With Space Discharge Means Patents (Class 361/112)
  • Patent number: 11674678
    Abstract: An electrical apparatus has an external conductive housing. A printed circuit board is provided (separate to a main circuit board of the apparatus) within a PCB housing. The printed circuit board is mechanically and electrically connected to the external housing and has an arc gap between a first contact which connects electrically to the external housing and a second contact which connects electrically to a power supply terminal. Thus, a dedicated circuit is used to perform a discharge function so that the housing and main circuit board do not need to be redesigned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: SIGNIFY HOLDING B.V.
    Inventor: Maurice Lucien Eugene Casanova
  • Patent number: 11519390
    Abstract: A wind turbine blade includes a blade main body and a leading edge protector. The leading edge protector includes a conductive material and covers a leading edge of the blade main body. The leading edge protector is also electrically connected to a down conductor disposed in a hollow space enclosed by a skin in the blade main body or a conductive mesh member provided along an outer surface of the skin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Naoto Murata, Syusaku Yamamoto, Yoichiro Tsumura, Tatsufumi Aoi, Akio Ikeda, Nobuyuki Kamihara, Takehiro Naka
  • Patent number: 11386240
    Abstract: A data transmission system and method in a physical network separation environment is provided, which includes: a drive device controlling connection switching for one storage medium drive writing or reading a data file on or from a predetermined storage medium; a source-side server executing writing the data file on the storage medium loaded in the storage medium drive, after switching to a connection to the storage medium drive; a clean PC conducting hash value verification and a test for infection of malicious code with respect to the data file that has been written on the storage medium, after switching to a connection to the storage medium drive; and a destination-side server executing reading the tested data file from the storage medium, after switching to a connection to the storage medium drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: KOREA ELECTRIC POWER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jong-Kwan Kim, Seung-Youn Lee, Seung-Kwon Yang, Myong-Soo Kim, Dong-Wook Kim
  • Patent number: 11087923
    Abstract: A multi-layered ceramic capacitor capable of realizing an improved process yield and miniaturization while having an overvoltage protection function may be provided. The multi-layered ceramic capacitor may include a ceramic body including a first internal electrode, a second internal electrode, a dielectric layer, and an overvoltage protection layer; and an external electrode disposed at both ends of the ceramic body, wherein the overvoltage protection layer may be disposed between the first internal electrode and the second internal electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Soo Hwan Son, Young Ghyu Ahn, Jea Yeol Choi
  • Patent number: 10770867
    Abstract: An arrester is disclosed. In an embodiment an arrester includes at least one first and one second electrode, a ceramic body for electrical isolation of the electrodes, wherein the electrodes are spaced by a distance from one another in a direction of a transverse axis of the arrester, and wherein the distance between the electrodes varies along a longitudinal axis of the arrester.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: TDK Electronics AG
    Inventors: Torsten Klinger, Zhipeng Fang, Frank Werner
  • Patent number: 9985450
    Abstract: Provided herein is a relay architecture for selecting between multiple power sources. In one approach, a first relay and first power source are electrically coupled to a first terminal. A second relay and second power source are electrically coupleable to a second terminal and to the first relay. A load is electrically coupled with at least one of the following in the case that a load voltage is below a predetermined threshold: the first terminal, the second terminal, and a third power source, wherein a power supply is provided to the load by the first power source in the case that the first power source is coupled to the first terminal. The power supply is provided to the load by the second power source when the second power source is coupled to the second terminal and the first power source is disconnected from the first terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: LITTELFUSE, INC.
    Inventors: Geoffrey Schwartz, Brian D. Crispim
  • Patent number: 9780559
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrostatic discharge protection device provided with an insulating laminate containing a first and a second insulating substrate stacked there, a first and a second discharge electrode disposed inside the insulating laminate, a first insulating layer having glass disposed on the side surfaces of the first and the second discharge electrodes, a second insulating layer having glass disposed on the main surfaces of the first and the second discharge electrodes, and an discharge inducing section disposed between the side surfaces of the first and the second discharge electrode, wherein, the distance between the side surfaces of the first and the second discharge electrodes was set as ?G and the thickness of the second insulating layer was set as ?Z which two adapt to inequations 3 ?m??Z?35 ?m and ?G?40 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: TDK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shingo Suzuki, Kensaku Asakura, Takahiro Fujimori, Kiyoshi Hatanaka
  • Patent number: 9743502
    Abstract: An ESD protection device 1 includes a ceramic insulating material 10, first and second discharge electrodes 21 and 22, and a discharge auxiliary section 51. The discharge auxiliary section 51 is an electrode configured to reduce a discharge starting voltage between the first discharge electrode 21 and the second discharge electrode 22. The discharge auxiliary section 51 comprises a sintered body including conductive particles and at least one of semiconductor particles and insulating particles. At least the discharge auxiliary section 51 comprises at least one of an alkaline metal component and a boron component. The content of at least one of the alkaline metal component and the boron component in the discharge auxiliary section 51 is larger than the content of at least one of the alkaline metal component and the boron component in the ceramic insulating material 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masanori Okamoto
  • Patent number: 9681593
    Abstract: An ESD protection device is manufactured such that its ESD characteristics are easily adjusted and stabilized. The ESD protection device includes an insulating substrate, a cavity provided in the insulating substrate, at least one pair of discharge electrodes each including a portion exposed in the cavity, the exposed portions being arranged to face each other, and external electrodes provided on a surface of the insulating substrate and connected to the at least one pair of discharge electrodes. A particulate supporting electrode material having conductivity is dispersed between the exposed portions of the at least one pair of discharge electrodes in the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Adachi, Jun Urakawa, Issei Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 9667036
    Abstract: An ESD protection component includes opposite electrodes and a ground electrode. The opposite electrodes and the ground electrode each have an extraction portion and an opposite portion. The respective opposite portions of the opposite electrodes and the ground electrode are placed on the same layer. At least one of the opposite electrodes and the ground electrode, the extraction portion and the opposite portion are placed on respective different layers and, also, are electrically connected to each other via a through hole conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: TDK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuma Ishikawa, Makoto Yoshino
  • Patent number: 9627884
    Abstract: A modular electrical assembly that includes a first enclosure that physically couples to a second enclosure to form a modular stackup arrangement. The first enclosure having a connection to an electrical ground for discharging electrostatic discharge (ESD) energy of ESD events of the modular electrical assembly. The first enclosure configured to enclose first circuitry and comprising at least one generally flat surface to electrically couple to the second enclosure. The second enclosure configured to enclose second circuitry and comprising at least one surface with a plurality of raised contact nodes arranged such that when in contact with the one surface of the first enclosure electrostatic discharge energy is directed over the raised contact nodes to the one surface of the first enclosure for discharging portions of the ESD energy through the electrical ground of the first enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: ROCKWELL AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew P. Kaufman, Keith O. Satula
  • Patent number: 9413168
    Abstract: An ESD protection device 1 includes a plurality of input electrodes 21a through 21d and a plurality of output electrodes 21e through 21h. The plurality of input electrodes 21a through 21d are disposed along a first direction. The plurality of output electrodes 21e through 21h are disposed along the first direction. The plurality of output electrodes 21e through 21h oppose the input electrodes 21a through 21d in a second direction which is tilted with respect to the first direction. End portions of the input electrodes 21a through 21d on a side closer to the output electrodes 21e through 21h in the second direction and end portions of the output electrodes 21e through 21h on a side closer to the input electrodes 21a through 21d in the second direction form main discharge units 31a through 31d.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kosuke Yamada
  • Patent number: 9185785
    Abstract: An electrostatic protection component includes: a body in which a plurality of ceramic substrates is laminated; and a pair of discharge electrodes which are formed within the body and which are spaced to face each other. The discharge electrodes include main body portions extending along a longitudinal direction, and the main body portions include tips in the longitudinal direction and side edges extending along the longitudinal direction. The pair of discharge electrodes are arranged such that both the main body portions are adjacent to each other in a short direction. The discharge electrodes face each other in the short direction between the side edges, and discharge occurs only between the side edges, between the discharge electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: TDK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hidenobu Umeda, Makoto Yoshino, Takahiro Sato, Takuo Hattori, Shinichi Sato, Takeshi Shibayama
  • Patent number: 9076585
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electronic component having a primary coil pattern and a secondary coil pattern with at least one selected from a dielectric and an insulator interposed therebetween, which includes at least one discharge terminal for discharging overvoltage or overcurrent applied to the primary coil pattern or the secondary coil pattern, and a method for manufacturing the same. Since it is possible to efficiently discharge overvoltage or overcurrent applied to an electronic component, it is possible to improve reliability of various electronic devices to which the electronic component in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is applied as well as to extend lifespan of the electronic component itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ju Hwan Yang, Sang Moon Lee, Young Seuck Yoo, Sung Kwon Wi
  • Patent number: 9077173
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a common mode filter. The common mode filter includes a main body that includes a coil electrode, first and second external electrodes connected with both ends of the coil electrode, respectively, and a ground electrode, and an electro static discharge (ESD) protection layer that includes a switching member formed therein, and is provided on any one surface of the main body. Here, one end of the coil electrode is connected with the second external electrode, the other end thereof is connected with the first external electrode through the switching member, and the switching member is disconnected from the coil electrode in accordance with a switching operation when a surge current is applied and connected with the ground electrode. Therefore, it is possible to protect the common mode filter from a surge current by ESD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Geon Se Chang, Sung Kwon Wi
  • Patent number: 9036317
    Abstract: To provide an antistatic device having a low capacitance, good discharge characteristics, and small variations in the discharge characteristics. In a so-called gap-type antistatic device in which a space between a pair of opposing electrodes is filled with an electrostatic protection material, a discharge inducing portion has protrusions protruding from interfaces between the opposing electrodes and the insulation substrates toward the insulation substrates and has a shape protruding on both sides of the insulation substrates. The relationship among the gap distance between the electrodes, the thicknesses of the opposing electrodes, and the protrusions of the discharge inducing portion is controlled under specific conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: TDK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shingo Suzuki, Junichi Nakamura, Kensaku Asakura, Takahiro Fujimori
  • Patent number: 8982525
    Abstract: Overvoltage protection equipment may include: a first connection; a second connection; a first discharge path disposed between the first and the second connections, wherein the first discharge path comprises a spark gap; a second discharge path disposed between the first and the second connections, wherein the second discharge path comprises a triggerable circuit breaker and a thermistor connected in series; and a control device that induces the triggerable circuit breaker to switch on, based on at least one of a state or a state path of the first discharge path as a result of a discharge event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Rainer Durth, Thomas Meyer, Joachim Cerny
  • Patent number: 8958194
    Abstract: A surge protection device (SPD) includes a spark gap (SG) and in series to the spark gap (SG) a temperature-dependent resistance element (R) with positive temperature coefficient, wherein the spark gap (SG) has a certain holding current, wherein the resistance element (R) is sized such that when a switching temperature is reached, the current is limited such that the holding current of the spark gap is undercut and is switched off, and wherein the resistance element is sized such that in the case of a transient event, the switching temperature is not reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG.
    Inventors: Joachim Cerny, Thomas Meyer, Rainer Durth
  • Publication number: 20150029632
    Abstract: Methods and systems for preventing direct and indirect electronic attacks, cyber attacks, and/or minimizing the impact of high voltage pulses are disclosed. In an aspect, an example system can comprise an electromagnetic plasma disrupter device. The electromagnetic plasma disrupter device can comprise a gas pressurized enclosure such a waveguide, grounded metal enclosure, or Faraday shield having a first pair of opposed electrodes at least partially enclosed in the enclosure. A first electrode of a first pair of the opposed electrodes can be connected to ground. A second electrode of the first pair of opposed electrodes can be coupled to a voltage source. The system can optionally comprise a second pair of opposed electrodes. The second pair of electrodes can allow, under normal operation, for signals to enter and leave an electronic circuit that is being protected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventor: Robert A. Schill, JR.
  • Publication number: 20140334054
    Abstract: Electrical protection devices, such as for use with power systems for overvoltage protection, are disclosed. One electrical protection device includes a first electrical connection, a second electrical connection, a first electrical discharge device, and a second electrical discharge device. The first electrical discharge device includes a first conductive bus connected to the first electrical connection and a second conductive bus connected to the second electrical connection. The first electrical discharge device has a first breakdown voltage. The second electrical discharge device includes a third conductive bus connected to the first electrical connection and a fourth conductive bus connected to the second electrical connection. The second electrical discharge device has a second breakdown voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventors: GREG FUCHS, GEORGE ANDERSON, WILLIAM M. VOLNA, GALE K. NORDLING, WALLACE JENSEN, DAVID BLAKE JACKSON, FREDERICK R. FAXVOG, JAMES NICHOLAS RUEHL
  • Patent number: 8885312
    Abstract: An ESD protection device includes a ceramic base material, a pair of opposed electrodes provided on a surface of or in the ceramic base material, and a discharge auxiliary electrode film arranged to connect the pair of opposed electrodes, wherein the discharge auxiliary electrode film is composed of a material containing, as its main constituents, metallic particles and glass covering the metallic particles. The discharge auxiliary electrode film is formed by providing an electrode paste containing glass-coated metallic particles that have an approximately 15% rate of increase in weight at about 400° C. for about 2 hours in air, a resin binder, and a solvent so as to connect the pair of opposed electrodes to each other, and then firing at a temperature of about 600° C. or more, higher than a softening point of glass of the glass-coated metallic particles, and not +200° C. higher than the softening point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahiro Sumi, Takahiro Kitadume, Jun Adachi, Takayuki Tsukizawa, Masanori Okamoto
  • Patent number: 8786992
    Abstract: An electrical apparatus, which is immovable in a facility, comprises plural electric circuits. Each electric circuit has one or more resistance elements and is connected to each input terminal connected a power source. The electric circuits are arranged positionally closely with each other. In each electric circuit, a desired functional circuit is connected in series to the resistance element, and a protection circuit is connected in series to the resistance element and connected in parallel with the functional circuit. A discharge member is provided in each electric circuit and arranged between each input terminal and the functional circuit. The discharge member includes a discharge gap which allows the discharge member to face with the discharge member of an adjacently arranged electric circuit. The discharge gap discharge deliberately to the adjacently positioned discharge member when a voltage applied to a selected electric circuit exceeds a predetermined voltage value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Denso Wave Incorporated
    Inventors: Yoko Sumiyoshi, Junichi Fujiwara, Yosuke Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8717730
    Abstract: An ESD protection device includes an insulating ceramic substrate excluding a glass ceramic substrate, first and second discharge electrodes provided on the insulating ceramic substrate and including respective edges that face each other with a gap therebetween, and a discharge supporting electrode provided on the insulating ceramic substrate so as to electrically connect the first and second discharge electrodes to each other, the discharge supporting electrode including a ceramic material and metal particles whose surfaces are coated with insulating inorganic material powder. A thermosetting resin-cured layer including a cavity is provided on the insulating ceramic substrate so that the portions of the first and second discharge electrodes that face each other with a gap therebetween are present in the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tetsuya Ikeda
  • Patent number: 8693157
    Abstract: A substrate including an ESD protection function includes an insulating substrate, at least one of circuit elements or a wiring pattern and an ESD protection portion. In the ESD protection portion, facing portions of at least one pair of discharge electrodes are disposed in a cavity provided in the insulating substrate so that the ends face each other. The discharge electrodes are electrically connected to the circuit elements and or the wiring pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Noma, Jun Urakawa
  • Patent number: 8638536
    Abstract: A printed circuit board includes a primary region, a secondary region and an isolation region disposed between the primary region and the secondary region to galvanically isolate the primary region from the secondary region. The primary region is to be coupled to an AC source. The primary region also includes an electrostatic discharge (ESD) conducting pathway to redirect current to the AC source that crosses the isolation region. A spark gap is included in the ESD conducting pathway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventor: John Allen Carpenter
  • Publication number: 20130321969
    Abstract: A plasma power limiter fabricated using wafer-level fabrication techniques with other circuit elements. The plasma limiter includes a signal substrate and a trigger substrate defining a hermetically sealed cavity therebetween in which is encapsulated an ionizable gas. The signal substrate includes a signal line within the cavity and the trigger substrate includes at least one trigger probe extending from the trigger substrate towards the transmission line. If a signal propagating on the transmission line exceeds a power threshold, the gas within the cavity is ionized creating a conduction path between the transmission line and the trigger probe that draws off the high power current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventor: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION
  • Patent number: 8531809
    Abstract: A surge protector includes a first surge suppression assembly comprising a first conductive layer comprising an arm, an extension distal to the arm and having toothed edges, and a substantially C-shaped member projecting out of the extension and having toothed edges, and a substantially circular member with toothed edges formed at an open end of the extension; a second conductive layer comprising an arm including a terminal, an extension being distal the arm, a first substantially C-shaped member having toothed edges, and a second substantially C-shaped member at an open end of the extension wherein the first substantially C-shaped member, the substantially C-shaped member, the second substantially C-shaped member, and the substantially circular member are arranged concentrically; and an overvoltage protection assembly interconnecting the arm and the terminal. The overvoltage protection assembly is electrically connected to the first surge suppression assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Tempotek Electronics Corp.
    Inventors: Kun-Jung Chen, Chi-Hsin Wang
  • Patent number: 8503147
    Abstract: An ESD protection device includes a ceramic multilayer substrate including a plurality of laminated insulating layers, an external electrode, at least one of an in-plane connecting conductor and an interlayer connecting conductor, and a mixture portion. The mixture portion is provided along a principal surface of one of the insulating layers and includes a dispersed material including at least one of metal and semiconductor; metal and ceramic; metal, semiconductor, and ceramic; semiconductor and ceramic; semiconductor; metal coated with an inorganic material; metal coated with an inorganic material and semiconductor; metal coated with an inorganic material and ceramic; and metal coated with an inorganic material, semiconductor, and ceramic. The mixture portion is connected to the external electrode and at least one of the in-plane connecting conductor and the interlayer connecting conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayuki Tsukizawa, Tetsuya Ikeda
  • Patent number: 8432653
    Abstract: An ESD protection device includes a ceramic multilayer substrate, at least one pair of discharge electrodes provided in the ceramic multilayer substrate and facing each other with a space formed therebetween, external electrodes provided on a surface of the ceramic multilayer substrate and connected to the discharge electrodes. The ESD protection device includes a supporting electrode obtained by dispersing a metal material and a semiconductor material and being arranged in a region that connects the pair of discharge electrodes to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Adachi, Jun Urakawa, Takahiro Sumi, Takahiro Kitadume
  • Publication number: 20130038977
    Abstract: In order to provide a spark gap configuration for overvoltage protection, the spark gap configuration has electrodes that face each other and exhibit a short deionization time. The electrodes have, on at least a portion thereof, a current-path bounding device for forcing a desired current path in the electrodes themselves resulting in improved spark behavior.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Dennie Lange, Joerg Ochs, Michael Soeder
  • Patent number: 8279572
    Abstract: A design structure for an on-chip high frequency electro-static discharge device is described. In one embodiment, the electro-static discharge structure comprises a first dielectric layer with more than one electrode formed therein. A second dielectric layer with more than one electrode formed therein is located above the first dielectric layer. At least one via connects the more than one electrode in the first dielectric layer with the more than one electrode in the second dielectric layer. A gap is formed through the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer, wherein the gap extends between two adjacent electrodes in both the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer. A third dielectric layer is disposed over the second dielectric layer, wherein the third dielectric layer hermetically seals the gap to provide electro-static discharge protection on the integrated circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Hanyi Ding, Kai D. Feng, Zhong-Xiang He, Xuefeng Liu, Anthony K. Stamper
  • Patent number: 8199451
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an ESD protection device and the like which offer a reduced discharge starting voltage and improved durability against repeated use. The present invention provides an ESD protection device including a base 2 having an insulating surface 2a, electrodes 3a and 3b disposed on the insulating surface 2a and facing but spaced apart from each other, and a functional layer 4 disposed on at least between the electrodes 3a and 3b, wherein the gap distance ?G between the electrodes 3a and 3b ranges from 0.5 ?m to 10 ?m, and the thickness ?T of each of the electrodes 3a and 3b meets a relationship of ?G/?T=1 to 30.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventors: Kensaku Asakura, Yasuhiro Hirobe, Atsushi Hitomi, Takeshi Urano
  • Patent number: 8199450
    Abstract: An ESD device with a protection structure utilizing radiated heat dissipation to prevent or reduce thermal failures. The device includes a voltage switchable polymer 10 between electrodes 11 and 12, which is configured to provide a heat radiating surface 40 for radiating heat when an ESD condition occurs. A radiation transmission material 19 is disposed between the heat radiating surface and the environment for radiating heat 20 when an ESD event occurs. One embodiment adds a spacer 50 for accurately spacing electrodes. A method for fabricating the device is further illustrated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kevin P. Grundy, Joseph C. Fjelstad
  • Publication number: 20120120539
    Abstract: A printed circuit board includes a primary region, a secondary region and an isolation region disposed between the primary region and the secondary region to galvanically isolate the primary region from the secondary region. The primary region is to be coupled to an AC source. The primary region also includes an electrostatic discharge (ESD) conducting pathway to redirect current to the AC source that crosses the isolation region. A spark gap is included in the ESD conducting pathway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: POWER INTEGRATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: John Allen Carpenter
  • Patent number: 8154839
    Abstract: An arrester includes at least one elongate outer first housing made of an electrically insulating material, a pair of electrical terminals at opposite ends of the first housing, an array of electrical components arranged in the first housing that form a series path between the terminals, and a voltage grading arrangement for providing a substantially uniform voltage gradient along the arrester, wherein the voltage grading arrangement includes (i) an elongated outer second housing, and (ii) capacitor circuitry arranged in the outer second housing, and wherein the outer second housing is arranged external to the outer first housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Lennart Stenström, Pär Barkensjö
  • Patent number: 8134817
    Abstract: A printed circuit board includes a primary region, a secondary region and an isolation region disposed between the primary region and the secondary region to galvanically isolate the primary region from the secondary region. The primary region is to be coupled to an AC source. The primary region also includes an electrostatic discharge (ESD) conducting pathway to redirect current to the AC source that crosses the isolation region. A spark gap is included in the ESD conducting pathway to filter noise and to provide a current path to the AC source for the current that crosses the isolation region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventor: John Allen Carpenter
  • Publication number: 20120039010
    Abstract: A spark gap for protecting electronic circuits from excessive electrical surges comprises a substrate containing an opening, a dielectric medium occupying the opening, and first and second electrodes. The first electrode is embedded in the substrate, on one side of the opening, and has a first conductive surface that extends through the substrate and is substantially exposed in the opening and to the dielectric medium. The second electrode is embedded in the substrate, on another side of the opening, and has a second conductive surface that extends through the substrate and is substantially exposed in the opening and to the dielectric medium. The first conductive surface is in opposing relation to the second conductive surface, and they are spaced apart by a predetermined distance to establish a gap width. An electrical arc is generated across the opening when a voltage potential difference between the conductive surfaces exceeds a threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventor: Andrew F. Tresness
  • Patent number: 8089741
    Abstract: An over-voltage protection device and a method for manufacturing the over-voltage protection device are provided. The over-voltage protection device includes a substrate, a pair of electrode layers, a mask layer, and a sealing layer. The electrode layers are disposed on the substrate, and a gap is formed between the electrode layers. The mask layer is disposed over the gap and a portion of the electrode layers. The sealing layer covers the mask layer and the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Cyntec Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung-Hsiung Wang, Hung-Ming Lin, Kuo-Shu Chen, Wen-Shiang Luo
  • Patent number: 8018705
    Abstract: A spark gap protection device is provided. The device comprises a plurality of spark gaps and a plurality of windings. Each spark gap is connected to at least one winding which is inductively coupled to an associated winding connected to another spark gap so that, in use, a surge current flowing across a spark gap and through a winding connected to the spark gap induces a voltage in the associated inductively coupled winding connected to another spark gap. This forces the other spark gap to trigger, thereby distributing the surge current between the spark gaps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: University of Witwatersrand
    Inventors: Aristidis Michalopoulos, Ian Robert Jandrell, John Michael Van Coller, Andreas Alan Beutel
  • Publication number: 20110216462
    Abstract: A sustained-arc control system is constituted with a capacitance which is placed between a gap on a solar battery array, working to control or inhibit the sustained arc. A solar battery array has a plurality of solar cells to provide a power source onboard an artificial satellite. A plurality of series circuits each of which composed of the solar cells connected in series is connected in parallel. The sustained-arc control system on the solar battery array is constituted with a capacitance lying between a positive line and a negative line to be charged with a voltage oscillation arising from the sustained arc. Electrostatic capacity of the capacitance is in a range of from at least 33 nF to 10 ?F.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2009
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: Kyusyu Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Toyoda, Meng Cho, Hikaru Kayano
  • Patent number: 8014731
    Abstract: Circuitry includes a voltage-controlled switch having a transmitter input, a receiver input, and an output that connects to one of the transmitter input and the receiver input. Passive components form a low-pass filter that is electrically connected to the transmitter input. The passive components are part of a multilayer ceramic passive module that includes a base body made of superimposed dielectric layers and electrically conductive layers. The voltage-controlled switch is on an upper portion or a lower portion of the base body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: EPCOS AG
    Inventors: Christian Block, Holger Fluehr
  • Patent number: 7916443
    Abstract: An antistatic device with multiple discharging intervals is applied to electrical components for providing an optimized protection against ESD (Electrostatic Discharge). The antistatic device includes a trace, a discharging portion and multiple grounding portions. The trace allows electrostatic current to pass through. The discharging portion is coupled to the trace. The grounding portions are placed around the discharging portion. A discharge interval between each of the grounding portions and the discharging portion allows the electrostatic current to be discharged through any of the grounding portions. Each of the discharging intervals is equidistant to facilitate equal discharge probabilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Getac Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Hung Jung Shih, Ta-Yuan Lin
  • Publication number: 20110038088
    Abstract: A substrate including an ESD protection function includes an insulating substrate, at least one of circuit elements or a wiring pattern and an ESD protection portion. In the ESD protection portion, facing portions of at least one pair of discharge electrodes are disposed in a cavity provided in the insulating substrate so that the ends face each other. The discharge electrodes are electrically connected to the circuit elements and or the wiring pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicant: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takashi NOMA, Jun URAKAWA
  • Publication number: 20100296219
    Abstract: A spark gap protection device is provided. The device comprises a plurality of spark gaps and a plurality of windings. Each spark gap is connected to at least one winding which is inductively coupled to an associated winding connected to another spark gap so that, in use, a surge current flowing across a spark gap and through a winding connected to the spark gap induces a voltage in the associated inductively coupled winding connected to another spark gap. This forces the other spark gap to trigger, thereby distributing the surge current between the spark gaps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF WITWATERSRAND
    Inventors: Aristidis MICHALOPOULOS, Ian Robert JANDRELL, John Michael VAN COLLER, Andreas Alan BEUTEL
  • Publication number: 20100265625
    Abstract: A high voltage surge protection device having a characteristic impedance includes a center conductor defining an axis, an electrically conductive outer body concentrically disposed in surrounding relation to the inner conductor, and a dielectric layer disposed between the center conductor and the outer body. An electrically conductive surge protective element having a first value of effective impedance is disposed in electrical contact with the outer body and in spaced-apart relationship with the center conductor. The spaced-apart relationship forms a gap between the surge protective element and the center conductor. An insulative tuning element having a second value of effective impedance larger than the first value of effective impedance is coupled to the surge protective element in impedance-restorative relationship.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: John Mezzalingua Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Noah Montena
  • Patent number: 7817395
    Abstract: An overvoltage protection element for discharging transient overvoltages with at least two electrodes, with at least one ignition element of insulating material located between the electrodes, and with an air breakdown spark gap which acts between the electrodes, when the air breakdown spark gap is ignited an arc being formed between the two electrodes. An overvoltage protection element is provided with an ignition element which can be produced especially easily, the ignition element being made and arranged such that, between the two electrodes, there is an area of weakened insulation (ignition area) and when there is a voltage on the ignition element, a discharge on the surface of the ignition element leads to a conductive connection between the two electrodes, the conductive connection having a low current carrying capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Rainer Durth
  • Patent number: 7817396
    Abstract: A plasma generation system includes a pulse generator having at least one switch and that is configured to convert a DC voltage to a desired high frequency, high breakdown voltage pulse sufficient to break down a high-breakdown voltage gap, wherein all pulse generator switches are solely low to medium voltage, high frequency switches, and further configured to apply the breakdown voltage to a plasma load for the generation of plasma. In one application, the plasma generation system is useful to manipulate the flow of jets and provide highly efficient acoustic noise reduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Fengfeng Tao, Seyed Gholamali Saddoughi, Robert Carl Murray, Abdelkrim Younsi, Steven Martens
  • Patent number: 7787230
    Abstract: A spark gap protection device is provided. The device comprises a plurality of spark gaps and a plurality of windings. Each spark gap is connected to at least one winding which is inductively coupled to an associated winding connected to another spark gap so that, in use, a surge current flowing across a spark gap and through a winding connected to the spark gap induces a voltage in the associated inductively coupled winding connected to another spark gap. This forces the other spark gap to trigger, thereby distributing the surge current between the spark gaps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: University of Wirwatersrand, Johannesburg
    Inventors: Aristidis Michalopoulos, Ian Robert Jandrell, John Michael Van Coller, Andreas Alan Beutel
  • Patent number: 7778676
    Abstract: A display panel is mount behind a conductive structure with a gasket sandwiched between the panel and the conductive structure. ESD protection is provided by holes through the gasket between the panel and the conductive structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventor: Petri Keski-Opas
  • Patent number: 7768762
    Abstract: A design structure for an on-chip high frequency electro-static discharge device is described. In one embodiment, the electro-static discharge device comprises a substrate and multiple metal level layers disposed on the substrate. Each metal level comprises more than one electrode formed therein and more than one via connecting with some of the electrodes in adjacent metal levels. The device further includes a gap formed about one of the metal level layers, wherein the gap is hermetically sealed to provide electro-static discharge protection for the integrated circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Hanyi Ding, Kai D. Feng, Zhong-Xiang He, Xuefeng Liu, Anthony K. Stamper