Current Responsive Patents (Class 361/57)
  • Patent number: 12092702
    Abstract: A method for detection of a fuse failure of a protective fuse used to protect an associated load against overcurrent and/or against overload includes the steps of: measuring electrical current flowing through the protective fuse in a current path to the load by means of a current sensor element; determining one or more failure indicators adapted to indicate a possible failure of the protected fuse on the basis of the measured electrical current; and detecting automatically a failure of the protective fuse if the determined at least one failure indicator indicates a possible failure of the protective fuse and if the electrical current stopped to flow through the protective fuse or is below a predefined current threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: Future Systems Besitz GmbH
    Inventors: Hubert Lenker, Joram Masel, Bernhard Först
  • Patent number: 12068597
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a power clamp device. The power clamp device includes a delay element, a first transistor, a second transistor, and a gate control circuit. The delay element has an input terminal and an output terminal. The first transistor has a gate electrically connected to the output terminal of the delay element. The second transistor has a source electrically connected to a drain of the first transistor. The gate control circuit has a first terminal electrically connected to the input terminal of the delay element, a second terminal electrically connected to the output terminal of the delay element, and a third terminal electrically connected to a gate of the second transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Pin-Hsin Chang, Hsin-Yu Chen, Tzu-Heng Chang
  • Patent number: 12068741
    Abstract: A switching device 1 includes a SiC semiconductor chip 11 which has a gate pad 14, a source pad 13 and a drain pad 12 and in which on-off control is performed between the source and the drain by applying a drive voltage between the gate and the source in a state where a potential difference is applied between the source and the drain, a sense source terminal 4 electrically connected to the source pad 13 for applying the drive voltage, and an external resistance (source wire 16) that is interposed in a current path between the sense source terminal 4 and the source pad 13, is separated from sense source terminal 4, and has a predetermined size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: ROHM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masashi Hayashiguchi, Kazuhide Ino
  • Patent number: 12062908
    Abstract: This electrical protection system for a DC-current medium-voltage electrical circuit, comprising a disconnection module, for generating a counter-voltage greater than the voltage of the source for a current flowing therethrough that is equal to at most a few percent of the nominal current of the device, a resistive limitation module connected between a first terminal and a second terminal and configured so as to reduce the intensity of the output current of the protection system in order to limit the current between a value and upon a low impedance fault downstream of the device, and a primary switching module coupled in parallel across the disconnection module and the resistive module. The primary switching module is configured so as to switch between a first state in which the primary switching module is conductive and a second state in which the primary switching module forms a short circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: GE ENERGY POWER CONVERSION TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    Inventor: Nicolas Lapassat
  • Patent number: 12021446
    Abstract: An overcurrent protection device of a power supply is provided. The overcurrent protection device includes an inductor, a first switch, a second switch, a feedback controller, a pulse width modulation (PWM) controller, and an overcurrent protection controller. The inductor may be connected to an input terminal of the power supply to which a current is inputted from a power source. The first switch may be connected between an output terminal of the inductor and a ground. The second switch may be connected between the output terminal of the inductor and an output terminal of the power supply. The feedback controller may compare an output voltage of the power supply with an output voltage target value, and generate a control voltage based on a result of comparing the output voltage and the output voltage target value. The PWM controller may control switch-on and switch-off of the first and second switches, and control a peak current of the first switch based on the control voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hangseok Choi, Sangwoo Kang, Chuleun Yun
  • Patent number: 12019100
    Abstract: An object is to provide a shunt resistor module that is reduced in size, can handle a large current, and can accurately detect current. A shunt resistor module of the present invention includes: a shunt resistor that includes a plurality of resistor bodies having a columnar shape, and electrodes that are located at both ends of each of the plurality of resistor bodies; and a circuit board that includes a plurality of through-holes that can house the plurality of resistor bodies, and a plurality of voltage detection terminals that detects a voltage between the electrodes of the shunt resistor that has been inserted into the plurality of through-holes, and each of the plurality of voltage detection terminals is collected near a center of gravity of the shunt resistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: KOA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Hara, Tamotsu Endo
  • Patent number: 11994890
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a device for determining information regarding a connection of a circuit component that is connected to an output of a regulator in order to reduce fluctuations of an output signal at the output of the regulator. The device includes a processing unit that is configured to generate a statistical value that is a measure of fluctuations of the measurement signals, and thus of the output signal at the output of the regulator, based on a plurality of measurement signals, each of which has information regarding the output signal of the regulator and is recorded while a load component generates an electrical load at the output of the regulator. The processing unit is configured to compare the statistical value with a limit value and to determine the information regarding the connection of the circuit component based on the result of the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Ronny Andreas Schomacker, Markus Huemer, Christoph Schertz
  • Patent number: 11989141
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed, including memory devices and systems. Example memory devices, systems and methods include a stack of memory dies, a controller die, and a buffer. Example memory devices, systems and methods include one or more neuromorphic layers logically coupled between one or more dies in the stack of memory dies and a host interface of the controller die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Brent Keeth, Frank F Ross, Richard C Murphy
  • Patent number: 11967858
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) system and, more specifically, to a static transfer switch (STS) that can be applied to a UPS module, the static transfer switch comprising: one semiconductor rectifying element connected to either the anode terminal or the cathode terminal of a direct current power source; a bypass circuit for connecting the input terminal and the output terminal of the semiconductor rectifying element so as to bypass the semiconductor rectifying element; a breaker for opening or closing the bypass circuit; and a switch including a control unit, which controls the semiconductor rectifying element so as to conduct current when a preset conduction signal is received, controls the breaker so as to close the bypass circuit, and, when the bypass circuit is closed by the breaker, controls the semiconductor rectifying element so as to stop the conduction of current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: LS ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jiheon Lee, Dongjin Yun, Dohyun Kim, Jihong Kim, Minjun Park, Wonseok Do
  • Patent number: 11936369
    Abstract: A switching device 1 includes a SiC semiconductor chip 11 which has a gate pad 14, a source pad 13 and a drain pad 12 and in which on-off control is performed between the source and the drain by applying a drive voltage between the gate and the source in a state where a potential difference is applied between the source and the drain, a sense source terminal 4 electrically connected to the source pad 13 for applying the drive voltage, and an external resistance (source wire 16) that is interposed in a current path between the sense source terminal 4 and the source pad 13, is separated from sense source terminal 4, and has a predetermined size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: ROHM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masashi Hayashiguchi, Kazuhide Ino
  • Patent number: 11885314
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for operating a converter on a three-phase electrical power supply grid, comprising the following steps: operating the converter in a first operating mode by means of a control unit for generating an output current, wherein the converter in the first operating mode operates in such a way as to apply a voltage to the electrical power supply grid; detecting a grid fault on the electrical power supply grid by means of a detection means during the first operating mode; limiting the output current of the converter by means of current limitation when a grid fault on the electrical power supply grid has been detected during the first operating mode, in particular in such a way that the output current of the converter falls below a predetermined maximum current or substantially corresponds thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Wobben Properties GmbH
    Inventors: Johannes Brombach, Ingo MacKensen, Menko Bakker
  • Patent number: 11862999
    Abstract: An online reconfigurable battery system with current surge protection modules (SPM), including: a plurality of battery module strings connected in parallel. The battery module string further includes: an SPM and a plurality of enable/bypass battery modules (EBM) connected in series; where the EBM further includes: a battery, a first switch, and a second switch; the first switch and the battery are connected in series, and then connected to the second switch in parallel to form an EBM that can be enabled or bypassed; the SPM further includes: a variable resistor, a third switch, and a fourth switch; the third switch and the variable resistors are connected in series, and then connected in parallel with the fourth switch to buffer the surge current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: FORTUNE ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shou-Hung Welkin Ling, Jui-Yang Tsai, Jason S. Lin, I-Sheng Hsu
  • Patent number: 11824345
    Abstract: An example integrated circuit includes: a substrate and a first metal fuse layer on the substrate, the first metal fuse layer having first and second electrical contacts, the first electrical contact adapted to be coupled to an input terminal, the second electrical contact adapted to be coupled to a diode. The example integrated circuit further includes a second metal fuse layer on the substrate, the second metal fuse layer having third and fourth electrical contacts, the third electrical contact coupled to the second electrical contact and adapted to be coupled to the diode, the fourth electrical contact coupled to a shunt circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Yogesh Kumar Ramadass, Ujwal Radhakrishna, Jeffrey Morroni
  • Patent number: 11784584
    Abstract: An automotive power converter may be controlled by detecting a magnitude of current output by a phase leg of the automotive power converter, selecting a mutual off time for switches of the phase leg according to the magnitude, and generating pulse width modulation signals for the switches having the mutual off time to operate the switches to transfer power between a traction battery and electric machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Boris Curuvija, Baoming Ge, Fan Xu
  • Patent number: 11437987
    Abstract: An electronic switch has a first, a second and a third connection and is configured to disconnect a current flow between the first and the second connection. An energy source is connected between the first and the third connection, and a regenerative load is connected between the second and the third connection. The electronic switch includes a semiconductor switch capable of switching currents of different polarity. A fuse is connected between the first connection and the semiconductor switch. A first short-circuiter is connected between the input of the semiconductor switch and the third connection, and a second short-circuiter is connected between the output of the semiconductor switch and the third connection. The fuse has a current trigger threshold between a permanently permitted current and a maximally permitted current of the semiconductor switch. An electrical network having such electronic switch and a method for operating an electronic switch are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Peter Köllensperger
  • Patent number: 11397635
    Abstract: For a non-volatile memory die formed of multiple blocks of memory cells, the memory die has a multi-bit bad block flag for each block stored on the memory die, such as in a fuse ROM. For each block, the multi-bit flag indicates if the block has few defects and is of the highest reliability category, is too defective to be used, or is in of one of multiple recoverability categories. The multi-bit bad blocks values can be determined as part a test process on fresh devices, where the test of a block can be fail stop for critical category errors, but, for recoverable categories, the test continues and tracks the test results to determine a recoverability category for the block and write this onto the die as a bad block flag for each block. These recoverability categories can be incorporated into wear leveling operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: SanDisk Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Shih-Chung Lee, Takashi Murai, Ken Oowada
  • Patent number: 11362512
    Abstract: An electronic switch for a DC voltage system includes at least two turn-off semiconductor switches, a varistor and a capacitor, and at least two diodes connected in series with opposite polarity. The turn-off semiconductor switches are connected at a connection point in series with opposite polarity between a first connection of the electronic switch and a second connection of the electronic switch. In order to provide improved overvoltage protection, the varistor and the capacitor form a series connection, with one end of the series connection connected to the connection point. A DC voltage system employing the electronic switch and a method for limiting overvoltages in the electronic switch or in a corresponding DC voltage system are also disclosed. Inductive energy of an element connected to the electronic switch is transferred to the capacitor when a limit, defined by the varistor, has been exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Hubert Schierling, Benno Weis
  • Patent number: 11270819
    Abstract: The present invention provides for an electronic isolator, or barrier, device arranged for receiving field wiring from a field element and further including connection means arranged to receive a surge element for providing surge functionality to the device, and to provide surge protection to the connectivity by way of the field wiring, the device arranged such that the surge element connects to the device and to the said field wiring by way of the said connection means so that operational connection/disconnection of the surge element to the device does not require disconnection of the field wiring from the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventor: Frederic Vladimir Esposito
  • Patent number: 11249125
    Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for detecting electrical discharges that precede electrical fires in electrical wiring. One or more sensor devices coupled to a circuit detect one or more signal waveforms generated by electrical activity on the circuit. The sensor devices identify one or more transient signals within the one or more signal waveforms, and generate one or more transient characteristics based upon the identified transient signals. A server communicably coupled to the sensor devices receives the one or more transient characteristics. The server analyzes the one or more transient characteristics to identify one or more electrical discharge indications. The server generates one or more alert signals when one or more electrical discharge indications are identified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Whisker Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert S. Marshall, Christopher Dale Sloop, Stan Heckman, Donnie Bixler, Eric Hoppmann
  • Patent number: 11189891
    Abstract: An energy storage apparatus includes: an external terminal connected to an energy storage device; a current cut-off device disposed on a current path connecting the energy storage device and the external terminal to each other; a voltage applying circuit that applies a voltage to the external terminal using the energy storage device or another circuit as a power source; and a control device. The control device is configured to perform: current cut-off processing for cutting off flowing of a current into the energy storage device by bringing the current cut-off device into an OPEN state; detecting processing for detecting a voltage of the external terminal to which a voltage is applied by the voltage applying circuit during a period in which the flowing of the current is cut off by the current cut-off processing; and determining processing for determining a presence or a non-presence of a short-circuiting object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: GS YUASA INTERATIONAL LTD.
    Inventors: Atsushi Fukushima, Yuki Imanaka
  • Patent number: 11114730
    Abstract: A battery pack wherein each battery is mechanically and electrically connected by a magnetic device to a busbar. In case of failure of any accumulator, it is disconnected completely passively because its failure generates an inactivation of the magnetic device. The disconnection causes the gravity drop of the accumulator and the possibly completely passive implementation of an accumulator shunt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
    Inventors: Johann Lejosne, Pierre Jost, Pierre Perichon
  • Patent number: 10763642
    Abstract: A driver circuit includes: a variable power supply configured to apply a power supply voltage to a light emitting device and to vary a voltage value of the power supply voltage; a current-control switching device electrically connected to the light emitting device and configured to control a current flowing in the light emitting device; a detection part configured to detect a current value and a voltage value related to the current flowing in the light emitting device; and a control part configured to determine a minimum voltage of the power supply voltage based on a detection result of the detection part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: NICHIA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hideki Kondo
  • Patent number: 10389262
    Abstract: A device (2) for the on-demand commutation of an electrical current from a first line branch (14, 3; 36) to another, second line branch (4; 41; 71) is created, which has a number of power semiconductor switching elements (7; 47; 53), which are arranged in series and/or parallel to one another in the second line branch (4; 41; 71), and a control unit (18; 51) for controlling the number of power semiconductor switching elements (7; 47; 53). The control unit (18; 51) is adapted to apply to each of the number of power semiconductor switching elements (7; 47; 53) an increased control voltage (VGE) whose level is above the maximum permissible control voltage specified for continuous operation, in order to switch on or maintain the conduction of the number of power semiconductor switching elements and to cause an increased current flow through it, whose current rating is at least double the nominal operating current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: GE ENERGY POWER CONVERSION TECHNOLOGY LTD
    Inventors: Roland Jakob, Martin Geske, Kowalsky Jens, Josef Lutz
  • Patent number: 10050556
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for hard switching of Alternate-Arm-Converter voltage source converters. Such voltage source converters have a phase limb with a high and low side converter arm connecting an AC terminal to a high and low side DC terminal, respectively, including a chain-link circuit in series with a director switch. Each chain-link circuit includes series connected cells that can be switched to generate a controlled voltage across the chain-link circuit. In embodiments, a controller turns-off the director switch of a converter arm that is conducting current in response to a hard-switching request for a first phase limb. In response to a hard-switching request, the controller controls the chain-link circuits of the first phase limb at any point in a phase cycle to control: a DC voltage across the director switch and/or the current flowing through the director switch to a predetermined level before turning the director switch off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC TECHNOLOGY GMBH
    Inventors: Francisco Javier Chivite Zabalza, Francisco Moreno Munoz, David Reginald Trainer
  • Patent number: 9866011
    Abstract: A device and a method are provided for interrupting battery current using a latch relay for substantially high current interruption, which enable the latch relay to return to an ON position after operating to an OFF position. Accordingly, the latch relay for substantially high current interruption is operated to return to an ON (closed) position in only a normal state other than a short-circuit state by self-diagnosing the presence of occurrence of a short circuit before the latch relay attempts to return to the ON (closed) position after operating to an OFF (open) position. Therefore the latch relay may not become fixed and damaged due to the returning of the latch relay to the ON (closed) position during a short-circuit state, thereby guaranteeing the reuse of the latch relay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Young Jong Lee
  • Patent number: 9755586
    Abstract: This radiofrequency power limiter includes at least one transistor, a drain of the transistor being directly connected to a mesh connecting an input to an output of the limiter, a source of the transistor being connected to a common reference potential, and a gate of the transistor being connected to a common control potential. The transistor is not biased between its drain and its source during operation of the limiter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: THALES
    Inventors: Jean-Philippe Plaze, Vincent Petit, Benoît Mallet-Guy
  • Patent number: 9654023
    Abstract: The direct current (DC) side fault isolator for high voltage direct current (HVDC) converters (10) includes a first set of double thyristor switches (12) connected across the line-to-line voltage terminals between first and second phases of alternating current (AC) terminals of a HVDC converter (14), and a second set of double thyristor switches (12) connected across the line-to-line voltage between the second phase and a third phase of the AC terminals of the HVDC converter (14). In use, the first and second sets of double thyristor switches (12) separate the HVDC converter (10) from an external power grid (18) during direct current (DC) side faults by turning on these thyristors (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: QATAR FOUNDATIONFOR EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND COMMUNICTY DEVELOPMENT
    Inventors: Ahmed Elserougi, Ayman Abdel-Khalik, Ahmed Massoud, Shehab Ahmed
  • Patent number: 9438222
    Abstract: A method for switching a cycle in a power transistor circuit is created, especially in a parallel circuit of power transistors. The method includes the step of specifying a switching time difference and the switching of the power transistors of two switching times which are separate from one another by use of the switching time difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Martin Goetzenberger
  • Patent number: 9419428
    Abstract: A protection device includes a diode having its forward direction in a normal power flow of a region of a DC collection system, a first switch in parallel with the diode, a second switch in series with the diode and a control unit for controlling the switches. The first switch can be opened so that current can flow through the diode in the forward direction without the first switch bypassing the diode, and closed if no current is flowing through the diode in the forward direction and power is needed upstream of the diode. The second switch can be closed so that current can flow through the diode in the forward direction to an AC grid interface of the DC collection system, and opened if no current is flowing through the diode in the forward direction due to a fault in a DC feeder to which the device is coupled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: ABB TECHNOLOGY AG
    Inventors: Li Qi, Jiaqi Liang, Jiuping Pan
  • Publication number: 20150146332
    Abstract: An intrinsically safe voltage clamping device includes a regulated rail, a ground rail, and a shunt regulator assembly. The shunt regulator assembly is coupled to both the regulated rail and the ground rail and includes one or more regulating components. The shunt regulator assembly is configured to clamp a voltage applied across the regulated rail and the ground rail to a safety clamp voltage value. The intrinsically safe voltage clamping device also includes a power-sensing component configured to cause one or more limiting components to reduce a power dissipated in the respective regulating components without raising the clamp voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: Fisher Controls International LLC
    Inventor: Stephen G. Seberger
  • Patent number: 9022010
    Abstract: An ignition system is provided, which can restrict decreasing of constant-voltage duration of a spark plug and effectively prevents the occurrence of an accidental fire in an engine. A typical ignition system includes a secondary coil having one end connected to a positive side of a battery via a low-voltage side path and the other end connected to a center electrode via a connecting path which connects the secondary coil and the spark plug. A constant-voltage path having a grounded end is connected to the connecting path. A block diode is arranged between the secondary coil and a point where the constant-voltage path is connected with the connecting path. A Zener diode is disposed within the constant-voltage path. Each anode of the block diode and the Zener diode is mutually connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Masamichi Shibata, Yuji Kajita, Atsuya Mizutani, Koichi Hattori, Yasuomi Imanaka
  • Publication number: 20150085410
    Abstract: A load driving device includes a driving switching element, an interrupting part, a short-circuiting switching element, and a protecting element. The driving switching element drives a load by controlling energization to the load. The interrupting part is disposed on an energizing path to the load. The interrupting part is not melted by a driving current to the load and is melted by an interrupting current larger than the driving current so as to interrupt energization to the load. The short-circuiting switching element is connected in parallel with the load and applies the interrupting current to the interrupting part. The protecting element protects the short-circuiting switching element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Satoshi NISHIMOTO, Toru ITABASHI, Yuki MIKAMI, Ryoichi SHIRAISHI
  • Publication number: 20150085411
    Abstract: A transceiver includes a control module and a transceiving module. The control module is configured to generate a control signal in response to a signal from a micro-control unit. The transceiving module is integrated with the control module. The transceiving module is configured to, in response to the control signal, broadcast a first electrical signal to a bus and receive a second electrical signal from the bus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: TSEN-SHAU YANG, YUAN-CHIH CHUNG
  • Publication number: 20150070806
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for active detection, timing, and protection related to transient electrical events are disclosed. A detection circuit generates a detection signal in response to a transient electrical stress. First and second driver circuits of an integrated circuit, each driver having one or more bipolar junction transistors, activate based on the detection signal and generate activation signals. The one or more bipolar junction transistors of the first and second driver circuits are configured to conduct current substantially laterally across respective base regions. A discharge circuit, having an upper discharge element and a lower discharge element, receives the activation signals and activates to attenuate the transient electrical event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: ANALOG DEVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Srivatsan Parthasarathy, Javier Alejandro Salcedo
  • Publication number: 20150062764
    Abstract: The ESD protection circuit includes a detection controlling circuit that is connected between the power supply line and the grounding line, detects a current flowing through the power supply line and outputs a controlling signal responsive to a result of the detection. The ESD protection circuit includes a protecting nMOS transistor connected to the power supply line at a drain thereof and receives the controlling signal at a gate thereof. The ESD protection circuit includes one stage of PN-junction diode connected to a source of the protecting nMOS transistor at an anode thereof and to the grounding line at a cathode thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Naoki WAKITA, Mitsuhiro YANO, Ryuji NISHIMOTO, Katsuhiko MURATA
  • Patent number: 8971000
    Abstract: A leak current absorption circuit for absorbing a leak current from an output transistor includes a switch connected to a grounding node on one end, a constant voltage circuit connected between the other end of the switch and an output node, a switch-operating circuit connected between the output node and the grounding node to operate the switch based on a voltage of the output node. When the voltage of the output node becomes equal to a predetermined threshold voltage or more, the switch-operating circuit turns on the switch to clamp the voltage of the output node by allowing at least a portion of the leak current from the output transistor flow to the grounding node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takeshi Nagata
  • Publication number: 20150049406
    Abstract: An electrostatic discharge, ESD, protection circuit arrangement is connectable to a first pin and a second pin of an electronic circuit and arranged to at least partly absorb an ESD current entering the electronic circuit through at least one of the first pin or the second pin during an ESD stress event. The protection circuit arrangement comprises a first ESD protection circuit arranged to absorb a first portion of the ESD current during a first part of the ESD stress event during which first part a level of the ESD current exceeds a predetermined current threshold; and a second ESD protection circuit arranged to absorb a second portion of the ESD current, the second portion having a current level below the current threshold, at least during a second part of the ESD stress event. The second ESD protection circuit comprises a current limiting circuit arranged to limit a current through at least a portion of the second ESD protection circuit to the current threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrice Besse, Jerome Casters, Jean-Philippe Laine, Alain Salles
  • Publication number: 20150049405
    Abstract: An arrester bypass device can include a switch having an normal state and an operated state. The arrester bypass device can also include a first electrode mechanically coupled to the switch, where the first electrode is held when the switch is in the normal state and released when the switch is in the operated state. The arrester bypass device can also include a second electrode positioned in line with the first electrode, wherein the first electrode contacts the second electrode when the switch is in the operated state. The arrester bypass device can further include a ground strap having a first end and a second end, where the first end is mechanically coupled to the plunger, and where the second end is mechanically coupled to an electrical ground.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: Michael M. Ramarge, Jeremy L. Martin, Jonathan J. Woodworth, Timothy S. Smith
  • Publication number: 20150036249
    Abstract: A protection circuit is coupled between a power supply unit and a device. The protection circuit includes a delay circuit, a power circuit, a switch circuit, and a determining circuit. The power supply unit supplies power to the device through the power circuit when the device works normally. The delay circuit receives a power good signal and outputs the power good signal after a preset period of time to the switch circuit. The switch circuit energizes the determining circuit when the switch circuit receives the power good signal. The determining circuit outputs a control signal to the power circuit to disconnect the power supply unit from the device when the device is short-circuited.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: BO TIAN, KANG WU
  • Publication number: 20150029626
    Abstract: An electronic device comprises a control module, a transceiving module, a first isolator, and a second isolator. The control module is configured to generate a control signal in response to a signal from an MCU. The transceiving module comprises a transceiving unit, which further comprises a first switch and a second switch. The electronic device further comprises a first isolator and a second isolator. The first isolator is external to the transceiving unit and is coupled between the first switch and a bus. Moreover, the first isolator is configured to isolate a first spike current coming from the bus. The second isolator is external to the transceiving unit and is coupled between a terminal of the second switch and the bus. Moreover, the second isolator is configured to direct a second spike current coming from the bus to the ground.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: MYSON CENTURY, INC.
    Inventors: TSEN-SHAU YANG, YUAN-CHIH CHUNG, PO YUAN LIN
  • Publication number: 20150022923
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods disclosed herein implement steady-state and fast transient electronic current limiting through power transistors, including power transistors used as pass elements associated with general purpose drivers. Embodiments herein prevent excessive steady-state current flow through one or more driver pass elements and/or through load elements in series with the pass element(s) via a current sensing and driver preamplifier feedback loop. A transient over-current protection circuit includes a fast transient switch and a transient over-current control circuit. The transient over-current control circuit rectifies one or more transient voltage spikes to create a momentary direct current (DC) voltage power supply (MVS) to power a fast transient driver circuit and to trip the fast transient switch. The fast transient switch discharges a transient pass element input voltage (e.g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Matthieu Chevrier, Michael Weitz
  • Patent number: 8937794
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a probe card, a plurality of sort probes coupled to the probe card and detector circuitry to detect a real time over current occurrence at the sort probes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Norris, Pooya Tadayon, Mark W. Dryfuse
  • Patent number: 8885305
    Abstract: A high performance ESD protection circuit is provided. Embodiments include a circuit having an RC clamp circuit including a first NMOS transistor having a first source, drain, and gate, a current mirror circuit including first and second PMOS transistors having a second and third source, drain, and gate, respectively, and an SCR circuit including a first P+ contact. The first source is coupled to a ground rail, the first drain is coupled to the second drain, second gate, and third gate, the second and third sources are coupled to a power rail, and the third drain is coupled to the first P+ contact, wherein during an ESD event the first NMOS and PMOS transistors turn on to discharge a first current to the ground rail, and the current mirror provides a second current to the first P+ contact for turning on the SCR.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: GlobalFoundries Singapore Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Yi Shan, Manjunatha Prabhu
  • Publication number: 20140321012
    Abstract: A power switching circuit includes a power semiconductor element that includes a main switching element connected in parallel with a main body diode and a sense switching element connected in parallel with a sense body diode; a reverse overcurrent detection circuit that detects an overcurrent flowing in the reverse direction out of currents flowing through a parallel-connection body of the sense switching element and the sense body diode; and a control circuit that drives the gate of the power semiconductor element; wherein when the reverse overcurrent detection circuit detects a reverse overcurrent, the control circuit controls the main switching element and the sense switching element to turn on.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Yasushi Nakayama
  • Publication number: 20140301003
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a junction box for a solar panel, having a protective circuit that defines an operating state and a protected state. The protective circuit includes a short-circuiting switch between the output-side connecting elements of the first and second external connecting lines and an isolating switch between the short-circuiting switch and one of the poles of the solar panel, in which in the protected state, the short-circuiting switch short-circuits the output-side connecting elements of the first and second connecting lines to each other and the isolating switch disconnects the short-circuiting switch from the solar panel on at least one side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2012
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Martin Jankowski
  • Publication number: 20140268453
    Abstract: A current limiter system includes a superconducting fault current limiter (SCFCL) operative to conduct load current during a normal operation state in which the SCFCL is in a superconducting state. The current limiter system also includes a shunt reactor connected in an electrically parallel fashion to the SCFCL and configured to conduct less current than the SCFL in the normal operation state, and a protection switch connected in electrical series with the SCFCL and shunt reactor and configured to disconnect the SCFCL for a predetermined time from a load current path during a fault condition after fault current exceeds a threshold current value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: VARIAN SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT ASSOCIATES, INC.
    Inventor: VARIAN SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT ASSOCIATES, INC.
  • Publication number: 20140268443
    Abstract: In one general aspect, an apparatus can include an input terminal, an output terminal and a ground terminal. The apparatus can also include an overcurrent protection device coupled between the input terminal and the output terminal. The apparatus can further include a thermal shunt device coupled between the output terminal and the ground terminal, the thermal shunt device being configured to, at a threshold temperature, operate in a thermally-induced low-impedance state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: FAIRCHILD SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christopher Nassar, William Newberry, Adrian Mikolajczak, Jamie Bravo
  • Patent number: 8809986
    Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor device capable of reducing a temperature-dependent variation of a current sense ratio and accurately detecting current. In the semiconductor device, at least one of an impurity concentration and a thickness of each semiconductor layer is adjusted such that a value calculated by a following equation is less than a predetermined value: [ ? i = 1 n ? ( R Mi × k Mi ) - ? i = 1 n ? ( R Si × k Si ) ] / ? i = 1 n ? ( R Mi × k Mi ) where a temperature-dependent resistance changing rate of an i-th semiconductor layer (i=1 to n) of the main element domain is RMi; a resistance ratio of the i-th semiconductor layer of the main element domain relative to the entire main element domain is kMi; a temperature-dependent resistance changing rate of the i-th semiconductor layer of the sense element domain is RSi; and a resistance ratio of the i-th semiconductor layer of the sense element domain to the entire sense element domain is kSi.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hidefumi Takaya, Kimimori Hamada, Yuji Nishibe
  • Publication number: 20140168835
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a smart junction box including: a first set of switches connected across input terminals adapted for connection to output terminals of a plurality of photovoltaic (PV) modules, a plurality of diodes connected across input terminals of each respective switch in the first set of switches, at least one reverse current detection device on at least one output terminal of the smart junction box, a second set of switches to selectively disconnect and short circuit output terminals of the smart junction box when a reverse current is detected, and wherein at least one switch of the second set of switches is located across the output terminals, a controller for controlling the first and second set of switches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Enphase Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: Martin Fornage
  • Publication number: 20140111895
    Abstract: A surge protection circuit, related to the power electronics field. The surge protection circuit includes: an input configured to provide direct current power supply, an output configured to connect to a next circuit, and a cutoff circuit connected to the output; the surge protection circuit further includes: a discharge circuit connected between the input and the cutoff circuit; the discharge circuit includes: a diode and a field-effect transistor; the cathode of the diode is connected to the positive end of the input, and the anode of the diode is connected to the source of the field-effect transistor; the gate of the field-effect transistor is connected to the positive end of the input, the drain of the field-effect transistor is connected to the negative end of the input, and the direction of the parasitic diode of the field-effect transistor is opposite to the direction of the diode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xuewen PENG, Wenzong Cao