General Electric Company

Harris Corporation

Pacific Bell

Donald L Watrous

Victor A Temple

Homer H Glascock, Ii

Constantine A Neugebauer

James F Burgess

Robert J Satriano

Edward K Howell

Stephen Daley Arthur

John M Neilson

James E Kohl

Richard C Weischedel

Robert G Hodgins

Robert J Simcoe

Dwight V Jones

Raymond J McArthur

Daniel W Dobberphul

David J Schaap

An active clamp circuit for controlling over-voltage, surge conditions in electrical circuits. The active clamp includes a varistor which is switched into a circuit by a high power switch upon the detection of a surge condition. The use of a MOS Controlled Thyristor ('MCT') as a means for the switching the varistor permits the circuit to withstand a high di/dt and surge current while maintaining both on and off gated control of the switch.

Voltage clamp circuit and method

A package for semiconductor devices with plural subelements and method of packaging. Semiconductor power devices may include plural subelements to increase device manufacturing yield. Each subelement is separately contacted through the lid of the package by attaching a foil to a subelement contact and depending a tab from the foil that extends through the lid. Tabs for operative subelements can be connected external to the package, and tabs for inoperative subelements may be left unconnected or covered so that electrical connections cannot be made therewith.

Package for parallel subelement semiconductor devices

The sensitivity of breakdown voltage to temperature and dV/dT induced currents is reduced in semiconductor power devices having a wide base transistor. The sensitivity is reduced by diverting current from the emitter of the wide base transistor to the base of the wide base transistor (an emitter short that does not reduce breakdown voltage) or by injecting a current into the base of the wide base transistor to its collector (an injected current that may lower the breakdown voltage, but no more than that related to temperature and capacitive current). The invention finds application in both epitaxial grown and substrate based devices.

Apparatus and method for increasing breakdown voltage ruggedness in

A hermetic semiconductor package having a ceramic lid with the device leads extending vertically through the lid is disclosed. The leads are mechanically retained within the apertures in the lid and direct bonded to the lid to provide a hermetic seal and a substantial lead density.

Hermetic package and packaged semiconductor chip having closely spaced

A hermetic semiconductor package includes a ceramic lid with the device leads extending vertically through the lid. The leads are mechanically retained within the apertures in the lid and direct bonded to the lid to provide a hermetic seal and a substantial lead density.

A hermetically sealed package for a semiconductor device includes a lid through which the leads of the device extend vertically away from the chip through an aperture in the lid which is hermetically sealed by the external terminal or electrode. The package is compact, lightweight and free of magnetic materials.

Method of forming a hermetic package having a lead extending through an

A hermetic, high current package for a semiconductor device includes wide flat leads which are bonded to the contact pads of the device and formed to extend through apertures in an insulating lid. The lid is sealed to a base and the apertures around the leads are sealed with solder to provide the hermetic package. This package limits lateral current flow in the contact pads of the semiconductor device to relatively low levels which ensure the integrity of the contact pads.

Method of packaging a semiconductor chip in a low inductance package

Hermetic package having a lead extending through an aperture in the

High current hermetic package having a lead extending through the

The invention comprises an improved cross-connect switch constructed from a plurality of switch modules for connecting input lines to output lines. The improved switch includes a switch module replacement system that allows a craftsperson to replace a switch module without interrupting connections between cross-connect switch input and output lines that utilize switch points in the switch module in question.

Cross-connected switch having means for removing switching modules

A method and apparatus for detecting and locating defective crosspoint switches in a path consisting of a plurality of conducting segments connected by switch points is disclosed. The method and apparatus utilize the change in capacitance of the path which occurs when the switches are operated in a predetermined order.

System for detecting and locating defective crosspoint switches

A temperature-responsive circuit, for operation with a load-control apparatus having a control input for adjusting the magnitude of power applied to a load from a source, uses: a sensor responsive to the temperature in the vicinity of the load-control apparatus; a subcircuit for converting the temperature sensed by the sensor to the magnitude of an electrical parameter; a subcircuit for providing a reference electrical parameter having a magnitude predeterminately selected to equal the magnitude of the electrical parameter at a maximum desired temperature T.sub.0 ; and a subcircuit for providing a control signal to the control input of the load-control apparatus responsive to a comparison between the electrical parameter and the reference electrical parameter, with the control signal having a magnitude respectively insufficient or sufficient to substantially affect the magnitude of power applied to the load if the magnitude of the electrical parameter is respectively less than or greater than the magnitude of the reference parameter. The load power is proportionally reduced if the magnitude of the electrical parameter exceeds the magnitude of the reference parameter. The gain of a comparator-amplifier may be selected to gradually decrease the power applied to the load to a preselected magnitude when a second temperature T.sub.1, greater than the maximum desired temperature T.sub.0 established by the reference parameter, is sensed by the sensor.

Temperature-responsive circuit for load control apparatus

A voltage regulator circuit provides multiple control functions in respect to an automotive alternator including limiting of the field current to within a predetermined level. The regulator circuit includes a current control device for controlling the alternator field current, and a plurality of comparator networks to one of which is applied a field current reference signal and a sensing signal and to others of which are applied various alternator voltage reference signals and voltage sensing signals. The outputs of said comparator networks are employed in an OR fashion to control the field current control device.

Voltage regulator circuit with multiple control functions

A battery monitor circuit for rechargeable multicell batteries that provides a reliable indication of battery failure independent of temperature, load and age, by continuously comparing the impedance of the cells of the battery against each other. Comparison means are provided responsive to a first voltage at a tapped terminal of the battery that divides the battery cells into two groups, and to a second voltage that represents a fraction of the battery voltage corresponding to the ratio of the number of cells in each group, said comparison means generating an error signal when said first and second voltages change so as to experience a reversal in relative magnitude, which is indicative of cell deterioration.

Battery monitor circuit

An interface circuit for standard voltage regulator circuits that may be employed as an add-on component in an automotive electrical system for providing voltage regulation of the vehicle alternator in accordance with a given reference voltage that is in addition to the normal battery voltage regulation. The interface circuit includes a current control switching device coupled in the current path of the alternator field winding, and a control network responsive to the alternator output and the given reference voltage for operating said switching device in a duty cycle fashion so as to superimpose the additional regulation of the alternator voltage upon its normal battery regulation.

Growing community of inventors

Clifton Park, NY, United States of America

Donald L Watrous