Surge Prevention (e.g., Choke Coil) Patents (Class 361/118)
  • Patent number: 8367930
    Abstract: A grounding mechanism is used for an electronic device. The electronic device includes a housing and a battery cover. The grounding mechanism typically includes an elastic member including a main portion, a first bent portion, a second bent portion and a clamping portion. The main portion is attached to the housing. The first bent portion and the second bent portion respectively extend from two opposite ends of the main portion. The clamping portion extends from one side of the main portion, and includes two arms for clamping one part of the battery cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignees: Shenzhen Futaihong Precision Industry Co., Ltd., FIH (Hong Kong) Limited
    Inventor: Shi-Xu Liang
  • Patent number: 8363366
    Abstract: An electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit is disclosed, which comprises an ESD detection circuit and protection switches. If an ESD event occurs, the ESD detection circuit turns off the protection switches so as to protect an application circuit provided in integrated circuits (IC) from being damaged by the electrostatic discharge, and if not, the ESD detection circuit turns on the protection switches so as to make the application circuit provided in integrated circuits (IC) function normally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
    Inventors: Po-Ching Lin, Cheng-Jui Chen
  • Publication number: 20130021712
    Abstract: An example, overvoltage protection device includes a switch and a surge protection device that is selectively activated by actuating the switch. The switch is actuated in response to a voltage. An example method of absorbing an overvoltage includes sensing a voltage, and selectively activating a surge protection device in response to the sensed voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Inventors: John Duward Sagona, Vietson M. Nguyen, Donal E. Baker, Randall Bax
  • Patent number: 8358492
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally pertains to surge protection systems that protect outside plant equipment from high-energy surges. In one exemplary embodiment, a protection system is used for protecting Ethernet equipment that is coupled to an outside Ethernet cable. The protection system provides protection and remains capable of coupling signal energy between an Ethernet cable and Ethernet equipment without significantly degrading Ethernet performance. However, the protection system, while allowing the desirable Ethernet signals to pass between the cable and the equipment, prevents the electrical voltages and currents of high-energy surges, such as surges from lightning or AC power faults, from damaging the Ethernet equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: ADTRAN, Inc.
    Inventors: James B. Wiese, Daniel M. Joffe
  • Patent number: 8354722
    Abstract: An electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit, methods of fabricating an ESD protection circuit, methods of providing ESD protection, and design structures for an ESD protection circuit. An NFET may be formed in a p-well and a PFET may be formed in an n-well. A butted p-n junction formed between the p-well and n-well results in an NPNP structure that forms an SCR integrated with the NFET and PFET. The NFET, PFET and SCR are configured to collectively protect a pad, such as a power pad, from ESD events. During normal operation, the NFET, PFET, and SCR are biased by an RC-trigger circuit so that the ESD protection circuit is in a high impedance state. During an ESD event while the chip is unpowered, the RC-trigger circuit outputs trigger signals that cause the SCR, NFET, and PFET to enter into conductive states and cooperatively to shunt ESD currents away from the protected pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John B. Campi, Jr., Shunhua Chang, Kiran V. Chatty, Robert J. Gauthier, Jr., Junjun Li, Rahul Mishra, Mujahid Muhammad
  • Patent number: 8355229
    Abstract: A semiconductor device including an electrostatic discharge element that protects the semiconductor device from electrostatic destruction is provided. The semiconductor device includes a first circuit, a second circuit, a connection node connecting the first node to the second node, and a first inductor connected between the connection node and a first power supply. The first inductor and the electrostatic discharge element are formed so that they vertically overlap each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Shingo Sakai
  • Publication number: 20130003235
    Abstract: A surge current suppressing circuit is applied between an AC power and an electronic device that receives the AC power via a first AC power line and a second AC power line. The surge current suppressing circuit has a first input fuse connected to the first AC power line, and a first air-core inductor connected in series with the first input fuse on the first AC power line to suppress a surge current. Depending upon the practical applications, the surge current suppressing circuit can further have a second air-core inductor connected to the second AC power line, a capacitor connected between the two AC power lines or both.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Inventors: René Frederik Koch, Min-Ta Hsiao, Ming-Cheng Chuang
  • Publication number: 20130003243
    Abstract: A surge protection element includes a contact stud and a contact element disposed at a distance from the contact stud. A connection element is configured to be transferred into a first position, in which the connection element is applied to the contact stud and to the contact element so as to electrically connect the contact stud to the contact element, and into a second position, in which the connection element is disposed at a distance from the contact stud and the contact element. In the first position, the connection element engages at least partially around at least one of the contact stud and the contact element and a thermally separable connection is provided between the connection element and the contact stud and between the connection element and the contact element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Christian Depping, Ralf Lange, Viktor Horvat
  • Patent number: 8345400
    Abstract: A surge suppression circuit for a load control device allows the load control device to pass hipot testing, while providing improved protection of the load control device during surge events. The load control device comprises a load control circuit and a filter circuit for preventing noise generated by the load control circuit from being provided to an AC power source. The surge suppression circuit comprises a clamping device adapted to be electrically coupled across the AC power source, and first and second spark gaps coupled across the filter circuit for limiting the magnitude of the voltage generated by inductive components of the filter circuit. The filter circuit may comprise a common-mode choke, and two series-connected capacitor having their junction connected to earth ground. Alternatively, the filter circuit may additionally comprise a differential-mode choke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Dragan Veskovic
  • Patent number: 8339758
    Abstract: A transient voltage suppressor and a method for protecting against surge and electrostatic discharge events. A semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type has gate and anode regions of a second conductivity type formed therein. A PN junction diode is formed from a portion of the gate region and the semiconductor substrate. A cathode is formed adjacent to another portion of the gate region. A thyristor is formed from the cathode, the gate region, the substrate, and the anode region. Zener diodes are formed from other portions of the gate region and the semiconductor substrate. A second Zener diode has a breakdown voltage that is greater than a breakdown voltage of a first Zener diode and that is greater than a breakover voltage of the thyristor. The first Zener diode protects against a surge event and the second Zener diode protects against an electrostatic discharge event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Mingjiao Liu, Ali Salih, Emmanuel Saucedo-Flores, Suem Ping Loo
  • Patent number: 8339759
    Abstract: A relocatable power tap that includes a surge protector. The surge protector provides three modes of transient voltage surge protection while limiting leakage current caused by the relocatable power tap to less than a current limit value (e.g., 100 micro-amperes [“?A”]). The surge protector includes a first transient voltage clamp connected between a line conductor and a neutral conductor, a second transient voltage clamp connected between the line conductor and a ground conductor, and a third transient voltage clamp connected between the neutral conductor and the ground conductor. The transient voltage clamps are, for example, varistors having non-linear current-voltage characteristics. In the presence of voltages that exceed the clamping threshold voltages of the transient voltage clamps, the transient voltage clamps are configured to conduct the current associated with the transient voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Trippe Manufacturing Co.
    Inventor: Eugene A. Weil
  • Publication number: 20120320489
    Abstract: A surge absorbing circuit capable of absorbing surge stably without affecting a signal on a signal line even in the case of a high frequency signal, and an electronic device using the surge absorbing circuit. The surge absorbing circuit includes at least one surge suppression circuit, the at least one surge suppression circuit including, with respect to the same signal line at least: a power supply; a diode connected between the signal line and the power supply; and a power supply line for connecting the diode and the power supply to each other. In each of the at least one surge suppression circuit, a direction of the diode and a voltage of the power supply with respect to the signal line are determined so that the diode is reversely biased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuichiro Murata, Yasushi Takeuchi
  • Publication number: 20120320643
    Abstract: An inverter may include an inversion unit for converting a direct current bus voltage into an alternating current voltage, a first snubber unit, and a second snubber unit. The inversion unit may include a first external switch, a first internal switch, a second internal switch, and a second external switch which are connected in series in order between a direct current bus positive voltage terminal and a direct current bus negative voltage terminal. The first snubber unit may be connected between the direct current bus negative voltage terminal and the first internal switch for suppressing voltage stress of the first internal switch. The second snubber unit may be connected between the direct current bus positive voltage terminal and the second internal switch for suppressing voltage stress of the second internal switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: LIEBERT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jianning Yang
  • Publication number: 20120320488
    Abstract: A surge arrester according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a switching unit connected to a gas-insulated electric equipment in which insulating gas is sealed, and switching a limited voltage of the surge arrester into a limited voltage smaller than a low-temperature critical voltage indicating a withstand voltage generating a dielectric breakdown when the insulating gas is liquefied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventor: Kazuhide BANNAI
  • Patent number: 8335064
    Abstract: Embodiments of this disclosure relate to electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection techniques. For example, some embodiments include a variable resistor that selectively shunts power of an incoming ESD pulse from a first circuit node to a second circuit node and away from a semiconductor device. A control voltage provided to the variable resistor causes the transistor to change between a fully-off mode where only sub-threshold current, if any, flows; a fully-on mode wherein a maximum amount of current flows; and an analog mode wherein an intermediate and time-varying amount of current flows. In particular, the analog mode allows the ESD protection device to shunt power more precisely than previously achievable, such that the ESD protection device can protect semiconductor devices from ESD pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Soldner, Gernot Langguth, Christian Russ, Harald Gossner
  • Patent number: 8335067
    Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of voltage protectors that include a first voltage clamping device configured to clamp a voltage of an input power applied to an electrical load, and a second voltage clamping device configured to clamp the voltage applied to the electrical load. A series inductance separates the first and second voltage clamping devices. Also, a switching element is employed to selectively establish a direct coupling of the input power to the electrical load, where a circuit is employed to control the operation of the switching element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Georgia Tech Research Corporation
    Inventor: Deepakraj M. Divan
  • Patent number: 8335068
    Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of voltage protectors that include a first voltage clamping device configured to clamp a voltage of an input power applied to an electrical load, and a second voltage clamping device configured to clamp the voltage applied to the electrical load. A series inductance separates the first and second voltage clamping devices. Also, a switching element is employed to selectively establish a direct coupling of the input power to the electrical load, where a circuit is employed to control the operation of the switching element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Georgia Tech Research Corporation
    Inventor: Deepakraj Malhar Divan
  • Patent number: 8330224
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus is provided that has a core, an electronic circuit in the core and a lid. An ESD protection device is in the lid. The ESD protection device is coupled to the electronic circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Meggitt (San Juan Capistrano), Inc.
    Inventor: Tom Kwa
  • Patent number: 8325455
    Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of voltage protectors that include a first voltage clamping device configured to clamp a voltage of an input power applied to an electrical load, and a second voltage clamping device configured to clamp the voltage applied to the electrical load. A series inductance separates the first and second voltage clamping devices. Also, a switching element is employed to selectively establish a direct coupling of the input power to the electrical load, where a circuit is employed to control the operation of the switching element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Georgia Tech Research Corporation
    Inventor: Deepakraj Malhar Divan
  • Patent number: 8320093
    Abstract: The present invention is provided with a composite electronic device comprising an inductor element and an ESD protection element formed between two magnetic substrates, wherein the inductor element includes insulation layers made of a resin, and spiral conductors formed on the insulation layers, the ESD protection element includes a base insulation layer, a pair of gap electrodes arranged via gap formed therebetween on the base insulation layer, and an ESD absorbing layer arranged at least between the gap electrodes, and the ESD absorbing layer includes a composite material having an insulation inorganic material and a conductive inorganic material discontinuously dispersed in a matrix of the insulation inorganic material. The gap of the ESD protection element is provided at exterior of the spiral conductor so as not to be overlapped with the spiral conductor in view of a laminating direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventors: Masao Asakawa, Tomokazu Ito, Sho Nakagomi, Atsushi Hitomi, Yasuhiro Hirobe, Kensaku Asakura
  • Patent number: 8319286
    Abstract: A system and method for electrostatic discharge protection. The system includes a first transistor including a first drain, a second transistor including a second drain, and a resistor including a first terminal and a second terminal. The first terminal is coupled to the first drain and the second drain. Additionally, the system includes a third transistor coupled to the second terminal and a protected system. The third transistor includes a first gate, a first dielectric layer located between the first gate and a first substrate, a first source, and a third drain. The protected system includes a fourth transistor, and the fourth transistor includes a second gate, a second dielectric layer located between the second gate and a second substrate, a second source, and a fourth drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Semiconductor Manufacturing International (Shanghai) Corporation
    Inventors: Ting Chieh Su, Min Chie Jeng, Chin Chang Liao, Jun Cheng Huang
  • Publication number: 20120293905
    Abstract: A surge arrester includes an active part, two electrodes resting against the active part and a connecting element. The active part and the electrodes are arranged in the connecting element. The connecting element is produced in an injection molding method or die-casting method, in which the connecting element shrinks during its production. As a result, the electrodes are firmly pressed against the active part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: ABB TECHNOLOGY AG
    Inventors: Lutz Gebhardt, Daniel Egger, Daniel Neeser, Dieter Schön
  • Publication number: 20120287548
    Abstract: Disclosed is a surge protector which is provided before an electrical device to be protected for protecting the electrical device from harmful electrical disturbances, the surge protector comprises at least three terminals including a signal input terminal, a signal output terminal and grounding terminal; and the protector comprises; at least one circuit protecting module provided between the signal input terminal and the signal output terminal and electrically connected to the electrical device to be protected in series, thereby the circuit protecting module becomes an open circuit simultaneously when an applied voltage is greater than a safety threshold thereof in a normal mode to protect the electrical device; and at least one surge diverting module provided between an input of the circuit protecting module and the grounding terminal for directing energy of the surge to ground in a shunt mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Inventor: Chih-Hung KAO
  • Patent number: 8305718
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit, and more particularly to a low parasitic capacitance electrostatic discharge protection circuit. An ESD protection circuit is established with the structure in accordance with the present invention comprising a plurality of discharging paths. The ESD protection circuit is connected to the input/output pad of a radio frequency (RF) core circuit. Such that, the RF core circuit with the ESD protection circuit of the present invention feature much higher ESD robustness. And the parasitic capacitance of the ESD protection is reduced because of the structure of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: National Taiwan University
    Inventors: Bo-Jr Huang, Huei Wang
  • Patent number: 8305721
    Abstract: An electrostatic discharge protection device for protecting an inner circuit, which is operated in a source voltage, is provided and includes a protection unit and a control unit. The protection unit provides a discharge path for transmitting an electrostatic signal from a pad to a ground line. According to a voltage level at a control end, the protection unit adjusts a holding voltage and a triggering voltage determining whether to conduct the discharge path. When the source voltage is supplied, the control unit transmits the input voltage to the control end of the protection unit, so as to raise the holding and the triggering voltages of the discharge path. When the source voltage is not supplied, the control unit switches the control end of the protection unit to a floating condition by the electrostatic signal, so as to lower the holding and the triggering voltages of the discharge path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: MACRONIX International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shih-Yu Wang, Yan-Yu Chen, Yu-Lien Liu
  • Publication number: 20120268855
    Abstract: A surge protection apparatus is provided. The surge protection apparatus includes a non-linear element unit, a signal generation unit, and a switching element unit. The non-linear element unit enables an electrical surge to pass therethrough by rapidly decreasing resistance of the non-linear element unit when the difference in voltage between two ends of the non-linear element unit is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. The signal generation unit generates a control signal in response to current which passes through the non-linear element unit. The switching element unit switches the status thereof in response to the control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Kwang-Uk CHU, Up NAMKOONG, Kyung-Hoon LEE
  • Patent number: 8295024
    Abstract: A surge energy transfer circuit comprises a surge protection device, gas tube, inductor and high voltage capacitor for significantly reducing surge energy entering a power facility, lowering a remnant surge voltage to convert the surge energy in a voltage form. The converted voltage is superimposed to an operating power to slightly cause a rise of a peak value of the operating voltage. After the surge energy is converted in tens of mS, the operating power returns to a normal voltage value. Accordingly, the lifetime of the surge protection device can be extended and the surge immunity of the power facility can be improved to normal under surge interference situations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Inventor: Shun-An Liao
  • Patent number: 8295018
    Abstract: An ESD protection circuit includes a signal pad, a short circuited shunt stub on-chip with and coupled to the signal pad, an open circuited shunt stub on-chip and coupled to the signal pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsieh-Hung Hsieh, Po-Yi Wu, Ho-Hsiang Chen, Chewn-Pu Jou, Fu-Lung Hsueh
  • Patent number: 8284536
    Abstract: A luminaire can comprise an electronic circuit, such as an LED driver or electronic ballast. A surge protection device in the current path between a power supply and the luminaire components can be configured to protect the electronic circuitry by absorbing and/or redirecting energy of a surge by switching into a low-impedance state while maintaining the protected circuitry (including its internal protective components, if any) in a high-impedance state. The surge protection device can comprise a MOV stage and a filter stage, for example. The surge protection device can be configured as a replaceable module, with the luminaire including an assembly designed to receive the module and allow for easy replacement over the useful life of the other components. Use of fuses or thermal components may cause the surge protection device to interrupt power flow if protection is lost due to internal failure, indicating when module replacement is needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: ABL IP Holding LLC
    Inventors: Michael M. Minarczyk, Robert Scites, Yaser Abdelsamed
  • Patent number: 8283932
    Abstract: A noise measurement system in a power stabilization network, a variable filter applied to the power stabilization network, and a method for measuring noise in the power stabilization network are provided. A power line communication signal from the power stabilization network is attenuated relative to a particular frequency using a filter in order to allow the power line communication signal to operate within an input range of an Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) measurer. A signal from a forbidden frequency band is transmitted to the EMI measurer without any attenuation or influence on a noise floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: LS Industrial Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Young Gyu Yu
  • Publication number: 20120250207
    Abstract: A high voltage surge arrester, including a varistor element arranged so as to be connected to a high voltage source and to carry a high voltage when being positioned in its operative position, and an electric insulator that encloses and is in contact with the varistor element and forms an outer surface of the apparatus, wherein the electric insulator includes a silicone-based rubber. The silicone based rubber includes particles chosen from the group consisting of Al2O3, BN and ZnO, to such an extent that the thermal conductivity of the silicone-based rubber is equal to or above 0.8 W/mK.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Inventors: Lennart Stenström, Linnea Petersson, Xavier Kornmann, Henrik Hillborg
  • Patent number: 8274773
    Abstract: In a lamination type semiconductor device, in the case where a power source plane is wrapped by a closed area to prevent the needless radiation from being leaked to the outside of the semiconductor package, a planar conductor for shield having an area intersecting with the respective layers is required. However, in a device for manufacturing the lamination type semiconductor device, a process for manufacturing the above-mentioned conductor cannot be realized ordinarily. In order to make the process possible, it is required to modify or replace a manufacturing apparatus of the semiconductor device, and accordingly a manufacturing cost will be considerably increased. In the present invention, a guard ring is arranged in an surrounding area of a power source plane. The guard ring is connected to a GND plane of another layer through a via. Consequently, the RF radiation occurs between the power source plane and the guard ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Tadashi Shimizu
  • Patent number: 8254076
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a medium voltage drive system includes at least one transformer and multiple power cell chambers each coupled to a transformer. The power cell chambers each may include a rectifier, a DC-link, and an inverter. Each power cell chamber can be separated into fixed and moveable portions, where the moveable portion includes the rectifier and the inverter and the fixed portion includes the DC-link. A power service bus can couple the fixed and moveable portions of each power cell chamber and couple in series groups of the plurality of power cell chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: TECO-Westinghouse Motor Company
    Inventors: Enrique Ledezma, Thomas Keister, Mehdi Abolhassani, Ryan Edwards, Alex Skorcz, Randall Pipho, Srinivas Satumahanti
  • Patent number: 8253525
    Abstract: A smart link in a power delivery system includes an insulator, which electrically isolates a power line, and a switchable conductance placed in parallel with the insulator. The switchable conductance includes switchgear for sourcing, sinking, and/or dispatching real and/or reactive power on the power line to dynamically in response to dynamic loading, transient voltages and/or currents, and phase conditions or other conditions on the power line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLC
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, William Gates, Jordin T. Kare, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Clarence T. Tegreene, David B. Tuckerman, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8254071
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus of providing 2-stage ESD protection for high-speed interfaces. An aspect of the present invention is to provide an integrated multi-stage ESD/EOS protection solution for such high-speed applications. In one embodiment, the ESD protection device has multiple ESD stages integrated into a single integrated circuit package and is mounted to a printed circuit board in series with a device under protection. In another embodiment the multiple ESD stages integrated into a single integrated circuit package of the ESD protection device are coupled with a series element that isolates a 2nd stage from a 1st stage during an ESD event, thus ensuring that the 2nd stage turns on before the 1st stage, as well as provides for less current in the 2nd stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Jeff Dunnihoo, Richard Kimoto
  • Patent number: 8248740
    Abstract: One form of the invention provides a method and apparatus for preventing an extraordinary electromagnetic pulse from reaching and rendering inoperative an electrical component of an electrical power system, wherein the component is located in a conductive path of the system that receives the pulse. The method and apparatus comprises the steps or means for detecting the presence of the pulse in the conductive path prior to the pulse reaching and rendering inoperative the electrical component. The pulse is diverted around the electrical component with a low inductance, high current capacity circuit relative to the electrical component before the pulse can reach and render the electrical component inoperative. The foregoing invention may beneficially utilize a high-speed current shunt comprising a flat conductive metal strap having a defined current-measuring region, a tapered parallel-plate transmission-line matching transformer attached to the current-measuring region and an output via a coaxial cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Advanced Fusion Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Curtis A. Birnbach
  • Publication number: 20120206848
    Abstract: A surge protection system including a pluggable surge protection cartridge and its corresponding base is disclosed. The cartridge includes a housing, a surge protection assembly situated within the housing containing a surge protection element and a plurality of cartridge contacts in electrical contact with the surge protection assembly. The cartridge contacts are configured to engage a base within an electrical load center to carry a surge current from the load center across an electrical path of the surge protection assembly through the surge protection element. The cartridge is configured to be situated within the base such that the cartridge is removable from the base while the base remains in electrical contact with the load center.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: PHOENIX CONTACT DEVELOPMENT & MANUFACTURING, INC.
    Inventors: Brian John GILLESPIE, Christopher Jon LAUBACH, Russell David MOSER, David Michael McCLELLAN, Scott Keith MICKIEVICZ
  • Patent number: 8243406
    Abstract: The present invention provides an ESD protection device and the like having improved durability against repeated use. An ESD protection device includes a base having an insulating surface, electrodes disposed on the insulating surface and facing but spaced apart from each other, and a functional layer disposed on at least between the electrodes. The electrodes have a multistage structure in which a gap between the electrodes is narrower toward the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventors: Kensaku Asakura, Yasuhiro Hirobe, Atsushi Hitomi, Takeshi Urano
  • Patent number: 8243412
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally pertains to surge protection systems that protect outside plant equipment from high-energy surges. In one exemplary embodiment, a protection system is used for protecting Ethernet equipment that is coupled to an outside Ethernet cable. The protection system provides protection and remains capable of coupling signal energy between an Ethernet cable and Ethernet equipment without significantly degrading Ethernet performance. However, the protection system, while allowing the desirable Ethernet signals to pass between the cable and the equipment, prevents the electrical voltages and currents of high-energy surges, such as surges from lightning or AC power faults, from damaging the Ethernet equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Adtran, Inc.
    Inventors: James B. Wiese, Daniel M. Joffe
  • Publication number: 20120200978
    Abstract: A surge suppression system provides surge protection both locally within the radio station building were the power plant and telecommunication equipment are located and remotely next to the radios and antennas located outside of the building on the communication tower. An external surge suppression unit provides a waterproof enclosure for both surge suppression devices and fiber optic connectors. A rack mountable surge suppression unit provides local in-line surge suppression protection for the electrical equipment located in the communication station. A unique surge suppression tray is hot swappable so that multiple surge suppression devices can be replaced at the same time without disrupting radio operation. Pluggable surge suppression modules can be used in both the external surge suppression unit and the rack mountable surge suppression unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: Raycap Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas Wayne Miller, Konstantinos Samaras, Kelly Rae Richards, Anastasios Fragkos, Daniel Joseph Sullivan, Megaklis Marathias
  • Patent number: 8233259
    Abstract: A reformed inductor, a surge protection device, and a surge protector with the reformed inductor and the surge protection device are disclosed. The surge protector includes a main body, a power plug, at least a socket, and a power protection device; wherein the power protection device include a reformed inductor, a plurality of fuses, and a plurality of surge absorber. The design of the surge protector can be used to reduce surge and stabilize current by connecting with circuit of the power outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Powertech Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Lung Lee, Tsong-Hwa Chen, Bor-Hua Hsu
  • Patent number: 8228019
    Abstract: An output filter includes a polyphase common-mode filter having a polyphase common-mode choke connected to an output of a power converter at one end, a first polyphase capacitor connected to the other end of the polyphase common-mode choke at one end, and a neutral-point detecting transformer connected to the other end of the first polyphase capacitor at one end; a capacitor/resistor series-connected body connected to a frame ground of the power converter at one end and connected to the other end of the neutral-point detecting transformer at the other end; and a polyphase normal-mode filter having a polyphase normal-mode choke connected to the other end of the polyphase common-mode choke at one end, and a second polyphase capacitor connected to the other end of the polyphase normal-mode choke at one end and having the other ends connected together and further connected to the one end of the capacitor/resistor series-connected body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Yaskawa Denki
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Higuchi, Kenji Yamada
  • Patent number: 8228656
    Abstract: A device for protecting a radio frequency transmission line from transient voltages includes an inner conductor for transmitting electromagnetic signals of a desired frequency band and a grounded, coaxial outer conductor electrically insulated from the inner conductor. A conductive bus bar extends longitudinally within the outer conductor and is conductively connected thereto. A plurality of gas discharge tubes are directly mounted on the inner conductor along at least a portion of its length in spaced apart intervals. In addition, each of the plurality of gas discharge tubes is conductively connected to a flattened surface on the bus bar through a metal spring washer. In use, the plurality of gas discharge tubes operate in parallel with one another to discharge transient voltages carried by the inner conductor that exceed a predefined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Inventor: George M. Kauffman
  • Patent number: 8228646
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for draining stored power are disclosed, which the apparatus and method are applied to an EMI filter circuit for draining power. When the power supply circuit is not working, the apparatus provides a bleeder resistor to drain the power stored in the capacitors of the EMI filter circuit. On the other hand, when the power supply circuit is working, the apparatus provides an open-circuit resistor which has extremely large electrical resistance in order to stop draining power. Thus, the apparatus for draining stored power will not cause extra power waste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Lien Chang Electronic Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun-Kong Chan, Po-Yuan Yu
  • Patent number: 8218282
    Abstract: A portable electronic device includes an audio file playing unit and a surge protector device connected to the audio file playing unit. The surge protector device includes a protector module connected to an audio file playing unit and a processor module connected to the protector module and the audio file playing unit. The processor module detects electric surges in the audio file playing unit and controls the protector module to filter the detected electric surges when the audio file playing unit plays audio files.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Chi Mei Communication Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Chia-Pin Lin
  • Patent number: 8217750
    Abstract: The 3-electrode surge protective device includes: a surge protective device body including: an earth electrode; a ceramic cylinder; and a pair of line electrodes; and a fail-safe spring including: an elastic mount portion; and a short-circuit portion, a conductive material that is sandwiched between the fail-safe spring and the body; and a pair of first lead pins provided on the pair of line electrodes; a second lead pin provided on the earth electrode. In a normal state, the conductive material support the short-circuit portion at a separation position where the short-circuit portion is separated from the outer peripheral face of the body and the first lead pins. In case where the body is overheated and the conductive material is melted, the short-circuit portion is moved to a contact position where the short-circuit portion comes into contact with the second lead pin and the first lead pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Shinko Electric Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Machida
  • Patent number: 8218776
    Abstract: A surge protection circuit acquires a surge signal from a left channel (LC) signal line and a right channel (RC) signal line. After the surge signal being transmitted on the LC signal line and the RC signal line is removed, an audio signal outputted from a signal input device is transmitted to an audio output device via the LC signal line and the RC signal line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chun-Te Wu
  • Patent number: 8213142
    Abstract: An amplifier (e.g., an LNA) with improved ESD protection circuitry is described. In one exemplary design, the amplifier includes a transistor, an inductor, and a clamp circuit. The transistor has a gate coupled to a pad and provides signal amplification for the amplifier. The inductor is coupled to a source of the transistor and provides source degeneration for the transistor. The clamp circuit is coupled between the gate and source of the transistor and provides ESD protection for the transistor. The clamp circuit may include at least one diode coupled between the gate and source of the transistor. The clamp circuit conducts current through the inductor to generate a voltage drop across the inductor when a large voltage pulse is applied to the pad. The gate-to-source voltage (Vgs) of the transistor is reduced by the voltage drop across the inductor, which may improve the reliability of the transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: QUALCOMM, Incorporated
    Inventor: Eugene R. Worley
  • Patent number: 8206614
    Abstract: A voltage switchable dielectric material comprising a concentration of multi-component particles that are individually formed by a mechanical or mechanochemical bonding process that bonds a semiconductive or conductive-type host particle with multiple insulative, conductive, or semi-conductive guest particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Shocking Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Lex Kosowsky, Robert Fleming
  • Publication number: 20120154970
    Abstract: A tunable coaxial surge arrestor includes an inner conductor within a bore of an outer body of the coaxial surge arrestor. An inner end of a stub is coupled with the inner conductor. The stub is also coupled with the outer body at a selectable location along the length of the stub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: Andrew LLC
    Inventors: Kendrick Van Swearingen, Albert Cox