Abstract: A composite circuit protection device includes: a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) component which includes a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) layer that has two opposite surfaces, and first and second electrode layers that are respectively disposed on the two opposite surfaces of the PTC layer; a diode component that is connected to the second electrode layer of the PTC component; a first conductive lead that is bonded to the first electrode layer of the PTC component; and a second conductive lead that is bonded to the diode component. The PTC component has a rated voltage that ranges between 50% and 250% of a breakdown voltage of the diode component as determined at 1 mA.

Abstract: A progressive protection method automatically adapts a protection trip delay or fault timeout for a motor that is a member of a group of motors performing mutually similar or related tasks, based on the occurrence of a fault in another motor within the group, without requiring manual intervention. If the user requires stringent protection of the motors in a particular application, then the trip delay time for all of the motors in the group, may be shortened in response to recently-detected similar trips of other motors within the group. Alternatively, if the user prefers continuity of service for a particular application, then the trip delay time for all of the motors in the group, may be increased in response to recently-detected similar trips of other motors within the group, based on past experience with the occurrence of fault self-clearing for the motors in the group.

Abstract: A battery protection circuit includes a charging switch, a resistor, a charging controller, a switching circuit, a fuse circuit, and a fuse driving circuit. The charging switch is connected to a first electrode of a battery cell. The resistor includes a first end connected to a second electrode of the battery cell. The charging controller supplies a charging control current. The switching circuit connects a second end of the resistor with a control terminal of the charging switch or blocks connection between the second end of the resistor and control terminal of the charging switch depending on the charging control current. The fuse circuit is connected to a charging path of the battery cell and blocks the charging path depending on a voltage applied to a control terminal of the fuse circuit. The fuse driving circuit switches the voltage applied to the control terminal of the fuse circuit depending on a voltage between the ends of the resistor.

Abstract: In a protective circuit substrate having a circuit substrate and a protective element, the protective element including: an insulating substrate; a heat-generating element; first and second electrodes laminated on the insulating substrate; a first and second connecting terminals provided on one side edge of a mounting surface to be mounted to the circuit substrate, the first connecting terminals being continuous with the first and second electrodes; a heat-generating element extracting electrode provided in a current path between the first and second electrodes and electrically connected to the heat-generating element; and a meltable conductor provided between the first and second electrodes, wherein the circuit substrate includes a region for mounting the protective element in which no electrode pattern other than a connecting electrode to the protective element is provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a circuit arrangement, having: a comparator device for comparing a value of an electrical input voltage with an upper threshold value and/or with a lower threshold value; an increasing device for increasing an electrical output voltage if the comparison by the comparator device shows that the value of the input voltage is greater than the upper threshold value; and a reducing device for reducing the electrical output voltage if the comparison shows that the value of the input voltage is less than the lower threshold value.

Abstract: A fuse holder for a fuse cutout includes a molded member including a short fuse tube section and a downwardly extending fin member adapted for securing to a trunnion assembly. An arc quenching liner is disposed in the interior of the tube section and a top casting is connected to the top of the fuse holder and adapted to receive and hold an arc flange of an arc sleeve on a top edge, thereby keeping the arc flange above the top casting. A conductive screw cap seals the assembly. The shorter tube and the provision of the arc flange above the top casting provides superior arc quenching properties.

Abstract: A high voltage direct current soft-start circuit is provided in which a first end of a first switch is connected to a negative electrode of a high voltage direct current, a first end of a second switch is connected to the negative electrode of the high voltage direct current, and a drive control unit is connected separately to the first switch, the second switch, and a load, where a first part of a connector is connected to the drive control unit, and upon power-on, the first part of the connector communicates with a second part of the connector, to trigger the drive control unit to drive the first switch to turn on. The drive control unit delays a preset time after driving the first switch to turn on, drives the second switch to turn on, and drives the load to start after the second switch is turned on.

Abstract: An over-current protection device includes a first conductive member, a second conductive member, a resistive device and a temperature sensing switch. The first conductive member includes a first electrode foil and a second electrode foil those are formed on a same plane. The resistive device is laminated between the first conductive member and the second conductive member and exhibits positive temperature coefficient or negative temperature coefficient behavior. The temperature sensing switch can switch the first electrode foil and the second electrode foil between electrically conductive status and current-restriction status, e.g., open circuit, according to temperature variation. The threshold temperature of the temperature sensing switch is lower than the trip temperature of the resistive device.

Abstract: A liquid matrix of a nonmagnetic material is accommodated within an insulative container of a nonmagnetic material, and a pair of electrodes is disposed within the insulative container such that the electrodes face each other via the liquid matrix. Conductive particles are fluidly dispersed in the liquid matrix. A magnetic field generation section is provided externally of the insulative container so as to generate a magnetic field in a direction orthogonal to a fuse element to be formed between the paired electrodes through chaining of the solid particles.

Abstract: A reflowable thermal fuse includes a positive-temperature-coefficient (PTC) device that defines a first end and a second end, a conduction element that defines a first end and a second end in electrical communication with the second end of the PTC device, and a restraining element that defines a first end in electrical communication with the first end of the PTC device and a second end, in electrical communication with a second end of the conduction element. The restraining element is adapted to prevent the conduction element from coming out of electrical communication with the PTC device in an installation state of the thermal fuse. During a fault condition, heat applied to the thermal fuse diverts current flowing between the first end of the PTC device and the second end of the conduction element to the restraining element, causing the restraining element to release the conduction element and activate the fuse.

Abstract: A wireless transceiver chip and calibration method thereof are disclosed. The wireless transceiver chip comprises at least one receiver, at least one transmitter, and at least one switch. The switch is connected to the receiver and the transmitter respectively for being applied to switch between the receiver and the transmitter. Practically, the switch is provided within the wireless transceiver chip, such that the pin count of the wireless transceiver chip can be reduced.

Abstract: A microfluidic bubble fuse is formed from a hermetically sealed reservoir containing an electrically conductive liquid. The reservoir is interposed between a pair of electrodes such that each electrode is in electrical contact with the fluid within the reservoir, and such that the fluid within the reservoir provides electrical interconnectivity between the electrodes. The reservoir may be implemented on a substrate, in a tube, or in another manner. When the current or voltage across the electrodes increases beyond a threshold, the excess current or voltage will cause a bubble to be created within the fluid to reduce or inhibit the flow of electricity between the electrodes. When the current/voltage is reduced, the bubble will collapse to restore the flow of electricity between the electrodes.

Abstract: A fuse is provided that includes a housing and a first lead and a second lead. The fuse further includes a fuse element having a current capacity. The fuse element forms a part of an electrical pathway between the first lead and the second lead. The fuse also includes a switch unit in communication with the housing and in series with the fuse element. The switch unit has an open state and a closed state. When the switch unit is in the closed state, the electrical pathway is connected to form a closed pathway between the first lead and the second lead, and when the switch unit is in the open state, the electrical pathway is disconnected to provide an open circuit between the first lead and the second lead.

Abstract: A fuse is provided that includes a housing and a first lead and a second lead. The fuse further includes a fuse element having a current capacity. The fuse element forms a part of an electrical pathway between the first lead and the second lead. The fuse also includes a switch unit in communication with the housing and in series with the fuse element. The switch unit has an open state and a closed state. When the switch unit is in the closed state, the electrical pathway is connected to form a closed pathway between the first lead and the second lead, and when the switch unit is in the open state, the electrical pathway is disconnected to provide an open circuit between the first lead and the second lead.

Abstract: A self-recovering current limiting fuse protecting a secondary battery having a high rated voltage thanks to its improved breakdown voltage, expanding the application range, shortening the charging time, and realizing maintenance-free. The self-recovering current limiting fuse is made by fluid-dispersing solid conductive particles into a liquid matrix between electrodes. A current limiting operation through evaporation/spreading of the solid conductive particles and a conducting state brought about through collection of the solid conductive particles between the electrodes by dielectrophoretic force of the solid conductive particles are realized repeatedly, and a current limiting operation through evaporation/spreading of the solid conductive particles by overcurrent is realized.

Abstract: A circuit including: at least one conductor; a least one vanadium oxide region electrically coupled to the at least one conductor; and, at least one thermionic cooler thermally coupled to the vanadium oxide region; wherein, the thermionic cooler is suitable for transitioning the at least one vanadium oxide region from a first temperature range where the at least one vanadium oxide region is substantially conductive to a second temperature range where the at least one vanadium oxide region is substantially non-conductive.

Abstract: A temperature protection device is provided, which comprises with a polymeric positive temperature coefficient (PTC) device 1 having a conductive polymer 5 placed between two electrodes 6 and 7, and a metal member 2 bonded to one of the electrodes 7 of the polymeric PTC device, and which, when the ambient temperature exceeds a prescribed temperature, terminates the current-flowing state between the other electrode 6 of the polymeric PTC device 1 and the metal member 2. The conductive polymer 5 expands thermally when the ambient temperature exceeds the prescribed temperature, and a material is selected for the metal member 2 that will melt as a result of the heat generated by the conductive polymer during the thermal expansion.

Abstract: The invention concerns a component of predominantly organic material which affords overvoltage protection for electronic circuits, and a circuit by which a multiple of the threshold voltage of an individual component can be implemented.

Abstract: A temperature controlling protective device is made of a PPTC material, comprising: a body having two ends, a top surface and a bottom surface, and two ends of the body. Two electrodes made of silver gel respectively cover the two ends of the body. Two protective layers respectively cover the top surface and the bottom surface. The protective device may prevent electronic circuits from damage due to over heating.

Abstract: An over-current protection device comprises at least one PTC component, at least one thermal dissipation layer, at least one adhesive layer and at least two isolation layers, wherein the PTC component is formed by interposing a PTC material between two electrode layers. The at least one adhesive layer as a thermal conductive medium is interposed between the PTC component and at least one thermal dissipation layer to combine them. The at least two isolation layers separate the thermal dissipation layer, adhesive layer and electrode layers into two electrical independent portions.

Abstract: A circuit for distributing a clock signal in an integrated circuit includes a capacitive clock distribution circuit. At least one additional inductor is formed in a metal layer of the integrated circuit and is coupled to the clock distribution circuit. The inductor, which may distributed throughout the integrated circuit, has an inductance value selected to resonate with impedance of the capacitive clock distribution circuit. By operating the clock distribution circuit at resonance, power dissipation is reduced while skew and jitter performance can be improved.

Abstract: An electrical device suitable for use in digital telecommunications applications is provided. The device includes a laminar PTC element composed of a conductive polymer composition sandwiched between two metal foil electrodes. A first insulating layer which is composed of an electrically insulating flexible material conforms to at least part of the perimeter of the PTC element. The device has low resistance, low capacitance, reduced size, and stable resistance, and can meet power cross testing requirements. In addition, assemblies of electrical devices are provided.

Abstract: A self-recovering current-limiting device with a liquid metal includes a first and a second electrode for connection to an electric circuit to be protected. Each of the first and second electrodes are made of a solid metal. A plurality of pressure-resistant insulating bodies is provided, as well as a plurality of insulating intermediate walls supported by the insulating bodies. The plurality of insulating intermediate walls and the plurality of pressure-resistant insulating bodies define a plurality of compression spaces, and the plurality of insulating intermediate walls define a plurality of connecting channels. The plurality of compression spaces are disposed one behind the other between the first and second electrodes and are at least partially filled with the liquid metal.

Abstract: An over-current protection apparatus with high voltage endurance comprises a first electrode layer, a second electrode layer and a ceramic current-sensitive layer, where both the first and second electrode layers are continuous and uniform to enhance electrical and thermal conductivities thereof. The ceramic current-sensitive layer is sandwiched between the first and second electrode layers, and is essentially composed of basic matrix, dopants, conductors and sintering material. The resistance of the over-current protection apparatus with high voltage endurance is less than 10 ohms before being tripped, and the resistance-jumping ratio is less than 1.3.

Abstract: A connector to supply power or communications to a printed circuit board having positive thermal coefficient switches embedded in or mounted on the connector. These positive thermal coefficient switches are linked to connector leads that in turn are connected to leads/traces embedded in or on the printed circuit board. The connector using these positive thermal coefficient switches protects the circuitry of the printed circuit board from possible damage.

Abstract: An over-current protection device comprises a positive temperature coefficient material layer, an upper electrode foil, a lower electrode foil, a first metal terminal layer, a second metal terminal layer and at least one insulating layer. The upper electrode foil is disposed on the upper surface of the positive temperature coefficient material layer, and the lower electrode foil is disposed on the lower surface of the positive temperature coefficient material layer. The first metal terminal layer electrically connects the upper electrode foil with at least one non-full-circular conductive through hole and at least one full-circular conductive through hole, and the second metal terminal layer electrically connects the lower electrode foil with at least one non-full-circular conductive through hole and at least one full-circular conductive through hole. The insulating layer isolates the upper electrode foil from the second metal terminal layer and the lower electrode foil from the first metal terminal layer.

Abstract: A fault sensing electrical wire (411) utilized one or more sensor strips (407) which provide an impedance change when the wire is subject to an overtemperature condition or mechanical damage of the wire. A control unit (402) measures the impedance of the sensor strips of the fault sensing wire and provides a control signal (405) to initiate an alarm or protective action based on the severity of the condition. The control unit (402) may monitor a number of fault sensing sires simultaneously or in sequence. The apparatus may be used to sense an electrical arc occurring in the insulation of the wire.

Abstract: This invention is related to a decorative lighting with the safety protecting circuit, which is composed of a main circuit, a branch circuit connected to it and a lighting installed in the branch circuit. The said self-restoring protecting device is installed in the branch circuit of the lighting. The said self-restoring protecting device is a self-mending fuse, which is aPPTCpolymerself-mending fuse. The said self-restoring protecting device is a bimetallic fuse. A self-mending fuse is installed in the circuit of the lighting. When the circuit is overloaded or short circuit occurs, the self-mending fuse used will have high resistance, breaking and thus protecting the circuit. Upon removal of the trouble, the self-mending fuse will automatically restore to the conductive state. Therefore the self-mending fuse, once installed, can be used repeatedly, conveniently and safely.

Abstract: A protection circuit (10) is formed to protected a load (11) when a short circuit develops during operation of the load (11). A load transistor (18) is formed to couple the load to a voltage return terminal. A disable transistor (19) is formed to disable the load transistor (18) when a short circuit occurs.

Abstract: A switch includes at least two signal ports in series with a series FET connected therebetween, and a shunt path having an FET, whereby an input bias is applied to a gate on the series FET and to a drain on the shunt FET. In one embodiment, the switch includes a control signal input, an FET connected in series across the first port and the second port, the series FET having a gate coupled to the control signal input, and a shunt path provided by an FET, the shunt FET having a drain coupled to the control signal input and to the gate of the series FET, whereby a single control signal is applied to both the series FET and the shunt FET, via the control signal input, in order to turn the series FET on and simultaneously turn the shunt FET off and, conversely, in order to turn the series FET off and simultaneously turn the shunt FET on.

Abstract: A single-die multi-band switch includes a plurality of transmitter ports and a plurality of receiver ports, any one of which is selected to be connected to an antenna port. At least some of these switching topologies use a branched or cascaded switching system in order to reduce signal insertion loss. It is preferred that the individual switching elements be field effect transistors. The switching topologies employed include series-connected groups of transistors and interdigitated FETs.

Abstract: A self-recovering device current limiting device with liquid metal includes two solid metal electrodes for connecting to an electric circuit to be protected. Several compression chambers partially filled with liquid metal are arranged one after the other between the electrodes. The compression chambers are formed by pressure-resistant insulating bodies and insulating intermediate walls supported by the insulating bodies. The insulating bodies include several connecting channels. To adjust the current limiting device to a desired nominal current factor, the level of the liquid metal above the connecting channels can be modified using an adjusting device. A reservoir is connected to the adjusting device, which can be adjusted and fixed in place externally.

Abstract: A semiconductor fuse for electrical consumers (2) is disclosed, in which a semiconductor switch (3) is disposed between the battery (1) serving as a current- or voltage source and the consumer (2). Parallel to the semiconductor switch (3), there is a short circuit-proof bypass (4) with an integrated wakeup circuit (5), which cooperates with the semiconductor switch (3).

Abstract: A fuse circuit includes electrical fuse elements which are commonly connected at one-side ends, a voltage generating section and a readout section. The voltage generating section is configured to selectively apply program voltage for destroying the electrical fuse element and read voltage for reading out the destructive/nondestructive states of the electrical fuse elements to a common connection node of the one-side ends of the electrical fuse elements. The readout section is configured to read out the destructive/nondestructive states of the electrical fuse elements from the other ends of the electrical fuse elements when the read voltage is applied to the common connection node from the voltage generating section.

Abstract: A self-recovering current-limiting device with a liquid metal includes two T-shaped electrodes for connection to an electric circuit to be protected. Each of the electrodes are made of a solid metal. Several compressor cavities which are partially filled with the liquid metal are situated one behind the other between the electrodes. The compressor cavities are formed by pressure-proof insulating bodies and by insulating intermediate walls which are provided with connecting channels and which are held by the insulating bodies. The insulating bodies and the intermediate walls form a uniform upper and lower half shell with opposite-lying joining surfaces. The half shells are connected in a sealed manner along joining surfaces in the area of a common middle plane of the connecting channels. Up to half of each of the electrodes is accommodated in corresponding recesses of the half shells, the electrodes extending with their respective middle limb out of the half shells.

Abstract: A self-recovering current-limiting device having liquid metal includes solid metal electrodes for connecting to an external electric circuit to be protected. A plurality of compression spaces which are partially filled with liquid metal are arranged one behind the other between the electrodes and are formed by pressure-resistant insulating bodies and by insulating partitioning walls having connecting channels. An enclosing insulating shaped housing is provided having a trough-like bottom part and a cover that tightly closes the bottom part via a non-positive and/or positive connecting device. The partitioning walls and the bottom part are interconnected as one piece. The connecting channels are configured as longitudinal holes which are open at the top. The electrodes are mounted in the bottom part. The nominal current range of the device may be easily adjusted.

Abstract: A self-regenerating current limiter with liquid metal includes solid metal electrodes for connection of the current limiter to an electric circuit to be protected. A plurality of compression chambers that are partially filled with liquid metal are located one behind the other between the electrodes. The compression chambers are formed by compression-proof insulating bodies and insulating partition walls that have communicating channels and that are supported by the insulating bodies. Non-conductive ceramic disks are mounted on the inner surfaces of the electrodes. The disks are located opposite the communicating channels of the adjacent partition walls.

Abstract: A solid state fuse type protective circuit is provided in which a series MOSFET is connected in series with the load and its voltage source and a shunt MOSFET is connected in parallel with the load. A control circuit turns the series MOSFET on and the shunt FET off under normal operation; and turns the series FET off and applies a turn on signal to the shunt FET under a fault condition. An indicator LED is connected across the series FET and turns on when the series FET turns off.

Abstract: A connector to supply power or communications to a printed circuit board having positive thermal coefficient switches embedded in or mounted on the connector. These positive thermal coefficient switches are linked to connector leads that in turn are connected to leads/traces embedded in or on the printed circuit board. The connector using these positive thermal coefficient switches protects the circuitry of the printed circuit board from possible damage.

Abstract: A fault sensing electrical wire (411) utilizes one or more sensor strips (407) which provide an impedance change when the wire is subject to an overtemperature condition or mechanical damage of the wire. A control unit (402) measures the impedance of the sensor strips of the fault sensing wire and provides a control signal (405) to initiate an alarm or protective action based on the severity of the condition. The control unit (402) may monitor a number of fault sensing wires simultaneously or in sequence. The apparatus may be used to sense an electrical arc occurring in the insulation of the wire.

Abstract: An improved PTC fuse assembly is described. The PTC fuse assembly includes a PTC fuse having a PTC material. To expedite heating of the PTC material, the improved PTC fuse assembly includes a die package in thermal communication with the PTC material. The die package includes a die which is responsible generating heat once a threshold has been reached. To mount the die package to a printed circuit board, the die package includes leads. The leads are sufficiently flexible such that the heat generated by the die does not compromise performance of the PTC protection circuit.

Abstract: A fuse circuit includes electrical fuse elements which are commonly connected at one-side ends, a voltage generating section and a readout section. The voltage generating section is configured to selectively apply program voltage for destroying the electrical fuse element and read voltage for reading out the destructive/nondestructive states of the electrical fuse elements to a common connection node of the one-side ends of the electrical fuse elements. The readout section is configured to read out the destructive/nondestructive states of the electrical fuse elements from the other ends of the electrical fuse elements when the read voltage is applied to the common connection node from the voltage generating section.

Abstract: Over voltage protection is provided for electronic circuits by disposing one or more ground bars for diverting harmful currents away from the sensitive electronic circuit elements. The ground bars are each associated with a row of contact portions of the electronic circuit. Microgaps between each contact portion and the corresponding ground bar are designed to provide an electrical conduit from the contact portion to the ground bar when normal operating voltages are exceeded, thereby channeling excess current harmlessly to ground. Under normal operating conditions, however, the microgaps act as electrical barriers, insulating the contact portions from ground. The microgaps may be filled with any combination of air, vacuum, or known variable voltage material.

Abstract: Conductive polymer current-limiting fuses. when connected in series with conventional mechanical circuit breakers, exhibit extremely low let-through values. Particularly, conductive polymer current-limiting fuses based on conductive elastomeric material are disclosed which exhibit extremely low let-through values, namely less than 5,000 A2s with a switch current of 1.79 kAp, preferably less than 2,500 A2s, most preferably no more than 2,250 A2s.

Abstract: A fused disconnect switch includes at least one switch housing assembly having a housing defining a fuse receptacle and first and second terminal contact assemblies extending therefrom. At least one of the first and second contact assemblies is a bullet contact assembly, and a retractable fuse is received within the fuse receptacle. The fuse includes a primary fuse link and an open fuse indication device.

Abstract: A heat-sensitive material comprising a heat shrinkable material (e.g., a heat shrinkable resin) having dispersed therein electrically conductive particles, which shrinks on heating to allow an electric current to flow. A heat-sensitive element comprising the heat-sensitive material and a pair of electrode terminals is useful as an over-charge protective element of lithium ion secondary batteries.

Abstract: A generally rectangular, planar electrical overcurrent sensing device having a top major surface and a bottom major surface includes a patterned metal foil conductor defined along the top major surface. The metal foil conductor has a first electrode region at one end region, a second electrode region at an opposite end region, and a current-concentrating region extending between the first electrode portion and the second electrode portion. The device further includes a planar sheet of a composition which exhibits PTC behavior and which comprises an organic polymer having a particulate conductive filler dispersed therewithin. The planar sheet has a first major surface in thermal contact with the bridging portion and has an opposite second major surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions for use in forming resettable electronic circuit protection devices or fuses, methods of forming resettable fuses using the compositions, and resettable fuses formed from the compositions. Resettable fuse compositions according to the present invention include a mixture of the reaction product of polyethylene glycol and a diepoxide having a molecular weight of at least 18,000, solvent, conductive particles, and optional solvent volatility adjusters. In a preferred embodiment, resettable fuses according to the present invention are formed by screen printing the compositions directly onto printed electric circuits to form fuses. During current overload conditions, the temperature of the resettable fuse material rapidly increases due to resistive heating generated by excessive current flow through the conductive particle chains or pathways.

Abstract: This invention relates to a connector device, and more particularly to an electrical connector plug, jack, tapping device or receptacle which provides a direct current path between an input and an output terminal, which path is automatically opened responsive to the insertion of a fuse, after which the sole conductive path between the terminals extends through the fuse.

Abstract: The present electrical melting fuse is current flow direction responsive. For this purpose the melting conductor is in heat exchange contact with a surface of a Peltier element which surface changes its temperature in response to a change in the flow direction of an electrical current through the Peltier element.