Overvoltage Patents (Class 361/91.1)
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Patent number: 8582264Abstract: An overvoltage protection element with a housing, with at least one overvoltage limiting component which is located in the housing, with terminal elements for electrical connection of the overvoltage protection element to the current or signal path which is to be protected, and with a state display which has a display element for display of the state of the overvoltage protection element. A conclusion about the state of the overvoltage protection element is easily possible as a result of a thermally activatable, endothermic material being both in thermal contact with the overvoltage limiting component and also in mechanical contact with the display element of the state display. When the overvoltage limiting component is heated above a certain minimum temperature, expansion of the thermally activatable, endothermic material produces a change in position of the display element whose magnitude is a measure of the heating of the overvoltage limiting component.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2011Date of Patent: November 12, 2013Assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Rainer Durth, Christian Depping, Thomas Meyer
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Patent number: 8582263Abstract: A protection and attenuation circuit for sensitive AC loads is described. The circuit provides AC power protection and attenuation utilizing high-efficiency switch-mode techniques to attenuate an AC power signal by incorporating a bidirectional, transistorized switch driven from a pulse width modulation signal, PWM. The circuit monitors characteristics of the AC power signal driving a known load and characteristics of the load or other elements and determines the duty cycle of the pulse width modulated signal, PWM, based upon the duration and amplitude of the over-voltage, over-current, over-limit or other event.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2010Date of Patent: November 12, 2013Assignee: Intrinsic Audio Solutions, Inc.Inventor: Joel Butler
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Patent number: 8582265Abstract: A circuit for protecting an electronic device from excessive voltages applied to an input or output terminal includes a solid state relay coupling the electronic device to the terminal. The solid state relay may include an opto-transistor coupled between the electronic device and the terminal and a light-emitting diode optically coupled to the opto-transistor. The solid state relay is coupled in series with a current limiting device, such as one or more enhancement mode field effect transistors, and an electromechanical relay. A voltage detector coupled to the terminal detects a voltage larger than a specific value and causes current to flow thorough the light-emitting diode, thereby interrupting the coupling between the terminal and the electronic device. The voltage detector may be coupled between two spaced-apart connections to the coupling path between the terminal to the electronic device so that the voltage detector avoids diverting current from the coupling path.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2010Date of Patent: November 12, 2013Assignee: Fluke CorporationInventor: William John Britz
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Patent number: 8581608Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for easily detecting an abnormal status of power generation of a solar cell panel in a solar cell power generation system having the power generation of 1 MW or higher. The present invention provides an abnormality detecting apparatus for a solar cell power generation system including a plurality of solar cell strings each having a plurality of solar cell modules connected to each other in series and a backflow preventing diode connected to a power output terminal of each of the solar cell strings, characterized in that the abnormality detecting apparatus further includes measuring means for measuring a current flowing in the backflow preventing diode; and that the measuring means is supplied with electric power from both terminals of the backflow preventing diode.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2009Date of Patent: November 12, 2013Assignee: Onamba Co., Ltd.Inventors: Osamu Shizuya, Jun Ishida, Hideki Furubayashi, Yukitaka Miyata
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Patent number: 8576525Abstract: A serial surge suppression and overload protection optimization device has an input terminal, an output terminal and multiple surge suppression units. The surge suppression units are serially connected between the input terminal and the output terminal. Each surge suppression unit has two parallel inductors and multiple surge absorbing elements. Each surge absorbing element is connected to an output end of one of the parallel inductors and has a fuse serially connected therewith. When surge energy is excessively large, the fuse melts to separate the surge absorbing element from a main power loop without causing a short circuit within the main power loop due to the meltdown of the fuse. The optimization device is used with an automatic overload protection unit to normally supply power to equipment connected to the output terminal thereof and ensure electrical safety protection with a bypass circuit design thereof.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2011Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Assignee: Anmax Lightning Technology CorpInventor: Chih-Hua Wang
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Patent number: 8570696Abstract: A protection circuit includes a switch circuit, a sample circuit, a comparison circuit, and a relay circuit. The switch circuit is connected between a hard disk power supply and a hard disk to control whether to output power from the hard disk power supply to the hard disk. The sample circuit samples the voltage being supplied to the hard disk, the comparison circuit receives the sampled voltage, compares the sampled voltage to a reference voltage, and controls the switch circuit to be turned on or off accordingly. The relay circuit is connected between a system power supply and an enable terminal of the comparison circuit. The relay circuit outputs a high level signal to turn on the switch circuit when the system power supply is being supplied and the hard disk power supply is not being supplied to the hard disk.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2011Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignees: Hon Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.Inventors: Wei-Dong Cong, Guo-Yi Chen
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Patent number: 8570694Abstract: A protection circuit for protecting components from an electrostatic discharge at a node in an integrated circuit having a first set of electronic components of a first voltage sensitivity, the protection circuit comprising: detection circuitry arranged to detect an electrostatic discharge at the node; a first switching device connected between the first set of components and the node; and a second switching device connected between the node and ground; wherein, when an electrostatic discharge is detected at the node, the first switching device is configured to isolate the first set of components from the node and the second switching device is configured to provide a current path from said node to ground.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2009Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: Cambridge Silicon Radio LimitedInventor: William Pugsley
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Patent number: 8570698Abstract: An embodiment is a semiconductor device comprising a receiver circuit comprising fin field effect transistors (FinFETs), a transceiver circuit comprising FinFETs, and a transmit bus electrically coupling the receiver circuit and the transceiver circuit, wherein the receiver circuit and the transceiver circuit each further comprises an electrostatic discharge protection circuit comprising planar transistors electrically coupled to the transmit bus. Other embodiments may further comprise a power clamp electrically coupling a first power bus and a first ground bus, a power clamp electrically coupling a second power bus and a second ground bus, or at least two diodes electrically cross-coupling the first ground bus and the second ground bus. Also, the planar transistors of the transceiver circuit and the receiver circuit may each comprise a planar PMOS transistor and a planar NMOS transistor.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2012Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Jam-Wem Lee, Ching-Hsiung Lo
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Patent number: 8571513Abstract: For one disclosed embodiment, an integrated circuit may comprise an internal transmission line in one or more layers of the integrated circuit. The internal transmission line may be coupled to receive a signal from an external transmission line at a first end of the internal transmission line without use of termination circuitry. The internal transmission line may transmit the signal passively to a second end of the internal transmission line. The integrated circuit may also comprise first circuitry having an input coupled to the internal transmission line at a first location of the internal transmission line to receive the signal and second circuitry having an input coupled to the internal transmission line at a second location of the internal transmission line to receive the signal. The second location may be different from the first location. Other embodiments are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2012Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: Intel CorporationInventors: Frank O'Mahony, Bryan Casper, James Jaussi, Matthew B. Haycock, Joseph Kennedy, Mozhgan Mansuri, Stephen R. Mooney
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Patent number: 8570697Abstract: Apparatus for protecting a signal line bus driver from overvoltage faults may include a first solid-state switch configured to block current having a positive voltage when open and a second solid-state switch configured to block current having a negative voltage when open. A comparator circuit may produce a output signal responsively to presence of a fault-induced voltage in the signal line that has a magnitude that exceeds the reference voltage. The first and second switches may be connected in series with one another and with the bus driver. The switches may be interposed between the bus driver and an output end of the signal line and may responsively to the comparator circuit output signal.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2011Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Paul Stevens, Alex Wedin, Dale Trumbo
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Patent number: 8564917Abstract: Apparatus are provided for integrated circuits that include circuitry to provide protection from electrostatic discharge. An exemplary integrated circuit includes an input/output terminal, a first transistor coupled to the input/output terminal, a second transistor coupled to a control terminal of the first transistor and a reference voltage node, and detection circuitry coupled to a control terminal of the second transistor. The detection circuitry is configured to turn on the second transistor in response to a discharge event to protect the first transistor.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2011Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES, Inc.Inventors: Wensong Chen, Stephen Beebe
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Patent number: 8564913Abstract: A driving device for driving a semiconductor element can include a plurality of protection circuits that detect information necessary for performing protection operation for semiconductor elements that include a power conversion apparatus, a pulse signal generation circuit that sets a pulse sequence signal with a pulse width differently for each of the protection circuits and outputs a pulse sequence signal corresponding to the protection circuit that has been first detected a need for protection operation. The device can also include an alarm signal forming circuit that forms an alarm signal by ON-OFF control of a switching element and externally outputs the alarm signal, and a protection operation state discrimination circuit that discriminates existence of a protection operation state based on the alarm signal from the alarm signal forming circuit, and an alarm control circuit that delivers the pulse sequence signal outputted from the pulse signal generation circuit.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2011Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Assignee: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Satoru Motohashi, Akira Nakamori
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Patent number: 8564918Abstract: This document discusses methods and apparatus for preventing or reducing sub-threshold pass gate leakage. In an example, an apparatus can include a pass gate configured to electrically couple a first node with a second node in a first state and to electrically isolate the first node from the second node in a second state, control logic configured to control the pass gate, wherein the control logic includes a supply rail, and an over-voltage circuit configured to compare voltages received at a plurality of input nodes and to couple an output to an input node a highest voltage. In an example, the output of over-voltage circuit can be selectively coupled to the supply rail.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2011Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Assignee: Fairchild Semiconductor CorporationInventors: Nickole Gagne, Kenneth P. Snowdon
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Patent number: 8558520Abstract: An electrical circuit for manipulating at least one of a voltage and a current on a bus wire comprises a first switch having a first gate, a first source, and a first potential reduction unit. The first potential reduction unit is suitable for lowering a potential difference between the first gate and the first source of the first switch, wherein the lowering of the potential difference is caused by a shutting-off of a first control voltage.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2008Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.Inventors: Alexis Huot-Marchand, Hamada Ahmed, Patrice Besse, Nicolas Jarrige
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Patent number: 8559147Abstract: A circuit board includes a controller, a first feedback pin, and a second feedback pin. The controller determines a first voltage measurement associated with the first feedback pin. The controller further determines whether the first feedback pin is disconnected from the controller based on the first voltage measurement. The controller determines a second voltage measurement associated with the second feedback pin when the first feedback pin is disconnected from the controller. The controller also adjusts an output voltage of the controller based on the second voltage measurement when the first feedback pin is disconnected from the controller.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2011Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: Juniper Networks, Inc.Inventor: Philip R. Quaife
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Publication number: 20130265679Abstract: There is described a structure (14) that is disposed on an electrically non-conductive, electrostatically chargeable strip-type carrier film (12) and that has electrically conductive and/or semiconducting structural elements, which structure has at least one structural region (14s) protected against electrostatic voltage flashover.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2011Publication date: October 10, 2013Applicant: PolyiC BmbH & Co. KGInventors: Andreas Ullmann, Thomas Herbst, Ludwig Brehm, Haymo Katschorek
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Publication number: 20130265685Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for forming a thermal isolation point, consisting of an isolation strip to which a prestressing force can be applied, an electrical means which produces thermal energy and has a contact surface, in particular in the form of an overvoltage protection element or a component of such an element, as well as an integral connection means, which changes when heated in a defined manner in the aggregate state, in particular a solder. According to the invention, an adapter part is provided between the isolation strip and the contact surface of the electrical means, wherein the adapter part can on the one hand be connected to the contact surface in a purely interlocking and/or force-fitting manner, and on the other hand is connected in a manner which can provide thermal isolation integrally to the isolation strip.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2011Publication date: October 10, 2013Applicant: DEHN + SOHNE GmbH + Co. KGInventors: Edmund Zäuner, Georg Wittmann
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Publication number: 20130265686Abstract: A power control apparatus and method according to a load of a hybrid excavator including an H-ECU is disclosed. If a difference between an actual power value actually used in a load (SW PEC and ISAM PEC) or in an ESS and a power value required for an actual use in the load is equal to or larger than a set error value, a power that is supplied from the ESS to the PECs and a power that is supplied between the PECs are controlled to be cut off, and thus high voltage is prevented from being continuously supplied to circuits to thereby prevent secondary problems (e.g., fire, trouble of equipment, and the like) from occurring due to the high voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2010Publication date: October 10, 2013Applicant: VOLVO CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT ABInventor: Gyeong-Mo Min
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Patent number: 8553381Abstract: A voltage spike protection system minimizes a voltage spike by connecting a resistive clamp to a power source when the voltage spike is detected. The voltage spike detection system disconnects the resistive clamp after a portion of the voltage spike is dissipated.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2011Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand CorporationInventors: Vietson M. Nguyen, John D. Sagona, Waleed M. Said
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Publication number: 20130257521Abstract: A charge pump driver circuit has a first charge switch that couples a first node of a flying capacitor to a first power supply node, and a second charge switch that couples a second node of the capacitor to a second power supply node. Control circuitry is coupled to open the second charge switch and discharge the second node of the capacitor, in response to a control signal. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2012Publication date: October 3, 2013Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Taif A. Syed, Sang Y. Youn
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Publication number: 20130258539Abstract: An electronic device powered by a voltage of a power supply includes a load, a switching module connected between the power supply and the load, and an overvoltage protection circuit. The overvoltage protection circuit comprises a control unit presetting a first predetermined voltage and an overvoltage protection unit. When the voltage is larger than the first predetermined voltage, the control unit generates a protection signal to control the overvoltage protection unit to generate a first control signal, the switching module cuts off an electrical connection between the power supply and the load in response to the first control signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2012Publication date: October 3, 2013Inventors: TAO WANG, XUE-BING DENG, HAI-LONG CHENG, XIAO-HUI MA, HSING-SUANG KAO, XIN-PING LI
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Publication number: 20130258538Abstract: A power conditioning, distribution and management system includes a switch circuit that enables coupling of an AC power supply to a load though an overcurrent device. A control circuit switches the switch circuit from a non-conductive state to a conductive state when a supply voltage signal is between first overvoltage and undervoltage thresholds. The control circuit records an overvoltage event and maintains the switch circuit in the conductive state when the supply voltage signal exceeds a second, higher overvoltage threshold and switches the switch circuit to a nonconductive state when the supply voltage signal exceeds a third, highest overvoltage threshold. The control circuit records an undervoltage event and maintains the switch circuit in the conductive state when the supply voltage signal falls below a second, lower under-voltage threshold and switches the switch circuit to the non-conductive state when the supply voltage signal falls below a third, lowest undervoltage threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2013Publication date: October 3, 2013Inventors: Richard J. Billingsley, Robert A. Dawley
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Patent number: 8547672Abstract: A system and method for conditioning an alternating current (“AC”) power transmission for supply to a load circuit.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2009Date of Patent: October 1, 2013Assignee: Electronic Systems Protection, Inc.Inventors: Andrew Benton, Michael McCook
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Patent number: 8547674Abstract: A hardware overvoltage disconnecting circuit wherein a DC power supply module is disconnected from a power network when the AC power network is in the state of overvoltage. The circuit includes a disconnecting relay and a voltage detection circuit. The disconnecting relay is connected in series between an AC power network and a power factor correction circuit of a power supply module. A first sampling terminal of the voltage detection circuit samples the voltage of the AC power network between the AC power network and the disconnecting relay, and an output of the voltage detection circuit is connected to a control terminal of the disconnecting relay. When the AC power network is in the state of overvoltage, the disconnecting relay is disconnected and the power supply module is disconnected from the AC power network. When the voltage of the AC power network is normal, the disconnecting relay is connected.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2011Date of Patent: October 1, 2013Assignee: Emerson Network Power, Energy Systems, North AmericaInventors: Chunhui Zhu, Jingjing Huang, Shudu Liu
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Patent number: 8547673Abstract: An electrical switching apparatus includes a first terminal, a second terminal, a neutral conductor, separable contacts electrically connected between the terminals, an operating mechanism to open and close the contacts, a fused varistor electrically connected between the first terminal and the neutral conductor; and a trip mechanism including a trip coil cooperating with the operating mechanism to trip open the contacts. A second varistor is electrically connected in series with the trip coil between the first terminal and the neutral conductor. A thyristor is electrically connected in parallel with the second varistor. An overvoltage detection circuit is electrically interconnected with and causes the thyristor to energize the trip coil and cause the trip mechanism to trip open the contacts responsive to overvoltage between the first terminal and the neutral conductor.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2011Date of Patent: October 1, 2013Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Thomas E. Natili, David W. Stiffler, Joshua P. Mattocks
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Publication number: 20130250464Abstract: A method and circuit are described for detecting an overvoltage condition and using the detection of the overvoltage condition to protect a circuit or component from the overvoltage condition. In one embodiment, an overvoltage protection circuit is used to detect an overvoltage condition on pin driver electronics, the detection of which is powered by the overvoltage condition itself, thus eliminating the need to provide overvoltage protection circuitry that requires power supplies with voltages greater than the pin electronics the overvoltage protection circuit is meant to protect.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2012Publication date: September 26, 2013Applicant: EADS, North America, Inc.Inventors: Paul E. FISH, John R. COUPLAND
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Patent number: 8542472Abstract: An electronic device may include a connector port that accommodates reversible connector plugs. The connector port may include protection circuitry that protects other components in the electronic device from undesired power supply voltages. The protection circuitry may form a first branch and a second branch opposite to the first branch. The protection circuitry may receive control signals from power polarity detection circuitry. The power polarity detection circuitry may detect the presence of power supply voltages at the first branch and the second branch. In response to detecting the presence of a power supply voltage at a given branch, the power polarity detection circuitry may disable a power supply signal path through the opposite branch and enable a power supply signal path through the given branch.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2011Date of Patent: September 24, 2013Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventor: Scott Mullins
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Patent number: 8537515Abstract: A driving circuit is placed on an IC chip, and which drives a semiconductor switching element. The driving circuit includes: a power supply circuit for receiving a first voltage supplied from a single power supply provided outside the IC chip, generating a second voltage based on the first voltage, and applying the second voltage to a reference terminal of the semiconductor switching element; and a driving part for driving the semiconductor switching element by applying the first voltage or stopping application of the first voltage to a control terminal of the semiconductor switching element in response to an input signal given from outside the IC chip.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2011Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Takahiro Inoue, Shoichi Orita, Koji Tamaki
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Publication number: 20130234434Abstract: An overvoltage clipping device for clipping an overvoltage occurring at a main transformer of a wind turbine is provided. The overvoltage clipping device includes a detection unit for detecting an actual voltage level at the main transformer. The determination unit which is operatively connected to the detection unit determines whether the actual voltage level is above a predetermined reference voltage level. At least one switching unit is provided which is operatively connected to the determination unit for electrically coupling at least two transformer terminals of the main transformer. The control unit drives the switching unit if the detected actual voltage level is above the predetermined reference voltage level such that the at least two transformer terminals are electrically coupled to each other by the switching unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2012Publication date: September 12, 2013Inventor: Andre Langel
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Patent number: 8531809Abstract: A surge protector includes a first surge suppression assembly comprising a first conductive layer comprising an arm, an extension distal to the arm and having toothed edges, and a substantially C-shaped member projecting out of the extension and having toothed edges, and a substantially circular member with toothed edges formed at an open end of the extension; a second conductive layer comprising an arm including a terminal, an extension being distal the arm, a first substantially C-shaped member having toothed edges, and a second substantially C-shaped member at an open end of the extension wherein the first substantially C-shaped member, the substantially C-shaped member, the second substantially C-shaped member, and the substantially circular member are arranged concentrically; and an overvoltage protection assembly interconnecting the arm and the terminal. The overvoltage protection assembly is electrically connected to the first surge suppression assembly.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2012Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Assignee: Tempotek Electronics Corp.Inventors: Kun-Jung Chen, Chi-Hsin Wang
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Patent number: 8530968Abstract: An electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection element includes a collector area, a first barrier area, a semiconductor area, a second barrier area and an emitter area. The collector area has a first conductivity type. The first barrier area borders on the collector area and has a second conductivity type. The semiconductor area borders on the first barrier area and is an intrinsic semiconductor area, or has the first or second conductivity type and a dopant concentration which is lower than a dopant concentration of the first barrier area. The second barrier area borders on the semiconductor area and has the second conductivity type and a higher dopant concentration than the semiconductor area. The emitter area borders on the second barrier area and has the first conductivity type.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2012Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Wolfgang Klein, Hans Taddiken, Winfried Bakalski
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Publication number: 20130222958Abstract: Methods and systems described herein provide protection for sensitive circuits against power surges on power lines. A surge protector for protecting a load coupled to a power source is provided. The surge protector includes an input having a first node, a second node and a third node to respectfully couple to line, neutral, and ground connections of a power source, an output having a fourth node, a fifth node, and a sixth node for respectfully coupling to line, neutral and ground connections of the load, a first voltage limiting circuit coupled between the fourth node and the fifth node, a first inductor coupled between the first node and the fourth node, and a second voltage limiting circuit coupled between the first node and the second node.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2012Publication date: August 29, 2013Applicant: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC IT CORPORATIONInventor: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC IT CORPORATION
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Patent number: 8520349Abstract: A supply voltage monitor includes a switch circuit that enables coupling of an AC power supply to a load. A control circuit switches the switch circuit from a non-conductive state to a conductive state when a supply voltage signal is between a first over-voltage threshold and a first under-voltage threshold. The control circuit records an over-voltage event and maintains the switch circuit in the conductive state when the supply voltage signal exceeds a second, higher over-voltage threshold. The control circuit switches the switch circuit to a non-conductive state when the supply voltage signal exceeds a third, highest over-voltage threshold. The control circuit records an under-voltage event and maintains the switch circuit in the conductive state when the supply voltage signal falls below a second, lower under-voltage threshold. The control circuit switches the switch circuit to the non-conductive state when the supply voltage signal falls below a third, lowest under-voltage threshold.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2011Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: Electronic Systems Protection, Inc.Inventors: Richard J. Billingsley, Robert A. Dawley
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Patent number: 8520350Abstract: A protection circuit includes first and second electronic switches. When a CPU socket does not contain a CPU, a signal pin of the CPU socket outputs a high level signal. The first and second electronic switches are turned on. A data transmitting line of a SMBus is connected to a digital integrated chip. The parameters of the digital integrated chip can thus be regulated. When the CPU socket contains the CPU, the signal pin of the CPU socket outputs a low level signal. The first and second electronic switches are turned off. The data transmitting line of the SMBus is disconnected from the digital integrated chip, to prevent damage to the digital integrated chip.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2011Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.Inventors: Ya-Jun Pan, Ting Ge
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Patent number: 8520351Abstract: Methods of the invention include an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection method capable of detecting a slew rate of an input signal and capable of determining whether the slew rate of the input signal is greater than a threshold value. For an ESD event having a slew rate in excess of the threshold value said method generates a trigger signal which generates an activation signal that activates the ESD dissipation circuitry and that controls the length of time the dissipation circuit remains active. The method further comprises shunting the ESD energy away from a protected internal circuit. The method maintaining the shunting of the energy for a period of time sufficient to discharge of the ESD energy without damaging the protected circuitry.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2012Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: Sandisk Technologies Inc.Inventor: Richard J. K. Hong
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Patent number: 8514532Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuits. In certain embodiments an ESD protection circuit may include two series resistor-capacitor (RC) circuits. One series RC circuit may have a short time constant and may selectively activate a current shunt between two power rails in response to an ESD event. Accordingly, the ESD circuit may be able to respond to fast ramping ESD events. The other series RC circuit has a longer time constant, and maintains the current shunt in an active state for a sufficient amount of time to allow the ESD event to be completely discharged.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2009Date of Patent: August 20, 2013Assignee: Conexant Systems, Inc.Inventors: Eugene R. Worley, Chiew-Guan Tan, Mark R. Tennyson
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Patent number: 8514534Abstract: A system in one embodiment includes a cable having a plurality of cable leads, and a multi-diode chip having a pad-side not facing the cable. The multi-diode chip includes a plurality of sets of contact pads on the pad-side of the multi-diode chip, and a plurality of crossed diode sets, wherein each set of crossed diodes is coupled between a first contact pad and a second contact pad of one set of contact pads, wherein at least two of the plurality of cable leads are coupled via wire-bonding to one of the plurality of sets of contact pads of the multi-diode chip for providing electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection for at least one element of the electronic device coupled to the at least two cable leads.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2010Date of Patent: August 20, 2013Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: William T. Bandy, IV, Dylan J. Boday, Peter J. Golcher, Icko E. T. Iben, Sassan K. Shahidi, Joyce L. S. Tang
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Publication number: 20130208383Abstract: An integrated circuit for an implantable medical device can include a substrate, a first capacitor, and an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit. The first capacitor can include an electrically conductive lower polysilicon terminal and an electrically conductive upper polysilicon terminal that can be separated from the lower polysilicon terminal by a first capacitor dielectric material. The ESD protection circuit can include an ESD shunt transistor and a second capacitor. The ESD shunt transistor can be configured to be normally off, but can be configured to turn on and conduct between first and second power supply rails in response to an ESD event exceeding a specified ESD event threshold value. The second capacitor can includes a first substrate terminal and an electrically conductive second polysilicon terminal that can be separated from the first substrate terminal by a second capacitor dielectric material.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2013Publication date: August 15, 2013Applicant: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.Inventor: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
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Patent number: 8508900Abstract: An overvoltage protection circuit prevents a voltage higher than an allowable voltage value from being supplied to a predetermined to-be-protected circuit. A voltage is applied from outside to an input end 11. A cathode terminal of a zener diode 13 is connected to the input end 11. A first resistance element 14 is connected between an anode terminal of the zener diode 13 and a ground terminal. A voltage detection integrated circuit 15 detects a voltage between both ends of the zener diode 13, and outputs a detection signal that indicates whether or not the detected voltage is higher than the allowable voltage value. When the detection signal indicates that the detected voltage is no higher than the allowable voltage value, a MOSFET 16 supplies the to-be-protected circuit with the voltage applied to the input end 11.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2008Date of Patent: August 13, 2013Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.Inventor: Syuichi Tsugawa
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Patent number: 8503900Abstract: There is provided a power supply unit, comprising: a converter transformer; a first low voltage generation unit to generate a first voltage on a secondary side of the converter transformer and output the first voltage; a first controller that controls an activation state of a primary side of the converter transformer based on the first voltage; an inactivation unit to inactivate operation of the first controller based on the first voltage to let the first low voltage generation unit to suspend output of the first voltage; a high voltage supply unit to output a high voltage higher than the first voltage by using the first voltage; a detection unit to detect an anomalous state concerning output of the high voltage of the high voltage supply unit. The high voltage supply unit inactivates the operation of the first controller through the inactivation unit when the anomalous state is detected.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2009Date of Patent: August 6, 2013Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Katsumi Inukai
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Patent number: 8502269Abstract: A first first-conductivity-type diffusion layer, a first second-conductivity-type diffusion layer, a second first-conductivity-type diffusion layer, and a second second-conductivity-type diffusion layer are arranged in this order. In a region where the second second-conductivity-type diffusion layer and the first-conductivity-type layer are in contact with each other, impurity concentrations thereof are higher in a part in contact with a side face of the second second-conductivity-type diffusion layer than in a part at a bottom surface of the second second-conductivity-type diffusion layer.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2011Date of Patent: August 6, 2013Assignee: Renesas Electronics CorporationInventors: Kouichi Sawahata, Masaharu Sato
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Patent number: 8498088Abstract: The present invention relates to an external storage device, such as a hard disk drive, having a replaceable protection device. In one embodiment, the storage device comprises an overvoltage protection device coupled in parallel with a power adapter. The protection device may be configured to fail in short circuit in the event of an overvoltage condition. In order to make the protection device readily replaceable, it may be located on the storage device such that it is accessible by a user. The storage device is configured to continue operations if the protection device is removed.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2011Date of Patent: July 30, 2013Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Barry L. Klein
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Patent number: 8493018Abstract: An apparatus includes an inverter including a high-side switch coupled to a low-side switch, the inverter generating a time-varying drive current from a plurality of drive control signals, a positive rail voltage, and a negative rail voltage wherein controlling the switches to generate the time-varying drive current produces a potential transitory overshoot condition for one of the switches of the inverter; a drive control, coupled to the inverter, to generate the drive control signals and to set a level of each of the rail voltages responsive to a plurality of controller signals; and a controller monitoring one or more parameters indicative of the potential transitory voltage overshoot condition, the controller dynamically adjusting, responsive to the monitored parameters, the controller signals to reduce a risk of occurrence of the potential transitory voltage overshoot condition.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2011Date of Patent: July 23, 2013Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.Inventors: Ryan Kroeze, Colin Campbell, Nicholas Robert Kalayjian
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Patent number: 8493680Abstract: An electronic device includes a power supply line connected between a DC power supply and an integrated circuit, and a first electronic element and a second electronic element serially connected between the power supply line and ground. The second electronic element is open when the first electronic element is short-circuited due to an overvoltage induced in the power supply line. When the overvoltage exceeds a breakdown voltage of the first electronic element, the first electronic element supplies an overcurrent induced in the power supply line to the second electronic element.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2011Date of Patent: July 23, 2013Assignee: Seagate Technology InternationalInventors: Young-Keun Oh, Gyu-Sang Lee, Ki Choel Lee
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Publication number: 20130182353Abstract: Monitoring of a core logic internal voltage regulator output is performed to detect, alarm and put an integrated circuit device into a safe mode when the voltage on the core logic exceeds a safe operating voltage value. This allows putting the integrated circuit devise into a predictable, detectable and safe mode, and to alarm the over-voltage condition to a system monitor to alert on a fault and subsequent fault disposition.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2012Publication date: July 18, 2013Inventor: Pieter Schieke
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Patent number: 8488288Abstract: Various embodiments of an input protection circuitry may be configured with a variable tripping threshold and low parasitic elements, which may prevent a signal from propagating into the protected equipment/device if the voltage of the input signal exceeds a certain limit. The input protection circuit may operate to protect a measurement instrument, which may be an oscilloscope, early in the signal path leading into to the instrument, to avoid exposing sensitive circuitry to damaging voltage levels, and without introducing significant parasitic elements that would degrade the performance of the instrument. The protection circuit may be configured to include clamping to provide protection during the circuit response delay time. The input protection threshold of the protection circuit may be adaptive to a selected voltage range on the instrument without trading-off instrument performance and features.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2009Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: National Instruments CorporationInventors: Zaher G. Harb, Mark Whittington
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Patent number: 8487687Abstract: An output buffer circuit for avoiding voltage overshoot includes an input stage, an output bias circuit, an output stage, a clamp circuit, and a control unit. The input stage includes a positive input terminal, for receiving an input voltage, and a negative input terminal. The input stage generates a current signal according to the input voltage. The output bias circuit is coupled to the input stage, for generating a dynamic bias according to the current signal. The output stage is coupled to the input stage and the output bias circuit, including an output terminal, reversely coupled to the positive input terminal, and at least one output transistor, coupled to the output bias circuit and the output terminal, for providing a driving current to the output terminal according to the dynamic bias to generate an output voltage.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2010Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: NOVATEK Microelectronics Corp.Inventors: Xie-Ren Hsu, Ji-Ting Chen
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Publication number: 20130176653Abstract: Provided is an over-voltage protection device for a resonant wireless power reception device. The over-voltage protection device includes a resonance signal receiver for receiving a wireless resonance signal transmitted from a wireless power transmission device, an over-voltage protector which is driven by a driver in an over-voltage protection operation to detune a resonance frequency of the reception device, thereby reducing reception power, the driver for driving the over-voltage protector according to a control signal in the over-voltage protection operation, and a controller for outputting the control signal for driving the over-voltage protector to the driver when it is determined that over-voltage occurs.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2012Publication date: July 11, 2013Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
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Patent number: 8482896Abstract: An overvoltage protection element with a housing, at least one overvoltage limiting component in the housing, especially a varistor, and two connecting elements for electrically connecting the overvoltage protection element to a current or signal path in a normal state, the connecting elements being in electrically conductive contact with a respective pole of the overvoltage limiting component. In the normal state of the overvoltage protection element, at least one pole is connected to a connecting element via a plug-and-socket connection, and at least one spring is located between the housing and the overvoltage limiting component such that, when the overvoltage limiting component is thermally overloaded, it is turned by the spring separating the at least one pole from the assigned connecting element, and creating a thermally separating connection between the overvoltage limiting component and the housing when the temperature of the overvoltage limiting component exceeds a given boundary temperature.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2010Date of Patent: July 9, 2013Assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Christina Grewe, Andreas Metzger
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Patent number: 8482256Abstract: A portable power system which contains a battery, which is intended for use as a power source for charging the batteries of portable electronics devices or for powering other electrical systems. It contains a USB connection for power input and a myriad of adapters for connecting the power system with the proprietary connectors of portable devices, as well as a screen to output system information to the user. The power system also contains a microcontroller which controls internal systems, input and output current and voltage, such that the power system may operate with any portable device as well as any type of USB port.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2009Date of Patent: July 9, 2013Assignee: Ecosol Technologies Inc.Inventors: Zuohang Zhu, Andrew C. Kular