Overvoltage Patents (Class 361/91.1)
  • Patent number: 8582264
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Rainer Durth, Christian Depping, Thomas Meyer
  • Patent number: 8582263
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Intrinsic Audio Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Joel Butler
  • Patent number: 8582265
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Fluke Corporation
    Inventor: William John Britz
  • Patent number: 8581608
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Onamba Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Osamu Shizuya, Jun Ishida, Hideki Furubayashi, Yukitaka Miyata
  • Patent number: 8576525
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Anmax Lightning Technology Corp
    Inventor: Chih-Hua Wang
  • Patent number: 8570696
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignees: Hon Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wei-Dong Cong, Guo-Yi Chen
  • Patent number: 8570694
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Cambridge Silicon Radio Limited
    Inventor: William Pugsley
  • Patent number: 8570698
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jam-Wem Lee, Ching-Hsiung Lo
  • Patent number: 8571513
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Frank O'Mahony, Bryan Casper, James Jaussi, Matthew B. Haycock, Joseph Kennedy, Mozhgan Mansuri, Stephen R. Mooney
  • Patent number: 8570697
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Stevens, Alex Wedin, Dale Trumbo
  • Patent number: 8564917
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES, Inc.
    Inventors: Wensong Chen, Stephen Beebe
  • Patent number: 8564913
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoru Motohashi, Akira Nakamori
  • Patent number: 8564918
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Fairchild Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Nickole Gagne, Kenneth P. Snowdon
  • Patent number: 8558520
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexis Huot-Marchand, Hamada Ahmed, Patrice Besse, Nicolas Jarrige
  • Patent number: 8559147
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Juniper Networks, Inc.
    Inventor: Philip R. Quaife
  • Publication number: 20130265679
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2011
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: PolyiC BmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Andreas Ullmann, Thomas Herbst, Ludwig Brehm, Haymo Katschorek
  • Publication number: 20130265685
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: DEHN + SOHNE GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Edmund Zäuner, Georg Wittmann
  • Publication number: 20130265686
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2010
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: VOLVO CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT AB
    Inventor: Gyeong-Mo Min
  • Patent number: 8553381
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Vietson M. Nguyen, John D. Sagona, Waleed M. Said
  • Publication number: 20130257521
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Taif A. Syed, Sang Y. Youn
  • Publication number: 20130258539
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Inventors: TAO WANG, XUE-BING DENG, HAI-LONG CHENG, XIAO-HUI MA, HSING-SUANG KAO, XIN-PING LI
  • Publication number: 20130258538
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Inventors: Richard J. Billingsley, Robert A. Dawley
  • Patent number: 8547672
    Abstract: A system and method for conditioning an alternating current (“AC”) power transmission for supply to a load circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Electronic Systems Protection, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Benton, Michael McCook
  • Patent number: 8547674
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Emerson Network Power, Energy Systems, North America
    Inventors: Chunhui Zhu, Jingjing Huang, Shudu Liu
  • Patent number: 8547673
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas E. Natili, David W. Stiffler, Joshua P. Mattocks
  • Publication number: 20130250464
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: EADS, North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul E. FISH, John R. COUPLAND
  • Patent number: 8542472
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Scott Mullins
  • Patent number: 8537515
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Takahiro Inoue, Shoichi Orita, Koji Tamaki
  • Publication number: 20130234434
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Inventor: Andre Langel
  • Patent number: 8531809
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Tempotek Electronics Corp.
    Inventors: Kun-Jung Chen, Chi-Hsin Wang
  • Patent number: 8530968
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Klein, Hans Taddiken, Winfried Bakalski
  • Publication number: 20130222958
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC IT CORPORATION
    Inventor: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC IT CORPORATION
  • Patent number: 8520349
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Electronic Systems Protection, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Billingsley, Robert A. Dawley
  • Patent number: 8520350
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ya-Jun Pan, Ting Ge
  • Patent number: 8520351
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Sandisk Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Richard J. K. Hong
  • Patent number: 8514532
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Conexant Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene R. Worley, Chiew-Guan Tan, Mark R. Tennyson
  • Patent number: 8514534
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: William T. Bandy, IV, Dylan J. Boday, Peter J. Golcher, Icko E. T. Iben, Sassan K. Shahidi, Joyce L. S. Tang
  • Publication number: 20130208383
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventor: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8508900
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Syuichi Tsugawa
  • Patent number: 8503900
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Katsumi Inukai
  • Patent number: 8502269
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Kouichi Sawahata, Masaharu Sato
  • Patent number: 8498088
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Barry L. Klein
  • Patent number: 8493018
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Kroeze, Colin Campbell, Nicholas Robert Kalayjian
  • Patent number: 8493680
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Seagate Technology International
    Inventors: Young-Keun Oh, Gyu-Sang Lee, Ki Choel Lee
  • Publication number: 20130182353
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Inventor: Pieter Schieke
  • Patent number: 8488288
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: National Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Zaher G. Harb, Mark Whittington
  • Patent number: 8487687
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: NOVATEK Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Xie-Ren Hsu, Ji-Ting Chen
  • Publication number: 20130176653
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
  • Patent number: 8482896
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Christina Grewe, Andreas Metzger
  • Patent number: 8482256
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Ecosol Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Zuohang Zhu, Andrew C. Kular