Patents Assigned to Citel
  • Publication number: 20220189666
    Abstract: An overvoltage protection device having a printed circuit board, a varistor having a metal-oxide varistor body that has a face and a conductive metal layer deposited on the face where the varistor is connected to a first electrical connection terminal by a first connection track of the printed circuit board and a disconnection tab is disclosed. The disconnection tab being fastened directly to the metal layer by a thermofusible link and exerting a traction force on the metal layer so that the disconnection tab moves away from the metal layer and disconnects the electrical connection between the first terminal and the varistor in response to melting of the thermofusible link is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2020
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Applicant: CITEL
    Inventors: Vincent CREVENAT, Cyril ROUSSEAUX
  • Patent number: 11217369
    Abstract: An overvoltage protection device having a printed circuit board, varistor, and gas discharge tube, the varistor and discharge tube connected in series between a second and third electrical connection terminal of the circuit board via conductive tracks, wherein the varistor is connected to the first terminal by a third conductive track, the discharge tube is connected to the varistor by a fourth conductive track, the discharge tube is connected to the third electrical connection terminal by a sixth conductive track, and wherein the fourth and sixth conductive tracks have curved portions situated on either side of the discharge tube, having a concavity facing in the same orientation respective to the discharge tube and a thermofusible area able to separate a corresponding track into two parts in response to an overcurrent, a distance between the two parts of each track allowing generation of an arc in response to an overvoltage that activates the discharge tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: CITEL
    Inventor: Vincent Crevenat
  • Patent number: 10965121
    Abstract: An integrated component for protecting against temporary power surges comprises a first conductive lead and a second conductive lead, each of which mounted on an electrical circuit; a gas discharge tube; a thermally protected varistor and a thermal fuse. The thermally protected varistor comprises a varistor body, a first varistor electrode and a second varistor electrode that are positioned on either side of the varistor body. The varistor body rises in temperature when the voltage imposed between the first and the second varistor electrodes exceeds a voltage threshold. An electrical connection is made via the thermal fuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: CITEL
    Inventor: Vincent Crevenat
  • Publication number: 20200303096
    Abstract: An overvoltage protection device having a printed circuit board, varistor, and gas discharge tube, the varistor and discharge tube connected in series between a first and second electrical terminal of the circuit board via conductive tracks, wherein: the varistor is connected to the first terminal by a first track, the discharge tube is connected to the varistor by a second track, the discharge tube is connected to the second terminal by a third track, and wherein the second and third tracks have curved portions situated on either side of the discharge tube, having a concavity facing in the same orientation respective to the discharge tube and a thermofusible area able to separate the corresponding track into two parts in response to an overcurrent, the distance between the two parts of each track allowing generation of an arc in response to an overvoltage that activates the discharge tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2020
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Applicant: CITEL
    Inventor: Vincent CREVENAT
  • Patent number: 10673187
    Abstract: An integrated component for protecting against overvoltages, including a varistor and a gas discharge tube that are connected in series between a first and a second electrical connection terminal and a peripheral coating including a seal-tight and electrically insulating resin, the peripheral coating being arranged around the varistor and the gas discharge tube so as to form a seal-tight and electrically insulating barrier that leaves the first and second electrical connection terminals accessible only at two opposite ends of the peripheral coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: CITEL
    Inventor: Vincent Crevenat
  • Patent number: 10523001
    Abstract: A transient overvoltage protection system to be positioned in parallel with an equipment item to be protected, has at least three lines and includes three conductive branches intended to be connected to the three lines. The first and second conductive branches are equipped with first and second voltage-sensitive protection elements and are able to rise in temperature when the voltage between its terminals is higher than a voltage threshold. A thermally sensitive disconnection device comprising at least one thermofusible element in thermal contact with at least one of the first and second protection elements, is arranged so as to keep the three branches in a connected position, the thermally sensitive disconnection device having an elastic return device exerting a force tending to bring the three conductive branches to a disconnected position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: CITEL
    Inventors: Vincent Crevenat, Wang Hui
  • Publication number: 20190348804
    Abstract: An integrated component for protecting against overvoltages, including a varistor and a gas discharge tube that are connected in series between a first and a second electrical connection terminal and a peripheral coating including a seal-tight and electrically insulating resin, the peripheral coating being arranged around the varistor and the gas discharge tube so as to form a seal-tight and electrically insulating barrier that leaves the first and second electrical connection terminals accessible only at two opposite ends of the peripheral coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Publication date: November 14, 2019
    Applicant: CITEL
    Inventor: Vincent CREVENAT
  • Patent number: 10056217
    Abstract: The invention concerns a device for protection against transitory overvoltages, comprising: a varistor; a discharge tube; a thermofusible soldering securing a first electrode of the discharge tube and a first electrode of the varistor, the thermofusible soldering being a conductor of electricity and being able to melt beyond a temperature threshold when the varistor or the discharge tube heats up; the second electrode of the varistor being designed to be connected to a first electrical line and the second electrode of the discharge tube being designed to be connected to a second electrical line; a restoring element exerting a restoring force tending to move the first electrode of the varistor away from the first electrode of the discharge tube in order to allow a separation between the first electrode of the varistor and the first electrode of the discharge tube during a melting of the thermofusible soldering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: CITEL
    Inventors: Vincent Crevenat, Jacques Joubert
  • Patent number: 6930871
    Abstract: A lightning arrester device for protecting an electrical circuit connected to a low-voltage network against transient overvoltages includes a plurality of gas-type spark gaps each connected directly in parallel with each other across two common nodes. Each of the plurality of gas-type spark gaps individually has a surge current rating below a desired surge current rating of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Citel
    Inventor: Christian Macanda
  • Patent number: 6765777
    Abstract: Overvoltage-protection device, applicable in particular to the low-voltage mains, comprising, between the two lines (1, 2) of the mains, a gas-discharge arrestor (3), a varistor (4) and a thermal-fuse element (5) task with ensuring the thermal disconnection of the device . It includes, in parallel with the varistor (4), a resistor (7) causing, after the short-circuiting of the gas-discharge arrestor (3), the heating of the thermal-fuse element (5) so as to trigger the thermal disconnection of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: CITEL
    Inventor: Michel Cantagrel
  • Publication number: 20040070913
    Abstract: A lightning arrester device for protecting an electrical circuit connected to a low-voltage network against transient overvoltages includes a plurality of gas-type spark gaps each connected directly in parallel with each other across two common nodes. Each of the plurality of gas-type spark gaps individually has a surge current rating below a desired surge current rating of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Applicant: CITEL
    Inventor: Christian Macanda
  • Publication number: 20040066923
    Abstract: A gateway 11 for using non-IP digital telephone handsets 10 with an IP call controller (“PBX”) 12, 24, 42. The gateway may be implemented to work with any non-IP digital telephone handset and any IP call controller. The call controller may be a public protocol IP Centrex call controller 24 or a proprietary protocol call controller 12, 42. The gateway is programmable so that a single hardware unit can be programmed after it is plugged in to work with any such devices. The programming is accomplished via IP download from a server on the global IP network 23. The gateway may be implemented as a plug in card 40 for an IP call controller 42 that accepts plug in cards. Alternatively, it may be implemented to work with remote IP call controllers 12, 42. In this latter configuration, the gateway may include a router for other IP devices which is designed to give voice quality preference to the telephone handsets over other IP devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Applicant: CITEL Technologies LTD.
    Inventor: Michael J. Robinson
  • Patent number: 4924347
    Abstract: The device relates to a gas lightning arrester comprising a tight enclosure and at least two electrodes (2a, 2b). In the enclosure is placed a powdery mineral addition agent. This addition agent is a mixture of elementary or mixed metal oxides globally corresponding to the general formula Al X.sub.a Y.sub.b O.sub.c, in which formula X and Y respectively represent at least one alkaline or alkaline-earth metal, a is between 0.02 and 1.5, b is between 0 and 0.25 and c has the necessary value to comply with the valency rules. Can be used for the protection of the telephone lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1990
    Assignee: Compagnie Industrielle de Tubes et Lampes Electriques Citel
    Inventor: Michel Cantagrel
  • Patent number: 4866561
    Abstract: The lightning arrester device comprises an external metal casing (1) defining an enclosure (2) containing a neutral gas, and at least one metal rod (3a, 3b) forming an electrode and penetrating into the interior of the casing, insulating sealing means (4) being provided between the rod and the casing in order to close said casing, and comprising, moreover, at least one fusible element (5) adapted to create a short circuit between the electrode (3a, 3b) and the casing (1) when the quantity of energy to be diverted by the lightning arrester device exceeds a specified threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1989
    Assignee: Compagnie Industrielle de Tubes et Lampes Electriques Citel
    Inventor: Michel Dorival
  • Patent number: 4729055
    Abstract: The surge protection element comprises an inert gas-filled protective device with electrodes inserted between two line input terminals, these terminals being connected respectively to branch terminals of an installation to be protected. The surge protection element also comprises initial protection apparatus, intended to be inserted between the terminals of the installation to be protected, and having a response time and a voltage threshold below that of said protective device, and also decoupling apparatus connected in series between the terminals of the protective device and those of the initial protection apparatus. The decoupling apparatus are capable of causing the voltage to rise at the terminals of the protective device when the current strength passing through the initial protection means increases, whereby the protective device can be tripped and can take over from the initial protection apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1988
    Assignee: Compagnie Industrielle de Tubes et Lampes Electriques Citel
    Inventors: Michel Dorival, Christian Macanda
  • Patent number: 4654619
    Abstract: A module for the protection of multiwire lines against overvoltages comprises a casing formed by a receptable and a terminal carrier plate. The terminal carrier plate comprises a pair of terminals for each wire of the multiwire line, and an earth terminal. Overvoltage diverters are connected to said wires and each have a first electrode soldered to a U link which connects, the two terminals of each pair of terminals, and a second electrode soldered to a transverse bar itself soldered to an extension of the earth terminal. The subassembly connected to the terminal carrier plate is disposed within the receptacle and is potted in a plastic potting substance. This module may be used for the protection of telephone lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1987
    Assignee: Compagnie Industrielle de Tubes et Lamps Electriques Citel
    Inventor: Francois M. Guichard
  • Patent number: 4616155
    Abstract: A bi-polar discharger for a coaxial conducting cable is formed by threading rod elements into the ends of a central passage through an internal electrode so as to be electrically conductive therewith. A casing around the internal electrode comprises a cylindrical outer electrode closed at each end by a bead of glass or ceramic which is fitted within an outer metal ring and the casing is sealed with a controlled atmosphere of an inert gas at low pressure by sealing of the outer rings to the cylindrical external electrode and sealing of the rod elements within the beads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1986
    Assignee: Compagnie Industrielle de Tubes et Lampes Electriques CITEL
    Inventor: Francois Guichard