Abstract: An actuator mechanism that decreases the time needed to move the contacts of a circuit interrupter between a closed circuit position and an open circuit position to reduce the probability of the occurrence of restrikes. The actuator mechanism uses a toggle spring arrangement that uses a single spring to move the interrupter through both an opening stroke and a closing stroke. The interrupter is designed to connect to the circuit in parallel, so that the interrupter is not normally in the circuit when the circuit is closed. Because the interrupter is not normally in the circuit, it can be manufactured to less stringent standards than those that apply to electrical components that normally remain in the circuit. The interrupter is well adapted for use as a puffer-type interrupter in which the contacts of the interrupter are contained in an arc-extinguishing gas, such as sulphur-hexaflouride (SF6) gas to further reduce the probability of restrikes and to minimize the effect of occurring restrikes.

Abstract: A capacitor is disclosed which includes at least one electrochemical cell. The cell includes a cathode having a coating of an amorphous metal oxide, an anode having a coating of an amorphous metal oxide and a substrate layer containing an electrolyte disposed between the cathode and anode. A conductive rubber layer is positioned on the exterior surface of both the cathode and the anode, and first and second current collectors are disposed, respectively, adjacent the outer surfaces of the conductive rubber layers. Finally, a metallic coating is interposed between each rubber layer and its adjacent current collector to reduce the contact resistance present in the capacitor.

Abstract: A semiconductor chip has first and second power supply lines and a capacitor having first and second capacitive electrodes. The first capacitive electrode is coupled to the first power supply line. A transistor has first and second current carrying electrodes and a control electrode. The first current carrying electrode is coupled to the second capacitive electrode, and the second current carrying electrode is coupled to the second power supply line. A logic controller is coupled to the second capacitive electrode and to the control electrode. The logic controller is effective to detect a defect in the capacitor and to operate the transistor so as to disconnect the capacitor from the first and second power supply lines in the event that the logic controller detects a defect in the capacitor.

Abstract: A circuit system for discharging a buffer capacitor, in particular for supplying high voltage to a piezoelectric output stage inside a control unit. Electronic switching elements are provided to discharge (but not to recharge) the buffer capacitor after the control unit is isolated from the piezoelectric element or after the control unit is switched off.

Abstract: A capacitive device formed on a substrate is provided that comprises a first set of terminals and a second set of terminals. The first set of terminals comprises a positive input terminal and a negative input terminal. The second set of terminals comprises a positive output terminal and a negative output terminal. The capacitor structure further comprises a first film electrode layer disposed above the substrate and having an input side and an output side, the input side having means for providing a coupling location for the negative input terminal, the output side having means for providing a coupling location for the negative output terminal. The capacitor structure further comprises a second film electrode layer also disposed above the substrate and having an input side and an output side, the input side having means for providing a coupling location for the positive input terminal, the output side having means for providing a coupling location for the positive output terminal.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An interrupter switch mechanism 18, an actuator mechanism 20 for operating the switch mechanism 18, an engagement arm 30 such as a whip, a first resistor 22, a second resistor 26, a drive mechanism 64 for pivoting the engagement arm 30 into contact with the resistors 22 and 26, and a drive shaft 62. The drive mechanism 64 has a first hub 82, a second hub 84 that is biased relative to the first hub 82, and a pivotal latch member 66 that is biased towards an engaged position with the second hub 94. The drive shaft 62 sequentially operates the drive mechanism 64 to introduce the first resistor 22 and then the second resistor 26, and then operates the actuator 20 to close the switch mechanism 18, for reducing electrical disturbances when switching a capacitor bank 12 into an electric power circuit 16.

Abstract: An electric power system includes a layered semiconductor photovoltaic voltage source, and an electrical conductor structure having two electrically conductive contacts to the voltage source structure. A capacitor is in electrical communication with one of the electrically conductive contacts. The capacitor includes a capacitive paint layer structure comprising capacitive pigment particles dispersed in a capacitive layer binder. A first side of the capacitive paint layer structure is deposited in facing contact to the second electrically conductive contact. A capacitor electrically conductive contact is in electrical communication with a second side of the capacitive paint layer structure remote from the first side.

Abstract: Disclosed are a solid electrolytic capacitor comprising a valve-acting metal, an oxide dielectric layer formed on a surface of the valve-acting metal and a solid electrolyte layer provided on the dielectric film layer, in which the electrically conducting polymer composition layer contains as a dopant at least one anion selected from (1) an alkoxy-substituted naphthalene monosulfonate anion, (2) a heterocyclic sulfonate anion, and (3) an anion of an aliphatic polycyclic compound or a combination thereof with another anion having a dopant ability and a method for producing such a solid electrolytic capacitor. The solid electrolytic capacitor of the invention is excellent in voltage resistance, high frequency property, tan &dgr;, leakage current, heat resistance (reflow property), etc.

Abstract: A thin film capacitor is provided with a thin film protection element to protect the capacitor from damage that can result due to the occurrence of an electrostatic discharge event. The thin film capacitor includes two conductive film portions forming capacitor plates and a dielectric film forming the capacitor dielectric. The protection element may take the form of a thin film diode or a series of thin film diodes connected electrically in parallel with the thin film capacitor. The whole device can be fabricated using a stoichiometric silicon nitride layer to produce the capacitor dielectric and a non-stoichiometric silicon rich silicon nitride layer to provide the diode semiconductor material. One diode is formed by one capacitor plate, the semiconductor layer and an upper diode contact.

Abstract: A circuit and a method for compensating the floating differential capacitance appearing between two recording microelectrodes is presented. It is shown how this floating capacitance can be neutralized so that current in any microelectrode can be injected without any significant cross-talk picked up by the other. It is a fully symmetrical compensation.

Abstract: A hemispherical grain (HSG) capacitor having HSGs on at least a part of the surface of capacitor lower electrodes, and a method of forming the same. In the capacitor, lower electrodes are formed of at least two amorphous silicon layers including an amorphous silicon layer doped with a high concentration of impurities and an amorphous silicon layer doped with a low concentration of impurities, and HSGs are formed, wherein the size of the hemispherical grains can be adjusted such that the size of HSGs formed on the inner surface of a U-shaped lower electrode or on the top of a stacked lower electrode is larger than that of HSGs formed on the outer surface of the U-shaped lower electrode or on the sidews of the stacked lower electrode. Thus, bridging between neighboring lower electrodes can be avoided by appropriately adjusting the size of HSGs, resulting in uniform capacitance wafer-to-wafer and within a wafer. The mechanical strength of the U-shaped lower electrode can also be enhanced.

Abstract: A capacitor of a semiconductor device which uses a high dielectric layer and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The capacitor includes a storage electrode having at least two conductive patterns which overlap each other and a thermally-stable material layer pattern being positioned between the conductive layer patterns. The storage electrode and the thermally-stable material layer pattern are formed by alternately forming a conductive layer and a thermally-stable material layer, and patterning the conductive layer and the thermally-stable material layer to have predetermined shapes. With the present structure, it is possible to prevent the storage electrode from being transformed or broken during a thermal treatment process for forming a high dielectric layer on the storage electrode or in a subsequent high temperature thermal treatment process.

Abstract: A computer-implemented protection system is used in a multi-phase electrical distribution network. The system includes a sensor operable to measure an impedance of a device connected to a phase of the distribution network. The device improves coupling of electrical potential from a source to a load. The system also includes a processor connected to the sensor and programmed to receive an impedance measurement from the sensor. The processor automatically calculates a variation in impedance of the device, the variation being based on a ratio of the impedance measurement and a previous impedance measurement. The processor automatically performs a protection analysis of the device based on the impedance variation.

Abstract: An open circuit failure monitoring apparatus for controlled electrical resistance heaters is disclosed. The heater failure monitoring apparatus allows controlled electrical resistance heaters to be continuously monitored for open circuit failures without applying an operational current flow through the heater, regardless of the operational status of the heater and without significant power consumption during periods when the heater is not operated. The failure monitoring apparatus includes a reactive current limiting element, such as a capacitor, and a current monitoring circuit. The capacitor is connected in parallel with the contact switch used to control line voltage applied to the resistive load. The reactance of the capacitor provides a small but continuous test current capable of being detected by the current sensing component, but not large enough to consume significant power.

Abstract: A voltage variable capacitor (VVC) is made by placing an intercalation compound between two electrodes of a capacitor. The VVC has a reservoir of an intercalant in proximity with the intercalation compound. The two materials are chosen from those known to exhibit the intercalation reaction. The extent of the intercalation reaction is controlled by applying a voltage to the intercalant reservoir and the intercalation compound. A variable capacitor is created by applying a signal to the device and appropriately controlling the .epsilon. of the device by using the input control voltages.

Abstract: A spa control circuit is provided for regulating a water circulation and heating system in a spa or hot tub or the like. The control circuit comprises a thermostat circuit and a high temperature limit circuit, both of which receive a temperature signal from a common temperature sensor. A safety circuit responds to sensor failure to prevent operation of the circulation/heating system. A latching relay ensures system reset in the same operational state following a power outage. An arc suppression circuit substantially prevents arc damage to relay contacts subjected to frequent opening and closing in response to on-off cycling of the thermostat circuit. In a preferred form, the control circuit components are mounted within a compact housing having a heat transfer member in heat exchange relation with circulating spa water, whereby the spa water is used to prevent overheating of the control circuit components.

Abstract: When a charging voltage Vs of a charging capacitor C is judged to exceed a voltage Vth1 through a comparator 8 of a charging voltage monitoring circuit 2, a logical output of the comparator 8 becomes "High" so that a control circuit 3 permits a transistor 4 of a discharging circuit 1 to be conductive, whereby the capacitor C discharges. Through such discharging, the charging voltage Vs decreases. When the voltage Vs is then judged to be less than a voltage Vth2, the logical output of the comparator 8 becomes "Low" so that the control circuit 3 stops the operation of the discharging circuit 1, whereby a power IC 18 permits the capacitor C to charge again. The charging and the discharging operation of the capacitor C are repeatedly conducted in this manner that.

Abstract: A secondary battery protection unit comprises a discharge switch (41) and a charge switch (42) inserted in an electric path between a positive terminal (B1) and a negative terminal (B2) together with secondary cells (1 and 2) connected in cascade to the discharge and the charge switches (41 and 42), overcharge detection circuits (45 and 46), and an activation control circuit (17) including a current mirror circuit. The activation control circuit (17) detects a voltage difference between both ends of a combination or one of the discharge and the charge switches (41 and 42) to judge whether or not the secondary cells perform a charging operation or a discharging operation. Only during the charging operation, the activation control circuit (17) makes the current mirror circuit supply a bias voltage to the overcharge detection circuits (45 and 46) to allow activation thereof. During the discharging operation, supply of the bias voltage is inhibited to save excessive power consumption.

Abstract: A device for protecting a ballast circuit from excess voltage and excess current includes a switch for disconnecting the ballast circuit from the power source and a control circuit for operating this switch; the control circuit monitoring a control point, from which control point a first resistor connects to a first terminal of the power source, a second resistor connects to a second terminal of the power source, and a third resistor connects to a point between the switch and the ballast, the switch being brought into off-state when the voltage between the control point and the first terminal of the power source exceeds a given value, thus leading to a hysteresis between an input voltage for switching the device off and an input voltage for switching the device back on again, with positive feedback being provided by the third resistor for decreasing the switch-off time and the corresponding switching losses.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for optimizing power factor in single phase and three phase installations. Capacitor circuits are interruptably connected with busses by means of switches. Leads electrically connected to the busses are attached to the load leads. The correct capacitance to optimize the power factor is determined experimentally by closing the switches, singly and in combination, until the power factor is in the 95-98% range. A power factor meter is used to determine power factor.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for relieving a capacitor of a controlled series compensator as a function of the load on its arrester when high-current line faults occur. The current flowing through the arrester is used to determine its absorbed energy, from which a temperature gradient is then determined as an indicator of a sudden load on the arrester and compared with a limit value. This comparison value is processed, as a function of the determined actual arrester temperature and the measured line current, to yield a control signal. The power converter valve of the controlled series compensator is triggered in response to this control signal in such a way that its equivalent impedance is switched from capacitative to inductive. The number of disconnections required as a result of high-current line faults is thereby considerably reduced, thus greatly increasing availability of the system.

Abstract: An overvoltage protective device for a series capacitor (C) has a main spark gap and a first auxilary spark gap, arranged adjacent thereto, for ignition of the main spark gap. A second auxiliary spark gap is arranged in association with the first auxiliary gap for ignition thereof. The first and second auxiliary spark gaps are connected between one of the electrodes of the the main spark gap and a voltage divider which comprises resistors (R1, R2, R3 ) and a varisistor (VR1) . When the knee voltage of the varisistor is exceeded, the second auxiliary spark gap is ignited, the arc of which initiates ignition of the first auxiliary spark gap, the arc of which in turn moves towards and ignites the main spark gap. During the arcing time of the spark gap, a controlled discharge of the series capacitor through a resistor (R2) takes place.

Abstract: A circuit bypass device (30) having terminals (70, 80) is connected to contacts (70, 80) of a cell (20) to provide a conductive path (40) in response to voltage excursion therebetween. Device (30) includes: a conductive shunt (40), coupled to contacts (70, 80), that is movable from a normally non-conductive position to a conductive position between terminals (70, 80); a detector (50), coupled to conductive shunt (40), for sensing voltage excursion beyond specified limits between contacts (70, 80); and an actuator (60) having a heat-to-recover shape memory metal alloy that is formed to contract when detector (50) senses the voltage excursion, for moving conductive shunt (40) from the non-conductive position to the conductive position. The formed alloy is preferably spring-shape which contracts translationally and torsionally.

Abstract: In the protection system for a capacitor bank, a resistor is connected in series between a connection cable for connecting capacitor unit groups in parallel with one another and a short-circuit device provided for each capacitor unit group, by which a first short-circuit current flowing into a damaged capacitor unit from the other capacitor unit groups in a case of a short-circuit fault in the capacitor unit can be reduced and bypassed in safety, and, consequently, secondary accidents such as a fire followed by the short-circuit fault in the capacity unit can be prevented effectively.

Abstract: The invention provides an electric energy accumulator of capacitive type, with high capacity, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of electrochemical capacitors (C) connected in parallel and disposed inside the same case (B) comprising an overvoltage detection circuit (DS) and a circuit (CD) for controlling discharge of the capacitors into heat dissipation shunts (S) integrated in the case (B).

Abstract: A capacitor in which the interruption mechanism includes an actuator that moves in response to a predetermined physical condition to cause electrical disconnection of the capacitive element, and in which the actuator has a range of motion through a limited number of stable positions and is mechanically pre-biased to move toward one of the stable positions when not already in one of the stable positions. In another aspect the capacitor housing includes an integral rim around the terminals that is filled with dielectric resin to insulate the terminals from the space surrounding the capacitor housing.

Abstract: An electrical device includes an electrical element; a container housing the electrical element; a rigid electrical terminal extending through a hole in a wall of the container; a bridge between the wall and the element, the bridge having an opening offset from an axis lying normal to the wall at the hole and the opening being aligned with a portion of the terminal; and an electrical connection made between the element and the terminal via the bridge opening, the connection being configured so that bulging of the wall causes the connection to break. Preferably, the container is a capacitor, and the electrical connection between the element and the terminal includes multiple separation points.

Abstract: An electrically conductive expulsion fuse manifold and bus for connecting and mounting a plurality of fuses which upon operation expel gases into the manifold is shown and described. The expulsion fuses are attached to the manifold by means of clamps, flanges, and/or threaded connections. Each expulsion fuse includes an expendable cap which may be blown off into the manifold under high magnitude capacitor discharge currents and/or fault currents for safe double-vented fuse operation. The manifold may also be non-conductive where electrical isolation is required and where a separate electrically conductive bus is employed.

Abstract: A resonant L-C circuit is series-excited from an AC voltage source and intended to be parallel-loaded with a load that, for some reason or another, may be disconnected or otherwise inoperative. For efficiency reasons, the unloaded circuit Q-factor may be about 50 times higher than the loaded Q-factor; which implies that, if the load were to become inoperative, the power drawn by the L-C circuit from the source, and the voltage/current magnitudes developed in the L-C circuit, would be 50 times larger than when the load is operative. To prevent unnecessary power drain and/or to avoid damage to source and/or circuit components, which damage may occur even if the L-C circuit is left unloaded for but a very brief period, a circuit protector is provided.

Abstract: The DIN Standard VDE 160/01.86 involves specific requirements as far as the dielectric strength of electronic devices is concerned which are intended for operation at high-voltage networks. A guard circuit for the protection of capacitive loads is described. In this system, a current detector means is provided to detect the current flowing into the load and to emit a first blocking signal at least when the amount of the detected current exceeds a preset maximum value. A voltage detector means is provided to detect the voltage in the supply network and to emit a second blocking signal when the amount of the detected voltage exceeds a preset maximum value. A controllable switching means is provided which is so designed and in such controlled communication with the current and voltage detector means that the load will be isolated from the supply network as soon as at least one of the two blocking signals is applied.

Abstract: A capacitor protection circuit for protecting bulk storage capacitors in a storage capacitor circuit in an electronic power supply. The capacitor protection circuit is operatively coupled to the storage capacitor circuit and comprises a first and second thyristor. The first and second thyristors are selected so that when the voltage across one of the storage capacitors in the storage capacitor circuit exceeds a predetermined voltage, the second thyristor will trigger the first thyristor to cause an excessive amount of current to be drawn through a fuse in the electronic power supply, thereby causing the fuse to blow and uncoupling the electronic circuit from an AC input. Another embodiment is disclosed to show how the capacitor protection circuit can be used in a 110 or 220 volt environment by utilizing a switch.

Abstract: A capacitor for a AC applications is manufactured from zinc alloy metallized polypropylene sheet material. The sheet material is wound into one or sections having a roll-shape, which sections are placed within a metal container and provided with electrical terminals for connecting to the exterior of the container. The metal container is then filled with a potting compound comprising 80%-90% blown asphalt and 10%-20% wax additive. When the potting compound sets, the capacitor sections are sealed therein so as to be protected from air, moisture and thermal and electrical shock. The container is then covered with a top which includes a pressure interrupter, and it is sealed. This capacitor exhibits improved resistance to deterioration due to environmental factors over long periods of time, and it permits operation with higher voltages than was previously possible.

Abstract: A capacitor is composed of an external casing with an internal polyurethane encapsulation containing a polypropylene layered metallized film type capacitor element. Inside the casing is a component in the form of a frangible substrate having at least one conductive track thereon. The track establishes connection between a terminal on the casing and the capacitor element. The substrate is either mounted directly to the inside of the casing or is contained in a cartridge. The substrate is of brittle nature and distorts should pressure increase in the casing to shatter to break the track and isolate the terminal from the capacitor element.

Abstract: A resinated capacitive-body capacitor with interspace and explosion-preventing device having an encasing shell for a capacitive body which is englobed in a hardened resin and further including a cap with a pressure activable disconnecting device fuse enclosed in the respective encasing plastic shell, being of a soft spongy interspace material, between said encasing shell and said hardened resin with capacitive body provided.

Abstract: A geometric arrangement for filter capacitors used in high frequency power supplies such that a multiplicity of paralleled capacitors not only share the current but also provide optimum filtering. The terminals of each of the capacitors are connected by equal inductances to receive the rectified alternating current. The capacitor terminals are also connected directly to the output of the supply in order to provide the D.C. current thereto.

Abstract: A monitoring device connected to an LC filter circuit for determining the occurrence of faults therein includes sensors for measuring the voltage drop across the LC filter circuit and the current flow therethrough. The monitoring device includes simulation circuits for estimating the voltage drop and current flow in response to the actual values of the current flow and voltage drop, respectively. In one position of the double-throw switch, the actual value of the current is compared with an estimated value thereof while in another position of the double-throw switch, an estimated value of the voltage drop is compared with the actual value thereof. Differences between the compared values are detected by a multiplicity of Y-connected limit and counting stages activatable by voltages of different magnitudes and directions for indicating different kinds of faults and for selectively disconnecting the LC filter circuit from a power supply network.

Abstract: A pressure sensitive fault interrupter for a dry metalized AC motor run capacitor having a dome-shaped diaphragm secured to one electrode at the base of a capacitor roll such that a rise in pressure within said roll will cause the dome of the diaphragm to be depressed, thereby breaking the electrical contact of one electrode, thus isolating the capacitor from its power supply.

Abstract: A current limited strobe charging circuit in which the charging current is automatically limited during the time required to reform the primary storage capacitor after a long period of non-use without materially effecting the current flow and time required to subsequently recharge the storage capacitor after it has been reformed includes a positive temperature coefficient resistor serially connected therewith to switch from a low resistance mode of operation to a high resistance mode of operation as a result of its own internally generated I.sup.2 R heat.

Abstract: There is disclosed a high-voltage DC circuit breaker apparatus with reverse current insertion system by line voltage charge, which comprises a commutation switch, a series circuit of a capacitor, a reactor and a switch connected in parallel with the commutation switch, a resistor connected so as to charge the capacitor by a line voltage. The charging time constant of the capacitor determined by the capacity of the capacitor and the resistor is used as a reference in a manner so that the rise time constant of the line voltage is smaller than the charging time constant of the capacitor, and the rise time constant of the line current is larger than the charging time constant of the capacitor, thereby interrupting the fault current without fail.

Abstract: An improved general service incandescent lamp having an improved capacitive ballast circuit for operating a low voltage filament of the lamp is disclosed. Various embodiments of an improved capacitive ballast circuit that substantially eliminates unwanted stored energy and unwanted resistive dissipation are disclosed.

Abstract: A unique design and method of construction is presented for a tank-like structure which houses an electrical component immersed within a dielectric fluid. The tank is formed by a generally cup-shaped enclosure and a cover. In one embodiment the cover carries a means for electrically connecting the interior of the tank with its exterior. The cover and the enclosure are joined by an overlapping edge means. By overlapping the marginal portions of the cover and the enclosure, such that the leading edges are disposed in the opposite direction, a joint is formed which is less likely to rupture than one formed by overlapping the marginal portions with the leading edges disposed in the same direction.

Abstract: An individual capacitor unit has an individual discharge damping circuit, which may be contained within the unit housing, that is connected between a capacitor stack connection and a terminal of the unit. The damping device includes a predominantly resistive circuit path in parallel with a predominantly inductive circuit path.

Abstract: An interrupter for a multisection AC capacitor is a molded disc of polyphenylene sulfide. The disc has three holes in it in an equilateral triangular array, and one side of the disc is flanged around its periphery. The other side of the disc has three main ribs extending outwardly from the center and dividing the disc into three equal sections, each containing one of the holes. Lateral ribs extend from each side of the main ribs at 60.degree. to the main rib and approximately 25% of the length of the main rib from the center of the disc.

Abstract: A protective assembly is provided for a power capacitor having three electrical terminals extending outwardly from the top of the capacitor. The protective assembly comprises a mounting plate constructed of an electrical insulating material having three holes formed through it which register with the electrical terminals of the capacitor. The mounting plate is positioned over the capacitor terminals so that the lower side of the mounting plate faces the top of the capacitor while the electrical terminals protrude outwardly from the upper side of the mounting plate. Bleed resistors are connected between each pair of the capacitor terminals on the upper side of the plate. In addition, a fuse assembly is attached to the upper side of the mounting plate and has at least one and preferably three fuse holders. Each capacitor terminal is connected to one of the fuse holders on the fuse assembly while the other terminal for each fuse holder forms the power connection to the electrical load.

Abstract: A circuit for monitoring the voltage stress of a capacitor which produces an over-stress indicator signal responsive to the over-voltage history of the capacitor. If the measured voltage stress of the capacitor exceeds a predetermined over-voltage value, a characteristic-curve generator, having a predetermined transfer function, produces an output signal which is responsive to the measured voltage stress of the capacitor and the transfer function of the characteristic-curve generator. This signal is combined with a further signal which is responsive to a predetermined permissible continuous operation voltage value. The combined signals are conducted to an integrator having a predetermined integration time constant for producing an overload signal. The overload signal at the output of the integrator is a measure of the state of stress of the capacitor. Circuitry may be provided for disconnecting the capacitor from a transmission line in response to the output signal of the integrator.

Abstract: A circuit for monitoring the capacitor battery of a filter circuit connected to a transmission line, the capacitor battery consisting of at least two parallel legs, each with a number of series-connected capacitors. A first signal is produced which corresponds to the total alternating current flowing through the capacitor battery. A second signal is produced which corresponds to the difference between the currents flowing through the respective parallel legs of the capacitor battery. The current difference signal is compared with a respective fraction of the total current signal. A fault indicator signal is produced if the difference between the difference current signal and the fractional total current signal exceeds a predetermined threshold value. Further circuitry is provided for correcting drift in the difference current signal, which may be caused by temperature variations or acceptable capacitor failures.

Abstract: An RC composite component with a spark gap comprises a pair of discharge electrodes defining the predetermined spark gap and formed on a dielectric substrate. The discharge electrodes are coated with a film of varnish with a controlled thickness by the screen process.

Abstract: Electrical capacitor has guard placed over its external terminals to provide space for displacement of the terminals in the operation of the internal pressure sensitive interrupter device when the capacitor is embedded by encapsulating material in an electrical ballast container.

Abstract: An improved traction apparatus for electrical vehicles that are supplied with energy over a contact line and that utilize a filter capacitor to smooth the input current to a DC convertor that is used to energize a driving motor. The improvement concerns means for avoiding surges of filter capacitor charging current when the line voltage rises after a line voltage drop. A thyristor is used to pass current to the convertor when the line voltage remains within a particular operational range and to block the flow of current to direct the current to a current limiting resistor when the line voltage begins to rise after a short duration or relatively longer duration voltage drop.