Abstract: A heat exchanger including a metal base formed of a plurality of interfitted elements and fins formed in part from recompressed expanded graphite, wherein the fins are securely connected to the base by placing a deformable edge portion of each fin between each pair of interfitting elements and thereafter compressing the interfitting elements toward one another to deformably retain the edge portions of each fin there between.

Abstract: A circuit protection device for protecting a photovoltaic (PV) system from an overcurrent condition. The circuit protection device includes a first electrode electrically connectable to a first line of an electrical circuit, a second electrode electrically connectable to a second line of the electrical circuit. A first thermal element, second thermal element and an overload assembly define a first conductive path between the first and second electrodes. A bypass shunt defines a second conductive path between the first and second electrodes. The overload assembly electrically connects the first thermal element to the second thermal element, and is moveable between a closed position and an open position (i.e., overload condition). A low melt temperature solder electrically connects the overload assembly to the second thermal element. The low melt temperature solder softens and melts as the temperature increases in response to an overcurrent condition.

Abstract: In order to manufacture a heat exchanger comprising a metal base (11) and fins (12) with a part (125) made from recompressed expanded graphite, an edge (121) of at least one fin (12) is inset (Fi) by crushing a deformable portion (121) between two distinct parts (113, 113A, 113B) that make up the base (11). This deformable portion may be an edge (121) of the fin or a part attached in the region of this edge.

Abstract: A voltage suppression device for suppressing voltage surges in an electrical circuit, comprised of a voltage sensitive element having a predetermined voltage rating, the voltage sensitive element increasing in temperature as voltage applied across the voltage sensitive element exceeds the voltage rating. Terminals are provided for electrically connecting the voltage sensitive element between a power line of an electrical circuit and a ground or neutral line of the electrical circuit. A normally closed, thermal switch is electrically connected in series with the voltage sensitive element between one line of the electrical circuit and the voltage sensitive element, the thermal switch being thermally coupled to the voltage sensitive element wherein the thermal switch moves from a normally closed position to an open position to form a gap between the thermal switch and the voltage sensitive element when the temperature of the voltage sensitive element reaches a level indicating an over-voltage condition.

Abstract: A fuse-holder clip including two lugs designed to define a space for receiving a fuse cartridge with circular cross-section. The lugs are folded along lines parallel to a central axis of the cartridge when the cartridge is placed in the clip such that each lug forms two electrical and mechanical lines of contact for engaging and supporting the cartridge with the two lines being globally parallel to the axis.

Abstract: An electric fuse is comprised of a tubular fuse casing formed of an electrically insulating material. A first conductive component is attached to a first end of the casing and a second conductive component is attached to a second end of the casing. A first conductive path is formed through the tube between the first and second conductive components. The conductive path includes a fusible element having a first resistance. A second conductive path is formed along the exterior of the tubular fuse casing. The second conductive path is in parallel to the first conductive path and has a second resistance greater than the first resistance. The second conductive path includes an indicator component. The indicator component is comprised of first layer comprised of a colored material, and a second layer comprised of an electrically conductive material deposited onto the first layer. The second layer has a region of increased resistance.

Abstract: A voltage suppression device for suppressing voltage surges in an electrical circuit, comprised of a voltage sensitive element having a predetermined voltage rating, the voltage sensitive element increasing in temperature as voltage applied across the voltage sensitive element exceeds the voltage rating. Terminals are provided for electrically connecting the voltage sensitive element between a power line of an electrical circuit and a ground or neutral line of the electrical circuit. A normally closed, thermal switch is electrically connected in series with the voltage sensitive element between the power line and the voltage sensitive element, the thermal switch being thermally coupled to the voltage sensitive element wherein the thermal switch moves from a normally closed position to an open position to form a gap between the thermal switch and the voltage sensitive element when the temperature of the voltage sensitive element reaches a level indicating an over-voltage condition.

Abstract: A fuse comprising a tubular fuse casing and first and second conductive ferrules located on the exterior of the casing at opposite ends thereof. The second ferrule has an opening therethrough. A first short circuit fusible element is attached to the first ferrule, and a heater is attached to the second ferrule. A time delay over-current trigger mechanism electrically connects the first fusible element and the heater to each other in series in an electrical path between the conductive ferrules. The mechanism is connected to receive heat from the heater and to mechanically interrupt the electrical path when the heater heats up under low over-current conditions. An indicator mechanism is provided for indicating when the electrical path between the conductive ferrules is interrupted. The indicator mechanism is comprised of an indicator movable from a first position wherein the indicator is substantially within the casing to a second position wherein a substantial portion of the indicator is outside the casing.

Abstract: A two-phase or mono-phase heat-exchanger for at least one electronic power component wherein the heat-exchanger supports a plurality of heat exchange tubes, each having a heat exchange fluid therein, and wherein said heat-exchanger includes at least one rigid plate provided with zones for receiving portions of the heat exchange tubes and wherein the heat-exchanger includes opposite edges which are formed so as to be secured to edges of adjacent heat-exchangers in such a manner that front and rear surfaces of the at least one rigid plate of each heat exchange unit are coplanar when one heat-exchanger is secured to an adjacent heat-exchanger.

Abstract: A fusible element for an electrical fuse comprising a generally flat, strip-shaped body having a generally uniform cross-section; a constricted area formed in the body has a cross-section less than the cross-section of the body; an indentation formed in the body at least bordering on the constricted area; a solder coating disposed within the indentation; and a first solder stop coating on a first surface of the body that is disposed adjacent the solder coating to prevent migration of the coating along the surface.

Abstract: This invention relates to a heat exchanger for electronic components and electrotechnical equipment, comprising a box defining an interior space through which a heat-transfer fluid passes, at least one face of said box oriented towards said components or equipment being covered with an electrically insulating plate, characterized in that said box and said plate are overmoulded with a covering of electrically insulating material and in that a spacer for expansion is disposed between said box and said insulating plate.

Abstract: Between a rocking lever controlled by a striking pin of a cartridge and a resiliently loaded actuation knob of an alarm micro-switch, there is interposed an arm mounted on a pivot which pivot is spaced from the movement axis of the knob with result that the knob is engaged by the arm virtually without any mutual lateral sliding therebetween.

Abstract: A current limiter component constituted by a semiconductor bar or wafer doped in four layers (P, N, P, N) between its anode and cathode. The doping characteristics and the dimensional characteristics of the bar are adjusted to obtain a characteristic current to voltage curve which initially increases as voltage and current increases in the manner of a diode followed by a part constituting a current limiting plateau wherein the plateau reflects that the current remains fixed until the voltage reaches a breakdown voltage.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for electronic components and electro-technical equipment which includes a housing having an inner space through which a heat exchange fluid may pass wherein the housing is formed by opposing covers between which a stack of plates is mounted with each plate having openings profiled and oriented so as to allow the passage of the heat exchange fluid therebetween and which plates are connected to the covers by joining pieces.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing metal alloys to obtain a homogeneous powder made up of oxides of the metals and applications thereof to the manufacture of semiconductors and superconductors comprises, after placing the various metals selected in a crucible, melting the metals in a neutral or reducing atmosphere while stirring the liquid to homogenize it, recovering the liquid alloy, spraying the alloy obtained to form homogeneous powder particles of determined particle size, and oxidizing the particles. It applies to the manufacture of zinc oxide-based varistor type semiconductor ceramics and to the manufacture of superconductor products or positive or negative temperature coefficient thermistors.

Abstract: Fuse cartridge, of the type comprising, a striking element (8) retained against elastic means (7) by a conductive wire (6) connected between the connection heads (2) in parallel with at least one meltable element (5) so as to melt with the latter under the effect of an accidental overintensity, a micro-switch (9) whose knob (12) is intended to be actuated by said striking element to supply an alarm circuit in the case of melting of element (5), characterized in that, between the knob (12) and the striking element (8) there is interposed a rocking lever (13) profiled in the manner of a cam in order to give the micro-switch (9) two stable positions of functioning, whatever its inner mechanism.

Abstract: A static switch is disclosed, adapted to switch overintensities of more than a thousand amps. Instead of using one large, commercially available component, a series of small components are used in parallel, each being associated with a snubber circuit.

Abstract: This invention relates to an operation-indicating device for fuse cartridges for electrical protection, of the type comprising a plunger formed by a pusher element which is retained against a resilient actuating member by a secondary fuse wire connected in parallel with the wire or wires or fusible elements of the cartridge, characterized in that the base of the plunger cooperates with the conventional portion of the reduced section of the secondary wire, and an intermediate piece is in contact with the wire on either of said portion which is arranged so as to behave in non-conductive manner with respect to low-voltage current which passes through this wire and in conductive manner when the reduced section is fused so that the high-voltage current is transmitted to the two parts of the secondary wire disposed on either side of the portion of reduced section.

Abstract: In order visually to indicate the existence of a "continuation" current through a lightning arrester, an indicator is associated therewith, which is formed by an elastically deformable strip maintained retracted against capsule electrode by a retention mechanism which is associated with an electrical filter which causes fusion of a fusible wire under the effect of a "continuation" current. Once its end is released, the strip projects outwardly of the lightning arrester and marks the location of the defective insulation.

Abstract: An electro-mechanical circuit breaker device incorporating a fuse cartridge, wherein two contact bars are normally connected by a series of mobile contacts held against their lower edge by springs, two in number for each. An insulating plate, suitably guided at its edges in the insulating envelope of the apparatus, receives the downward displacement that a coil applies by the Thomson effect to an aluminum disc, and it lowers the contacts against spring and latches them in open position by engagement of a bolt in a notch. The lower edge of the plate is provided with teeth to receive the successive contacts and retain them transversely, while each of the mobile contacts is notched to ensure lengthwise retention.