Data surge protection module

• US 6,342,998 B1
• Filed: 11/13/1998
• Issued: 01/29/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Company Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Company Incorporated
• Inventors: Sueoka, Yoshiharu, Wakeham, Matthew, Bencivenga, Robert, Loftus, Pieter
• Primary Examiner(s): HUYNH, KIM NGOC
• Application Number:
  US09/192,154
• Time in Patent Office: 1,173 Days
• Field of Search: 361/107, 361/111, 361/117, 361/119, 361/56, 361/54, 174/53, 333/12
• US Class Current: 361/107
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/058 Safety, monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/21154 Over current protection
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/21155 Over voltage protection
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 9/0066 Constructional details of transient suppressor

Abstract

A data surge protection module can be added to data and control networks not having such surge protection. The use of quick connect/disconnect connectors allows for the rapid installation and/or replacement of such modules. A built-in ground plate and a braided low impedance conductor offer alternative grounding for the module. The module employs two or more diode steering bridges and uses a diode as a surge suppression element.

Claims

1. A data surge protection module comprising:

a) a housing;

b) a printed circuit board within said housing;

c) a first steering bridge on said printed circuit board coupled to a first data input conductor and a first data output conductor and a second data input conductor and a second data output conductor, wherein the first steering bridge includes a diode bridge having an input contact, an output contact, and a pair of bridge contacts,

wherein the input contact is connected to the first and second data input conductors,

wherein the output contact is connected to the first and second data output conductors, to direct electrical pulses between said first data input conductor and said second data output conductor;

d) a second steering bridge on said printed circuit board, wherein the second steering bridge includes four diodes having an input contact, an output contact, and a pair of bridge contacts,

wherein each of the pair of bridge contacts of the second steering bridge is coupled to a respective one of the pair of bridge contacts of said first steering bridge, forming a first pair and a second pair of connected bridge contacts, respectively, and

wherein the input and output contacts of the second steering bridge are connected to a third data output conductor coupled to a shield line, wherein the shield line is coupled to ground; and

e) a transient suppression diode having first and second diode contacts with the diode coupled across said first and second steering bridges, wherein the first diode contact is connected to the first pair of connected bridge contacts of the first and second steering bridges, and the second diode contact is connected to the second pair of connected bridge contacts.

2. A data surge protection module, as defined in claim 1, wherein

said second data input conductor is coupled to said first data input conductor and

said third data output conductor is connected to said grounded shield line;

whereby said data surge protection module is surge protected between said first and second data output conductors and between each of said first and second data output conductors and said third data output conductor.

3. A data surge protection module, as defined in claim 2, further comprising:

a) a first fuse in series with said first data input conductor; and

b) a second fuse in series with said second data input conductor.

4. A data surge protection module, as defined in claim 3, wherein said first and second fuses are resettable.

5. A data surge protection module, as defined in claim 3, wherein said first and second fuses are resettable positive temperature coefficient fuses.

6. The data surge protection module of claim 1, wherein the transient suppression diode is a silicon avalanche diode (SAD).

7. A data surge protection module comprising:

a) a housing;

b) a printed circuit board within the housing and having;

a first signal line;

a second signal line; and

a grounded shield line;

c) an avalanche diode having first and second terminals;

d) a first diode bridge having;

a first, second, third, and fourth diodes;

an input terminal connecting the first and second diode to the first signal line;

an output terminal connecting the third and fourth diode to the second signal line;

a first bridging terminal connecting the first and third diodes to the first terminal of the avalanche diode; and

a second bridging terminal connecting the second and fourth diodes to the second terminal of the avalanche diode; and

e) a second diode bridge having;

a first, second, third, and fourth diodes;

an input terminal connecting the first and second diode to the grounded shield line;

an output terminal connecting the third and fourth diode to the grounded shield line and to the input terminal;

a first bridging terminal connecting the first and third diodes to the first terminal of the avalanche diode; and

a second bridging terminal connecting the second and fourth diodes to the second terminal of the avalanche diode.

8. The data surge protection module of claim 7, wherein the avalanche diode is a silicon avalanche diode (SAD).