Nonlinear Material (e.g., Valve Type) Patents (Class 361/127)
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Patent number: 7312971Abstract: A surge absorption circuit of one embodiment comprises an input terminal; an output terminal; a common terminal; a first surge absorption element and a second surge absorption element which are connected in series between the input terminal and the output terminal; a first inductive element provided in parallel to the first surge absorption element and the second surge absorption element, and connected to the input terminal and the output terminal; a second inductive element connected to a connection point of the first surge absorption element and the second surge absorption element and connected to the common terminal.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2005Date of Patent: December 25, 2007Assignee: TDK CorporationInventor: Yuji Terada
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Patent number: 7312970Abstract: A motor drive for an electric machine includes a live line, a second line, and a ground line. A surge protector includes a first varistor and a gas discharge tube (GDT) that is non-conductive below a trigger voltage and that is conductive above the trigger voltage. The first varistor and the GDT are connected in series between one of the live line and the second line and the second line and the ground line. A second varistor is connected between the other of the live line and the second line and the second line and the ground line. When a voltage on the live line exceeds the trigger voltage, the first varistor, the second varistor and the GDT limit voltage output to the electric machine and deliver excess voltage to the ground line.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2004Date of Patent: December 25, 2007Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.Inventor: James L Skinner
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Patent number: 7283032Abstract: It is possible to realize an electrostatic discharge protection component having a very small electrostatic capacity suited to a high-frequency equipment and comprising a ceramic insulating substrate, a varistor unit composed of a varistor layer and an internal electrode, which are sintered and integrated on the ceramic insulating substrate, and at least a pair of external electrodes provided on the varistor unit, the varistor unit being formed with a varistor.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2005Date of Patent: October 16, 2007Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tatsuya Inoue, Hidenori Katsumura, Hiroshi Kagata
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Patent number: 7272885Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing surge arrestors, the method including stacking varistors; and forming a coating of composite material on the stack. Between these steps, also included is placing a bead of flexible, adhesive, and dielectric material on the previously formed stack in register with the various interfaces between each pair of adjacent varistors.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2003Date of Patent: September 25, 2007Assignee: AlstomInventors: Mehrdad Hassanzadeh, Frédéric Malpiece, Dominique Mercier
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Patent number: 7251114Abstract: The invention relates to an overvoltage protection circuit comprising an MOV (Metal Oxide Varistor) voltage limiting device (3) which is disposed in series with a GDT (Gas Discharge Tube) voltage limiting device (4). The invention is characterized in that a resistor (5) is disposed in parallel with the aforementioned GDT device (4), the value of said resistor being such that the voltage supported by the GDT device (4) is less than the holdover voltage thereof. In another embodiment of the invention, a second resistor (6) is disposed in parallel with the MOV device (3) and, together with the above-mentioned resistor (5), forms a resistive divider such that the voltage applied the GDT device (4) under steady-state conditions is less than the holdover voltage of the GDT.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2005Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Assignee: Diseno de Sistemas en Silicio, S.A.Inventors: Jorge Vicente Blasco Claret, Antonio Poveda Lerma, Antonio Pairet Molina, José Luís González Moreno, Francisco Andrés Navarro
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Patent number: 7212389Abstract: An electrical device includes a body, an electrical contact having a first end for electrically coupling to an electrical apparatus and a second end within the body, and a conductor electrically coupled to the second end of the electrical contact. The electrical device also includes an access region defining a cavity and a surge arrester that electrically couples to the conductor through the access region. The cavity provides access to an interior of the electrical device. The access region may include an insulating projection extending from an insulating body of the electrical device and a conductive cover surrounding the insulating projection. The insulating projection defines the cavity. The conductive cover is electrically isolated relative to a conductive shell that surrounds the insulating body.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2005Date of Patent: May 1, 2007Assignee: Cooper Technologies CompanyInventor: David Charles Hughes
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Patent number: 7154726Abstract: The pluggable electrical apparatus, formed in particular as a surge arrester (A), has an axially symmetrical housing (1) with a housing axis (7) running in the plugging direction, a flange (5) for fastening the apparatus housing (1) on a housing (30) of a high-voltage installation (H) and an axially symmetrical active part (6). In order to make it possible for this apparatus (A) to be fitted into the high-voltage installation (H) in a simple manner, the flange (5) is formed into the apparatus housing (1) and the active part (6) is mounted displaceably in the axial direction in the apparatus housing (1) and held with a prestressing force with respect to the apparatus housing (1) before a plug-in connection is formed.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2003Date of Patent: December 26, 2006Assignee: ABB Schweiz AGInventors: Jutta Barlage, Peter Zeller, Sarah Sitzler
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Patent number: 7154728Abstract: The active part which is provided for use in a surge arrester includes two connecting fittings, which are arranged along an axis at a distance from one another, at least one cylindrical varistor column, which is provided between the two connecting fittings, and at least one dielectric loop. This loop is supported on the two connecting fittings and thus holds the active part together, thus forming a contact force. The active part is distinguished by a small physical height and little use of materials. This is achieved in that at least one of the two connecting fittings has an electrode, which is arranged at right angles to the axis and is in the form of a plate, as well as an electrical connection, which is integrally formed on the plate. Furthermore, supporting means which are in the form of shoulders are provided for the dielectric loop, and are formed in the plate and/or are integrally formed at the edge of the plate.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2004Date of Patent: December 26, 2006Assignee: ABB Technology AGInventors: Walter Schmidt, Robert Hauser
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Patent number: 7120001Abstract: The invention relates to a surge voltage protector (1) which comprises a discharge current path with at least one varistor block (4a, 4b, 4c). In order to prevent the varistor blocks (4a, 4b, 4c) from bursting when an inner error is produced and an electric arc connected thereto is created, a coating (9, 9a, 9b, 9c) is applied in the region of the outer covering area of at least one varistor block (4a, 4b, 4c), said coating being made of a substance which triggers an electric flashover when a critical temperature of the varistor blocks (4a, 4b, 4c) is exceeded.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2002Date of Patent: October 10, 2006Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Bernd Kruska, Kai Steinfeld
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Patent number: 7035072Abstract: The present invention provides an ESD apparatus that includes an electrical overstress suppression device in series with a capacitor. The ESD apparatus is ideally suited for use with network communication devices, but any electronic device requiring overvoltage protection and isolation may employ the ESD apparatus of the present invention. In one embodiment, the ESD apparatus includes a capacitor and an electrical overstress protection device that electrically communicates in series with the capacitor. In another embodiment, the ESD apparatus includes an electrical overstress protection device having a voltage variable material and a capacitor that electrically communicates in series with the overstress protection device. The capacitor is sized so that the overstress device can withstand an application of a predetermined steady state voltage.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2002Date of Patent: April 25, 2006Assignee: Littlefuse, Inc.Inventor: James A. Colby
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Patent number: 7015786Abstract: A mechanical reinforcement for an electrical apparatus has at least one electrical element with an outer surface and a reinforcing structure attached to the outer surface. The electrical element may be a monolithic MOV disk or a bonded MOV disk stack. The monolithic element may, for example, have a rating greater than 6 kV. The reinforcing structure may be pre-impregnated fiber matrix that may be, for example, pre-impregnated with resin. The mechanical reinforcement provides improved high current durability to the electrical apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2001Date of Patent: March 21, 2006Assignee: McGraw-Edison CompanyInventors: Michael M. Ramarge, Thomas C. Hartman
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Patent number: 7012500Abstract: An MOV element is physically and electrically connected to a heat sensitive material which changes from a low impedance path to a high impedance path, such as a spark gap, when the temperature of the MOV element rises to a temperature below that at which the MOV will enter into its thermal runaway state. More specifically, the heat sensitive material is located on a surface of the MOV and is electrically connected in series with the MOV. In operation, as the MOV gets hot, it heats the heat sensitive material. As the heat sensitive material gets hot, it starts to separate from the surface of the MOV to form a spark gap which is electrically connected in series with the MOV element to help dissipate excessive voltage.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2004Date of Patent: March 14, 2006Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.Inventors: David Y. Chan, Roger M. Bradley, John J. Power
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Patent number: 6952336Abstract: A protective element safely dissipates overvoltages which is comprised of a parallel connection of a varistor and an surge arrester. To reduce the capacity of the protective element, the varistor is fashioned as a disc and arranged between a contact pins and the surge arrester. An electrical isolation between contact pin and varistor is ensured by an electrically isolated spacer, in which openings for electrical contact elements are provided to connect the varistor with the cup and the contact pin with the surge arrester. The surge arrester and the spacer are preferably fit positively into the cup.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2003Date of Patent: October 4, 2005Assignee: EPCOS AGInventors: Frank Werner, Norbert Krost, Jürgen Boy
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Patent number: 6915173Abstract: Failure prediction for complex processes is performed utilizing one or more nonlinear regression models to relate operational variable values measured at two or more times to predicted process metric values and maintenance variable values.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2003Date of Patent: July 5, 2005Assignee: Ibex Process Technology, Inc.Inventors: Wai T. Chan, Edward A. Reitman, Jill P. Card
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Patent number: 6873513Abstract: The present invention relates to a passive electronic component architecture employed in conjunction with various dielectric and combinations of dielectric materials to provide one or more differential and common mode filters for the suppression of electromagnetic emissions and surge protection. The architecture allows single or multiple components to be assembled within a single package such as an integrated circuit or connector. The component's architecture is dielectric independent and provides for integration of various electrical characteristics within a single component to perform the functions of filtering, decoupling, fusing and surge suppression, alone or in combination.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2003Date of Patent: March 29, 2005Assignee: X2Y Attenuators, LLCInventor: Anthony A. Anthony
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Patent number: 6853529Abstract: System for surge protection of an object comprising a supply unit, which is connected to the secondary output of an external transformer. The secondary windings (1) of the external transformer are coupled in a star configuration, the star point of the transformer being connected to a downstream neutral conductor (7) and an earth electrode provided near to the transformer. In the supply unit, at least one phase conductor (6) is connected to the neutral conductor (7) by means of a surge protective device of a first type (4), and the neutral conductor (7) is connected to an earth electrode (5) provided near to the supply unit by means of a surge protective device of a second type (9). The surge protective device of the first type (4) comprises a voltage dependent resistor or varistor and the surge protective device of the second type (9) comprises a lightning current arrester or spark gap element.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2001Date of Patent: February 8, 2005Assignee: Koninklijke KPN N.V.Inventors: Jacobus Theodorus Antonius Kouwenhoven, Michiel Henricus Hartmann, Teunis Frans Krul
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Patent number: 6849335Abstract: Disclosed herein is an anisotropically conductive sheet capable of holding charge in its surfaces under an unpressurised state, and moving the charge held in the surface in a thickness-wise direction thereof in a state pressurised in the thickness-wise direction, thereby controlling the quantity of the charge at the surface. This anisotropically conductive sheet comprises a sheet base composed of an elastomer and conductive particles exhibiting magnetism contained in the sheet base in a state oriented so as to arrange in rows in a thickness-wise direction of the sheet base, and dispersed in a plane direction thereof. Supposing that a volume resistivity in the thickness-wise direction under an unpressurised state is R0, and a volume resistivity in the thickness-wise direction in a state pressurised under a pressure of 1 g/mm2 in the thickness-wise direction is R1, the volume resistivity R1 is 1×107 to 1×1012 ?·m, and a ratio (R0/R1) of the volume resistivity R0 to the volume resistivity R1 is 1×101 to 1×104.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2001Date of Patent: February 1, 2005Assignee: JSR CorporationInventors: Hisao Igarashi, Kazuo Inoue, Ryoji Setaka
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Patent number: 6847514Abstract: A surge arrester includes a stack of components having at least one varistor. Each component has end faces, at least one of which is mechanically bonded to an end face of another component such that the combined components of the stack define a single, monolithic structure that serves as both an electrically-active element and a mechanical support element of the surge arrester. The surge arrester also includes an insulative housing surrounding the stack of components. The stack of components is capable of withstanding current pulses having magnitudes of 65 kA and durations of {fraction (4/10)} microseconds without significant degradation in operating performance of the stack of components.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2002Date of Patent: January 25, 2005Assignee: Cooper Industries, Inc.Inventors: Michael M. Ramarge, David P. Bailey, Roger S. Perkins, Thomas C. Hartman, Alan P. Yerges, Ramon Puyane, David R. Miller
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Patent number: 6822843Abstract: An external storage device connected to electronic equipment through a cable includes a switch for selecting functions of the main unit of the external storage device. A user freely sets the function of the external storage device by simply operating the switch. This arrangement eliminates the need for disassembling the external storage device to switch the function thereof. The switch may be externally exposed out of the case of the external storage device.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2002Date of Patent: November 23, 2004Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.Inventor: Keiji Jitsukawa
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Publication number: 20040201941Abstract: A voltage variable material (“VVM”) including an insulative binder that is formulated to intrinsically adhere to conductive and non-conductive surfaces is provided. The binder and thus the VVM is self-curable and applicable in a spreadable form that dries before use. The binder eliminates the need to place the VVM in a separate device or to provide separate printed circuit board pads on which to electrically connect the VVM. The binder and thus the VVM can be directly applied to many different types of substrates, such as a rigid (FR-4) laminate, a polyimide or a polymer. The VVM can also be directly applied to different types of substrates that are placed inside a device. In one embodiment, the VVM includes doped semiconductive particles having a core, such which can be silicon, and an inert coating, which can be an oxide. The particles are mixed in the binder with conductive particles.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2003Publication date: October 14, 2004Inventors: Edwin James Harris, Tushar Vyas, Stephen J. Whitney
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Patent number: 6778374Abstract: An arrester includes a housing having an inner bore, and a substantially cylindrical varistor body is received in the inner bore of the housing. The varistor body is formed of at least one varistor element having a lateral outer surface and a length defined between first and second ends of the varistor body, and a first mating element extending outwardly from the outer surface and along substantially the entire length of the body. A substantially rigid first support member is received in the inner bore and is disposed on the outer surface of the body. The first support member has a first mating surface that corresponds to and engages the first mating element of the body, thereby coupling the body and the first support member.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2002Date of Patent: August 17, 2004Assignee: Hubbell IncorporatedInventors: Viorel Berlovan, Bryan R. Nelson
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Patent number: 6778375Abstract: A surge protector for single-phase or multi-phase power lines is disclosed, for permanent connection near the entrance of power lines to a building, that has a basic protector sub-circuit of a metal-oxide varistor (MOV) and a gas-discharge tube (GDT) connected in series between the power line and building ground. Preferably, the gas-discharge tube is a three-element GDT and is connected to two metal-oxide varistors. In a multi-phase implementation, the present invention includes one or more protector sub-circuits connected between each power line and ground, wherein each protector sub-circuit includes two metal-oxide varistors connected to a power line and a gas-discharge tube connected to the building ground.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2000Date of Patent: August 17, 2004Assignee: PanamaxInventor: Gerald B. Hoopes
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Patent number: 6754057Abstract: A method for mounting a component on an assembly is provided, such as to prevent shorting between a voltage plane and a ground plane that may be caused when the component fails and generates temperature rises that result in insulation failure. The method includes removing a section of one or more of the group including a ground plane and a voltage plane in an area of the component, where the area of the section is selected to prevent damage to the component that can be caused by shorting between the ground plane and the voltage plane if insulation failure occurs.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2001Date of Patent: June 22, 2004Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Robert A. Pereira, D. Joseph Stoddard
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Patent number: 6751081Abstract: A surge-protected coaxial termination includes a metallic outer body, a center conductor extending through a central bore of the outer body, and a spark gap created therebetween to discharge high-voltage power surges. A pair of dielectric support insulators support the center conductor on opposite sides of the spark gap. High impedance inductive zones surround the spark gap to form a T-network low pass filter that nullifies the additional capacitance of the spark gap. An axial, carbon composition resistor is disposed inside the outer body, and inside the dielectric insulator to absorb the RF signal, and prevent its reflection. The resistor extends co-axially with the center conductor, and one end of the resistor is electrically coupled thereto. A blocking chip capacitor extends radially from the opposite end of the resistor to the grounded outer body.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2000Date of Patent: June 15, 2004Assignee: Corning Gilbert Inc.Inventor: John A. Kooiman
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Patent number: 6735068Abstract: An electrical apparatus includes at least one housing segment and at least one MOV disk. The housing segment includes a sheath and defines a bore having a first opening at one end of the housing segment and a second opening at the opposite end of the housing segment. The MOV disk is positioned within the bore. An adhesive is positioned in the bore between the MOV disk and the housing segment and is configured to circumferentially bond the MOV disk to the housing segment.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2001Date of Patent: May 11, 2004Assignee: McGraw-Edison CompanyInventors: Thomas C. Hartman, Michael M. Ramarge
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Patent number: 6731489Abstract: A Category 5 (as well as newer revisions, such as Category 6 and Category E)/single-pair surge protector module for protecting telecommunications related equipment and the like from transient voltage and current surges includes a two-piece interfitting housing which receives a miniature printed circuit board therein. The miniature printed circuit board is used to mount a Category 5 (as well as newer revisions, such as Category 6 and Category E)/circuit surge protector device. The surge protector device includes a pair of voltage suppressors and four banks of diodes.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2002Date of Patent: May 4, 2004Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Richard H. Heidorn, Mohammad Masghati
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Patent number: 6693508Abstract: An arrangement of voltage variable materials for the protection of electrical components from electrical overstress (EOS) transients. A device having a plurality of electrical leads, a ground plane and a layer of voltage variable material. The voltage variable material physically bonds the plurality of electrical leads to one another as well as provides an electrical connection between the plurality of electrical leads and the ground plane. A die having a circuit integrated therein is attached to the ground plane. Conductive members electrically connect the plurality of electrical leads to the integrated circuit. At normal operating voltages, the voltage variable material has a high resistance, thus channeling current from the electrical leads to the integrated circuit via the conductive members.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2000Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Assignee: Littelfuse, Inc.Inventors: Stephen J. Whitney, Louis Rector, Hugh M. Hyatt, Anthony D. Minervini, Honorio S. Luciano
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Patent number: 6674622Abstract: This invention provides a circuit and a method for protecting electronic circuits from electrostatic damage ESD. The invention teaches a dynamic floating silicon-controlled rectifier SCR for use as an ESD clamp. The n-well of the SCR is biased to the supply voltage Vdd under normal conditions to provide good latch-up performance. During ESD events, the n-well is floated to improve clamping performance. In addition, this invention utilizes a floating-well control circuit which provides better latch-up immunity during normal operation after the ESD event has passed.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2002Date of Patent: January 6, 2004Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Ta-Lee Yu, Jian-Hsing Lee
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Patent number: 6654223Abstract: A surge arrester mounting unit is provided for telecommunications and data systems technology. The arrester includes an upper part and lower part made of plastic, and metallic contact elements which are arranged in pairs and which engage, by means of spring arms, in chambers of the upper part in order to made contact with surge arresters. The contact elements have contact blades which project out of the lower part. In order to enable the surge arrester mounting unit also to be used for terminal blocks with high transmission rates, the invention provides for the contact blades (11) for separating contact fingers (directed into the interior of a terminal block) (1)), from insulation piercing contact elements (4) to be made approximately twice as long as the spring arms (19) and to be given more than double the material thickness (d) at the free end by bending over.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 1999Date of Patent: November 25, 2003Assignee: Krone GmbHInventors: Hans-Dieter Bippus, Bryce Lindsay Nicholls
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Patent number: 6639779Abstract: A frequency selective transient voltage protector (FSTVP) circuit that may be used in connection with a communication line over which POTS and DSL service may be simultaneously provided. The FSTVP circuit attenuates high frequency transient voltages that exceed a predetermined voltage level, while permitting low frequency, generally high voltage signals (e.g., ring signals) and high frequency, low voltage signals (e.g., DSL signals) to pass with little or no attenuation. The FSTVP circuit comprises a frequency selective network (that comprises a frequency discriminator and a voltage discriminator) connected to an overvoltage protection device that shunts any high frequency transient voltages thus protecting devices connected downstream along the communications line from damage. The frequency selective network is tuned to gate the overvoltage protection device when the frequency and voltage of a signal present on the communication line exceed predetermined values.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2001Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: Oneac CorporationInventors: Vincent L. Knigge, Paul F. Haake
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Patent number: 6636409Abstract: A surge protection device includes terminals adapted to receive a power source voltage and surge protection circuits, each of which includes a thermal fuse spring, one or more metal oxide varistors (MOVs), and one or more fuse traces corresponding to the MOVs. The thermal fuse spring, one of the fuse traces and the corresponding one of the MOVs are electrically interconnected in series between the terminals, in order to form a series electrical connection therebetween. The thermal fuse spring is adapted to disconnect the series electrical connection between the terminals under first fault conditions including a first current of first duration through one of the MOVs. The thermal fuse spring and each of the fuse traces are adapted to cooperatively disconnect a corresponding one of the series electrical connections between the terminals under second fault conditions including a second greater current of second lesser duration through one of the MOVs.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2001Date of Patent: October 21, 2003Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Dalibor Kladar, James Funke, Chi Thuong Ha, Anthony-Cernan Mendoza, Mieczyslaw Bandura, Mahoud Ghanem
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Patent number: 6636403Abstract: A varistor has a thermal fuse between a lead and an electrode. The fuse includes a link extending between the surface of an insulator and the fused electrode. The electrical connection of the link and the electrode is maintained by a low temperature solder fillet. That part of the link between the electrode and the insulator is surrounded by hot melt electrically insulating material. Upon sustained over-voltage conditions, the link and the solder fillet melt, and an insulating gap is rapidly created by molten hot melt material.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2001Date of Patent: October 21, 2003Assignee: Littlefuse Ireland Development Company LimitedInventors: Neil A. McLoughlin, Michael O'Donovan
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Patent number: 6633476Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus comprising a watt-hour meter adapter housing having a substantially cylindrical outline with a translucent window into its interior, and having visible therewithin one or more lights connected between respective input power phases and ground. The invention also relates to a transient voltage surge suppression (TVSS) apparatus containing a TVSS means including varistors in a housing fitting in a plug-and-jack manner between a watt-hour meter and its customary socket in a utility box or panel, improved on-line TVSS status indication means comprising a translucent window in the housing, and an indicator light connected to show the status and visible through the window to an outside observer.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 1999Date of Patent: October 14, 2003Assignee: Meter Treater, Inc.Inventor: Edward F. Allina
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Patent number: 6631062Abstract: An electrically conductive ceramics comprises a compound containing at least one element belonging to the Group 3A of the periodic table and TiO2−x (0<x<2) in a range such that the TiO2−x (0<x<2) accounts for 1 to 60 wt % of the total amount of the ceramics, and at least part of the compound and the TiO2−x form a composite oxide.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 1999Date of Patent: October 7, 2003Assignees: Nihon Ceratec Co., Ltd., Taiheiyo Cement CorporationInventors: Kazuyoshi Minamisawa, Hiroyuki Matsuo, Sari Endoh, Yukio Kishi, Kazunori Saitoh, Hiroshi Suzuki, Motohiro Umezu, Mamoru Ishii, Hironori Ishida, Youichi Shirakawa, Norikazu Sashida
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Patent number: 6628493Abstract: The invention comprises a system and method for providing electrostatic discharge protection. In one embodiment of the invention, an integrated circuit (10) comprising at least one input element (20) is protected by a protective circuit (40). The protective circuit (40) is operable to protect the integrated circuit (10) from damage due to electrostatic discharge and may be coupled to the input element (20). The protective circuit (40) comprises a lateral NPN transistor (T1) coupled to the input element (20) and operable to activate when the input element voltage exceeds threshold, the threshold greater than or equal to the ordinary operating voltage of circuitry coupled to the input element (20). The protective circuit (40) also may comprise a lateral PNP transistor (T2) coupled to the input element (20) and to the lateral NPN transistor (T1). The lateral PNP transistor (T2) is operable to aid in raising a potential of the base of the lateral NPN transistor (T1).Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2000Date of Patent: September 30, 2003Assignee: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventors: Zhiliang Julian Chen, Thomas A. Vrotsos, E. Ajith Amerasekera
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Patent number: 6627100Abstract: A current/voltage non-linear resistor comprises a sintered body having a main component of ZnO, an electrode applied to a surface of the sintered body and an insulation material applied to another surface of the sintered body. The main component containing, as auxiliary components, Bi, Co, Mn, Sb, Ni and Al, and the contents of the auxiliary components are respectively expressed as Bi2O3, Co2O3, MnO, Sb2O3, NiO and Al3+, of Bi2O3: 0.3 to 2 mol %, Co2O3: 0.3 to 1.5 mol %, MnO: 0.4 to 6 mol %, Sb2O3: 0.8 to 7 mol %, NiO: 0.5 to 5 mol % and Al3+: 0.001 to 0.02 mol %; a Bi2O3 crystalline phase in the sintered body including an &agr;-Bi2O3 phase representing at least 80% of the total Bi2O3 phase.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2001Date of Patent: September 30, 2003Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Hideyasu Ando, Takeshi Udagawa, Yoshiyasu Ito, Hironori Suzuki, Hiroyoshi Narita, Koji Higashibata, Toshiya Imai, Kiyokazu Umehara, Yoshikazu Tanno
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Patent number: 6625001Abstract: In a directional tap, a splitting circuit receives a video signal from an input port and outputs a distributed video signal corresponding to the video signal from the input port at each of multiple directional output ends. Each of multiple directional output terminals is connected electrically to a respective one of the directional output ends for outputting the distributed video signal to a client end. One of multiple surge protection circuit units is connected between the input port and an input of the splitting circuit. The remaining surge protection circuit units are connected between a respective directional output end of the splitting circuit and a respective directional output terminal. Each surge protection circuit unit includes an inductor having a first terminal connected electrically to the splitting circuit, and a second terminal cooperating with a ground terminal to define a gap.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2002Date of Patent: September 23, 2003Assignee: Cable Vision Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Micki Tseng
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Patent number: 6618234Abstract: Damage to electronic golf course sprinkler valve controls from lightning current surges is prevented by electrically isolating the actual valve control circuit from the logic circuitry that controls it, using in the valve control circuit only components and printed traces that can withstand at least as much power dissipation as the field wiring, and grounding each valve control individually to earth ground through a plasma discharge device.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2000Date of Patent: September 9, 2003Assignee: The Toro CompanyInventors: Ali Abdelghani, Uzair Siddiqui, Derek A. Harris, Lam Mau Nguyen, Arnold Ray Nelson, Michael Larry Bell
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Patent number: 6614640Abstract: The surge arrester has an arrester housing, two electrical power connections (16, 17) which are routed out of the arrester housing, and at least one varistor, which is arranged in the arrester housing (1, 2), is in the form of a disc and has two contact points which are provided on the end faces. The contact points are each electrically conductively connected to one of the two electrical power connections (16, 17). The varistor contains a non-metallized active part (12) and two elastic contact elements (11, 13) which are pressed against the end faces of the active part (12), forming an electrical contact. The end surfaces (12a, 12b) may be convex or concave instead of being plane-parallel and, if they are in the desired plane-parallel form, form a small angle with respect to one another. The elastic contact elements (11, 13) and the non-metallized end surfaces (12a, 12b) allow good electrical contact in all cases.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2001Date of Patent: September 2, 2003Assignee: ABB Schweiz AGInventors: Bernhard Richter, Stephan Hoffarth, Michael Hagemeister
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Patent number: 6594133Abstract: The surge arrester has a cylindrically symmetrical housing which can be grounded and through which a plug connection is passed which can be brought to a high-voltage potential. An active part which is aligned along the axis of symmetry is arranged in the housing and has two connection fittings and at least one varistor element arranged between the two connection fittings. The connection fittings and the at least one varistor element are braced with respect to one another by at least one loop forming a contact force. The insulation between the active part and the housing is ensured by a dielectric sleeve. The housing is in the form of a dielectric sleeve. The housing is in the form of a bottle and has a housing section in the form of a bottle neck, in which an electrical conductor is routed, which is connected to one of the two connection fittings, is electrically conductively connected to the plug connection, and is cylindrically symmetrical.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2000Date of Patent: July 15, 2003Assignee: ABB Schweiz AGInventors: Walter Schmidt, Peter Oehlschläger
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Patent number: 6566813Abstract: An overvoltage protection device (1) with a first electrode (2) which has a first arcing horn (3), with a second electrode (4) which has a second arcing horn (5), with an air-breakdown spark gap (6) which is active between the arcing horns (3, 5), and with a housing (7) which accommodates the electrodes (2, 4), has the two arcing horns (3, 5) shaped and arranged relative to one another such that they diverge from a lower ignition area (8) to their outer ends (9, 10), so that the air-breakdown spark gap (6) widens outwardly, proceeding from the ignition area (8). The overvoltage protection device (1) has a current carrying capacity which is as high as possible and a high network follow current extinction capacity with an overall height which is as small as possible by the first arcing horn (3) being made in the shape of a truncated cone and the second arcing horn (5) being located concentrically around the first arcing horn (3).Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2000Date of Patent: May 20, 2003Assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co.Inventors: Eberhard Lehmann, Klaus Scheibe, Joachim Schimanski, Jörg Tews, Martin Wetter
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Patent number: 6549114Abstract: An arrangement of voltage variable materials for the protection of electrical components from electrical overstress (EOS) transients. A device having a plurality of electrical leads, a ground plane and a layer of voltage variable material. The voltage variable material physically bonds the plurality of electrical leads to one another as well as provides an electrical connection between the plurality of electrical leads and the ground plane. A die having a circuit integrated therein is attached to the ground plane. Conductive members electrically connect the plurality of electrical leads to the integrated circuit. At normal operating voltages, the voltage variable material has a high resistance, thus channeling current from the electrical leads to the integrated circuit via the conductive members.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 1999Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Assignee: Littelfuse, Inc.Inventors: Stephen J. Whitney, Louis Rector, Hugh M. Hyatt, Anthony D. Minervini, Honorio S. Luciano
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Patent number: 6549388Abstract: An electrical service apparatus housing carries a plurality of line and load blade terminals and jaw contacts. Surge suppression elements are carried on a circuit board mountable within the housing and are connected to certain blade terminals and jaw contacts for conducting electrical surges to ground. Insulating barriers surround the jaw contacts and, also, fixedly position the circuit board in the housing. A switch element is energized when one of the surge suppression elements changes state and provides an externally transmittable signal indicative of the change in state of one of the surge suppression elements. An insulating safety shield surrounds the jaw contacts. A light transmissive guide carried on the shield has a first end disposed adjacent to a light source on the circuit board and an opposed second end visible exteriorly through the housing to provide an exteriorly visible indication of the state of the light source.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2000Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Assignee: Ekstrom Industries, Inc.Inventor: Darrell Robinson
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Patent number: 6540944Abstract: A current limiting device comprises at least two electrodes; an electrically conducting composite material between the electrodes; interfaces between the electrodes and electrically conducting composite material; an inhomogeneous distribution of resistance at the interfaces whereby, during a high current event, adiabatic resistive heating at the interfaces causes rapid thermal expansion and vaporization and at least a partial physical separation at the interfaces; and a structure for exerting compressive pressure on the electrically conducting composite material, wherein the electrically conducting composite material comprises at least one polymer matrix and at least one conductive filler.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2002Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Anil Raj Duggal, Andrew Jay Salem, Lionel Monty Levinson, Michael Leslie Todt
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Publication number: 20030053277Abstract: Text Integrated circuit device (20) comprising a silicon substrate (21), integrated devices (22) with contacts (23.1, 23.2), an isolating layer (24) at least partially covering the integrated devices (22) and comprising conducting areas (24.1, 24.2) which establish a conductive path to the contacts (23.1, 23.2) of the integrated devices (22). A metallization level (25) with metal lines (26.1, 26.2, 26.3, 26.4) is provided which connect to one of the contacts (23.2). The metal lines (26.1, 26.2, 26.3, 26.4) are situated above the isolating layer (24). A passivation layer (27)—situated above the metallization level (25)—comprises at least two contact areas (28.1, 28.2) for partially exposing at least two of the metal lines (26.2, 26.4). A bump bridge (29) comprising a conductive, low-resistance material, is situated on the passivation layer (27). The bump bridge (29) has a high aspect ratio and provides for a conductive connection between at least two of the metal lines (26.2, 26.4).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2002Publication date: March 20, 2003Inventors: Joachim Christian Reiner, Eckart Rzittka, Jose Solo De Zaldivar
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Patent number: 6529361Abstract: Gas-filled discharge paths such as voltage surge protectors and spark gaps can have a low ignition delay in dark spaces when a special activating compound is used. To simplify the manufacture of such discharge paths, fully nickel-plated electrodes are used; in addition, nickel in a metallic form, in addition to titanium, is also added to the special activating compound.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2000Date of Patent: March 4, 2003Assignee: Epcos AGInventors: Bernd Petschel, Wolfgang Daeumer, Juergen Boy
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Publication number: 20030030957Abstract: The component with fault arc protection has an insulator in the form of a pillar, a first electrical conductor system which is provided on the insulator head and can be connected to high-voltage potential, and a second electrical conductor system which is provided on the insulator foot and can be connected to a ground potential. Each of the two electrical conductor systems contains an arcing electrode (7) for dissipating any fault arc which occurs in the event of a discharge between the two electrical conductor systems.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2002Publication date: February 13, 2003Inventors: Walter Schmidt, Robert Hauser
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Patent number: 6519129Abstract: A surge arrester includes a stack of components having at least one varistor. Each component has end faces, at least one of which is mechanically bonded to an end face of another component such that the combined components of the stack define a single, monolithic structure that serves as both an electrically-active element and a mechanical support element of the surge arrester. The surge arrester also includes an insulative housing surrounding the stack of components. The stack of components is capable of withstanding current pulses having magnitudes of 65 kA and durations of 4/10 microseconds without significant degradation in operating performance of the stack of components.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 1999Date of Patent: February 11, 2003Assignee: Cooper Industries, Inc.Inventors: Michael M. Ramarge, David P. Bailey, Roger S. Perkins, Thomas C. Hartman, Alan P. Yerges, Ramon Puyane, David R. Miller
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Patent number: 6501634Abstract: A high voltage transient surge suppression system which provides an improved fusing to greatly reduce or eliminate the chance of secondary combustion during an excess power situation. The invention discloses a fuse link system which places one or more fuse links between a first electrical potential and a second electrical potential, and which uses air to insulate or isolate electrical potentials so that products of combustion from an excess power surge do not form a conductive path between electrical potentials on a printed circuit board.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 1999Date of Patent: December 31, 2002Inventor: Douglas P. Hubbell
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Patent number: 6483685Abstract: An electrically-conductive and mechanically-compliant joint is formed between a pair of electrical components. The joint is positioned between a lower face of a first electrical component and an upper face of a second electrical component. The Young's modulus of the joint is less than approximately half that of the Young's modulus of the electrical components.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2000Date of Patent: November 19, 2002Assignee: McGraw Edison CompanyInventors: Michael M. Ramarge, David P. Bailey, Thomas C. Hartman, Roger S. Perkins, Alan P. Yerges, Michael G. Scharrer, Lisa C. Sletson