Abstract: An overvoltage protection element which comprises a sheet of insulating material of predetermined thickness having openings extending therethrough and non-linear material filling said holes.

Abstract: A material and device for electronic circuitry that provides protection from fast transient over-voltage pulses. Conductive particles are dispersed in an insulating matrix to provide material having foldback switching characteristics. The foldback switching characteristics of the material are determined by the spacing between the conductive particles (which must be at least 1000 Angstroms) as well as by the electrical properties of the insulating matrix.

Abstract: A nonlinear transient overvoltage protection coating material and process for coating are disclosed herein. The viscous paintable material is for overvoltage protection and/or for use in detecting pressure externally applied to the material. A binder substance is combined with conductive particles and a solvent.

Abstract: A nonlinear resistive surface mount device for protecting against electrical overvoltage transients is disclosed which includes a pair of conductive sheets and a foldback switching material disposed between the pair of conductive sheets. This configuration serves to connect the conductive sheets by a foldback switching mechanism thereby providing predetermined resistance when the voltage between the conductive sheets exceeds a predetermined voltage.

Abstract: A nonlinear resistive surface mount device for protecting against electrical overvoltage transients which includes a pair of conductive sheets and a quantum mechanical tunneling material disposed between the pair of conductive sheets. This configuration serves to connect the conductive sheets by quantum mechanical tunneling media thereby providing predetermined resistance when the voltage between the conductive sheets exceeds a predetermined voltage.

Abstract: A connector is disclosed which includes a plurality of leads and a conductive plate. The plate includes a number of bores extending through it. The leads are spaced apart the walls of the bores. A quantum mechanical tunneling material is placed between the leads and the walls of the bores in order to support the leads. This configuration serves to connect the leads to the plate by quantum mechanical tunneling when the voltage between the leads and the plate exceeds a predetermined voltage.

Abstract: A material and device for electronic circuitry that provides protection from fast transient over-voltage pulses. The electroded device can additionally be tailored to provide electrostatic bleed. Conductive particles are uniformly dispersed in an insulating matrix or binder to provide material having non-linear resistance characteristics. The non-linear resistance characteristics of the material are determined by the inter-particle spacing within the binder as well as by the electrical properties of the insulating binder. By tailoring the separation between the conductive particles, thereby controlling quantum-mechanical tunneling, the electrical properties of the non-linear material can be varied over a wide range.