Abstract: A thin film surface-mount fuse having two material subassemblies. The first subassembly includes a fusible link, its supporting substrate and terminal pads. The second subassembly includes a protective layer which overlies the fusible link so as to provide protection from impacts and oxidation. The protective layer is preferably made of a polymeric material. The most preferred polymeric material is a polyurethane gel or paste. In addition, the most preferred supporting substrate is an FR-4 epoxy or a polyimide.

Abstract: An electrical apparatus comprising first and second PTC elements composed of a polymer composition with conductive particles dispersed therein, an insulating body, and first and second conductive terminals. Flexible conductive members having a first end that can be electrically connected to a source of electrical power and a second end that is adapted to receive and make electrical contact with the apparatus are provided. The PTC element and the insulating body are positioned between the first and second conductive terminals so that when the apparatus is inserted between the flexible conductive members, the members exert a pressure on the insulating body.

Abstract: A female fuse includes two female terminal portions and a fuse link with a skived region. The fuse link can have first and second ends with first and second pellet regions, each pellet region having a pellet hole therein, the first and second pellet regions being substantially symmetrically spaced on opposing sides of a central axis of the female fuse. Such a fuse link also includes first and second art-forming strips substantially symmetrically connecting the first and second pellet regions to one another, an interior portion of the arc-forming strips being substantially formed from a die section which is independent of the die section which forms the exterior shape of the female fuse. The female fuse terminals each have female-forming terminal plates and female-forming side plates, the terminal plates each having a spring portions, the spring portions being formable into contacting springs for the male terminals. A female fuse housing is also provided for the female fuse.

Abstract: A printed circuit board assembly comprising a printed circuit board having a plurality of conductive traces deposited on a surface thereof to define a plurality of electrical circuit geometries. A plurality of thin film fuses are deposited on the printed circuit board, each fuse providing circuit protection to one of the plurality of conductive traces.

Abstract: Circuit protection device having a PTC element in series with a fusible element. The device includes a PTC element having first and second electrodes in electrical contact with the PTC element. An insulating layer is disposed on the first and second electrodes. Portions of the insulating layer are removed to form first and second contact points. A first conductive layer is in electrical contact with the first electrode and wraps around the PTC element. A portion of the first conductive layer forms a fusible element. A second conductive layer is in electrical contact with the second electrode. The wrap-around configuration of the device allows for an electrical connection to be made to both electrodes from the same side of the electrical device. The wrap-around configuration also permits current to flow in series through the PTC element and the fusible element for added protection from overcurrent conditions.

Abstract: An electrical device having a resistive element having a first electrode in electrical contact with the top surface of the resistive element and a second electrode in electrical contact with the bottom surface of the resistive element. An insulating layer is formed on the first and second electrodes. A portion of the insulating layer is removed from the first and second electrodes to form first and second contact points. A conductive layer is formed on the insulating layer and makes electrical contact with the first and second electrodes at the contact points. The conductive layer has portions removed to form first and second end terminations separated by electrically non-conductive gaps. The wrap-around configuration of the device allows for an electrical connection to be made to both electrodes from the same side of the electrical device.

Abstract: An electrical device comprising a resistive element having a first electrode in electrical contact with the top surface of the resistive element and a second electrode in electrical contact with the bottom surface of the resistive element. An insulating layer is formed on the first and second electrodes. A portion of the insulating layer is removed from the first and second electrodes to form first and second contact points. A conductive layer is formed on the insulating layer and makes electrical contact with the first and second electrodes at the contact points. The conductive layer has portions removed to form first and second end terminations separated by electrically non-conductive gaps. The wrap-around configuration of the device allows for an electrical connection to be made to both electrodes from the same side of the electrical device.

Abstract: A female fuse housing is provided for housing a fuse and includes a sidewall, a fuse insertion end, a terminal entry end, and a pliant partition. The sidewall has an inner surface and an exterior surface. The inner surface defines a fuse insertion area. The terminal entry end has first and second terminal sockets. The pliant partition is located within the fuse insertion area between the first terminal socket and the second terminal socket and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis to define a first female receptor chamber and a second female receptor chamber.

Abstract: Circuit protection devices comprising PTC elements and circuits containing such devices. The PTC element includes a crystalline conductive polymer composition comprising a conductive particulate filler grafted to a modified polyolefin. The modified polyolefin comprises a polyolefin having a carboxylic acid or a carboxylic acid derivative grafted thereto. The conductive particulate filler is grafted via an esterification reaction to the modified polyolefin.

Abstract: A thin film surface-mount fuse having two material subassemblies. The first subassembly includes a fusible link, its supporting substrate and terminal pads. The second subassembly includes a protective layer which overlies the fusible link so as to provide protection from impacts and oxidation. The protective layer is preferably made of a polymeric material. The most preferred polymeric material is a polycarbonate adhesive. In addition, the most preferred supporting substrate is an FR-4 epoxy or a polyimide.

Abstract: A device for providing a visual indication of the status of a fuse, i.e., whether or not the fuse has blown. The device includes a substrate onto which the elements of the visual indication device are printed. A pair of conductive terminals is screen printed upon that substrate, preferably spaced apart from each other along that substrate. Between the terminals, at least two spaced apart resistance elements are positioned upon the substrate. These two resistance elements are in series with each other, and they are also in series with the pair of conductive terminals. The first of these at least two resistance elements is comprised of a combination of a substance which melts at an elevated temperature, and also of carbon. The second of these at least two resistance elements is comprised solely of carbon.

Abstract: An electrical assembly (10) comprising a first electrical device (12) comprised of a non-linear resistant, temperature responsive element (14) and first and second electrodes (16,18), the device (12) being connectable to a first power supply (20) such that a first electrical current (i.sub.1) travels through the resistive element (14) from the first electrode (16) to the second electrode (18). A second electrical circuit (24) is in electrical contact with the electrical device (12) such that the second circuit (24) may introduce a secondary electrical current (i.sub.2) into a localized portion of the non-linear resistant element (14), the second current (i.sub.2), when applied to the non-linear resistant element (14), causes the element (14) to change from a first resistant state to a second resistant state.

Abstract: A method for producing a conductive polymeric composition exhibiting PTC behavior. The method includes the steps of: providing a quantity of polymer component having a melting point temperature T.sub.mp, and a quantity of conductive filler component; mixing the quantity of polymer component and the quantity of conductive filler component in a receiving unit at a temperature greater than T.sub.

Abstract: An electrical apparatus comprising first and second PTC elements composed of a polymer composition with conductive particles dispersed therein, an insulating body, and first and second conductive terminals. Flexible conductive members having a first end that can be electrically connected to a source of electrical power and a second end that is adapted to receive and make electrical contact with the apparatus are provided. The PTC element and the insulating body are positioned between the first and second conductive terminals so that when the apparatus is inserted between the flexible conductive members, the members exert a pressure on the insulating body.

Abstract: The invention is a component for an electrical or electronic fuse. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the component comprises a body of resilient, compressible material having a front face and a rear face. A fusible element is disposed within the body of resilient material, and the fusible element extends through a passageway within the body. At least one of the faces includes a flange section extending outwardly from that one face.

Abstract: A blown fuse indicator, having an insulating element, a current-carrying element overlaying the insulating element, and a substantially transparent window. A chemical composition coats at least a portion of the insulating element. The improvement comprises a meltable link in generally parallel proximity to the insulating element. The meltable link, which can be made of solder, melts to open an indicating circuit of the blown fuse indicator upon predetermined thermal overload conditions.

Abstract: An electrical device comprising a resistive element having a first electrode in electrical contact with the top surface of the resistive element and a second electrode in electrical contact with the bottom surface of the resistive element. An insulating layer is formed on the first and second electrodes. A portion of the insulating layer is removed from the first and second electrodes to form first and second contact points. A conductive layer is formed on the insulating layer and makes electrical contact with the first and second electrodes at the contact points. The conductive layer has portions removed to form first and second end terminations separated by electrically non-conductive gaps. The wrap-around configuration of the device allows for an electrical connection to be made to both electrodes from the same side of the electrical device.

Abstract: A surface-mount fuse for protecting a circuit, includes a substrate having first and second surfaces, each surface having first, second, third, and forth ends, the substrate also having first, second, third, and fourth sides. The fuse also includes a metal strip evenly attached to the first surface of the substrate with a layer of adhesive material, the layer of adhesive material being disposed between the metal strip and the first surface of the substrate, the metal strip having a first connection region, a second connection region, and a non-linear fuse link therebetween.

Abstract: A female fuse assembly has a fuse housing, and first and second fuse-link terminals. Each fuse-link terminal includes a clip-receiving portion, and first and second clip abutments. The female fuse assembly also includes a fuse link connected between the first and second fuse-link terminals. The first and second female clips each include a clip body for operative engagement with the respective first and second fuse-link terminals. The first and second clips each also including first and second arm-connecting extensions, and first and second arms. The first and second arm-connecting extensions of the first clip are engaged with the respective first and second clip abutments of the first and second fuse-link terminals. The first and second arms of each first and second clip each have a first and a second branch.

Abstract: Electrical devices with a PTC element including a polymer having conductive particles dispersed therein and at least one metallized ceramic electrode. The devices are made by dispersing conductive particles into a polymer to form a polymer PTC composition. The metallized ceramic electrodes include a ceramic substrate having a conductive layer deposited on its surface. The metallized ceramic electrodes are brought into contact with the PTC element, and heated while applying pressure to form a laminate. The laminate is then diced into a plurality of PTC electrical circuit protection devices.