Abstract: An integrated circuit having a power transistor and a circuit arrangement functioning in a temperature dependant manner and thermally coupled to the power transitor. The integrated circuit is used to reliably disconnect the power transistor in the event of overheating., particularly in the case of inductive loads, and does not reactivate the power transistor until, for example, an edge change has occurred at the base terminal of the integrated circuit.

Abstract: An information handling system and method are provided to control a power supply in response to an overheating condition of the processor, where the overheating condition is indicated by a THERMTRIP signal from the processor. The THERMTRIP signal is latched, and the processor is shut down.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a circuit and method of providing a voltage having a temperature independent current compliance to a load. The circuit includes a first resistive element having a temperature dependent resistivity, a second resistive element, an amplifier, a current module generating a temperature dependent current, and a load current controller. Temperature dependent voltages developed across the resistive elements track each other to enable a constant current limit over a wide temperature range.

Abstract: A circuit breaker for interrupting the flow of current upon the detection of excess current or temperature is provided which comprises a housing, a trip armature plate, a trip armature frame, and a bias spring. The trip armature plate has at least two pivot tabs extending laterally on opposite edges that are inserted into a pivot elongated slot, which is located at an open end of the trip armature frame, and a pivot aperture, which is located at the opposite end of the trip armature frame, respectively. A bias spring is used for securing the pivot tabs into the pivot elongated slot and the pivot aperture, and for urging the trip armature plate pivotably outwardly about the pivot tabs away from the trip armature frame. The circuit breaker also comprises a trip cross bar having at least two fingers that are used to engage optional circuit breaker accessories and that are located asymmetrically to allow the interchangeability of the accessories.

Abstract: A control arrangement and method is provided that monitors the condition and operating parameters of a power electronic system having power electronic devices and responds to various detected abnormalities via appropriate action to optimize operation of the power electronic system. The arrangement increases reliability of operation and optimizes the continuous supply of power to a load For example, the arrangement responds to an overheated power electronic switch by switching to an alternate power electronic switch, the overheated power electronic switch being made available as a temporary alternate path. The arrangement also includes the capability for diagnosing the power electronic switches by measuring the temperature of the power electronics switches and communicating the temperature information in a coordinated fashion with information regarding the operating status of the power electronics switches. Additionally, shorted power electronic switches are detected and appropriate action taken.

Abstract: The high transient current sustained by arcing during opening of the main contacts of a miniature circuit breaker is commutated out of the bimetal by deflection of the bimetal in response to the overcurrent to close secondary contacts on the free end of the bimetal and on a low resistance by-pass conductor shunting the bimetal. The by-pass conductor can be extended toward the movable contact arm carrying the movable main contact to commutate some of the overcurrent into the by-pass conductor earlier in the opening sequence to reduce the energy input to the bimetal and reduce the force closing the secondary contacts.

Abstract: A control arrangement and method is provided that monitors the condition and operating parameters of a power electronic system having power electronic devices and responds to various detected abnormalities via appropriate action to optimize operation of the power electronic system. The arrangement increases reliability of operation and optimizes the continuous supply of power to a load. For example, the arrangement responds to an overheated power electronic switch by switching to an alternate power electronic switch, the overheated power electronic switch being made available as a temporary alternate path. The arrangement also includes the capability for diagnosing the power electronic switches by measuring the temperature of the power electronics switches and communicating the temperature information in a coordinated fashion with information regarding the operating status of the power electronics switches. Additionally, shorted power electronic switches are detected and appropriate action taken.

Abstract: A timer circuit that utilizes the thermal runaway effect, and includes a switch, a resistor, a transistor and a protective device. The temperature of the transistor rises due to a phenomenon known as the thermal runaway effect, which causes the temperature of the transistor to rise while increasing current flow. This will eventually cause the protective device to activate. The time it takes to activate the protective device is predictable for a given transistor, therefore the circuit operates as a timer. In an alternate embodiment, a heat source is used. This heat source rises in temperature as current flows in the circuit. A heat sensor located near the heat source rises in temperature along with the heat source. A comparator compares the temperature from this heat sensor with the temperature of a heat sensor located further from the heat source. When there is a user-definable difference in temperature due to thermal diffusion between the two heat sensors, power to the transistor is disconnected.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an overload protector structure of an extension cord receptacle that mainly comprised a fire wire conducting plate of a switching unit (or a receptacle unit) connected with an overload protector in the extension cord receptacle to extend properly; the overload protector has a housing member, a power input plate exposed at the said housing member, a temperature sensing plate is fixedly connected to an inner end of the power input plate, the said overload protector further penetrates outward through a slot channel from a contact point, the fire wire conducting plate can fitly extend into the said slot channel and contacts with the contact point of the temperature sensing plate; thereby, the effectiveness of rapid connection and eliminating the soldering joint point is possessed between the overload protector and the switch unit (or the receptacle unit).

Abstract: A method for detecting electrical faulty conditions in a plurality of power devices of a propulsion system is provided. The plurality of power devices is connectable in parallel circuit through a direct current (DC) link to an external DC power source. The method provides a first sequence of actions for determining an electrical short condition in at least one of the power devices upon the power source being connected. The method further provides a second sequence of actions for determining an electrical open condition in a respective one of the plurality of power devices during the occurrence of high current events.

Abstract: An excess current interrupting structure comprising a conductive wire rod which generates heat by an excess current connected between a pair of electric conductors, a circumference of the conductive wire rod being covered with a resin with a thin coated layer formed in the vicinity of a path of the conductive wire rod.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing thermal protection for actuators used in haptic feedback interface devices. An average energy in the actuator over a predetermined period of time is determined, and the maximum allowable current level in the actuator is reduced if the average energy is determined to exceed a predetermined warning energy level. The maximum allowable current level can be reduced to a sustainable current level if the average energy reaches a maximum energy level allowed, and the maximum allowable current level in the actuator can be raised if the average energy is determined to be below the predetermined warning energy level. Preferably, the maximum allowable current level is reduced smoothly as a ramp function.

Abstract: A power distribution module is especially suited to vehicular applications. An input/output module port is adapted for connection to an external multiplexed communication path, with transceiver circuitry being operative to send and receive messages over the communication path in digital form. The module is flexible enough to support a standard or user-defined commination protocol. An input is adapted for connection to a source of power. A plurality of controllable power switches are used to selectively route power from the source to a plurality of power output ports each port being associated with one of the switches. Control circuitry, operatively connected to the transceiver circuitry and to each power switch, facilitates the sending and receiving of messages over the communication path and provides control signals to the switches in accordance with a message received.

Abstract: A fuseless DC-DC converter is provided to protect a circuit from overcurrent without involvement of a protective fuse. This is accomplished by providing a load circuit in the converter that includes a first overheat self-interruption-type semiconductor switch in series between a DC power supply and a load, and a reference circuit including a second overheat self-interruption-type semiconductor switch in parrallel with the first switch, and a reference resistor with one end connected to the source of the second switch, and the other end grounded. Also included is a comparator circuit that compares the source voltage of the first switch with a reference voltage applied to the source of the second switch, and thereby determines if the circuit has overcurrent. If overcurrent is detected, the results from the comparator circuit are used by a power supply controller to deactivate the semiconductor switch.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for preventing damage to a system due to runaway current and provides for the reactivation of the system. The shutdown and reactivation method and apparatus includes a driving circuit which supplies an output current to a load. If a runaway current condition occurs in the system the shutdown and reactivation apparatus is activated by triggering a shutdown signal which deactivates the driving circuit such that the output current is no longer supplied to the load. The shutdown signal activates a charging circuit, which supplies a charging current to the load. A first monitoring circuit is coupled with the load, and configured to monitor an output voltage across the load when the shutdown and reactivation apparatus is in the active state.

Abstract: A semiconductor apparatus such as a power MOSFET, an IGBT, or the like is provided having therein a control circuit such as an over-heating protection circuit and an over-current protection circuit, which realizes both of high-speed operation and prevention of erroneous operation caused by a parasitic device. To prevent erroneous operation, the control circuit controls so that when the voltage of a gate terminal is positive relative to that of a source terminal, a first switch circuit is turned on, when the voltage of the gate terminal is negative relative to that of the source terminal, a second switch circuit is turned on, and when the gate terminal and the source terminal have an almost same potential and a drain terminal has a high potential, the second switch circuit is turned on, thereby reducing leakage current from the drain terminal to the gate terminal.

Abstract: The invention concerns a protective circuit (10) for protecting a rechargeable battery (1) against currents of too high intensity. The protective circuit (10) includes detection and comparison means (30, 31, 32) for generating a control signal (OVRC) in response to the comparison of a reference voltage (VREF) and a measuring voltage (VM) representative of the charge or discharge current (ICH, IDCH) passing through the battery (1). According to the invention, the detection and comparison means (30, 31, 32) include adjustment means (32) for compensating a temperature dependence of the measuring voltage (VM) and/or the reference voltage (VREF), these adjustment means (32) including means for generating diode voltages (VBE1 to VBE5).

Abstract: A control apparatus for controlling multiple power loads in a vehicle includes a circuit for detecting a current abnormality of a power element and a circuit for monitoring a temperature abnormality in a locality of the power element. Circuits are also provided continuing or shutting down the power element based on information concerning the above stated current and/or temperature abnormalities, with a timing which is established according to a substantially constant period or a time interval which is stored in advance in a memory element.

Abstract: A timer-thermal shutoff apparatus can control and protect an electrical appliance. The timer-thermal shutoff apparatus comprises a housing; male connector extending from the housing; female receptacle to receive a male connector from one or more electrical appliances; timer device; and thermal safety device. The timer device and thermal safety device are connected in series with the male connector and female connector receptacle to form a current path. The electrical appliance is in series with the timer device and thermal safety device. The timer device can control off-on switching and cycles for the electrical apparatus connected to the timer-thermal shutoff apparatus, and the thermal safety device providing thermal overload protection if at least one of the timer-thermal shutoff apparatus and electrical appliance reach a temperature so the thermal safety device opens the current path to protect at least one of the timer-thermal shutoff apparatus and electrical appliance.

Abstract: An integrated circuit including one or more power devices, and circuitry which reliably (and independently) shuts down each power device that is detected to be in an undesired operating condition (e.g., one or both of an overcurrent condition and an overvoltage condition) that causes a thermal fault, but which does not shut down any power device that is not in such undesired operating condition. In typical implementations in which the integrated circuit has multiple power devices and an overvoltage detection circuit for each power device, the integrated circuit includes a thermal fault detection circuit and logic circuitry which receives the output of the thermal fault detection circuit and each overvoltage detection circuit. The logic circuitry generates signals which shut down appropriate ones of the power devices in response to the thermal fault detection and overvoltage detection signals it receives.

Abstract: An electrical current protection device capable of highly safe and rapid shutoff or suppression of electric current is disclosed. In addition to internal electrical current protection capabilities, external environmental triggers are also provided. The current protection device may include substrate-based thermal metallic fuse, PTC current-suppressing protection, thermal heat elements, integrated-circuit based voltage-drop detector, an FET-based current switch, and an external detector for environmental sensing and trigger.

Abstract: A power control system, which serves to protect a dissipative/resistive load from exceeding a predetermined temperature limit. The power control system accurately models the temperature of the load and enforces a cooling period to reduce the temperature of the load being protected to a base temperature level if the predetermined temperature limit is reached. Also provided is a method of selectively connecting and disconnecting a resistive load to and from a power source to prevent the resistive load from exceeding a predetermined high temperature limit. The method includes sensing a voltage proportional to the instantaneous power passing through the resistive load by wiring a current sensing resistor in series with the resistive load. Then, a load temperature is modeled using a load temperature modeling circuit to produce an output voltage proportional to a present temperature of the resistive load.

Abstract: A thermal management of a computer system may be advantageously obtained by predicting temperature variations based upon past temperature readings. Such a system may, in preferred embodiments, filter the past temperature data to provide a more precise value, allow for a floating trip level that will change with the rate of temperature change and even allow for prediction of the amount of time left before a system shutdown may occur.

Abstract: In a monitor for an inductive load recycling by a thermal cut-off sensor is prevented by maintaining an off condition with a delay. The delay has an adjustable time in excess of the cut-off sensor's reset time.

Abstract: A temperature control circuit provides for optical isolation, dry start protection, dedicated load control, manual reset, and relay control in hot water heaters and related applications. The control circuit removes power from a load at a first temperature, and includes a first optical isolation device, a first diode temperature sensor, and a first switching mechanism. The first optical isolation device controls operation of a power source, where the power source is provided to the load, such as a hot water heater heating element. The first diode temperature sensor is biased to provide a switching signal at the first temperature. The first switching mechanism is disposed between the first diode temperature sensor and the first optical isolation device, where the first switching mechanism disengages operation of the first optical isolation device in response to the switching signal.

Abstract: A control circuit for a semiconductor device with overheat protecting function is provided, which includes: a semiconductor element; an overheat protecting means; a chip to mount the semiconductor element and the overheat protecting means; a control means to supply a pulse-width modulation control signal having a fixed pulse width to the semiconductor element; and an outputting state detecting means to detect abnormality of output of the semiconductor device with overheat protecting function during an overheat protective operation of the overheat protecting means, wherein the control means monitors detection output from the outputting state detecting means at a fixed monitoring timing and stops supplying the pulse-width modulation control signal to the semiconductor element when the detection output is generated successively predetermined times or successively during predetermined time.

Abstract: A controllable current limiting circuit (30) that, when used with a low precision current limiting circuit (10), will limit the current of the output driver transistor M1 to a relatively flat response over a broad temperature range. The current is limited by setting the voltage across a resistance, R1, to a certain value. To overcome temperature induced variations in this voltage, the compensation circuit (20) generates a current that varies with temperature. This current is injected into a terminal of the resistance, R1. This current is generated in such as a manner to ensure that the current flowing in the output driver transistor M1 is relatively constant over a wide temperature range.

Abstract: The protection circuit (30) comprises at least one switch (FET1, FET2) comprising at least one control means (G1, G2) for adjusting the conductivity of said at least one switch (FET1, FET2). The conductivity is arranged to be adjustable by means of an electrical control conducted to the control means (G1, G2).

Abstract: A process-independent thermal protection circuit for microelectronic circuits is disclosed, including a thermal ramp generator suitable to generate a first thermal ramp signal and a second thermal ramp signal, a differentiator suitable to determine the difference between the first and second thermal ramp signals in order to generate a difference voltage signal, and a comparator suitable to compare the difference voltage signal with a reference voltage signal in order to assert a thermal protection signal when the difference voltage signal drops below the reference voltage signal.

Abstract: A semiconductor apparatus such as a power MOSFET, an IGBT, or the like is provided having therein a control circuit such as an over-heating protection circuit and an over-current protection circuit, which realizes both of high-speed operation and prevention of erroneous operation caused by a parasitic device. To prevent erroneous operation, the control circuit controls so that when the voltage of a gate terminal is positive relative to that of a source terminal, a first switch circuit is turned on, when the voltage of the gate terminal is negative relative to that of the source terminal, a second switch circuit is turned on, and when the gate terminal and the source terminal have an almost same potential and a drain terminal has a high potential, the second switch circuit is turned on, thereby reducing leakage current from the drain terminal to the gate terminal.

Abstract: An AC to DC to AC converter has an input to receive input AC, a rectifier to rectify the input AC to DC, and an inverter to invert the DC to output AC. A load sensor senses load on the AC to DC to AC converter. A fan directs a cooling fluid to the AC to DC to AC converter. A fan control has an input coupled to the AC to DC to AC converter so as to receive DC therefrom, an input coupled to the load sensor, and an output coupled to the fan. The fan control controls the fan at a variable speed in response to load on the AC to DC to AC converter so as to vary the cooling fluid delivered by the fan to the AC to DC to AC converter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a more reliable protection device and an improved PIC power integrated switch. Accordingly, the over-temperature status of the switch as well as the overcurrent status of each of a plurality of ports of the switch are detected. If there is over-temperature, ports with the overcurrent status are identified as a potential cause. These ports are then switched off. After a predetermined waiting time period during which the switch temperature is expected to decrease, the over-temperature status of the switch is again checked. If the over-temperature disappears, then the ports with non-overcurrent status remain on. However, if the over-temperature persists, then all of the ports are turned off. The improved PIC switch thus increases the dynamic operation range of the conventional PIC switch, while ensuring normal operations.

Abstract: A substation for distributing electric power includes protective relays whose trip points are made to be a function of temperature, the protective relays being used to control the opening and closing of circuit breakers for protecting against fault conditions in at least one of the power input and power output portions of the power distribution system. In one embodiment, a temperature probe which is used to sense the temperature at a selected point of the substation supplies the temperature information to a microcontroller which is programmed to set the trip point of selected protective relays as a function of the sensed temperature.

Abstract: A gap conducting structure for an integrated electronic circuit that functions as an electronic fuse device and that is integrated as part of the semi-conductor chip wiring for providing over-current and thermal runaway protection. The gap conducting structure includes one or more air gap regions of predefined volume that fully or partially exposes a length of interlevel conductor layer in an IC. Alternately, the air gap region may wholly located within the dielectric region below a corresponding conductor and separated by insulator. When functioning as a fuse, the gap region acts to reduce thermal conductivity away from the exposed portion of the conductor enabling generation of higher heat currents in the conducting line with lower applied voltages sufficient to destruct a part of the partially exposed/fully exposed conducting line, thus preventing thermal runaway and over-current condition.

Abstract: An integrated electrical overload protection device and method of formation which functions as a thermal fuse. The device is integrated directly on the underlying structural or foundational material of an electrical circuit which experiences the electrical overstress. The device can be formed according to standard semiconductor process steps when formed on a semiconductor substrate. The device, or fuse, includes a first and second contact area separated by a gap area. A least a portion of the upper surfaces of the contact areas are covered with a wettable material such as gold. A solder bump, or bridge, is applied which spans the contact areas and provides an closed electrical connection. Upon application of an overload condition across the bridge material, a rise in temperature causes the solder material to melt. The solder flows onto the wettable areas and is drawn out of the gap area to thereby disrupt the electrical connection between the contact areas.

Abstract: A circuit protection device for protecting an electrical load includes a three-terminal switch element such as a bipolar, or junction or metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect, transistor and a positive temperature compensation (PTC) resistor. In several embodiments the PTC resistor is in series with the current-carrying electrodes of the transistor. In other embodiments the PTC resistor, or a second PTC resistor, is connected to a control element of the transistor. Both DC and AC load-protection circuits are described.

Abstract: An electronic module comprising a power supply conductor coupled to one or more electromechanical actuators to supply operable power to the electromechanical actuators. The electronic module also includes a moisture sensor positioned to sense moisture intrusion into the module. Further, the electronic module comprises a first transistor responsively coupled to the moisture sensor, the first transistor coupled to draw current from the power supply conductor when the first transistor is in a conductive state. In addition, the electronic module includes a second transistor responsively coupled to the first transistor and in turn controllingly coupled to the first transistor.

Abstract: A DC power source unit includes a main unit that generates DC voltage, and an output cable. The output cable has one end connected to the output of the main unit and another end attached to an adapter plug. The adapter plug Is electrically connected to an electrically powered tool, such as an electrical drill. Current flowing in the tool is detected every predetermined interval and accumulated electrical quantity is computed based on the detected current flowing in the tool. Based on the accumulated electrical quantity, the temperature of the tool is predicted. When it is determined that the tool is heated up to a first critical temperature based on the accumulated electrical quantity, an alarm unit is actuated. When it is determined that the tool is further heated up to a second critical temperature, supply of current to the tool is interrupted.