Discharging Or Preventing Accumulation Of Electric Charge (e.g., Static Electricity) Patents (Class 361/212)
  • Patent number: 8138937
    Abstract: The present invention provides a device to monitor whether a work station operator has properly worn a grounding mechanism, and a novel cascading means to chain multiple devices into a chain for sharing electricity and ground. The present invention could achieve the following functions: (1) capable of monitoring both single-wire and two-wire grounding mechanisms; (2) providing backup grounding through the chain so that the static electricity discharging capability is maintained as long as a single device in the chain remains connected to the ground; (3) extending the ground through the chain so that grounding is not required to be previously prepared at every work station; (4) sustaining all devices on the chain by a single external power supply; and (5) providing networking connectivity through the chain's cascading cables so that the network cabling cost and effort is significantly reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Inventor: Hsin-Ming Yang
  • Patent number: 8133765
    Abstract: The invention relates to a high-frequency integrated circuit requiring ESD protection for a circuit node. One or more metallic layer is deposited within the integrated circuit and patterned to form a transmission line. The metallic layers are generally already present in the integrated circuit for signal routing. The transmission line is coupled between the circuit node and a terminal of an ESD protection device, with a transmission line return conductor coupled to a high-frequency ground. The transmission line is formed with an electrical length that transforms the impedance of the ESD protection device substantially into an open circuit at the circuit node at an operational frequency of the integrated circuit. The other terminal of the ESD protection device is coupled to the high-frequency ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Uwe Hodel, Wolfgang Soldner
  • Patent number: 8134821
    Abstract: There is provided a static eliminator capable of weakening an electric field between a discharge electrode and a ground electrode, to generate a strong electric field between the discharge electrode and a workpiece, in which a first-stage circumferential chamber, a second-stage circumferential chamber and a first gas pool are arrayed in series along the longitudinal direction of a discharge electrode, the first gas pool is disposed in the mode of diametrically overlapping a gas outflow channel for shielding located on the inner circumferential side of the first gas pool, a gas is supplied to the first gas pool through the chambers disposed at multi-stages by means of the circumferentially spaced multi-stage orifices (the first and second chases), a ground electrode plate member in plate shape is buried in an insulating resin member on the bottom surface side of the half base in a position as high as where the first gas pool is located, and the ground electrode plate member includes a circular ring section con
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Keyence Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Fukai, Teppei Imataka
  • Publication number: 20120057267
    Abstract: A pipe connector is disclosed, comprising two connector elements, arranged for interconnection of two pipes, wherein one or both of the connector elements is formed from electrically resistive material so as to provide electrical resistance between the connected pipes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS LIMITED
    Inventors: David PETIT, Anthony BRYANT
  • Patent number: 8120888
    Abstract: A device for grounding electrical components arranged in a chain has a grounding point at ground potential and an actuation device connected to the grounding point for connecting the electrical components to the grounding point. In order to provide such a device, with which a simple, safe, and durable grounding is obtained, the actuation device is constructed as a moving part extending in a longitudinal direction and movable in a longitudinal direction. The moving part has an electrically conducting grounding section connected to the grounding point and an electrically nonconducting insulating section arranged on the end of the moving part facing away from the grounding point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengeselschaft
    Inventors: Jörg Dorn, Jörg Hafermaas, Johann Holweg, Thomas Kübel, Herbert Müller
  • Publication number: 20120006583
    Abstract: The present invention provides an electrostatic discharge protector capable of simply taking ESD measures with a free shape against electronic circuit boards having various designs, having excellent regulation accuracy for an operating voltage and capable of downsizing and cost decreasing, and also provides a discharge gap filling composition capable of using in the production of the electrostatic discharge protector. The discharge gap filling composition comprises metal particles (A) obtainable by metal particles with a hydrolyzed product of a metal alkoxide represented by the following formula (1) and a binder component (C), and the electrostatic discharge protector comprises the composition; R—O—[M(OR)2—O—]n—R??(1) wherein M is a metal atom, O is an oxygen atom, R is an alkyl group, all or a part of R's may be the same as or different each other, and n is an integer of 1 to 40.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: SHOWA DENKO K.K.
    Inventors: Yoshimitsu Ishihara, Mina Onishi, Yukihiko Azuma
  • Publication number: 20110317326
    Abstract: A discharge gap filling composition for an electrostatic discharge protector. The composition contains oxide film coated metal particles (A), a layered substance (B) and a binder component (C). Also disclosed is an electrostatic discharge protector including a discharge gap and a discharge gap filling material containing the discharge gap filling composition that is filled in the discharge gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: SHOWA DENLO K.K.
    Inventors: Mina Onishi, Yoshimitsu Ishihara, Hirofumi Inoue, Yukihiko Azuma
  • Publication number: 20110310523
    Abstract: An electrical apparatus, which is preferrably operated at voltages above 1 kV, comprises an electrostatic shield to reduce the electrical field strength outside of the apparatus. Advantageoulsy, the electrostatic shield is at least in part formed by a dielectric enclosure containing water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: ABB TECHNOLOGY AG
    Inventors: Per-Olof Hedblad, Dong Wu
  • Publication number: 20110308472
    Abstract: A system and method for monitoring and mitigating leakage currents is disclosed. The data acquisition system records data from multiple monitoring locations over extended periods of time to identify stray voltage and/or leakage currents present at the monitoring location. The data is processed to identify trends in the stray voltage and/or leakage currents and to suggest methods for mitigating the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Inventor: Jesse Straubhaar
  • Publication number: 20110299213
    Abstract: A varistor ceramic includes Zn as the main component and Pr in a proportion of 0.1 to 3 atom %.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: EPCOS AG
    Inventors: Monika Piber, Hermann Grünbichler
  • Patent number: 8072731
    Abstract: There is provided a static eliminator capable of improving a sheath effect exerted by shielding a leading end of a discharge electrode by a clean gas so as to prevent the leading end of the discharge electrode from being contaminated, in which a first-stage circumferential chamber, a second-stage circumferential chamber and a first gas pool are arrayed in series along the longitudinal direction of a discharge electrode, the first gas pool is disposed in the mode of diametrically overlapping a gas outflow channel for shielding located on the inner circumferential side of the first gas pool, and a clean gas is supplied to the first gas pool through the chambers disposed at multi-stages by means of the circumferentially spaced multi-stage orifices (the first and second chases).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Keyence Corporation
    Inventors: Tomonori Shimada, Kazunori Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8072730
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a chip-type protection device having an enclosed micro-gap between electrodes. The invention includes a substrate on which a pair of discharge electrodes extend towards each other by a micro-gap. A wall is disposed in a manner spaced apart from the micro-gaps by a predetermined distance, on which a cover portion is mounted in a straddling manner across the micro-gaps. The wall and the cover portion are integrated under a predetermined gaseous environment to form a hermectic chamber on which an outer protective layer is coated. End electrodes are subsequently formed on the substrate in a manner connected to conductive portions of the discharge electrodes. The invention provides a protection device against over-voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: TA-I Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ho-Chieh Yu, Chun-You Lin, Hung-Yi Chuang
  • Patent number: 8064184
    Abstract: An ion nozzle (36) generates an air jet (38) comprising charged particles which is incident on the open side edge (52) of the printed products (10). As a result of this, the printed products (10) are bulged and, at the same time, discharge electrostatic charge from the open side edge (52).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Ferag AG
    Inventor: Konrad Auf der Maur
  • Patent number: 8049363
    Abstract: A motor drive circuit comprises positive and negative input terminals for connection of the motor circuit to a DC supply, a DC link filter connected between the input terminals: an electric motor having at least two phases, a plurality of motor drive sub-circuits, each connected to a respective phase of the electric motor and which each control the flow of current into or out of the respective phase of the motor that has been drawn from the supply through the DC link filter, and a switching means provided in the electrical path between the DC link filter and the electric motor drive sub-circuits, the switching means being movable between a closed position in which it connects the DC link filter to the motor drive sub-circuits, and an open position which isolates the DC link filter from the motor drive sub-circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: TRW Limited
    Inventors: Andrew McLean, John Anthony Bolton
  • Publication number: 20110235230
    Abstract: Disclosed is a touch screen, which includes a first transparent substrate having a first transparent electrode formed on one surface thereof, a second transparent substrate formed to face the first transparent substrate and having a second transparent electrode formed on one surface thereof, a first adhesive layer formed at an outer periphery between one surface of the first transparent substrate and one surface of the second transparent substrate, and an antistatic layer formed on the other surface of the first transparent substrate so that a touch input is applied thereto and including a conductive material, and in which the antistatic layer is formed on the upper surface of the first transparent substrate thus preventing the generation of static electricity and preventing damage to the first transparent substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Inventors: Jong Young LEE, Yong Soo OH
  • Publication number: 20110236098
    Abstract: A grounding structure includes a rotation shaft and a grounding member. The rotation shaft has a non-circular cross section, and rotates. The grounding member is attached to the rotation shaft to electrically communicate with the rotation shaft, and rotates together with the rotation shaft. The grounding member includes a first grounding portion, a grounding retainer and a second grounding portion. An outer shape of the first grounding portion is a circular shape. The grounding retainer is provided on a side of the first grounding portion in a shaft direction of the rotation shaft, and has an outside diameter being larger than an outside diameter of the first grounding portion. The second grounding portion is elastically held in contact with the first grounding portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takuya OKAMURA
  • Patent number: 8014121
    Abstract: The present invention prevents occurrence of electrical discharge on an electrically conductive structure in an environment in which high-energy electrons impinge onto the structure or on an electronic element mounted to a surface of the structure, which electrical discharge would otherwise occur when the potential of the structure or the electronic element increases in the negative direction due to a negative charge flowing thereinto. An insulating tape bonded to the surface of the electrically conductive structure is partially cut-removed; an electrically conductive adhesive is applied to an exposed portion of the surface of the electrically conductive structure; and an insulating film is bonded to the electrically conductive adhesive, such that the electrically conductive adhesive is exposed to the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignees: Kyushu Institute of Technology, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
    Inventors: Mengu Cho, Yuya Sanmaru, Satoshi Hosoda, Minoru Iwata, Tatsuhito Fujita, Yasumasa Hisada
  • Publication number: 20110211291
    Abstract: The present invention describes an electrostatic discharge protection circuit that protects an internal circuit of a semiconductor device from electrostatic discharge. The electrostatic discharge protection circuit includes a first electrostatic protection unit that transfers static electricity as a driving signal and also discharges the static electricity to a first discharge line when the static electricity is generated in a pad. It also includes a second electrostatic protection unit that discharges the static electricity generated in the pad to a second discharge line in response to the driving signal transferred from the first electrostatic protection unit. Since the first electrostatic protection unit performs an electrostatic discharge operation and at the same time aids the driving of the second electrostatic protection unit, electrostatic discharge performance can be enhanced while a layout area of the electrostatic discharge protection circuit can be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: HYNIX SEMICONDUCTOR INC.
    Inventor: Hee Jeong SON
  • Publication number: 20110199713
    Abstract: A high-frequency device includes a wireless IC chip and a board which is coupled to the wireless IC chip and electrically connected to radiator plates, and an inductor and/or a capacitance are provided as a static electricity countermeasure element in the board. The inductor is connected in parallel between the wireless IC chip and the radiator plates, and its impedance at the frequency of static electricity is less than an impedance of the wireless IC chip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Noboru KATO, Nobuo IKEMOTO, Yuya DOKAI, Koji SHIROKI
  • Publication number: 20110194225
    Abstract: The present invention provides an electrostatic discharge protector capable of protecting electronic circuit boards having various designs from electrostatic discharge freely, simply and easily. The electrostatic discharge protector of the present invention comprises at least three conductive members containing one pair of electrodes and the conductive members other than the electrodes, the conductive members are each disposed in such a way that the gap between one conductive member and the other conductive member has a width of 0.1 to 10 ?m, an insulating member is disposed and embedded in at least one of gaps having a width of 0.1 to 10 ?m which are adjacent to each conductive member and one electrode is connected to the other electrode paired with the one electrode through the insulating member and the conductive members other than electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: Showa Denko K.K.
    Inventors: Mina Onishi, Yoshimitsu Ishihara, Hirofumi Inoue, Yukihiko Azuma
  • Patent number: 7990731
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing defining a through hole, a circuit board fixed in the housing, including a switch and a grounding portion connecting with the ground, a fastening member received in the through hole fixed on the housing and contacting the grounding portion, passing static electricity therethrough and defining a mounting hole, and an actuating member received in the mounting hole and contacting the fastening member, and pressing the switch when actuated; wherein the fastening member and the actuating member are conductive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shi-Kun Guo, Ke-Hui Peng, Guo-Ping Yao
  • Publication number: 20110164341
    Abstract: There are provided a substrate sheet, a plurality of design portions arranged independently from each other along a longitudinal direction of the substrate sheet and each including at least a conductive material portion, and a band-shaped static eliminating band portion extending continuously along the longitudinal direction of the substrate sheet and electrically connecting the conductive material portions in the plurality of design portions to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Nagai, Masaki Kashiwagi, Shigeru Hinoshita, Masato Oonishi, Takeshi Sanada, Kazuo Arai, Akihiro Maeda, Hiromitsu Muko
  • Patent number: 7973283
    Abstract: A method for regulating sample surface charge has been proposed in this invention. The processes of applying a charged particle beam to a first area and applying a flood energized beam gun with gaseous molecules to a second area are executed in the method when the sample is in both continuous and Leap & Scan movements. The second area is located at a predetermined distance from the first area behind or ahead of the first area being scanned with respect to the movement of the sample. Thus, the surface of the sample may be regulated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Hermes Microvision, Inc.
    Inventors: Joe Wang, Jack Jau
  • Patent number: 7974066
    Abstract: A wireless communication device includes a PCB, a grounded electrostatic protection element and an antenna. The PCB includes a ground and an antenna clearance portion. The ground portion includes a ground layer. The antenna clearance portion overlaps the antenna and includes a plurality of second key contacts, a plurality of ground contacts and a plurality of microstrips. The second key contacts are placed on a top surface of the PCB. The ground contacts and the microstrips are placed on a bottom surface of the PCB and corresponding to the second key contacts. The plurality of microstrips connect the plurality of ground contacts to the ground layer. The electrostatic protection element connects the second key contacts to protect them from electrostatic interference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shih-Chian Yang, Ting-Kong Hsieh
  • Patent number: 7973365
    Abstract: The invention relates to a high-frequency integrated circuit requiring ESD protection for a circuit node. One or more metallic layer is deposited within the integrated circuit and patterned to form a transmission line. The metallic layers are generally already present in the integrated circuit for signal routing. The transmission line is coupled between the circuit node and a terminal of an ESD protection device, with a transmission line return conductor coupled to a high-frequency ground. The transmission line is formed with an electrical length that transforms the impedance of the ESD protection device substantially into an open circuit at the circuit node at an operational frequency of the integrated circuit. The other terminal of the ESD protection device is coupled to the high-frequency ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Uwe Hodel, Wolfgang Soldner
  • Publication number: 20110155658
    Abstract: A filtration media that incorporates a static dissipative media layer for dissipating the static charge that builds up as a fluid, such a fuel, passes through the filtration media. The filtration media includes a filter media suitable for filtering fluid, and a static dissipative media layer. The static dissipative media layer has a surface resistivity level that is sufficient to classify the media layer as static dissipative rather than conductive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: CUMMINS FILTRATION IP, INC.
    Inventors: Julie GRABER, Gary L. RICKLE, Michael J. MONNIN
  • Publication number: 20110149459
    Abstract: An assembly, system and method are provided for discharging a rotating shaft encompassed by a stationary housing. The system includes an annular charge-dissipating component and a biasing element oriented to apply an axial force to the charge-dissipating component, holding it in contact with the shaft and the housing while the shaft is rotating. The biasing element may be a coil spring or a wave spring. A shaft grounding upgrade kit includes a conductive ring member and a cylindrical spring having a diameter that is the same as that of the conductive ring member. The spring constant of the cylindrical spring is such that the spring holds the conductive ring member within the housing in contact with the shaft and the housing. The conductive ring member may be constructed of gray iron and the cylindrical spring is one of a wave spring and a coil spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathan M. Baumann
  • Patent number: 7965487
    Abstract: A neutralization apparatus comprising an ion generation element employing a novel, high efficiency discharge system capable of generating high concentration ions with a low ozone concentration. In the neutralization apparatus, the ion generation element is a minute electrode ion generation element consisting of a discharge electrode and an induction electrode having minute protrusions arranged in one direction on a plane, and a thin dielectric film sandwiched between them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignees: FISA Corporation, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
    Inventors: Takafumi Seto, Makoto Hirasawa, Masaaki Tsuji, Akira Okuyama, Susumu Saito
  • Patent number: 7961450
    Abstract: An antistatic apparatus selectively coupled to an electrical component having a first end and a second end is proposed in the invention. The antistatic apparatus includes a first soldering portion, a second soldering portion, a first discharging portion and a second discharging portion. The first soldering portion selectively connected to the first end of the electrical component. The second soldering portion selectively connected to the second end of the electrical component. The first discharging portion connected to the first soldering portion and rotated clockwise for an angle. The second discharging portion connected to the second soldering portion and rotated counter-clockwise for the angle to provide a discharge path corresponding to the first discharging portion, electrostatic current of the first soldering portion being discharged into the second soldering portion through the discharge path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Getac Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Kuo-Ming Chuang
  • Publication number: 20110134579
    Abstract: This invention relates to a high-speed volatile and non-volatile memory assemblies. And, an inventive FET and capacitor are also revealed and introduced into the memory assembly to enhance its performance. Further, the memory assembly has physical addressing capability with CPU so that operating system stored in the memory assembly can be quickly booted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventors: Yen-Wei Hsu, Whei-Chyou Wu
  • Publication number: 20110134580
    Abstract: An ionizer includes two needle electrodes, and a high voltage generating unit for applying a first AC voltage to one of the needle electrodes, and for applying a second AC voltage, having a frequency higher than a frequency of the first AC voltage, to another of the needle electrodes. Static charge of a charged body is eliminated by releasing generated positive ions or negative ions, which are generated in the vicinity of the needle electrodes, toward the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Satoshi SUZUKI, Nobuhiro FUJIWARA, Masayuki ORIHARA
  • Publication number: 20110128663
    Abstract: A connecting structure reduces noise effects on an electronic device when hot docking the electronic device to mitigate against malfunctions. When a first electronic device having a first EMI shield is docked with a second electronic device having a second EMI shield, an ESD contact portion, which is connected to the second EMI shield and has higher in impedance than an EMI connecting portion, comes in contact with the first EMI shield earlier than the EMI connecting portion. Electrostatic charge carried on the first EMI shield moves slowly to the second EMI shield due to the high impedance of the ESD contact portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: LENOVO (Singapore) PTE, LTD.
    Inventors: Mitsuo Horiuchi, Fumio Tamura, Hiroaki Agata
  • Patent number: 7948731
    Abstract: The static eliminator includes an ionizer including a power source and an electrode which applies ions to an electretized dielectric film to eliminate electric charges formed on the electretized dielectric film. The electrified substance is in an electrically non-grounded state when the electric charges on the electretized dielectric film are eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Taro Kinbara
  • Patent number: 7948732
    Abstract: An electrostatic discharge protection device is used to protect a component from electrostatic discharge in an electronic device. The electrostatic discharge protection device comprises a metal shell, a ground conductor, and a conductive material. The metal shell is used to cover the component. The ground conductor is used to directly connect the metal shell and a first grounded end. The conductive material is used to connect the ground conductor and a second grounded end in order to achieve double grounded effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Wistron Corporation
    Inventors: Chung-Yaw Su, Yueh-Peng Hsiung, Hsing-Kuang Chen, Jen-Chieh Cheng, Chun-Kang Li
  • Publication number: 20110116202
    Abstract: Aerodynamic effects are found when air flows over objects such as aircraft and motor cars moving through ambient air. The flow of air through the objects involves issues concerned with aerodynamics. Forced circulation of air through pipes presents numerous problems of aerodynamics because of the variable behavioural modes of operation generally in subsonic mode. Opposing forces then come into play and throttle the flows, thus reducing the effectiveness of a given diameter or cross section under particularly critical conditions in the flow of gases, generally air. The flow of gases or liquids close to the walls is slowed and opposes the overall flow, creating differential flow gradients between the centre of the flow and the peripheral edges thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Inventors: Francois Giry, Claude Annie Perrichon, Pierre Piccaluga, Jose Buendia
  • Publication number: 20110102962
    Abstract: A protection circuit that includes a first power supply system including a first power supply and a first ground, a second power supply system including a second power supply and a second ground, the second power supply system being connected to the first power supply system via a signal line through which signal transfer is performed between a circuit in the first power supply system and a circuit in the second power supply system, and a control circuit that, when coupled to an electro-static discharge (ESD) stress being applied to the first power supply system controls a switch, the switch being provided between the signal line and the first power supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Masanori Tanaka, Morihisa Hirata, Hitoshi Okamoto
  • Publication number: 20110102961
    Abstract: A charged particle induction apparatus and method comprising a high power light emitting means, such as a laser array, in operable communication with a high energy output means to accomplish initiation of at least two concentric plasma channels in atmosphere extending from the Earth's surface to the charge-rich upper atmosphere, including the ionosphere, for the transmission of charged particles therethrough to ground using the surrounding atmosphere as an insulator. The transmitted energy is drawn down (due to an artificially created potential) through the conductive plasma channels to collection means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventor: Glenn Lane
  • Patent number: 7936551
    Abstract: An electronic device with an electrostatic guiding structure includes a metal case, a plastic case overlapping the metal case, a conductive strip, and an electrically insulating strip. The conductive strip is electrically connected to a conductive region of the plastic case, and has at least one tip portion. An end point of the tip portion is located at an edge of the electrically insulating strip, and separated from the metal case with the electrically insulating strip. The conductive region is electrically connected to a ground region of an electronic module. Therefore, when electrostatic charges accumulated in the metal case is above a specific value, the electrostatic charges are discharged to the ground region of the electronic module according to point discharge principle, thereby protecting user of the electronic device from getting an electric shock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Inventec Corporation
    Inventor: Yu-Hung Chen
  • Publication number: 20110096453
    Abstract: An electric charge eliminating device for eliminating electric charge on an image carrying member or on a recording medium carrying member which is incorporated in an image forming apparatus, comprises a needlelike electrode having a plurality of protruding sections which form a plurality of discontinuous discharge points; an insulating holder for holding the needlelike electrode; a discharging power source for applying an electric voltage to the needlelike electrode; and a conductive shielding member arranged between the needlelike electrode and the image carrying member or the recording medium carrying member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Shigetaka KUROSU, Hiroshi MORIMOTO, Nobuyasa TAMURA, Yusuke NISHISAKA
  • Publication number: 20110096455
    Abstract: A lightning strike protection system for protecting composite structures, an improved lightning strike appliqué (LSA) for such a lightning strike protection system, and a method of protecting composite structures, such as an aircraft fuselage. The LSA is electrically connected to adjacent conductive surfaces, e.g., by a fuzz button or a wire bond inserted in the bottom of the LSA. An adjacent conductive surface may be another LSA, a lightning diverter overlay, or a current return network. Charge, e.g., from a lightning strike to the LSA, flows to the conductive layer through the electrical connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Diane C. Rawlings, J. Scott Bauman
  • Publication number: 20110096452
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus (1) forms a toner image by using toner which includes external additives to develop a latent image which is formed via charging and exposure on a surface of a photosensitive drum (18), and transfers the toner image onto a transfer material, and includes: a static elimination unit (19) that irradiates static elimination light onto the surface of the photosensitive drum before the surface of the photosensitive drum is charged, and removes any charge remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum after it has completed the transfer; and a static elimination intensity adjustment device (74) that, compared with inner side areas of the paper feed width, lessens the amount of static elimination light irradiated onto areas which, when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum, are on an outer side of the paper feed width and are also on an inner side of the developing width.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Inventor: Shinki MIYAJI
  • Publication number: 20110096454
    Abstract: A method and system is provided whereby the environment of the container grown plant is controlled to replicate a natural environment. Since container grown plants are not in direct contact with the soil in the earth, a container grown plant can develop its own local electrical field and static charge that can hinder the development of the plant. A plant media grounding device is provided in which copper prongs fit into a housing that is connected to a power cord. The prongs are inserted at the plant's base in the growing media. The power cord is plugged into an outlet. The plant then becomes grounded to the earth ground of the building's power distribution system. In a further embodiment, the plant media grounding device may further include a variety of sensors in order to monitor the progress of the plant and the plant's environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Inventors: Michael Corsi, Stephen Doyle
  • Patent number: 7929879
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a cassette attaching section, a media cassette, a loading plate and a first and second ground conducting route. The cassette attaching section includes a media supplying roller for supplying media. The media cassette is attachably and removably installed in the cassette attaching section. The loading plate is mounted in the media cassette and loads the media stacked up in the media cassette. The first ground conducting route makes static electricity discharge from the loading plate to a grounding portion of the cassette attaching section when the media cassette is attached to the cassette attaching section. The second ground conducting route conducts with the media and makes static electricity discharge to the grounding portion when a distance between the media supplying roller and the media is shortened after the first ground conducting route is conducted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Oki Data Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7924545
    Abstract: An apparatus for modification of the atmospheric humidity profile via creating updrafts of moistened air is provided. The apparatus is based on a capacitor of a Van der Graaf generator which, with the aid of air ionizers comprising a source of alpha particles, produces a unipolar atmospheric electric current of a magnitude sufficient to achieve selective moisture transport. Operating such an apparatus augments or creates a moisture updraft, which may lead to the formation of new clouds and/or an increase in supersaturation in existing clouds, thus enhancing the development of precipitation and/or facilitating the inflow of the evaporated moisture from a water reservoir inland.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Inventors: Helmut Fluhrer, Elena Davydova, Yuri Saveliev
  • Patent number: 7919711
    Abstract: A utility pole grounding plate including a main section and a plurality of flaps. The main section has a general plate shape adapted to be connected around an outer curved surface of a utility pole. The flaps extend outward from an exterior side of the main section. The flaps are formed by material cut and bent from the main section such that the flaps are integral with the main section. The main section has apertures corresponding to the cut and bent material of the flaps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventor: Bernard C. Crutcher
  • Patent number: 7911759
    Abstract: An electronic device having ESD (Electrostatic Discharge) protection for a plurality of sides and including an external cover having at least one aperture and a plurality of slots disposed sufficiently close to a periphery of the at least one aperture. The electronic device further includes an ESD shield configured for providing ESD protection for a second side of an electronic device and also for the first side, the second side being opposite the first side. The ESD shield includes an ESD-shielding surface configured to provide the ESD protection for at least a portion of the second side, and a plurality of orthogonally protruding ESD shielding tabs, individual ones of the plurality of orthogonally protruding ESD shielding tabs configured to fit within respective ones of the plurality of slots when the ESD shield is mated with the external cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory L. Williams, Kwanghyun David Choi
  • Patent number: 7903384
    Abstract: A large current flowing out from video signal line driver is prevented whenever the video signal line is being grounded. The system includes a video signal line driver circuit transmitting video signal at pre-determined DC level, a large current prevention circuit detecting video signal line being shorted to ground and cut-off excessive current source out from video signal line driver circuit into video signal line, a start-up time enhancement circuit improving start-up time of ground detection circuit so that system start-up time is not limited by large current prevention circuit, and a switching threshold control circuit setting the switching threshold of large current prevention circuit and start-up time enhancement circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignees: Panasonic Corporation, Panasonic Semiconductor Asia Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Wee Siong Low, Jun Chao Tan, Yoshinori Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 7903385
    Abstract: The static-electricity control part of the present invention contains multiple pairs of backside electrodes (13) provided on both end portions (11b) of a long-edge-side at the backside of insulating substrate (11); multiple pairs of top electrodes (18) provided on both end portions (11c) of a long-edge-side at the top face of insulating substrate (11); top ground electrode (17) provided on the top face of insulating substrate (11) from its short-edge-side one end portion (11a) to other end portion (11b); overvoltage protection material layer (22) for filling gap (19) formed between any one of the multiple pair pairs of top electrodes (18) and top ground electrode (17); and backside wiring (14) provided on the backside of insulating substrate (11) so as to connect between the multiple pairs of backside electrodes (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Kenji Nozoe, Takeshi Iseki, Takashi Morino, Kouichi Yoshioka, Hideaki Tokunaga
  • Publication number: 20110051306
    Abstract: A wafer grounding apparatus and method adaptable to a charged particle beam apparatus is disclosed. A wafer substrate is supported by a wafer mount. A grounding pin is arranged to be in contact with a backside film formed on a backside of the wafer substrate. A grounding pulse generator provides at least one pulse to drive the grounding pin such that dielectric breakdown occurring at the backside film leads to establishment of a current path through the backside films. Accordingly, a current flows in the wafer substrate through this current path and then flows out of the wafer substrate via at least one current return path formed from capacitive coupling between the wafer substrate and the wafer mount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: HERMES MICROVISION, INC.
    Inventors: YI-XIANG WANG, JUYING DOU, KENICHI KANAI
  • Patent number: 7897249
    Abstract: A composite material structure includes a first fiber layer, a second fiber layer, a resin layer between the first fiber layer and the second fiber layer and a plurality of chopped fibers provided in the resin layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Michael Joseph Pepka, Steven George Lemery