Electric Field Current Limiter for Surge Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing protection devices for integrated circuits and electrically conductive devices are inadequate in responding to various undesirable power conditions, such as current surges and in-rush currents, leading to potential damage and the need for larger components to compensate, which results in inefficiencies and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A current limiter device configured with a load terminal and a power source terminal, utilizing an electric field to limit current in response to voltage differences, providing fast and temperature-independent protection by switching from a low resistance state to a high resistance state when a saturation point is reached.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional protection devices are used to protect integrated circuits from current surges and in-rush currents, then protection is provided, but the devices are not configured to respond to all types of undesirable power conditions and require larger component sizes to compensate for inadequacies
Solution Approach 1:
The electric field current limiter is designed to provide universal protection against multiple types of undesirable power conditions including current in-rush, current surges, and overcurrent conditions through a single device configuration, eliminating the need for multiple specialized protection devices and larger component sizes
Solution Approach 2:
The current limiter utilizes changes in electric field parameters (voltage difference between power source terminal and load terminal) to dynamically adjust its resistance state, transitioning from low resistance during normal operation to high resistance when protection is needed, providing adaptive protection without requiring larger component sizes
2Reliability
If traditional protection devices are used to handle current in-rush and current surges, then some protection is provided, but they cannot respond to each type of undesirable power condition adequately
Solution Approach 1:
The electric field current limiter provides multi-functional protection by being configured to respond to various types of undesirable power conditions including current in-rush, current surges, and overcurrent conditions through its electric field activation mechanism, which automatically adjusts resistance based on voltage differences regardless of the specific fault type
Solution Approach 2:
The current limiter operates autonomously by detecting voltage differences between its terminals and automatically switching resistance states without requiring external control circuits or additional sensing components, providing self-adaptive protection across different power condition scenarios
3Reliability
If larger components are used to compensate for protection device inadequacies, then protection coverage is improved, but component size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The electric field current limiter achieves adequate protection with compact size by utilizing parameter changes in the electric field (voltage-dependent resistance switching) rather than relying on larger physical dimensions, allowing the device to provide high reliability protection while maintaining small form factor and low weight
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The current limiter effectively limits current quickly and consistently across a wide range of temperatures, reducing the need for additional protection components and minimizing damage from power surges, while maintaining efficiency and reducing component size and weight.
Implementation Method 1
The current limiter can be configured to limit a current from the power source terminal to the load terminal using an electric field activated in response to a difference in voltage between the power source terminal and the load terminal
Data Source
AI summary
In one general aspect, an apparatus can include a load terminal, and a power source terminal. The apparatus can include a current limiter coupled to the load terminal and coupled to the power terminal. The current limiter can be configured to limit a current from the power source terminal to the load terminal using an electric field activated in response to a difference in voltage between the power source terminal and the load terminal.