Discharging Or Preventing Accumulation Of Electric Charge (e.g., Static Electricity) Patents (Class 361/212)
  • Publication number: 20070159764
    Abstract: Ionizers are monitored and controlled by a small remote sensor that can read the same as a charge plate monitor located at a different location. Balance amplification to compensate for the remote sensor's small size maintains accuracy. Balance and swing are measured directly. Balance pre-amplification, smoothing, and remote offset correlation is accomplished with signal-processing modules based on historical data. The signal-processing modules are embedded into a microprocessor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Inventors: Brian Warren, Edward Oldynski
  • Publication number: 20070159765
    Abstract: A feedback architecture for ionizers that allows simultaneous adjustment of positive and negative ionizer power supplies. Balance and swing data are fed back to the ionizer through an intermediate module, which permits an extra level of signal processing. Swing information is returned to both power supplies in negative feedback mode. If swing is too high, both power supplies lower output. Balance is fed back in both negative and positive feedback mode. This architecture is compatible with multiple sensors and multiple ionizers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2007
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Inventors: Brian Warren, Edward Oldynski, Scott Gehlke
  • Patent number: 7242568
    Abstract: A display apparatus includes a display module to display a picture, a casing placed around the display module, an anion generating unit including a plurality of electrodes provided inside the casing to generate anions and an electrode housing to accommodate the plurality of electrodes and formed with an opening opened in a predetermined direction to radiate the anions, and an anion cover provided at the casing in contact with the opening of the electrode housing and formed with an anion outlet to communicate with the opening of the electrode housing. Thus, the display apparatus can prevent electromagnetic waves from coming out through the anion outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Se-ki Jang, Man-yeob Lee, Ju-hwan Kim, Tai-hung Kim, Jun-su Jung
  • Patent number: 7233479
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for protecting a battery from electrostatic charging. In particular, the invention is directed to an electrically conductive covering for a vehicle battery having a plastic casing. The type of plastics typically used in casings for vehicle batteries have a tendency to develop electrostatic charges. The accumulation of such charges can result in flash overs that can damage the battery and, in certain circumstances, can result in explosions. The covering may be a film having a surface resistance of <1·109 ohms that is connected to one of the terminals of the battery, thus draining the electrostatic charges that might otherwise build up. The covering may be provided with various features, including ribbing that preserves the structural integrity of the covering as well as different structures to hold down the covering on the battery. The covering is designed so that it can be customized to fit various battery types and sizes and is also reusable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Jochen Koenig, Peter Schlichenmaier
  • Patent number: 7227734
    Abstract: An electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection device for a pushbutton module. A printed circuit board (PCB), a keypad unit, and a keypad marking board as well as an insulating sleeve and an electrical conductivity board isolate and discharge generated static electricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: BENQ Corporation
    Inventor: Yao-Wen Chu
  • Patent number: 7223922
    Abstract: A cable having an electrostatic discharge (ESD) dissipative coating. The cable includes a lead and an ESD dissipative coating operatively coupled to the lead. Other layers such as adhesives and insulating layers can be provided. The ESD dissipative coating can also function as the insulator for the lead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: William Thomas Bandy, IV, Icko Eric Timothy Iben, Peter John Golcher, John Bradley Kriehn, Ho-Yiu Lam, Jeffrey Serrell Snyder, Larry LeeRoy Tretter, George G. Zamora
  • Patent number: 7214949
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for ion generation are adapted such that an ionization process is controlled temporally, to first initiate, then to halt the breakdown of the gas before a destructive plasma or glow is formed. This method controls the release of energy to the gas in such a manner as to create ions but prevent the heating of the gas. The primary advantages of this ion generation mechanism are its simplicity, efficiency and its ability to create ions at ambient temperature and pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Thorrn Micro Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Jon Schlitz
  • Patent number: 7212392
    Abstract: An improved personal body grounding system includes a grounding pad having two or more ground leads conductively coupled to one or more grounded anchors having multiple ground contact points. A monitor tests the continuity to ground using the circuit created by the multiple ground contact points. The monitor includes multiple safety features in the event of a power surge. The system also includes an electrical meter to measure the personal body voltage of a user and a voltage gauge for measuring continuity to ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Earth FX
    Inventors: Douglas W. Walker, Frank M. Ordaz, Jerome D. Fournier, Clinton Ober
  • Patent number: 7193834
    Abstract: A static charge dissipater for a card slot of an electronic device includes a plurality of filaments on a conductive strip, with tips of the filaments disposed along the slot to induce ionization in the presence of the electrical field of a statically charged card inserted into the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc
    Inventors: Hieyoung W. Oh, Daniel P. McCormick
  • Patent number: 7191808
    Abstract: A driver interactive system to indirectly monitor hydrogen fuel cell vehicle electrical charge potential through vehicle to ground resistance measurements, and to permit refueling only when vehicle to ground resistance does not exceed a predetermined safe level thereby reducing the possibility of a static discharge during the refill of high pressure storage tanks in hydrogen powered vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Steven R. Mathison
  • Patent number: 7193836
    Abstract: A grounding brush for mitigating static electric charge on a motor shaft includes a plurality of filaments secured to an annular frame around the shaft, with tips of the filaments disposed in a channel defined by the frame. Conductive powder can be provided in the channel to improve current flow from the shaft to the filaments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc
    Inventors: Hieyoung W. Oh, Charles A. King
  • Patent number: 7184255
    Abstract: A conductive floor mat is disclosed for collecting process particles and grounding the electrostatic charge accumulated on operators who stand on the mat. The conductive floor mat includes a frame assembly, a plurality of parallel spaced ribs, a plurality of parallel spaced supports and grounding wires. The frame assembly includes four frame members and a bottom surface. At least one of the four frame members has an angled top surface. Both ends of the ribs and supports are mounted to the opposite of the frame members. The supports are perpendicularly fixed to the ribs for increasing the supporting capacity thereon. The grounding wires are extending from the frame assembly to discharge the electrostatic charge accumulated on the operators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Inventor: Ching-Lung Chen
  • Patent number: 7180721
    Abstract: A plastic barrel, embodied as a bung barrel or a lid barrel, is manufactured as a single-layer container or multi-layer container by extrusion blow molding. The plastic barrel has a barrel body having an inner surface and an outer surface. The barrel body has sections integrated into the barrel body, wherein the sections are made of electrically conducting plastic material and form electric connections between the inner surface and the outer surface of the barrel body so that electric charges of the interior of the barrel can be dissipated to the outer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Schütz GmbH & Co. KGaA
    Inventor: Udo Schütz
  • Patent number: 7170734
    Abstract: The invention relates to an air ionization device comprising a high voltage line which can be connected to an AC voltage power source and point electrodes which are coupled capacitively to the high voltage line for generating a corona discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Haug GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Christof Muz
  • Patent number: 7151657
    Abstract: A transport and storage container for liquids has a pallet-shaped support frame made of metal or an electrically conducting plastic material and an exchangeable inner container made of plastic material, supported on the support frame and being of a multi-layer or single-layer configuration provided with a permanently antistatic outer layer. The inner container is a cubic or a parallelepipedal container with four sidewalls, a top and a bottom, an upper closable fill socket, and a tapping fixture. An outer jacket surrounds the inner container and is made of grade bars of metal or sheet metal. An outlet socket, for receiving the tapping fixture, is made of electrically conducting plastic material and connected to the permanently antistatic outer layer of the inner plastic container. In another configuration, the tapping fixture is made of electrically conducting plastic material and has an intake socket connected to the permanently antistatic outer layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Protechna S.A.
    Inventor: Udo Schütz
  • Patent number: 7141750
    Abstract: A switch mechanism includes a switch body including a sensing button placed to protrude from a surface, a switch plate placed to face the sensing button and connected to the switch body, and a coil spring for biasing the switch body. The switch mechanism is formed such that when a protruding portion presses the switch plate, the switch plate presses the sensing button. The switch body is formed to be turnable in accordance with a direction along which the switch plate presses the sensing button. The coil spring is formed to bias the switch body in a direction opposite to the direction along which the sensing button is pressed, out of turning directions of the switch body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masahiro Yamada
  • Patent number: 7135703
    Abstract: A carrier module for a semiconductor device handler, in which grooves for flow of cooling fluid are formed in a seating surface of the carrier module for the semiconductor device. The grooves improve cooling efficiency by forcing the cooling fluid sprayed from a test temperature deviation compensating system onto the carrier module to spread throughout substantially an entire surface of the semiconductor device, and to remain in the carrier module for a period of time before being discharged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Mirae Corporation
    Inventors: Chul Ho Ham, Chan Ho Park, Woo Young Lim, Jae Bong Seo
  • Patent number: 7120007
    Abstract: An ion generating unit is made compact, yet avoids the undesired arc discharge for successfully generating the ions. The ion generating unit includes a dielectric base having a length and carrying a needle electrode and a ground electrode. The needle electrode has a pointed tip and is adapted to receive a high electric voltage relative to the ground electrode for electrically charging particles present in the surrounding air. The dielectric base being a polyhedron having multiple faces including a first face and a second face which are different from each other and have the length of the dielectric base. The needle electrode is mounted on or in a closely adjacent relation to the first face, and has its pointed tip directing forwardly along the length of the dielectric base with the pointed tip receded from the front end of the base. The ground electrode is mounted at the front end of the base in longitudinally spaced relation with the pointed tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Nakasone, Itaru Saida, Kengo Ito
  • Patent number: 7110237
    Abstract: An imaging device, including a reader adapted to receive a removable memory device, the reader having an opening through which to receive the removable memory device; and a static discharge device disposed proximate the opening such that the removable memory contacts the static discharge device prior to being received through the opening, the static discharge device being electrically grounded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Thomas Albano, Felix Aponte, Michael J. Hosey, Arden B. Smith
  • Patent number: 7106963
    Abstract: Electronic equipment of which the assembling process is easy is disclosed. The electronic equipment comprises a first member with electric conductivity, a second member with electric conductivity and a third member with elasticity. The first member is fixed to an insulation member. A part of the first member protrudes outside of the electronic equipment. The third member biases the second member so as to contact with the insulation member. The first member is connected to a conductive portion of the electronic equipment through the third member such that the first member is grounded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masayoshi Shibata
  • Patent number: 7095600
    Abstract: A method for coating a liquid composition from an applicator to a first surface of a moving web having opposite first and second surfaces, the web being conveyed along a path through a coating apparatus, the coating apparatus including a charge neutralization station for neutralizing stray charges on the web, the charge neutralization station including a backing roller and means for depositing a charge on the web includes the steps of: wrapping the web in a partial wrap around the backing roller, the backing roller being provided with a conductive, relieved surface, the relieved surface having a pattern of circumferential grooves that provides venting of entrained air, the pattern having a geometry and depth such that any charge left on the web does not disturb the coating applied by the coating apparatus; providing a source of electrostatic charge at the charge neutralization station to neutralize any charge on the web; and transporting the charge neutralized web to a coating station, where a liquid composit
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Mark C. Zaretsky, Paul A. Corbelli, Brooks J. Schneider
  • Patent number: 7082676
    Abstract: An anti-electrostatic discharge (ESD) tool for engaging electronic device under test (DUT) boards whereby ESD damage to the tested devices is prevented. The tool includes an aluminum support frame, guides on opposing edges of one side of the frame for slidably receiving a DUT board, and at least one electrical shorting connector extending from the frame and electrically connecting and shorting socket connectors and leads of electronic devices when the DUT board is inserted into the guides. The electrical shorting connector preferably comprises an array of fine wire brushes which have sufficient rigidity and flexibility for engaging solder points on the DUT board for the socket connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Qualitau, Inc.
    Inventors: Adalberto M. Ramirez, Robert J. Sylvia
  • Patent number: 7068488
    Abstract: A static discharging system includes a post having a lower end and an upper end. The lower end is selectively mounted in a ground surface adjacent to a gas pumping station such that the post extends upwardly from the ground surface. An electrically conductive plate is attached to the upper end of the post. An electrical conduit has first end electrically coupled to the plate and a second end extending into the ground surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Inventor: Trent D. Van Leuven
  • Patent number: 7061744
    Abstract: An electrostatic breakdown prevention apparatus is disclosed which allows an electronic apparatus connected to a connector to bidirectionally transfer data at a high speed on the same signal line and prevents an electrostatic breakdown of the electronic apparatus without relying upon the structure of the connector. A signal line on an electronic apparatus body side is provided with an electrostatic breakdown preventing smoothing circuit for smoothing a signal inputted to the signal line. A connector for connection of the signal line is provided with a switching mechanism for stopping the smoothing function of the electrostatic breakdown preventing smoothing circuit when the connector is connected, but restoring the smoothing function of the electrostatic breakdown preventing smoothing circuit when the connector is disconnected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Kenji Kataoka
  • Patent number: 7042693
    Abstract: A deployable lightning protection apparatus particularly suited for use with an aircraft radome comprises a source of electrically conducting fluid, a deliver apparatus which delivers the conducting fluid flow across to the surface of the radome prior to a lightning strike; and a control unit for controlling the delivery apparatus. The conducting fluid across the outer surface of the radome provides a conductive path for the passage of electrical current resulting from a lightning strike and dissipating said current without damage to the radome. The apparatus allows lightning protection to be deployed in response to a change in atmospheric conditions indicative of a high probability of lightning strike and removed when the danger of lightning strike has passed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: BAE Systems plc
    Inventors: Colin David Sillence, Christopher Charles Rawlingson Jones
  • Patent number: 7031133
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for charging or adjusting the charge of gas-borne particles into a defined charge distribution under utilization of corona discharge in the aerosol space. In addition to an appropriate geometry of the charger and the electrodes, the voltage waveform and the voltage regulation are of great significance for the result. The application further relates to a method for operating the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Inventors: Ulrich Riebel, Yves G. Stommel
  • Patent number: 7019392
    Abstract: A storage apparatus 10 is disclosed, that comprises a wiring substrate 11 having a first surface and a second surface, a flat type external connection terminal 12a disposed on the first surface of the wiring substrate 11, a semiconductor device 14 disposed on the second surface of the wiring substrate 11 and having a connection terminal 14a connected to the flat type external connection terminal 12a, a molding resin 15 for coating the semiconductor device 14 on the second surface of the wiring substrate 11, a card type supporting frame 10a having a concave portion or a hole portion fitting the wiring substrate 11, the semiconductor device 14, and the molding resin 15 in such a manner that the flat type external connection terminal 12a is exposed to the first surface of the wiring substrate 11, and adhesive resin a adhering integrally the flat type external connection terminal 12a, the wiring substrate 11, the semiconductor device 14, the molding resin 15, and the card type supporting frame 10a.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Hiroshi Iwasaki
  • Patent number: 6987659
    Abstract: A plug includes an element that is electrically connected to a ground element in a receptacle in a set up configuration and an electrical connection that is attached to an element to be grounded whereby an element, person, or device, or the like, can be securely grounded using the ground circuit in a receptacle. Grounding is via a suitable signal circuit in one form of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Inventor: Barry M. Epstein
  • Patent number: 6987658
    Abstract: An ionizer for eliminating static electricity on a large size substrate. The ionizer comprises a bar and a plurality of pin sets. The pin sets are located on the bar at a given interval, and a power line is located inside the bar. Each pin set comprises a plurality of pins and a plurality of nozzles. The pins connect to the power line, and the nozzles are located around the pins to spray charges on the substrate at a given spraying angle. By setting more pins in each pin set, the covering angle of the ionizer can be enlarged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: Au Optronics Corp.
    Inventors: Tsung-Lin Lu, Ying-Chi Chen
  • Patent number: 6963495
    Abstract: An enclosure for computer-based telephone switching equipment that suppresses the radiation of electromagnetic interference through the use of multiple overlapping seals and apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Computer Network Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas J. Carullo, Arthur G. Willers, Ryan K. Goodenough
  • Patent number: 6932574
    Abstract: The invention concerns a wind power installation. Such wind power installations of modern type, for example one of type E-40 or E-66 from Enercon are usually equipped with a lightning protection system which is known for example from DE 44 36 197. The present invention assists to minimise the number of interference with the electronic system by virtue of the flash-over effects at the spark path. A wind power installation comprising an arrangement for continuously discharging electrostatic charging of at least one rotor blade of a wind power installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Inventor: Aloys Wobben
  • Patent number: 6885559
    Abstract: An electrostatic discharge protection cover is described. The electrostatic discharge protection cover enhances the strength of an upper cover of a PC card socket and protects the socket from electrostatic discharge pulse. The electrostatic discharge protection cover has a protection plate assembled on a PC card socket upper side for guiding the pulse of electrostatic discharge to a ground, and a stair-type enhancing edge to enhance the strength of the protection plate. The stair-type enhancing edge further couples with a metal crossbeam of a computer to enhance the strength and electrostatic discharge protection capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Quanta Computer Inc.
    Inventor: Cheng-Che Chen
  • Patent number: 6873516
    Abstract: Uncomfortable, disturbing or harmful electrostatic discharge is prevented or reduced by a system which reduces static charges on a person on a periodic basis as the charge is built up. Points of contact are provided which correspond to points the user will contact either by touch or by time-extended contact or continuously in the normal course of operation. The system can be used in mouse pads, the mouse itself, a keyboard, or headphones or earpieces or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Inventor: Barry M. Epstein
  • Patent number: 6867391
    Abstract: A control circuit (20) for controlling electrostatic discharge in an electric component includes a heater (28) that is thermally coupled to the component. A sensor (30) is used for sensing a sensed condition. A controller is coupled to the heater and the sensor. The controller (24) heats the component in response to the sensed condition. The sensor (30) may include an electron flux level near the component or a surface potential of the component itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: John Michael Bodeau, Philip L. Leung
  • Patent number: 6866353
    Abstract: An electrostatic discharge device adapted to be mounted to an electrical fixture wallplate is disclosed. The discharge device consists of a circuit having at least a resistor and preferably a non-linear discharge component mounted on an electrical fixture wallplate. Another embodiment has an electrical discharge circuit built within an electrical switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Inventor: Shalom Wertsberger
  • Patent number: 6866128
    Abstract: A retractable anti-static device includes a conductive grounding line that can be unwound from a wrist strap for use and wound back to the wrist strap when not being used. The conductive line, therefore, can be attached to ground when being used but can retract out of the way when not being used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: BellSouth Intellectual Property Corporation
    Inventors: Bradley C. Moore, Joey K. Horney
  • Patent number: 6852990
    Abstract: A method for electrostatic discharge depolarization is implemented. The buildup of charge on tool structures in fabrication tools for semiconductor processing may be expected to be of concern whenever high voltage is employed near the structure in a tool. The process herein includes selectively exposing the structure to a plasma for a selected time interval. The duration of the exposure time interval is sufficient to reduce the polarization of the structure whereby the forces due to the polarization do not interfere with the transport or movement of a wafer being processed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhiyong Zhao, David Hendrix
  • Patent number: 6849335
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: JSR Corporation
    Inventors: Hisao Igarashi, Kazuo Inoue, Ryoji Setaka
  • Patent number: 6850287
    Abstract: A TV receiver having a metal front cabinet is provided with a discharge path between the front cabinet and a ground portion of the TV receiver. The discharge path includes a series circuit in which a discharge tube is connected in series to a parallel circuit of a first resistor and a high-voltage capacitor and a second resistor that is connected in parallel to the series circuit. The discharge path effectively discharges a voltage occurring at the front cabinet via the second resistor while preventing a sudden flow of current and reducing the influence of static electricity. The series circuit in which the discharge tube is connected in series to the parallel circuit of the first resistor and the high-voltage capacitor has a function of causing high-voltage pulses occurring at the ground portion GND to escape to the front cabinet while converting those into pulses having a low voltage level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yutaka Sugiura, Tadashi Kaneko
  • Patent number: 6841876
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an anisotropically conductive sheet that exhibits conductivity in its thickness-wise direction, and is suitably used as a connector. The anisotropically conductive sheet of the first feature may comprise a plurality of columner conductive parts extending in the thickness-wise direction and a semiconductive part that exhibits semiconductivity in its plane direction. In the sheet, respective conductive parts may be surrounded by the semiconductive part with an insulating part therebetween. The sheet may comprise conductive particles contained in a sheet member exhibiting semiconductivity in a state oriented so as to be arranged in the thickness-wise direction thereof. The sheet of the second feature has a static charge-eliminating layer integrally provided on the surface of a sheet member. The sheet of the third feature has a conductive part for static-charge elimination to be connected to a ground. The sheet can inhibit static electricity from being accumulated on the surface thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: JSR Corporation
    Inventors: Yuichi Haruta, Naoshi Yasuda
  • Publication number: 20040264097
    Abstract: This describes a portable non-pressurized, non-toxic, and non-liquid anti-static device for eliminating static cling on clothes on which static electricity has built up. A portable electrical conductive device is placed next to clothes worn by a person or placed in a clothes dryer to induce electrical current flow from the clothes to dissipate static electricity therein and improve anti-static protection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventors: Gary D. Babbitt, Fred E. Chapman, Howard E. King, Richard E. Yetsko
  • Publication number: 20040252427
    Abstract: In order to improve the robustness against electrostatic discharge, when power source terminal and ground terminal are open, of a semiconductor device having a first, a second and a third inverter that are connected in a cascade arrangement, the semiconductor device is provided not only with a first input protection circuit for guiding positive electrostatic discharges, that are applied from outside to a signal input terminal, to a power source line, and a second input protection circuit for guiding negative electrostatic discharges, that are applied from outside to the signal input terminal, to a ground line, but also an internal protection circuit for guiding electrostatic discharges that have been guided by the first input protection circuit to the power source line and flow from a P-channel MOS transistor in the second inverter towards the third inverter, to the ground line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2004
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Applicant: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenichi Tatehara, Norihide Kinugasa
  • Publication number: 20040246650
    Abstract: Methods of activating, enriching, manipulating, and producing macromolecular materials comprising highly conductive multielectron threads are provided together with superior such materials and devices comprising them. Activation methods such as doping the material with charged or uncharged dopants, using electrolysis techniques, and charging the material may be combined with various enrichment techniques that take advantage of reduced viscosity levels such as filtering and fractionation to obtain very high yields when producing conductive films, wires, and diamagnetic materials. Also disclosed are methods for electrically joining conductors and various devices comprising highly conductive macromolecular materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventors: Leonid N. Grigorov, A. Ze'ev Hed, Dmitry N. Rogachev, Kevin P. Shambrook, Alan W. Tamarelli
  • Patent number: 6826030
    Abstract: A method of offset voltage control for pulse mode ionization systems is provided wherein the ionization system has positive and negative power supplies. The duty cycle and overlap of outputs of the positive and negative power supplies are controlled, and an overlap that achieves a desired offset voltage is determined. The offset voltage and the corresponding overlap are stored in memory. The duty cycle and overlap of the outputs of the positive and negative power supplies are controlled to achieve the desired offset voltage based upon the stored offset voltage comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: John Gorczyca, David D. Reagan
  • Patent number: 6819018
    Abstract: Technique for reducing bearing current discharges in a system by increasing the surface area between the shaft and the frame of the system and thereby increasing the rotor to frame capacitance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Reliance Electric Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Michael J. Melfi
  • Patent number: 6811883
    Abstract: Auto-adhesive display film comprising at least one electrically charged, dielectric layer (2). A screen layer (3), which is adapted to form a barrier to the electric field, is fixed to one surface of the dielectric layer (2). This display support does not attract dust particles and is specifically adapted to be printed sheet by sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: JLJ
    Inventors: Jacques Lewiner, Jean Lionel Georges Martin
  • Publication number: 20040212945
    Abstract: A passive device to neutralize electrostatic charging of transient hydrocarbon fluid when it exits a filter monitor cartridge is described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Applicant: Velcon Filters, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory S. Sprenger, Michael J. Gish
  • Patent number: 6807044
    Abstract: An ionizer bar includes upper and lower housings having aerodynamically-shaped exterior surfaces to support laminar air flow over the structure. The upper housing forms an upper interior chamber for electrical circuitry isolated from a lower chamber within the lower housing that confines fluid under pressure therein. Outlets spaced along the length of the structure include ionizing electrodes that are disposed within fluid conduits and that are connected to a source of ionizing voltage mounted in the upper chamber. Fluid passages at the outlets release fluid under pressure within the lower chamber around associated ionizing electrodes mounted at the outlets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Ion Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Vernitsky, Scott Gehlke, Peter Gefter, Dennis A. Leri
  • Publication number: 20040196611
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for protecting a battery from electrostatic charging. In particular, the invention is directed to an electrically conductive covering for a vehicle battery having a plastic casing. The type of plastics typically used in casings for vehicle batteries have a tendency to develop electrostatic charges. The accumulation of such charges can result in flashovers that can damage the battery and, in certain circumstances, can result in explosions. The covering may be a film having a surface resistance of <1·109 ohms that is connected to one of the terminals of the battery, thus draining the electrostatic charges that might otherwise build up. The covering may be provided with various features, including ribbing that preserves the structural integrity of the covering as well as different structures to hold down the covering on the battery. The covering is designed so that it can be customized to fit various battery types and sizes and is also reusable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2003
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventors: Jochen Koenig, Peter Schlichenmaier
  • Publication number: 20040169990
    Abstract: An antistatic protector for resin tube integrally has a mounting portion, a connecting portion, for example, including a through slit, and a relatively elongate connective portion bridging between the mounting portion and the connecting portion. The antistatic protector is arranged, for example, such that the mounting portion is fitted on a fit-on portion of a quick connector and earth member is inserted in the through slit of the connecting portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventor: Yuichi Wada