Electricity: electrical systems and devices – Safety and protection of systems and devices – Transient responsive
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-20
2001-06-05
Leja, Ronald W. (Department: 2836)
Electricity: electrical systems and devices
Safety and protection of systems and devices
Transient responsive
C361S119000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06243247
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to stripline and microstrip electronic circuits and more particularly to electronic circuits that provide protection from transients generated by electrical surges and electromagnetic (EM) phenomena such as lightning.
Communications equipment, computers, home stereo amplifiers, televisions, and other electronic devices are manufactured using small electronic components that are very vulnerable to damage from electrical energy surges. Surge variations in transmission line power and voltages, as well as noise, can change the operating range of the equipment and can severely damage and/or destroy electronic components and devices. Moreover, these electronic components and devices can be very expensive to repair and replace.
There are many sources that can cause harmful electrical energy surges. One source is radio frequency (RF) interference that can be coupled to power and transmission lines from a multitude of sources. The power and transmission lines act as large antennas that may extend over several miles, thereby collecting a significant amount of RF noise from such sources as radio broadcast antennas. Another source of the harmful electrical energy is power surges caused by power outages or loss in power to a particular electronic component. In some instances, power to an electronic component is lost and thereafter restored causing a surge to travel across a computer board. Another harmful source is conductive noise, which is generated by equipment connected to the power and transmission lines and which is conducted along the power lines to the equipment to be protected. Still another source of harmful electrical energy is lightning. Lightning is complex electromagnetic energy source having potentials estimated at from 5 million to 20 million volts and currents reaching thousands of amperes.
Ideally, what is needed is an electronic component having a low insertion loss, a low voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR), and a compact size that can be mounted on a circuit board, i.e., a RF board, to provide surge protection.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a transient protection device for use in microstrip circuits. The transient protection device provides a low impedance path to ground to dissipate electromagnetic energy, i.e. transient currents, while minimizing throughput voltage to electronic components. In addition, the transient protection device provides a low insertion loss and a low VSWR. The transient protection device is preferably suitable for surface mount technology such as mounting onto a circuit board.
According to an aspect of the present invention, the transient protection device has three ports: a surge port, a protected port, and a ground port. The surge port receives and/or transmits transmission signals from and to a communication line and receives a surge or electrical energy from a communication line such as a transmission line. The ground port dissipates or discharges the surge or electrical energy to a system ground. The protected port receives and/or transmits transmission signals from and to the circuit board or electronic components and equipment.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the surge suppressor includes first and second conductive paths. The first conductive path lies in a first plane and the second conductive path lies in a second plane spaced apart from the first plane. Furthermore, a dielectric material lies in a third plane disposed between the first and the second plane. A ground plane is coupled with the first conductive path to discharge an electrical surge.
Advantages of the invention include a surge suppressor capable of being mounted on a circuit board. Furthermore, the transient protection device provides a ground port isolated from a circuit board ground to prevent surge energy on the ground port from penetrating onto the circuit board via the circuit board ground. Additionally, the transient protection device has a metallic coating to provide an RF shield. Still yet another advantage is that the transient protection device includes a dielectric layer to block or attenuate surge energy from traveling to electronic chips and components.
A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the inventions herein may be realized by reference to the remaining portions of the specification and the attached drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4586104 (1986-04-01), Standler
patent: 5442330 (1995-08-01), Fuller et al.
Akdag Omer
Bishop Roger
Kulbieda Ted K.
Leja Ronald W.
PolyPhaser Corporation
Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP
Vakil Ketan S.
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