Embodiments of the present invention provide a power supply module and a soft start method. The power supply module includes an input detection circuit configured to output a first notification signal to a trigger drive circuit when it is determined that the power supply module receives a power supply signal; the trigger drive circuit configured to, upon receipt of the first notification signal sent from the input detection circuit, wait for a predetermined duration without sending a drive signal to a current limiting circuit, and to send the driver signal to the current limiting circuit when the predetermined duration elapses; and the current limiting circuit configured to limit a current on a Direct Current (DC) bus of the power supply module when the drive signal is not received by the current limiting circuit, and not to limit the current on the DC bus upon receipt of the drive signal.

In one aspect, a hybrid circuit protection device for current-limiting a fault current between a source and a load during a fault is provided. The hybrid circuit protection device includes an input configured to couple to the source, an output configured to couple to the load, a return configured to couple the source to the load, a main switch configured to selectively couple the input to the output, a switching network coupled in parallel with the main switch, and a controller. The controller is configured to determine that the main switch has opened in response to the fault current, where the fault current has an initial value, and activate the switching network to current-limit the fault current to less than the initial value during the fault.

A memory including current-limiting devices and methods of operating the same to prevent a spread of soft errors along rows in an array of memory cells in the memory are provided. In one embodiment, the method begins with providing a memory comprising an array of a plurality of memory cells arranged in rows and columns, wherein each of the columns is coupled to a supply voltage through one of a plurality of current-limiting devices, Next, each of the plurality of current-limiting devices are configured to limit current through each of the columns so that current through a memory cell in a row of the column due to a soft error rate event does not result in a lateral spread of soft errors to memory cells in the row in an adjacent column. Other embodiments are also provided.

An electrical safety system comprises a main safety device including a N-type transistor and an auxiliary safety device including a P-type transistor, alternately activated under command of a controller. The N-type transistor and the P-type transistor have the function of overcurrent protection, respectively in a first operating mode and in a second operating mode. The auxiliary safety device includes a passive component, connected in series with the P-type transistor, for providing a voltage drop when a current passes through the passive component, and a driving circuit for turning off the P-type transistor under control of the voltage drop exceeding a first threshold, in the second operating mode.

Provided are embodiments for a system for performing input power detection. The system includes a first input for a first power source, a second input for a second power source, and a controller that is operably coupled to the first power source and the second power source. The system also includes a first path connecting a first circuit to the first power supply, wherein the first path comprises a first field effect transistor (FET) that is operated to inhibit leakage current flow to the first circuit, and a second path connecting a second circuit to the second power supply, wherein the second path comprises a second FET that is operated to inhibit leakage current flow to the second circuit. Also provided are embodiments for a method for performing input power detection.

A sensing transistor is provided to supply a detection current in proportion to a current flowing to an output transistor. A shunt resistor is connected between a source of the sensing transistor and the ground. A voltage follower circuit receives a terminal voltage of the shunt resistor and have a base-emitter path of each of transistors in a path between its input and its output. An output voltage of the voltage follower circuit is applied to a current generation resistor. A current drawing circuit draws a control current, which corresponds to a current flowing in the current generation resistor, from a gate control line extending from a gate control circuit to a gate of the output transistor.

A plug-in contact device for preventing or extinguishing an arc when a DC connection is disconnected or closed by using an extension of a line compound includes: at least two connectors at ends of an extension of a line compound, each having a main contact (HA) and an auxiliary contact (HI), the HA of each of the at least two connectors having a first contact half (HA1) and a second contact half (HA2), which are detachably intermateable, the HA: connecting the HA1 and the HA2 in an electrically conductive manner in a mated state of the respective connector, galvanically isolating the HA1 and the HA2 in an unmated state of the respective connector, connecting the HA1 and the HA2 in an electrically conductive manner in a first intermediate state of the respective connector between the mated state and the unmated state, and galvanically isolating the HA1 and the HA2.

A plug-in contact device for preventing or extinguishing an arc when separating or closing a direct current connection includes: at least one plug-in connector each having a main contact, HA, and an auxiliary contact, HI, the HA including a first contact half, HA1, and a second contact half, HA2, which are releasably plugged together. The HA: electrically conductively connects the HA1 and the HA2 in a plugged-together state of the respective plug-in connector, galvanically separates the HA1 and the HA2 in a released state of the respective plug-in connector, electrically conductively connects the HA1 and the HA2 in a first intermediate state of the respective plug-in connector between the plugged-together state and the released state, and galvanically separates the HA1 and the HA2 in a second intermediate state of the respective plug-in connector between the first intermediate state and the released state.

System and method for protecting a power converter. An example system controller for protecting a power converter includes a signal generator, a comparator, and a modulation and drive component. The signal generator is configured to generate a threshold signal. The comparator is configured to receive the threshold signal and a current sensing signal and generate a comparison signal based on at least information associated with the threshold signal and the current sensing signal, the current sensing signal indicating a magnitude of a primary current flowing through a primary winding of a power converter. The modulation and drive component is coupled to the signal generator.

The electronic circuit protector of the invention comprises a first semiconductor, a second semiconductor, a third semiconductor, a first diode, a second diode, a first resistor, a second resistor and a third resistor, constituting an application circuit with load overload or short circuit protection function, which avoids the damage caused by overload or short circuit at both terminals of the load.