust and reduce the over temperature threshold of the power supply controller.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses implement a thermal memory effect for a solid state power controller. A solid state power controller trip apparatus with thermal memory according to one embodiment comprises: a trip module including a first capacitor (156) and a counter (174), wherein the first capacitor (156) charges multiple times, when an over current event occurs, and the counter (174) accumulates a count related to the charging of the first capacitor (156) for the multiple times, to detect a trip condition; and a discharging module connected to the trip module, the discharging module including a resistor (166) and a second capacitor (158), wherein an electrical parameter associated with the count decays with time using the resistor (166) and the second capacitor (158).

Abstract: A surge protection circuit includes a first surge absorber and a first conducting wire. The first surge absorber has an end electrically connected to a first power signal line. The first conducting wire is covered with insulating material and electrically connected to the other end of the first surge absorber and a second power signal line. The first surge absorber absorbs energy of a surge signal in a short-circuit state when the surge signal flows through the first power signal line or the second power signal line. Afterwards, the first conducting wire which is connected to the first surge absorber in series is damaged by the energy of the surge signal to enter an interrupted state, thereby protecting a signal processing device which is electrically connected to the first power signal line and the second power signal line.

Abstract: A circuit element for protecting a load circuit includes a signal input for applying a signal, a signal output, a signal path connecting the signal input to the signal output, and an interruption means for irreversibly interrupting the signal path upon the reception of a control signal at the same.

Abstract: A device for protecting an electrical system against surge voltages, comprising one or more protection components (10), means (20) for disconnecting the protection component (10) and means (30) for visually indicating the state of the component (10), operationally connected to the disconnection means (20) and comprising at least one control part (40) and at least one means (50) for indicating the state of the protection component (10), combined with the control part (40), whereby the relative arrangement of the control part (40) and the disconnection means (20) is such that, when the disconnection means are opened (20), the disconnection means release the control part (40), thereby allowing the control part to move.

Abstract: A temperature fuse protection device uses a hot melt metal to rivet for connecting two terminals in the circuit that are separated for making the two terminals electrically-connected and the circuit complete. There is a spacing in between the two free ends of the two terminals when no external force is being imposed. When an electric overloading or high circuit temperature event occurs, the hot melt metal would be heated to melt and break, which would then make the free ends of the two terminals to be disconnected, and therefore, the circuit will be at “OFF” status.

Abstract: A volatile material dispensing device is provided, including a volatile material, a replaceable canister including a U-shaped outlet tube and a reservoir to hold the volatile material, and a generally cylindrical external housing sized and configured to receive the replaceable canister. The U-shaped outlet tube includes a tube inner leg, a tube crosspiece, and a tube outer leg, with the tube inner leg fluidly connected to the cavity and with the tube outer leg open to the atmosphere. The external housing includes a powered actuating unit configured to apply pressure to the flexible outer wall of the reservoir. Thereby a portion of the volatile material is forced up the inner tube, over the tube crosspiece, and down the outer tube to be received by a porous pad, providing a time-release dispersing mechanism delivering a controlled, consistent flow and producing a constant intensity of vapor release over time.

Abstract: An isolating device for a power semiconductor comprising n power terminals for a power grid comprises n module terminals, n grid terminals, n connecting lines which connect the module terminals and grid terminals and have overcurrent fuses, and a tripping controller. The tripping controller includes a detector for detecting the rupture of an overcurrent fuse and a tripping unit for tripping an overcurrent fuse. A power module contains a power semiconductor and an isolating device. A system installation contains at least two power modules connected in parallel. In a method for operating an isolating device, at least one of the overcurrent fuses is tripped upon a predetermined tripping criterion being met.

Abstract: Power distribution busses and methods are disclosed that provide flexible protection and alarming capabilities. Various embodiments provide interchangeability of fuses and circuit breakers within the same power distribution bus configuration. These various embodiments also provide discrete alarming for fused lines, discrete alarming for lines with circuit breakers, combined alarming for lines having mixed forms of protection, and/or selectable alarming such as combined versus discrete in relation to employing all fused lines, employing all circuit breaker protected lines, or employing mixed line protection.

Abstract: A backup fuse device includes a switching unit electrically conducted to perform electrical signal transfer when it is determined that electrical signal transfer through a main fuse is failed, and a backup fuse opening to block the electrical signal transfer when the voltage of the electrical signal supplied through the electrical conduction of the switching unit exceeds a predetermined level. An electronic apparatus including the backup fuse device may also include the main fuse, a power supply unit, and a circuit. A method of operating the backup fuse device is further provided.

Abstract: A circuit that employs an anti-tamper sensor includes a circuit element that is responsive to a first input and to a second input. A selective coupling element couples the circuit element to the first input and is responsive to the anti-tamper sensor. The selective coupling element has a first state that allows the circuit element to operate normally when the anti-tamper sensor does not detect a tamper condition and is configured to enter a second state that causes the circuit element to become inoperable when the anti-tamper sensor detects a tamper condition. A decoy coupling element is disposed between the second input and the circuit element and has an appearance corresponding to the selective coupling element. The decoy coupling element will cause the circuit element not to operate normally if the decoy coupling element has a selected physical property of the selective coupling element in the first state.

Abstract: A fuse is provided in a circuit, such that the fuse and an electric device in the circuit are thermally coupled to one another. The generation of the amount of heat by the electric device causes a fusible material in the fuse to melt. In this manner, the current terminal path of the electric device is interrupted.

Abstract: Two devices for preventing internal combustion of equipment from spreading outwards includes a sampling circuit, a detecting and monitoring circuit, and a low-voltage datum power supply. The sampling circuit includes two thermal detectors. The detecting and monitoring circuit includes a first monitoring output end and a second monitoring output end. When two thermal detectors are both normal, the first monitoring output is inactive and the second monitoring output is inactive. When one of the thermal detectors is abnormal, the first monitoring output is inactive and the second monitoring output is active. When the two thermal detectors are both abnormal, the first monitoring output is active and the second monitoring output is active. The first monitoring output is configured to turn off the power supply of a fan and the second monitoring output is configured to drive an alarm unit.

Abstract: A motherboard includes a printed circuit board (10), and at least a power/ground trace (20) formed on the printed circuit board. The trace includes a pair of main lines (14, 24) and at least a protection line (12, 22) connected between the main lines. A width of the main lines is constant and wider than of the protection line. Wherein when a current flowing through the power/ground trace exceeds a maximum current the protection line can endure, the protection line is burnt and disconnected from the main lines, thereby generating less smoke and protecting components connected with the trace of the motherboard from damage due to excess current.

Abstract: An analog semiconductor integrated circuit has an analog circuit, a PMOS and a bias adjustment circuit. The gate of the PMOS is the output section of an open drain system, and is connected to an internal node on the output side of the analog circuit. The bias adjustment circuit is connected to the internal node, and allows adjustment of the bias current in accordance with the fuse disconnection number. The relationship between the voltage when a fixed current flows to an input terminal and the fuse disconnection number that allows the optimum bias current to flow to the output section of the analog LSI is checked by using a plurality of sample analog LSIs having different threshold voltages. The voltage is measured by causing a fixed current to flow to the input terminal of a non-sample analog LSI, and the fuse disconnection number corresponding with this voltage is obtained. Thus, the fuses in the bias adjustment circuit are disconnected.

Abstract: A protection apparatus is provided that can use a thermal fuse at higher voltage and higher current. The protection apparatus includes a protection circuit connected in series between a power supply and a load. The protection circuit includes a thermal fuse with a predetermined operating temperature, activated in response to sensing overheating of the power supply and/or load, and an electrosensitive fuse connected in parallel with the thermal fuse, and activated at a predetermined operating current. The electrosensitive fuse is adapted to be activated only after the thermal fuse has been activated at the predetermined operating temperature.

Abstract: Disclosed is an inrush current protection circuit for preventing inrush energy from entering a circuit to be protected through a power input terminal of the circuit to be protected. The inrush current protection circuit includes a varistor connected to the power input terminal of the circuit to be protected for absorbing inrush energy, and a thermal fuse having one end connected with the varistor and the power input terminal of the circuit to be protected and having the other end connected to a power line, in which when the thermal fuse is blown out, the circuit to be protected is disconnected from the power line.

Abstract: A centralized connector module, a refrigeration unit and a method of assembling a refrigeration unit. In one embodiment, the centralized connector module includes (1) a dielectric body having interconnected terminal sets corresponding to components connectable thereacross and (2) continuity indicator circuits associated with at least some of the terminal sets and configured to indicate continuity faults with respect to connected ones of the components.

Abstract: An electric device generates a predetermined amount of heat in the event of a malfunction. The electric device is protected from overheating in that it is arranged, with a fuse in a circuit, such that the fuse and the electric device are thermally coupled to one another, so that the generation of the amount of heat by the electric device causes a material in the fuse to melt. In this manner, the current terminal path of the electric device is interrupted.

Abstract: Described herein are various embodiments of a fuse module for fused electrical devices. According to one exemplary embodiment, a fuse module is mounted to the housing of a fused electrical device. The fused electrical device can include at least one power output displaced along the power distribution housing with the at least one power output electrically couplable to at least one power input. The fuse module can be electrically coupled to the at least one power input and electrically couplable to the at least one power outputs. Further, the fuse module can comprise at least one fuse holder that is movable between a first position in which a fuse held by the fuse holder is electrically couplable to the at least one power output and a second position in which a fuse held by the fuse holder not electrically couplable to the at least one power output and is exposed to allow access to the fuse.

Abstract: A thermal trip device in which a bimetal (2) is heated by overcurrent and performs trip operation of a circuit by curvature of the heated bimetal (2), wherein at least one part of the surface of the bimetal (2) is made to be black or matte black (7). Thereby, temperature of the bimetal (2) can be highly accurately measured using a no-contact thermometer. Furthermore, a temperature measurement part (8) of the bimetal is provided with a bending part (11), and the surface of the bending part is made to be matte black.

Abstract: A transient blocking unit (TBU) having reduced series impedance is provided. A TBU includes two or more depletion mode transistors arranged to provide a low series impedance in normal operation and a high series impedance when the input current exceeds a predetermined threshold. A nonlinear impedance element is included in the TBU that acts as a current limiter having a substantially constant saturation current over a range of applied voltages. This saturation current is selected to be the threshold current of the TBU. When the threshold is exceeded, the voltage developed across the nonlinear impedance element tends to drive the TBU into its high impedance state. When the operating current is below threshold, the TBU series resistance is relatively low because the nonlinear impedance element is in its low-resistance state. The nonlinear impedance element can be a separate circuit element, or it can be integrated with one or more of the TBU transistors.

Abstract: This invention allows completely cutting power supply to a circuit that has become dysfunctional because of blowout of a fuse. To accomplish this, a circuit includes a fuse connected to one supply line of an AC power supply, a switching unit connected to the other supply line of the AC power supply, a detection unit configured to detect blowout of the fuse, and a control unit configured to turn off the switching unit when the detection unit detects blowout of the fuse.

Abstract: A chip which utilizes a silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) for ESD protection prevents a latchup condition from occurring when the SCR misfires and turns on during normal operation by utilizing a fuse in series with the SCR. The fuse allows the SCR to perform normally during an ESD event, but blows if the SCR misfires and attempts to pull a pin voltage down to the holding voltage.

Abstract: A circuit protection device includes a fuse element placed in parallel with a PTC thermistor layer. The element and PTC thermistor layer are provided on one or more insulating substrate, such as an FR-4 or polyimide substrate. First and second conductors connect the fuse element and PTC thermistor layer electrically in parallel, such that current (i) initially under normal flows mainly through the fuse element and PTC thermistor layer at a lower drop in voltage and (ii) after an opening of the fuse element flows under normal operation through the PTC thermistor layer at a higher drop in voltage.

Abstract: Power distribution busses and methods are disclosed that provide flexible protection and alarming capabilities. Various embodiments provide interchangeability of fuses and circuit breakers within the same power distribution bus configuration. These various embodiments also provide discrete alarming for fused lines, discrete alarming for lines with circuit breakers, combined alarming for lines having mixed forms of protection, and/or selectable alarming such as combined versus discrete in relation to employing all fused lines, employing all circuit breaker protected lines, or employing mixed line protection.

Abstract: A circuit protection device including a conductor arm releasably connected between a voltage sensitive device and a circuit to be protected. The connector arm is biased to move in a direction generally parallel with a plane defined by a lateral dissection between the releasably connected conductor arm and the voltage sensitive device.

Abstract: A protection circuit including an energy-storage device, a fusible element, and an overvoltage modulation unit is provided. The energy-storage device stores a first energy and supplies the first energy. The fusible element connected in series with the energy-storage device for constituting a branch circuit. The overvoltage modulation unit is connected in parallel with the branch circuit, wherein when the branch circuit begins to have an overvoltage, an absolute value of a modulating current flowing through the overvoltage modulation unit is increased instantaneously, so that a second energy instantaneously released from the energy-storage device is applied to cut off the fusible element.

Abstract: A power line communications system includes slave apparatuses individually connected to multiple electric power line wirings; a master apparatus connected to one of the multiple electric power line wirings; and couplers each connected between the master apparatus and the others of the multiple electric power line wirings. The master apparatus includes a communicator for performing power line communications with the slave apparatuses via the electric power lines; a power supply terminal device connected to the one electric power line wiring; a communication connector provided between the communicator and the power supply terminal device; and a coupler connecting terminal device connected to each of the couplers via a signal line.

Abstract: A motor controller includes: an estimated temperature calculating section that calculates and stores an estimated temperature of a motor, and a control section that can perform a drive control of the motor only when this estimated temperature is not larger than a predetermined value. When the motor is stopped, a second temperature gradient while the temperature of the motor decreases from a stop-time temperature to a predetermined first set temperature is stored in correspondence to the stop-time temperature. The first temperature gradient corresponding to the estimated temperature at a time when the motor is stopped is calculated by using the first temperature gradient storing means, if the estimated temperature stored in the estimated temperature storing means when the motor is stopped is larger than the first set temperature.

Abstract: A protection circuit (P) for protecting a load (L) against overcurrents, and including input terminals (IN1,IN2) coupled to first and second power supply terminals of a power supply, output terminals (OUT1, OUT2) coupled to respective terminals of said load (L) , a first active device (T2) having a control electrode and a conductive controlled path coupled between the first input terminal (IN1) and the first output terminal (OUT1), a charging circuit (I,C1,R4) for turning on the active device upon coupling the power supply to the input terminals (IN1,IN2), a current limiting circuit (R2,T1) for limiting the current through the conductive path of said active device (T2) at a current limit value (Ilimit), and a fuse (F1) coupled in series via the first input terminal with the conductive controlled path of the active device (T2).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an protection device of a surge protector, which comprises: a first fuse; a resistor; a switching circuit; a second fuse; and a surge protector; thereby the switching circuit can be turned ON and make the resistor be heated when the sensing end senses a low potential, and then makes the first fuse be opened due to sense heat, so as to cut off the power source.

Abstract: Fault protection is provided with fuse saving in a power distribution system. An operating characteristic of a fault protection device protecting a portion of the power distribution system is configured in view of fuse melting characteristics. In this manner, fault protection is provided with fuse saving, when possible, with reduced service disruptions.