Patents Assigned to Littelfuse, Inc.
  • STRAIN-RELIEVED FUSE AND METHOD OF FORMING A STRAIN-RELIEVED FUSE
    Publication number: 20180138003
    Abstract: A fuse including a fuse body, a fuse element including a first terminal end extending from a first end of the fuse body, and a second terminal extending from a second end of the fuse body, wherein at least one of the first terminal end and the second terminal end extending out of the respective first and second ends of the fuse body include a strain relief feature, and wherein the strain relief feature is configured to flex in response to thermal fluctuation of the fuse or the surrounding components to which it is attached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2016
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Applicant: Littelfuse, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Schlaak, Julio Urrea
  • VENTILATED FUSE HOUSING
    Publication number: 20180138004
    Abstract: A fuse including a first housing part and a second housing part that are joined together to define a cavity, a fuse element disposed within the cavity, a first terminal extending from a first end of the fuse element and out of the housing, and a second terminal extending from a second end of the fuse element and out of the housing, the housing having a vent channel extending from an outer surface of the housing to the cavity for allowing vapor to escape from the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Applicant: Littelfuse, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Schlaak
  • SEALED FUSE
    Publication number: 20180130626
    Abstract: A sealed fuse in accordance with the present disclosure may include a tubular fuse body, a trench formed in an exterior of the fuse body, and an electrically conductive endcap that fits over an end of the fuse body and is fastened to the fuse body by an electrically conductive material having a lip portion that extends into the trench to provide a barrier that extends between the fuse body and the endcap. In an embodiment, the trench may be formed in an end face of the fuse body and may extend entirely around an opening in the end of the fuse body. In another embodiment, the trench may be formed in an outwardly-facing surface of a sidewall of the fuse body and may extend entirely around the fuse body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2018
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Applicant: Littelfuse, Inc.
    Inventors: Ped Peterson Bruan, Grace Miranda, Edwin Aberin
  • INTEGRATED RAIN AND SOLAR RADIATION SENSING MODULE
    Publication number: 20180128942
    Abstract: An integrated rain and solar radiation sensing module including at least two light emitting elements, a plurality of input lenses, wherein at least two of the plurality of input lenses are configured to receive and collimate light emitted by each of the light emitting elements, a plurality of output lenses numbering at least twice as many as the plurality of input lenses, wherein each output lens is configured to receive and focus light that is collimated by at least one of the plurality of input lenses and reflected off of a transparent substrate, and a plurality of light receiving elements, wherein each light receiving element configured to receive focused light from at least one of the output lenses and to convert the received light into an electrical output signal proportional to the received light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Applicant: Littelfuse, Inc.
    Inventors: Efrem Fesshaie, Paulius Kabisius, Mindaugas Ketlerius
  • WIRELESS COMMUNICATION ENABLED RELAY
    Publication number: 20180129194
    Abstract: A motor protection relay including a housing and a printed circuit board disposed within the housing, the printed circuit board including a central processing unit and a wireless communication interface, the wireless communication interface adapted to receive wireless communication signals for configuring operating parameters of the motor protection relay via the central processing unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2017
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Applicant: Littelfuse, Inc.
    Inventor: Kip M. Larson
  • SURGE PROTECTION DEVICE
    Publication number: 20180130624
    Abstract: A circuit protection device including a housing defining a chamber and a metal oxide varistor (MOV) stack disposed within the chamber. A first spring is electrically attached at a first end to a first input terminal of the MOV stack by a solder connection and at a second end to a first input line. The first spring is biased away from the first input terminal. A second spring is electrically attached to a second input terminal of the MOV stack by a solder connection and at a second end to a second input line. The second conductive spring is biased away from the second input terminal. When an overvoltage condition occurs, heat generated by the MOV stack melts at least one of the first or second solder connections to allow the corresponding springs to be displaced away from the respective MOV stack input terminals, thereby creating an opening circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2018
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Applicant: Littelfuse, Inc.
    Inventors: Wen Yang, Hailang Tang, Huawei Yin, Stephen J. Whitney, G. Todd Dietsch
  • USB cable with thermal protection
    Patent number: 9960545
    Abstract: A universal serial bus (USB) cable including a power conductor configured to transmit power between a first device and a second device, a configuration channel (CC) conductor configured to allow the first device and the second device to determine whether a connection has been established via the USB cable, and a first positive temperature coefficient (PTC) element coupled to the CC conductor and configured to mitigate current flowing through the CC conductor if a temperature of the first PTC element rises above a predefine trip temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Littelfuse, Inc.
    Inventors: Boris Golubovic, Kunghao Yu
  • Sealed fuse
    Patent number: 9953791
    Abstract: A sealed fuse in accordance with the present disclosure may include a tubular fuse body, a trench formed in an exterior of the fuse body, and an electrically conductive endcap that fits over an end of the fuse body and is fastened to the fuse body by an electrically conductive material having a lip portion that extends into the trench to provide a barrier that extends between the fuse body and the endcap. In an embodiment, the trench may be formed in an end face of the fuse body and may extend entirely around an opening in the end of the fuse body. In another embodiment, the trench may be formed in an outwardly-facing surface of a sidewall of the fuse body and may extend entirely around the fuse body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Littelfuse, Inc.
    Inventors: Ped Peterson Bruan, Grace Miranda, Edwin Aberin
  • FUSES WITH INTEGRATED METALS
    Publication number: 20180108506
    Abstract: Fuse assemblies are disclosed. In one implementation, a fuse assembly may be disposed that includes a first portion of the second portion. The first portion may be formed of a first metal. The second portion may be formed of a second metal different from the first metal. The second metal may be copper, and the copper may be tin plated or silver plated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Applicant: Littelfuse, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Doering, Pascal Jung
  • SEALED FUSE
    Publication number: 20180102234
    Abstract: A sealed fuse in accordance with the present disclosure may include a tubular fuse body, a trench formed in an exterior of the fuse body, and an electrically conductive endcap that fits over an end of the fuse body and is fastened to the fuse body by an electrically conductive material having a lip portion that extends into the trench to provide a barrier that extends between the fuse body and the endcap. In an embodiment, the trench may be formed in an end face of the fuse body and may extend entirely around an opening in the end of the fuse body. In another embodiment, the trench may be formed in an outwardly-facing surface of a sidewall of the fuse body and may extend entirely around the fuse body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Publication date: April 12, 2018
    Applicant: Littelfuse, Inc.
    Inventors: Ped Peterson Bruan, Grace Miranda, Edwin Aberin
  • Transient overvoltage protection device
    Patent number: 9941264
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an overvoltage protection device may include a semiconductor substrate comprising an n-type body region. The overvoltage protection device may further include a first p-type region disposed in a first surface region of the semiconductor substrate, and forming a first P/N junction with the n-type body region, and a second p-type region disposed in a second surface region of the semiconductor substrate opposite the first surface, and forming a second P/N junction with the n-type body region, wherein the n-type body region, first p-type region, and second p-type region form a breakdown device having a breakdown voltage greater than 100 V when an external voltage is applied between the first surface region and second surface region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Littelfuse, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Mark Bentley, James Allan Peters, Steve Wilton Byatt
  • USB CABLE WITH THERMAL PROTECTION
    Publication number: 20180097318
    Abstract: A universal serial bus (USB) cable including a power conductor configured to transmit power between a first device and a second device, a configuration channel (CC) conductor configured to allow the first device and the second device to determine whether a connection has been established via the USB cable, and a first positive temperature coefficient (PTC) element coupled to the CC conductor and configured to mitigate current flowing through the CC conductor if a temperature of the first PTC element rises above a predefine trip temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Applicant: Littelfuse, Inc.
    Inventors: Boris Golubovic, Kunghao Yu
  • Protective device
    Patent number: 9923362
    Abstract: The present invention provides a protection device which includes a PTC component and a first non-resettable contact component which is connected electrically in parallel to the PTC component. A second non-resettable contact component is connected electrically in series to the PTC component, and when the PTC component is tripped by a current which is diverted by opening the contact of the first non-resettable contact component, the contact of the second non-resettable contact component opens due to heat which is generated by the PTC component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Littelfuse, Inc.
    Inventors: Takashi Hasunuma, Arata Tanaka, Katsuaki Suzuki, Masayuki Oohira
  • Power distribution housing
    Patent number: 9917429
    Abstract: A power distribution housing including a base, a cover adapted to fit onto the base, a latch member adapted to removably secure the cover to the base, the latch member having a first end pivotably connected to the base and a second end having a latch detent extending therefrom, the latch detent configured to engage a catch in the cover when the latch member is pivoted to a latched position wherein the cover is secured to the base by the latch member, and a locking member coupled to the latch member, the locking member movable between a locked position, in which a locking member extension of the locking member engages a locking member recess in the cover and prevents the latch member from being moved from the latched position to an unlatched position, and an unlocked position in which the locking member extension does not engage the locking member recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Littelfuse, Inc.
    Inventors: Justin Kaufman, Brent Glad
  • ZERO SEQUENCE SENSING APPARATUS AND METHOD
    Publication number: 20180067172
    Abstract: Zero sequence current sensors for single-phase and multiphase power systems are disclosed. In one implementation, a zero sequence current sensor is positioned between conductors associated with a single-phase power system or a multiphase power system. The current sensor may be shaped to accommodate maintaining a substantially equal distance between the conductors associated with the single-phase power system or the multiphase power system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Publication date: March 8, 2018
    Applicant: Littelfuse, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel R. Gilman, Kip M. Larson, Brian Johnson
  • NON-ARCING FUSE
    Publication number: 20180068820
    Abstract: An arc-mitigating fuse including a tubular fuse body, a first endcap covering a first end of the fuse body and a second endcap covering a second end of the fuse body, a fusible element disposed within the fuse body and extending between the first endcap and the second endcap to provide an electrically conductive pathway therebetween, and an arc-mitigating element disposed within the fuse body and held in a compressed state between the first endcap and the second endcap, the arc-mitigating element adapted to extend to an uncompressed state upon separation of the fusible element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Publication date: March 8, 2018
    Applicant: Littelfuse, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Johnson
  • Foam fuse filler and cartridge fuse
    Patent number: 9911566
    Abstract: Fuses having a melamine-coated-steatite foam filler are described. In particular, melamine-coated-steatite foam filler for use in a fuse comprising steatite coated in a melamine compound (e.g., plasticized melamine resin) and then heated to form crystalline foam filler are described. The foam filler may comprise steatite of substantially 3 times the melamine compound by weight and may be heated and then cooled to form the foam filler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Littelfuse, Inc.
    Inventors: Roel Retardo, Albert Enriquez
  • FUSE AND METHOD OF FORMING A FUSE
    Publication number: 20180061607
    Abstract: Embodiments of the fuse include a fuse body having a first end and a second end. A fuse element is disposed within a cavity of the fuse body, an end of the fuse element extending beyond an edge of the fuse body. An arc disc is disposed on the edge of the fuse body, and includes a notch such that the end of the fuse element extends to an outer surface of the arc disc. The end of the fuse element is configured to be folded over the outer surface of the arc disc. An end cap is disposed over the end of the fuse body and the arc disc, and the end cap includes a hole at a top surface. Solder deposited within the hole provides an electrical connection between the arc disc, the fuse element, and the end cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: Littelfuse, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Schlaak, Ganesh Chennakesavelu, William Gonzalez
  • FLEXIBLE POSITIVE TEMPERATURE COEFFICIENT DEVICE WITH BATTERY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20180047485
    Abstract: An electronic device including a protected component, a flexible positive temperature coefficient (PTC) device including a flexible sheet of PTC material coupled to a surface of the protected component, the flexible PTC device electrically connected to the protected component and adapted to arrest or mitigate electrical current flowing through the protected component upon the occurrence of an overcurrent condition, and a battery management system coupled to the flexible PTC device, the battery management system configured to measure a voltage across the flexible PTC device and to arrest or mitigate electrical current in the electronic device if the measured voltage across the flexible PTC device exceeds a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: Littelfuse, Inc.
    Inventor: Boris Golubovic
  • Insert for fuse housing
    Patent number: 9892880
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes an insert for a fuse structure. In one approach, a fuse, includes a housing having a cavity, a fuse element disposed within the cavity, a plurality of terminals extending out of the housing and electrically connected to the fuse element, and an insert disposed in the cavity, the insert including a pin extending through an opening of the housing. In some approaches, the insert includes a separating wall defining first and second cavities of the insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Littelfuse, Inc.
    Inventors: Florian Schmidt, Michael Hofmann, Pascal Jung