Transient Responsive Patents (Class 361/111)
  • Patent number: 12261185
    Abstract: An image sensing device comprising a plurality of unit photosensing pixels to convert light into electrical signals, each unit photosensing pixel including a photosensor and a plurality of transistors to perform operations associated with the photosensor and a plurality of protection devices, each of which is coupled to any one of the plurality of transistors, wherein each of the plurality of protection devices includes a first region doped with a first type of conductive impurities, a second region doped with a second type of conductive impurities and surrounding the first region, and a third region doped with the first type of conductive impurities and surrounding the second region, wherein the first region includes a contact portion and a first well located below the contact portion, and wherein the contact portion has a higher doping density than the first well, and is coupled to any one of the plurality of transistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2025
    Assignee: SK HYNIX INC.
    Inventor: Soon Yeol Park
  • Patent number: 12256572
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a transistor, a method for configuring the same, an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit, and an electronic device for ESD protection. The transistor comprises a P-type well, a body terminal region, a source region, and a metal silicide layer. The body terminal region and the source region are disposed within the P-type well. The body terminal region is adjacent to the source region. The metal silicide layer is disposed on surfaces of the body terminal region and the source region, and electrically connected to the body terminal region and the source region separately. A metal and contact structures are provided on the metal silicide layer to adjust the resistance between the emitter of the parasitic bipolar transistor of the transistor and the body terminal region or between the base of the parasitic bipolar transistor and the source region, for ESD protection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2024
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: Halo Microelectronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Lijie Zhao, Suming Lai
  • Patent number: 12245343
    Abstract: A luminaire driver system comprising: a driver (200) having a driver housing (250) with output connections (202) for connection to at least one light source (110); wherein the driver comprises a driver circuitry (210) arranged in said driver housing, said driver circuitry being configured to perform a driving functionality of the at least one light source (110); wherein said driver housing is provided with a receiving means (260) for receiving a pluggable surge protection module (300); the surge protection module (300) comprising surge protection circuitry (310), wherein the surge protection module and/or the receiving means are configured such that the surge protection circuitry is connectable to a power supply and such that the surge protection circuitry is electrically connected to the driver circuitry, when the surge protection module is received in the receiving means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2025
    Assignee: Schreder S.A.
    Inventor: Peter Balázs Bedo
  • Patent number: 12224280
    Abstract: An electrostatic discharge protection circuit includes: a pulse detection unit, a delay unit, a control unit, and a discharge unit. The pulse detection unit is configured to detect an electrostatic pulse signal; the delay unit is configured to delay or enhance driving capability of the pulse detection signal output by the pulse detection unit; the control unit is configured to generate a control signal based on a first delay signal and a second delay signal output by the delay unit; and the discharge unit is configured to open or close an electrostatic charge discharge passage based on the control signal output by the control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2025
    Assignee: CHANGXIN MEMORY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Qian Xu
  • Patent number: 12213248
    Abstract: A printed wiring board includes resin insulating layers, and conductor layers laminated on the resin insulating layers, respectively. The conductor layers includes a conductor layer including a conductor circuit formed such that the conductor circuit has recesses each having a depth of 2.0 ?m or more and a bottom whose diameter is larger than a diameter of an opening part of a respective one of the recesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: IBIDEN CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shigeto Iyoda, Tomoyuki Ikeda
  • Patent number: 12206151
    Abstract: A coaxial isolator includes an integrated circuit board, a first body and a second body. The integrated circuit board includes a first surface, a second surface, a signal processing circuit extending along a central axis, two first capacitors, two second capacitors, and a first iron core. The first capacitors are located on the first surface and are respectively disposed on both sides of the signal processing circuit. The second capacitors are located on the second surface and are respectively arranged corresponding to the positions of the first capacitors. The first iron core surrounds the signal processing circuit. A first tube portion of the first body surrounds the integrated circuit board, and a first end portion of the first body is used for connecting with an external device. A second end portion of the second body is used for connecting with another external device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2025
    Assignee: EZCONN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Ming-Ching Chen
  • Patent number: 12199088
    Abstract: A package structure is provided. The package structure includes a leadframe, a GaN power device, and an electrostatic discharge protection component. The leadframe includes a gate pad, a source pad, and a drain pad, which are disposed on the leadframe. The GaN power device has a gate end. The GaN power device is disposed on the source pad of the leadframe. The electrostatic discharge protection component includes a first pad. The first pad is disposed on the electrostatic discharge protection component. The electrostatic discharge protection component is disposed on the source pad of the leadframe. The gate end of the GaN power device is electrically connected to the first pad of the electrostatic discharge protection component. The first pad of the electrostatic discharge protection component is electrically connected to the gate pad of the leadframe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: ANCORA SEMICONDUCTORS INC.
    Inventors: Jen-Chih Li, Liang-Cheng Wang, Wei-Hsiang Chao
  • Patent number: 12191655
    Abstract: In some aspects of the present disclosure, an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit is disclosed. In some aspects, the ESD protection circuit includes a first transistor coupled to a pad, a second transistor coupled between the first transistor and ground, a stack of transistors coupled to the first transistor, and an ESD clamp coupled between the stack of transistors and the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Li-Wei Chu, Tao Yi Hung, Chia-Hui Chen, Wun-Jie Lin, Jam-Wem Lee
  • Patent number: 12185516
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for protection against the effects of an electromagnetic pulse (EMP). A system for protecting against an EMP may include an electronic device, a conductive element, and a connector apparatus coupleable between the electronic device and the conductive element. The conductive element may include a housing having a first end and a second end, the first end coupleable to the electronic device and the second end coupleable to the conductive element, a signal wire extending at least partially through the housing which conveys at least one signal between the first end and the second end, a grounding wire coupleable to the signal wire, and at least one suppression element coupleable to at least one of the signal wire and the grounding wire. A casing may receive at least a portion of the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Inventor: Jacob C. Weber
  • Patent number: 12170440
    Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit includes an input terminal, a semiconductor circuit, and a surge protection circuit connected between the input terminal and the semiconductor circuit. The surge protection circuit includes a first clamping circuit, a second clamping circuit, and a first inductor. The first clamping circuit includes first and second diodes connected in series. The second clamping circuit includes third and fourth diodes connected in series. The first inductor is connected between a first node and a second node. The first node is between the first diode and the second diode and connected to the input terminal. The second node is between the third diode and the fourth diode and connected to the semiconductor circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventor: Tomohiko Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 12154633
    Abstract: An input/output circuit for a memory and a method of controlling the same are disclosed. The input/output circuit and the method of controlling the same are configured to prevent a memory element from being falsely or incorrectly programmed due to an ESD pulse. More particularly, the input/output circuit and the method of controlling the same include an ESD detection unit configured to detect a programming voltage or an ESD pulse on a pad terminal, a control logic unit configured to transmit a first voltage or a second voltage according to the programming voltage and the ESD pulse, and a switch unit configured to perform a turn-on or turn-off operation according to the first voltage or the second voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Assignee: DB HiTek, Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang Mok Lee, Joon Tae Jang, Seung Hoo Kim, Ji Eon Kim
  • Patent number: 12155262
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for reducing the inrush current of an electrical device operated by means of a battery and/or an accumulator, which device is designed as a medical device which can be implanted in a patient and has an electronic circuit which is supplied with electrical energy via at least two supply potential lines, wherein the electronic circuit has a plurality of backup capacitors, each of which is connected or connectable by means of a first terminal to one of the at least two supply potential lines and by means of a second terminal to another of the at least two supply potential lines, wherein the electrical device has an energy management system by means of which one or more parts of the electronic circuit are switched off in an energy-saving mode and are switched on again when the energy-saving mode is exited, wherein the backup capacitors, individually or in a plurality of groups via one switching element per capacitor or group of capacitors, are disconnected from at least one of the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Assignee: Precisis GmbH
    Inventor: Koen Weijand
  • Patent number: 12155203
    Abstract: A system for front end protection of an RF receiver against interfering pulsed high power RF signals includes a dual-diode device comprising a first Transient Voltage Suppressor (TVS) diode; and a second TVS diode; wherein the first TVS diode and the second TVS diode are located between an RF input/output and an RF receiver front end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventor: Rishi Rambaran
  • Patent number: 12149067
    Abstract: A set of packet-energy-transfer operating parameters is automatically configured to optimize safety, efficiency and/or resiliency in a digital-electricity power system. A set of limits is configured for packet-energy-transfer operation that does not immediately preclude safe operation of the transmission lines, wherein each limit in the set defines constraints for at least one of measurements and calculations based on impedance in series or in parallel with the transmission lines, operational efficiency of the digital-electricity power system, and/or voltage or current signal integrity. The operation of the transmission lines is measured, and the measurements are compared with the limits. Upon at least one of the limits being exceeded, a revised set of limits is automatically configured (or a new configuration is generated) based on which limit was exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignee: VoltServer, Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathan J. Casey
  • Patent number: 12132308
    Abstract: An electrostatic protection circuit includes: a monitoring circuit configured to generate a trigger signal in response to an electrostatic pulse being present on the power supply pad; a discharge transistor connected between the power supply pad and the ground pad and configured to be turned on under control of the trigger signal and discharge electrostatic discharging charges to the ground pad; and a delay circuit having an input terminal connected to an output terminal of the monitoring circuit, and an output terminal connected to a control terminal of the discharge transistor, where the delay circuit is configured to perform delay processing on the electrostatic protection circuit in a first state and turn off the discharge transistor in a second state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: CHANGXIN MEMORY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Zhan Xue, Qian Xu
  • Patent number: 12126333
    Abstract: In an aspect, the disclosure is directed to an electrical circuit which includes not limited to: a first bonding pad having a bias voltage, a voltage pull-up circuit configured to set the bias voltage of the first bonding pad to a high voltage, a voltage pull-down circuit configured to switch bias voltage of the first bonding pad from the high voltage to a low voltage in response to the voltage pull-down circuit receiving a first control signal which activates the voltage-pull down circuit, a rise time delay control circuit configured to control a rise time of the bias voltage of the first bonding pad, wherein the bias voltage of the first bonding pad starts to rise in response to the first control signal deactivating the voltage pull-down circuit, and a driving circuit configured to drive a second control signal to activate the driving circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: Winbond Electronics Corp.
    Inventor: John H. Bui
  • Patent number: 12120792
    Abstract: The invention relates to a surge detector comprising a transformer comprising a primary winding arranged to receive a fraction of a surge current and a secondary winding magnetically coupled to the primary winding and arranged to output a signal representing the fraction of the surge current. The surge detector further comprises a shunt connection in parallel with the primary winding, wherein the impedance of the shunt connection is lower than the impedance of the primary winding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: SIGNIFY HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Johannes Adrianus Cornelis Misdom, Jop Van Laanen
  • Patent number: 12119640
    Abstract: An electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit is provided to minimize ESD damage to an internal circuit in a CDM model. The ESD protection circuit includes two stages of discharging circuits that are coupled to an IO pin and the internal circuit, a first power clamp circuit, and a second power clamp circuit. The first power clamp circuit is electrically connected to a power rail and a ground rail to discharge a part of a current to the ground, and the second power clamp circuit is electrically connected to a second-stage discharging circuit and the ground rail, so that the other part of the current is discharged to the ground through the second power clamp circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wei Gao, Hongquan Sun, Wangsheng Xie
  • Patent number: 12113083
    Abstract: An image sensing device comprising a plurality of unit photosensing pixels to convert light into electrical signals, each unit photosensing pixel including a photosensor and a plurality of transistors to perform operations associated with the photosensor and a plurality of protection devices, each of which is coupled to any one of the plurality of transistors, wherein each of the plurality of protection devices includes a first region doped with a first type of conductive impurities, a second region doped with a second type of conductive impurities and surrounding the first region, and a third region doped with the first type of conductive impurities and surrounding the second region, wherein the first region includes a contact portion and a first well located below the contact portion, and wherein the contact portion has a higher doping density than the first well, and is coupled to any one of the plurality of transistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: SK HYNIX INC.
    Inventor: Soon Yeol Park
  • Patent number: 12113632
    Abstract: This application relates to a power consumption grading method for a network-based power supply system. The method includes: when it is detected that power overload protection is not triggered, starting a plurality of power modules of a powered device one by one in a specific order until all the plurality of power modules are started or it is detected that the power overload protection is triggered after a specific power module is started; when it is detected that the power overload protection is triggered, selecting, according to the specific order and based on the specific power module, one or more of the plurality of power modules as a power module combination of the powered device; and determining a load power of the powered device and a corresponding power consumption level based on the power module combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Weiping Song, Shiyong Fu, Yajie Cai, Xuefeng Tang, Houcun Zhu
  • Patent number: 12107415
    Abstract: An electrostatic discharge protection circuit is provided. The electrostatic discharge protection circuit includes first, second, and third transistors and a discharge circuit. The first transistor has a first gate, a first drain coupled to the bonding pad, and a first source coupled to a first node. The second transistor has a second gate coupled to a power terminal, a second drain coupled to the first gate, and a second source coupled to a ground. The third transistor has a third gate coupled to the power terminal, a third drain coupled to the first node, and a third source coupled to the ground. The discharge circuit is controlled by a driving voltage at the first node. In response to an electrostatic discharge event occurring on the bonding pad, the discharge circuit provides a discharge path between the bonding pad and the ground according to the driving voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: Vanguard International Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Chih-Hsuan Lin, Shao-Chang Huang, Wen-Hsin Lin, Yeh-Ning Jou, Hwa-Chyi Chiou, Chun-Chih Chen
  • Patent number: 12100960
    Abstract: An electrical assembly comprises a plurality of modules (36), each module (36) including at least one switching element (38) and at least one energy storage device (40), the or each switching element (38) and the or each energy storage device (40) in each module (36) arranged to be combinable to selectively provide a voltage source, wherein each module (36) includes a respective sensor (46) that is configured to monitor at least one other of the plurality of modules (36), each sensor (46) configured to selectively detect an occurrence of an operational hazard in the or each corresponding monitored module (36).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: GE Infrastructure Technology LLC
    Inventors: Colin Charnock Davidson, Andrew Nolan, Alistair John Burnett
  • Patent number: 12081018
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection network for a chip. The chip includes a first power supply pad, a second power supply pad, and a ground pad. The ESD protection network includes: a first ESD protection circuit, located between the first power supply pad and the ground pad, and configured to discharge an electrostatic charge when there is an ESD pulse caused by the electrostatic charge on the first power supply pad; a second ESD protection circuit, located between the second power supply pad and the ground pad, and configured to discharge an electrostatic charge when there is an ESD pulse caused by the electrostatic charge on the second power supply pad; and a third ESD protection circuit, configured to provide a discharge path for an electrostatic charge between the first power supply pad and the second power supply pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: CHANGXIN MEMORY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Ling Zhu, Kai Tian
  • Patent number: 12081144
    Abstract: An apparatus may include a regulated power converter, a control engine configured to control the regulated power converter based upon a regulation control parameter, a period detection system and a parameter control system. The period detection system may be configured to monitor a signal to detect transient events at an output of the regulated power converter, wherein the transient events include a first transient event and a second transient event after the first transient event. The period detection system may be configured to determine, in response to the second transient event, a transient event period between the first transient event and the second transient event. The period detection system may be configured to determine transient event period information based upon the transient event period. The parameter control system may be configured to set the regulation control parameter to a value determined based upon the transient event period information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRIA AG
    Inventors: Richard Pierson, Venkat Sreenivas, Bikiran Goswami, David Lewis
  • Patent number: 12068126
    Abstract: In some embodiments, an electrical device can include a body having a shape that extends along a longitudinal direction, and a set of electrodes implemented on the body at different locations along the longitudinal direction and configured to allow the electrical device to be positioned and mounted to a surface. The set of electrodes can include first and second electrodes configured to provide first and second engagements with the surface, respectively, and to allow a settling motion when the electrical device is positioned on the surface. The set of electrodes can further include a selected electrode having a side configured to allow the settling motion and an engagement portion configured to stop the settling motion and thereby provide a third engagement with the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: Bourns, Inc.
    Inventor: Kelly C. Casey
  • Patent number: 12068408
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a HEMT is formed to have a main transistor having a main active area and a sense transistor having a sense active area. An embodiment may include that the main active area is isolated from the sense active area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Herbert De Vleeschouwer, Jaume Roig-Guitart, Peter Moens, Mohammad Shawkat Zaman, Olivier Trescases
  • Patent number: 12057667
    Abstract: An electrical plug provides protection against electrical surges with a replaceable surge protector cartridge that is readily removable and replaceable along an exterior of the plug. Surge protector circuitry in the cartridge can absorb an electrical surge received at the plug from an electrical mains source, and the electrical plug can maintain electrical continuity from plug prongs to an electrical cord both before and after the surge protector has absorbed an electrical surge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Inventor: Norman R. Byrne
  • Patent number: 12055589
    Abstract: A low-side contactor coil drive circuit can include an input line and a first solid state switch having a first switch base, a first switch collector, and a first switch emitter. The first switch collector can be connected to the input line and the first switch emitter is connected to ground. The circuit can include a second solid state switch having a second switch base, a second switch collector, and a second switch emitter. The second switch emitter can be connected to the input line in parallel with the first switch collector. The second switch collector can be connected to the first switch base. The circuit can include a third solid state switch having a third switch gate, a third switch source, and a third switch drain. The third switch drain can be connected to the second switch base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas P. Joyce
  • Patent number: 12057446
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method of forming the same are provided. The semiconductor device includes a first substrate, a capacitor within the first substrate, a diode structure within the first substrate adjacent the capacitor, and a first interconnect structure over the capacitor and the diode structure. A first conductive via of the first interconnect structure electrically couples the capacitor to the diode structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Min-Feng Kao, Dun-Nian Yaung, Jen-Cheng Liu, Hsing-Chih Lin
  • Patent number: 12040322
    Abstract: An electrostatic discharge protection system with a node adapted to receive a signal and threshold detecting circuitry coupled to the node. The system includes an IGBT having an IGBT gate coupled to an output of the threshold detecting circuitry, a resistor coupled between an IGBT emitter of the IGBT and a low reference potential node, and a BJT having a BJT base coupled to the IGBT emitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: James Paul DiSarro, Aravind Chennimalai Appaswamy, Zaichen Chen
  • Patent number: 12040793
    Abstract: An input/output driving circuit may include a pad, an open-drain driving circuit, a high-voltage protection unit and a control unit. The pad is for transmitting and receiving signals. The open-drain driving circuit may output a transmission signal to the pad. The high-voltage protection unit may input a received signal from the pad. The control unit may control the open-drain driving circuit and the high-voltage protection unit. The control unit may include a gate control logic, a transmission control logic and an inverter. The gate control logic may receive a voltage of the pad and output a feedback voltage to the open-drain driving circuit. The transmission control logic may receive a clock signal and an enable signal, and transfer a first control signal to the open-drain driving circuit. The inverter may invert the enable signal and transfer an inverted enable signal to the gate control logic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignee: SK HYNIX INC.
    Inventor: Seung Ho Lee
  • Patent number: 12027847
    Abstract: An electrostatic discharge protection circuit includes an electrostatic discharge clamp between a first rail and a second rail, a trigger device configured to activate the electrostatic discharge clamp in response to an electrostatic discharge event, and a charge dissipation element between the first rail and the second rail to dissipate a residual charge at an input of the trigger device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventors: Ming-Fang Lai, Yi-Hsun Wu, Ching-Yun Chang
  • Patent number: 12021076
    Abstract: Field effect transistors in an electronic switching device are provided with electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection elements electrically coupled to a first current terminal of each transistor (e.g., a source of each transistor or a drain of each transistor), allowing the electronic switching device to withstand ESD-induced currents without damage to the switching device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Gijs Jan de Raad, Denizhan Karaca
  • Patent number: 12021375
    Abstract: A protection device configured for being electrically connected to a test tap of a HV bushing for protecting the bushing from transient overvoltages. The protection device includes at least two parallel connected protection branches connected between the test tap and a ground connector configured for connecting to ground. Each of the protection branches includes a plurality of parallel connected gas discharge tubes, a Transient-Voltage-Suppression (TVS) diode connected in series with the gas discharge tubes, and a resistor connected in series with the gas discharge tubes and across the TVS diode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: HITACHI ENERGY LTD
    Inventor: Kenneth Johansson
  • Patent number: 12009657
    Abstract: An ESD clamp circuit has an ESD detection circuit connected between a first terminal and a second terminal, with a first output node and a second output node. The ESD detection circuit is configured to output respective first and second control signals at the first and second output nodes in response to an ESD event. A discharge circuit includes a p-type transistor having a source, a drain and a gate, with the gate connected to the first output node. An n-type transistor has a source, a drain and a gate, with the gate connected to the second output node. The drain is connected to the drain of the p-type transistor. The discharge circuit is configured to establish a first ESD discharge path from the first terminal, through the p-type transistor and the n-type transistor, to the second terminal, and to further establish a second ESD discharge path in parallel with the first ESD discharge path. The second ESD discharge path includes a parasitic silicon controlled rectifier (SCR).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Tao Yi Hung, Wun-Jie Lin, Jam-Wen Lee, Kuo-Ji Chen
  • Patent number: 12002803
    Abstract: The present application discloses a semiconductor device, an electronic system and an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection method for a semiconductor device thereof. The semiconductor device includes a substrate, an operation solder structure disposed on a first surface of the substrate for receiving an operation signal, a detection solder structure disposed on the first surface of the substrate for receiving a chip connection signal, and a semiconductor chip disposed on a second surface of the substrate. The semiconductor chip includes an operation electrical contact coupled to the operation solder structure, a detection electrical contact coupled to the detection solder structure, an ESD protection unit coupled to the operation electrical contact, and a logic circuit coupled to the detection electrical contact for adjusting capacitance of the ESD protection unit according to the chip connection signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: NANYA TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Chun-Lu Lee
  • Patent number: 12003093
    Abstract: Disclosed are an electrostatic protection circuit, a display substrate and a display apparatus. The electrostatic protection circuit includes: a plurality of first transistors (11) on a base substrate, each of which includes a gate, an active layer (112), a first electrode (113), a second electrode (114) and a connection part (115). Gates of the first transistors (11) are connected to each other to form a control line (12). The first electrode (113) of each first transistor (11) is electrically connected to a panel crack detect line (PL), the connection part (115) is connected between the first electrode (113) and the second electrode (114), and the active layer (112) and the gate of each first transistor (11) are arranged in an overlapping manner and insulated and separated from each other to form a first capacitor. The control line (12) is electrically connected to a first power supply line (VSS).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignees: Chengdu BOE Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd., BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jianchang Cai, Yue Long, Yudiao Cheng, Hongjun Zhou, Lili Du
  • Patent number: 12003097
    Abstract: A first overvoltage protection and reporting system comprises input and output transceivers and input and output surge protection devices coupled respectively to the input and output transceivers. The input surge protection device includes first and second gas discharge tubes coupled to the input transceiver only at, respectively, a first input and a second input. The output surge protection device includes third and fourth gas discharge tubes coupled to the output transceiver only at, respectively, a first and a second output. A second overvoltage protection and reporting system comprises input and output transceivers, a processor coupled between the input and output transceivers, and an output surge protection system that includes a surge protection device coupled to the output transceiver and a sensor receiver coupled between the output transceiver and the processor. The processor detects a failure of the surge protection device based on a signal received from the sensor receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: ROBE lighting s.r.o.
    Inventor: Wayne Howell
  • Patent number: 11996784
    Abstract: A voltage converter delivers an output voltage between a first and a second node. The voltage converter includes a capacitor series-coupled with a resistor between the first and second nodes. The resistor is coupled in parallel with a bidirectional switch receiving at its control terminal a positive bias voltage referenced to the second node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Tours) SAS
    Inventors: Yannick Hague, Romain Launois
  • Patent number: 11990192
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an integrated circuit includes a first power supply line, a protection circuit, an internal circuit, a second transistor, and a shutoff control circuit. A first power supply voltage is supplied to the first power supply line. The protection circuit is connected to the first power supply line. The internal circuit includes a first transistor whose breakdown voltage is lower than the first power supply voltage. A drain or a source of the first transistor is connected to the first power supply line. The second transistor is on the first power supply line between the protection circuit and the internal circuit and is configured to switch between conduction and non-conduction states to connect and disconnect the protection circuit and the internal circuit from one another along the first power supply line. The shutoff control circuit is configured to turn off the second transistor during an ESD operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage Corporation
    Inventor: Toshiaki Dozaka
  • Patent number: 11978799
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a MOS transistor having a thinned channel region is described. The channel region is etched following removal of a dummy gate. The source and drain regions have relatively low resistance with the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Tahoe Research, Ltd.
    Inventors: Justin K. Brask, Robert S. Chau, Suman Datta, Mark L. Doczy, Brian S. Doyle, Jack T. Kavalieros, Amlan Majumdar, Matthew V. Metz, Marko Radosavljevic
  • Patent number: 11973337
    Abstract: This invention relates to the technical field of harmonic elimination for ferromagnetic resonance for a voltage transformer (abbreviated as PT), in particular, to a harmonic elimination method for ferromagnetic resonance for an active resistance-matching voltage transformer based on PID-adjustment, including compiling a resistance matching algorithm; designing and building a harmonic elimination control system based on the PID control strategy; presetting an active resistance-matching strategy; designing an engineering scheme for placing resistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Qujing Power Supply Bureau of Yunnan Power Grid Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Xiaohong Zhu, Lianjing Yang, Fei Mao, Rong Zhang, Yang Yang, Jiangyun Su, Wenfei Feng, Zhe Li, Pengjin Qiu, Jianbin Li, Zhikun Hong, Weirong Yang, Changjiu Zhou, Yingqiong Zhang, Rui Xu, Guibing Duan
  • Patent number: 11967639
    Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a semiconductor device includes: an n-doped region disposed over an insulating layer; a p-doped region disposed over the insulating layer adjacent to the n-doped region, where an interface between the n-doped region and the p-doped region form a first diode junction; a plurality of segmented p-type anode regions disposed over the insulating layer, each of the plurality of segmented p-type anode regions being surrounded by the n-doped region, where a doping concentration of the plurality of segmented p-type anode regions is greater than a doping concentration of the p-doped region; and a plurality of segmented n-type cathode regions disposed over the insulating layer. Each of the plurality of segmented n-type cathode regions are surrounded by the p-doped region, where a doping concentration of the plurality of segmented n-type cathode regions is greater than a doping concentration of the n-doped region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Gernot Langguth, Anton Boehm, Christian Cornelius Russ, Mirko Scholz
  • Patent number: 11955953
    Abstract: The invention relates to a protection for a semi-conductor switch against over voltages. A capacitive element is provided on an inlet connection of the semi-conductor switch. The load amount, which flows into said capacitive element, is integrated in order to trigger a protection function when a threshold value is exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Sinn, Tim Bruckhaus, Tobias Richter
  • Patent number: 11955472
    Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of a semiconductor structure that includes a semiconductor-controlled rectifier (e.g., for electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection). The SCR can be readily integrated into advanced semiconductor-on-insulator processing technology platforms (e.g., a fully depleted silicon-on-insulator (FDSOI) processing technology platform) that employ hybrid semiconductor substrates (i.e., semiconductor substrates with both bulk semiconductor and semiconductor-on-insulator regions) and is configured with an on-Pwell semiconductor-on-insulator gate structure that is tied to an anode terminal to effectively lower the SCR trigger voltage. To further lower the trigger voltage of the SCR, the Pwell on which the gate structure sits may be made narrower than the gate structure and/or the doping profile of the Pwell on which the gate structure sits may be graded (e.g., P to P? closer to insulator layer).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: GlobalFoundries U.S. Inc.
    Inventors: Meng Miao, Alain Loiseau, Souvick Mitra, Wei Liang, Robert J. Gauthier, Jr., Anindya Nath
  • Patent number: 11955796
    Abstract: An output circuit included in an integrated circuit may employ multiple protection circuits to protect driver devices from damage during an electrostatic discharge event. One protection circuit clamps a signal port to a ground supply node upon detection of the electrostatic discharge event. Another protection circuit increases the voltage level of a control terminal to one of the driver devices during the electrostatic discharge event to reduce the voltage across the driver device and prevent damage to the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Junjun Li, Abbas Komijani, Hongrui Wang
  • Patent number: 11949258
    Abstract: A control system includes a secondary battery protection apparatus and a device. The secondary battery protection apparatus includes one or more monitoring terminals each provided in a path different from power paths, each monitoring terminal being operable for monitoring a potential at a negative electrode of a given secondary battery cell among a plurality of the secondary battery cells. The secondary battery protection apparatus includes one or more internal switches each of which is provided in an internal line between the negative electrode of a given secondary battery cell and a given monitoring terminal. The device includes a balance control circuit that adjusts, based on potentials monitored by the monitoring terminals, a current flowing into a line path that includes a corresponding internal line. The balance control circuit controls balance among the cell voltages for the secondary battery cells, based on the adjusted current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: MITSUMI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hirotaka Kataya, Iwao Kitamura
  • Patent number: 11949228
    Abstract: A multi-stage surge protection device protects against complex, time-variant voltage transients, including those resulting from a high-altitude nuclear electromagnetic pulse or a solar coronal mass ejection. The transient voltage suppressor limits the let-through voltage to a clamping level and provides indication to the crowbar circuit when it is no longer able to do so. Once the clamping level is no longer able to be maintained, the crowbar circuit draws enough current to trip an upstream protective device, such as a breaker or fuse. A low-pass filter can be added to significantly lower the let-through voltage of the device for short-duration pulses, and help to spread the energy to more effectively utilize the transient voltage suppressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Faraday Defense Corporation
    Inventor: Arthur Thomas Bradley
  • Patent number: 11948934
    Abstract: The present invention is a spark gap protection capable of integrating into multiple layer semiconductor substrate packaging. The initial gap in the spark gap is solid and it can be converted into air, meaning gaseous, and the air gap is achieved by having the gap initially be filled with a solid and then running a voltage through the spark gap so that the gap explodes and the solid is replaced by an air cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Inventor: John Othniel McDonald
  • Patent number: 11942244
    Abstract: A surge protection apparatus is disclosed. The surge protection apparatus includes a housing; electronics contained in the housing; and a plurality of metal tabs electrically connected to the electronics, the metal tabs being configured to connect to a terminal block of a relay panel in a substation, the metal tabs electrically connecting the terminal block to the electronics to provide EMP surge protection to the relay panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Electric Power Research Institutem Inc.
    Inventors: Randy Horton, Andrew John Phillips, Charles Perry