Abstract: A crowbar module includes first and second electrical terminals, a module housing, and first and second crowbar units. The first crowbar unit is disposed in the module housing and includes a first thyristor electrically connected between the first and second electrical terminals. The second crowbar unit is disposed in the module housing and includes a second thyristor electrically connected between the first and second electrical terminals in electrical parallel with the first crowbar unit.

Abstract: An electronic control unit includes a microcontroller. The microcontroller includes a power supply pin configured to receive power and at least one input/output (I/O) pin. A voltage regulator includes a power input configured to connect to a power source and to a regulated power output connected to the power supply pin via an I/O fault protection circuit.

Abstract: A vehicle power system has a DC to AC converter, a pair of AC to DC converters, a transformer including a core, a primary winding wound about the core and electrically connected to an output of the DC to AC converter, and a pair of secondary windings wound about the core, a traction battery electrically connected to a collective output of the AC to DC converters, and a controller.

Abstract: A pump assembly and a cooking appliance having a pump assembly are provided. The pump assembly may include a cavity that defines a cooking cavity; a water supplier installed outside of the cavity; a connection pipe connected to the water supplier; and a pump assembly disposed outside of the cavity and connected to the connection pipe. The pump assembly may includes at least one pump; and a support made of a flexible material and coupling the at least one pump to an upper surface of the cavity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a circuit for protecting a switch of an electrical system, said protecting circuit comprising a variable electronic component having a physical characteristic the value of which varies by at least 10% as a function of temperature, the protecting circuit being configured to prohibit a current from passing through said switch when the intensity of said current exceeds a maximum allowed intensity threshold, said variable electronic component being connected in the protecting circuit such that the value of the maximum allowed intensity threshold is directly a function of said physical characteristic.

Abstract: An overvoltage protection apparatus and method. The overvoltage protection apparatus includes: a determining unit, having an input end connected to an input end of the apparatus and an output end connected to an input end of a soft-start unit, and configured to determine whether an input voltage at the input end of the apparatus exceeds a preset protection voltage; and the soft-start unit, having an input end connected to the input end of the apparatus and an output end connected to an output end of the apparatus, where if the determining unit determines that the input voltage does not exceed the preset protection voltage and remains stable in a preset delay time, the soft-start unit delivers the input voltage to the output end of the apparatus; and otherwise, the soft-start unit does not deliver a voltage signal to the output end of the apparatus.

Abstract: A wireless power transmission (WPT) system. Implementations may include a power source coupled with a first wireless power transmission (WPT) system and a load coupled with a second WPT system including a sense circuit. The second WPT system, using the sense circuit, may be configured to dynamically tune a resonance of the second WPT system with the first WPT system to a desired resonance frequency value to allow transfer of a desired voltage or a desired power to the load. The desired resonance frequency value may be less than a maximum possible resonance frequency value. The first WPT system may be capable of transmitting more voltage or more power than the second WPT system or the load can receive without inducing damage to the second WPT system or the load.

Abstract: An arc flash mitigation system includes a main circuit protector such as a high amperage overcurrent protection fuse, and an arc flash mitigation network connected in parallel to the main circuit protector. The arc flash mitigation network includes at least one semiconductor switch operable to provide a shunt current path to a low amperage arc mitigation fuse for a faster response time to certain circuit conditions than the main circuit protector otherwise provides. The semiconductor switch may be a silicon controller rectifier operatively responsive to a voltage drop across the main circuit protector in use.

Abstract: An input protection circuit (200) and associated method are disclosed for protecting a circuit input (VINP) from positive and negative overvoltages at an input voltage (VIN) with a high-voltage PMOSFET (P1) having a gate, a drain connected across a zener diode (ZD1) to the gate, and a source connected to receive an input voltage; a blocking FET (N1) having a gate connected to a power supply voltage, a drain connected across a zener diode (ZD2) to the power supply voltage, and a source connected to the gate of the high-voltage PMOSFET; a high-voltage NMOSFET (N3) having a gate connected to the power supply voltage, a source providing the protected output voltage and connected across a zener diode (ZD3) to the gate, and a drain connected to a source follower node and a level shifter circuit (214) connected between the drain of the high-voltage PMOSFET and the source follower node.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to battery cell balancing using duty ratio control, and more particularly, to a battery cell balancing method and system with improved accuracy and efficiency by detecting a temperature of a resistance caused by a current flowing in a battery cell during battery cell balancing, calculating a duty ratio of the battery cell balancing according thereto, and detecting a voltage of the battery cell when a predetermined time elapses after the cell balancing operation.

Abstract: A wireless power transmission (WPT) system. Implementations may include a power source coupled with a first wireless power transmission (WPT) system and a load coupled with a second WPT system including a sense circuit. The second WPT system, using the sense circuit, may be configured to dynamically tune a resonance of the second WPT system with the first WPT system to a desired resonance frequency value to allow transfer of a desired voltage or a desired power to the load. The desired resonance frequency value may be less than a maximum possible resonance frequency value. The first WPT system may be capable of transmitting more voltage or more power than the second WPT system or the load can receive without inducing damage to the second WPT system or the load.

Abstract: An AC/DC converter includes a first terminal and a second terminal to receive an AC voltage and a third terminal and a fourth terminal to deliver a DC voltage. A rectifying bridge is provided in the converter. A controllable switching or rectifying element has a control terminal configured to receive a control current. A first switch is coupled between a supply voltage and the control terminal to inject the control current. A second switch is coupled between the control terminal and a reference voltage to extract the control current. The first and second switches are selectively actuated by a control circuit.

Abstract: A voltage detection apparatus is provided which is suitable for an assembled battery including a series connection of battery cells.

Abstract: A controller for driving a power switch incorporates a protection circuit to protect the power switch from fault conditions, such as over-voltage conditions or power surge events. The protection circuit includes a fault detection circuit and a protection gate drive circuit. The fault detection circuit is configured to monitor the voltage across the power switch and to generate a fault detection indicator signal and the protection gate drive circuit is configured to generate a gate drive signal to turn on the power switch in response to a detected fault condition. In particular, the protection gate drive circuit generates a gate drive signal that has a slow assertion transition and is clamped at a given gate voltage value. In this manner, the protection circuit implements active clamping of the gate terminal of the power switch and safe handling of the power switch during over-voltage events.

Abstract: A flyback power converter includes a transformer having a primary winding for receiving an input power, a secondary winding for generating an output power, and an auxiliary winding for generating a supply voltage, a primary side switch coupled to the primary winding, a high voltage start-up switch coupled to the input voltage and the controller supply voltage, and a primary side controller powered by the controller supply voltage. The primary side controller includes a multi-function pin coupled to a control terminal of the high voltage start-up switch, a high voltage start-up circuit for controlling the high voltage start-up switch to be ON through the multi-function pin when the controller supply voltage is lower than a threshold, and a protection control circuit which is coupled to an protection sensing signal through the multi-function pin; the protection control circuit operates the flyback power converter according to the protection sensing signal.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a gate driver for driving an inverter. In one embodiment, a gate driver includes an IC module configured to generate the switching signal by using a PWM signal input from the outside, and a power supply managing part configured to apply an IC module driving voltage for drive of the IC module by using a switching element and a driver driving voltage for drive of the gate driver if the driver driving voltage is equal to or larger than a first reference voltage, and is further configured to stop the application of the IC module driving voltage if the driver driving voltage is equal to or lower than a second reference voltage.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for regulating the transfer of energy inductively between an implantable device and an external charging system, wherein the energy transfer rate is regulated by varying an operating frequency of an inductive energy transfer circuit of the implantable device responsive a temperature measured within the implantable device.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory apparatus includes a bank; a temperature sensor configured to generate a temperature voltage of which voltage level is changed according to a temperature variation of the bank; and a timing control block configured to control a timing of a signal to be inputted to the bank, according to the voltage level of the temperature voltage.

Abstract: A wireless field device for use in an industrial process control system includes a power source having a power source output. Field device is circuitry powered by the power source output. A protection circuit is configured to protect the field device circuitry. The protection circuit include reverse polarity protection circuit coupled to the power source output that electrically isolates the power source output from the field device circuitry in response to a reverse polarity connection between the power source output and the field device circuitry. An overvoltage protection circuit disconnects the power source output from the field device circuitry is a voltage of the power source output exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: A system for protecting a power consuming circuit, the system comprising two terminals for receiving power and two terminals for providing received power. Between one of the receiving terminals and a providing terminal, a transistor is provided which is controlled by a Zener diode and to break the connection between one of the receiving terminals and a providing terminal, if a voltage over the providing terminals or the receiving terminals exceeds the breakdown voltage of the Zener diode.

Abstract: An overvoltage protection element, provided as a component of a medical device (3) used on or in a human or animal body, reduces power absorption upon application of an external overvoltage signal having chronological rising and/or decay characteristic at an interface (15) of the medical device (3). The overvoltage protection element has reshaping means (17) which convert the external overvoltage signal at the interface (15) into an internal voltage pulse, and limiting means (19) which limit a voltage drop on at least one electronic component of the medical device to a predetermined limiting value.

Abstract: A switching transistor is arranged between a switching (SW) terminal and the ground terminal. An error amplifier amplifies the difference between the feedback voltage VFB that corresponds to the output voltage VOUT with a predetermined reference voltage VREF so as to generate an error voltage VERR. A pulse modulator generates a pulse signal SP having a duty ratio that is adjusted according to the error voltage VERR. A driver drives a switching transistor according to the pulse signal SP. An overvoltage detection circuit generates an overvoltage protection (OVP) signal which is asserted when the voltage at the switching (SW) terminal becomes higher than a predetermined threshold voltage. When the OVP signal is asserted, a control circuit performs a predetermined protection operation.

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.

Abstract: A motor controller with a reverse-bias preventing mechanism includes a pre-charging unit, a protection unit, a conversion unit and a control unit. The pre-charging unit receives a power signal through a first electric-conduction path, and converts the power signal into a pre-charging signal according to a control signal. The protection unit receives the power signal through a second electric-conduction path, and determines whether to output the power signal, according to the polarity of the power signal. The conversion unit, coupled to the protection unit, receives the power signal outputted by the protection unit, and converts the power signal into a work voltage. The control unit, coupled to the conversion unit and the pre-charging unit, receives the work voltage to generate the control signal. The current of the power signal flowing through second electric-conduction path is smaller than the current flowing through first electric-conduction path.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method for over-voltage protection is provided. The method includes connecting a first winding of a saturable reactor to a direct current (DC) source; connecting at least one phase of an alternating current (AC) electrical system to ground through a second winding of the saturable reactor; and controlling DC current flow from the DC source to the first winding of the saturable reactor in response to an over-voltage event, wherein energy is shunted to ground from the at least one phase of the alternating current electrical system through the second winding of the saturable reactor.

Abstract: A regulating system for an insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) includes a clamping circuit coupled to the IGBT. The IGBT is coupled to a gate driver circuit. The regulating system also includes a feedback channel coupled to the clamping circuit. The feedback channel is configured to transmit signals representative of a conduction state of said clamping circuit. The regulating system further includes at least one gate driver controller coupled to the feedback channel and the gate driver circuit. The gate drive controller is configured to regulate temporal periodicities of the IGBT in an on-condition and an off-condition.

Abstract: A photovoltaic string may include an open circuit voltage limiter that conducts current in one direction to provide a limiter voltage less than an open circuit voltage of the photovoltaic string, and that conducts current in the other direction. One or more open circuit voltage limiters may be connected across the photovoltaic string or across selected groups of solar cells of the photovoltaic string. The limiter voltage may be greater than a maximum power point voltage but less than the open circuit voltage of the photovoltaic string.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement having an overload protection for galvanic isolation units (OK1, OK2, . . . , OKn) for galvanic isolation from one another is described. The galvanic isolation units each have two regions galvanically isolated from one another and one of the regions has a control signal terminal (S) and a base terminal (B). The circuit arrangement have at least two such galvanic isolation units (OK1, OK2, . . . , OKn). From at least two of the galvanic isolation units (OK1, OK2, . . . , OKn) the base terminals (B) of a region are electrically conductively connected to one another and are connected to a base potential (GND) via a common fuse (F) connected in series.

Abstract: An inverter drive device includes a drive circuit that outputs a gate voltage signal of a power semiconductor element; and a Zener clamping protection circuit that acquires an emitter electrode side voltage of the power semiconductor element, and, if that voltage is greater than a predetermined voltage value, performs clamping of the gate voltage of the drive circuit after a predetermined time interval has elapsed from the acquisition of the emitter electrode side voltage. The Zener clamping protection circuit includes a latch circuit that, after the emitter electrode side voltage has been acquired, continues the clamping of the gate voltage by the Zener clamping protection circuit during an interval.

Abstract: An electronic protection device for protecting at least one electrical load, connectable to the protection device, whereby the electronic protection device has an input terminal and an output terminal, and whereby the protection device includes a fuse element, which is thermally self-resetting, and whereby the fuse element is provided and set up to conduct or limit a first current as a function of a fuse element temperature, whereby a limiting component is provided to limit the first current, and whereby the limiting component has a first transistor that is connected in series to the fuse element and a monitoring circuit that influences the first transistor. The monitoring circuit blocks the first transistor when the first current reaches or exceeds a predefined maximum current value and unblocks it when the first current reaches or falls below a predefined reset current value.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an over-voltage protection circuit is configured to have two control circuits that respond at different values of the input voltage.

Abstract: An overvoltage protection circuit is based on replacing the bias resistor in a conventional overvoltage protection circuit with a self-biased latch. The new circuit automatically survives both overvoltage and overcurrent events.

Abstract: A parallel protection circuit for a solar module, comprising a field effect transistor for blocking current reversal, a driver module for driving the field effect transistor, and a protection module for preventing the gate of the field effect transistor from high-voltage puncturing. The driver module and the protection module are serially connected to each other to form the control module of the parallel protection circuit, and the control module is connected in parallel with the solar module at two output polarities of the solar module. The gate of the field effect transistor is connected between the driver module and the protection module, the source terminal of the field effect transistor is connected to the negative terminal of the solar module, and the drain terminal of the field effect transistor and the positive terminal of the solar module form two protected output polarities. The protection module may be a resistance, a diode string, or a Zener diode, and so on.

Abstract: A voltage detection circuit used to detect a voltage source includes a Zener diode, a thyristor, a first resistor, a second resistor, a first light-emitting diode (LED), and a second LED. A cathode of the Zener diode is connected to the voltage source. An anode of the Zener diode is connected to a control terminal of the thyristor through a first resistor. An anode of the thyristor is connected to the voltage source through a second resistor. The anode of the thyristor is connected to an anode of the first LED. A cathode of the thyristor is connected to a cathode of the first LED. The cathode of the thyristor is connected to an anode of the second LED, and a cathode of the second LED is grounded.

Abstract: A high precision clipping regulator circuit includes a first protection diode, a second protection diode, a first offset clamp voltage regulator, and a second offset clamp voltage regulator. The first protection diode is configured to conduct when a voltage potential exceeds a first protection voltage magnitude, and is operable to exhibit variations in the first protection voltage magnitude. The second protection diode is configured to conduct when a voltage potential exceeds a second protection voltage magnitude, and is operable to exhibit variations in the second protection voltage magnitude. The first reference and second voltage regulator circuits are configured to determine when the first and second protection voltages vary and, in response thereto, to vary the first and second variable offset clamp voltages so that a difference in voltage across the protection diodes remains substantially constant.

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.

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.

Abstract: A photovoltaic string may include an open circuit voltage limiter that conducts current in one direction to provide a limiter voltage less than an open circuit voltage of the photovoltaic string, and that conducts current in the other direction. One or more open circuit voltage limiters may be connected across the photovoltaic string or across selected groups of solar cells of the photovoltaic string. The limiter voltage may be greater than a maximum power point voltage but less than the open circuit voltage of the photovoltaic string.

Abstract: A fan speed control circuit for controlling the rotation speed of a fan motor unit. The speed control circuit includes a resistor, a voltage stabilizing unit, a transistor and a thermal resistor. The resistor is connected to a power source of the fan motor unit, the voltage stabilizing unit is connected between the resistor and ground. The collector of the transistor is connected to the fan motor unit, the base is connected to a node between the resistor and the voltage stabilizing unit. The thermal resistor is connected between an emitter of the transistor and ground.

Abstract: A battery system is disclosed which includes: first and second battery blocks connected in parallel, each including a plurality of batteries connected in series; a battery state detector detecting voltages of the batteries in either of the second battery blocks. The number of the batteries in the second battery block is smaller than that of the first battery block. The battery state detector is installed integral with the second battery block.

Abstract: A power converter includes a transient voltage protection circuit connected between an input of the power converter and a power stage of the power converter. The transient voltage protection circuit provides a low resistance connection from the input of the power converter to the power stage of the power converter when the input voltage is less than a predetermined threshold, but blocks the input voltage from the power stage when the input voltage is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold voltage. The power converter may be a boost power converter used in a vehicle to provide power from a main power bus of the vehicle to a subsystem of the vehicle such as an anti-lock brake system.

Abstract: A vehicle on-board electric power system is disclosed including at least one field-effect-controlled power transistor which applies a vehicle on-board electric power system supply voltage VBB to a load when actuated by a logic circuit. The power transistor has a drain-source breakdown voltage VDS with a positive temperature coefficient TKDS and is provided with a clamping means for protecting against overvoltages VO occurring in the vehicle on-board electric power system. The clamping means has a clamping voltage VCLAMP with a positive temperature coefficient TKCLAMP?TKDS, the clamping voltage VCLAMP being lower than or equal to an anticipated maximum overvoltage VOmax in the vehicle on-board electric power system.

Abstract: A free-wheeling circuit is disclosed for the rapid reduction of a shutdown overvoltage of an inductive load when the latter is shut down. The free-wheeling circuit includes a switching threshold component by which the free-wheeling circuit becomes active more rapidly compared to a free-wheeling circuit without said switching threshold component, thereby ensuring a more rapid reduction of the shutdown overvoltage. If a control voltage provided by a control voltage source falls below a threshold voltage set by the switching threshold component, a capacitive energy accumulator is immediately discharged and not only when the control voltage is reduced to near zero, and the energy accumulator then activates the free-wheeling circuit for reducing the shutdown overvoltage, when in the nearly discharged state.

Abstract: An electronic system can include a switch and a regulator coupled to the switch. The switch can be used to deliver electricity from a first terminal to a second terminal. The switch can also be used to prevent the second terminal from having a level that is higher than a predefined operation level limit by controlling the status of the switch according to a supply signal at the first terminal. The regulator can be used to adjust a regulated signal at the second terminal according to the supply signal.

Abstract: A power switching circuit designed for operating in a radiation environment using non-radiation hardened components is provided. The power switching circuit provides a high-voltage rated, non-radiation hardened N-channel FET (N-FET) controlled by a relatively small, low-voltage, non-radiation hardened P-channel FET (P-FET), while both devices are operating in a radiation environment. The P-FET device is drive by a sufficiently high drive voltage in order to overcome gate threshold shifts resulting from accumulated radiation damage.

Abstract: An input surge suppression device and method that uses a simple JFET structure. The JFET has its gate clamped to a predetermined value, its the drain receives the input voltage from an input power source, its source is connected to the input of a down-stream device, and a resistor connected between the drain and the gate or between the source and the gate. Thus, when the drain voltage approximates the clamped gate voltage, the source voltage nearly equals the drain voltage. When the drain voltage rises above the clamped gate voltage, the source voltage is lower than the drain voltage. The downstream device may be a DC-DC converter and the gate is biased by the enable (EN) pin of a DC-DC converter.

Abstract: A circuit uses a single control input to an oscillator of an electronic ballast to program the parameters of soft-start frequency, pre-heat frequency, ignition ramp time, and ballast run frequency. The output frequency of the oscillator is based on an electrical parameter at the control input node. A resistor-capacitor network may be used to program the soft-start ramp time and ignition ramp time. The resistive element of the restive-capacitance network may be used to program the pre-heat frequency. A switchable impedance may be used to program the ballast run frequency. A look-up table circuit may also be used in the alternative to implement a single control input for the oscillator of an electronic ballast.

Abstract: An electric circuit for supplying power to a DC application is disclosed. The electric circuit comprises a DC power source (1) connectable to an alternator charging circuit (2), an FET (T7), and a capacitor (8) connected across the gate terminal and the source terminal of the FET (T7). The drain terminal of the FET (T7) is connected to a negative terminal of the DC source (1). The FET (T7) protects the circuit against accidental connection of the alternator charging circuit (2) to the DC power source (1) with reversed polarity, by opening a switch (6) of the FET (T7) when this occurs. The capacitor (8) protects the FET (T7) from being pushed into avalanche in case a load-dump transient occurs. This is because the capacitor (8) in this case will charge and discharge, thereby introducing a time delay before the switch (6) is opened. Protection against load-dump transients is thereby obtained by means of a small component with low energy dissipation.

Abstract: A fan system is electrically connected to a power source, and the fan system includes a power reverse protection apparatus, a voltage regulator, a driver, and a fan. The power reverse protection apparatus, electrically connected to the power source, includes a voltage regulator switch and an activating device. The voltage regulator switch receives an input signal and outputs a first output signal according to the input signal. The activating device is electrically connected to the power source and the voltage regulator switch for receiving the input signal and the first output signal, respectively. The activating device outputs a second output signal to the fan according to the first output signal. The voltage regulator is electrically connected to the power source for receiving the input signal from the power source and outputting a regulating signal according to the input signal.

Abstract: A communication circuit for an electronic dimming ballast provides high-voltage miswire protection and improved rise and fall times of a transmitted digital signal. The electronic dimming ballast comprises a control circuit, which is coupled to a digital communication link, for example, a DALI communication link, via the communication circuit. The communication circuit comprises a receiving circuit for detecting when the digital ballast communication link is shorted and for providing a received digital message to the control circuit. The communication circuit also comprises a transmitting circuit for shorting the communication link in response to the control circuit. The communication circuit also includes a high-voltage fault protection circuit for protecting the circuitry of the communication circuit if the communication circuit high-voltage mains voltages. The communication circuit is operable to reliably transmit digital messages having improved rise and fall times.