Abstract: A recoverable article includes an inner resilient radially elastomeric tubular member 2 that is held in its expanded configuration by an outer relatively rigid shell 6. The interface between the member 2 and the shell 6 comprises a plurality of circumferentially-spaced parallel strips 4 coated onto the member 2. The strips 4 prevent the shell 6 from bonding to the member 2 in those regions. The shell 6 is castellated with its valleys 12 adjacent the edges of the strips 4. The lands 8 of the castellated shell 6 overlying the strips 4 can be peeled back to permit the resilient member 2 to recover towards its original configuration, for example around a power cable splice.

Abstract: A circuit protection device which comprises first and second laminar electrodes; a laminar PTC conductive polymer resistive element sandwiched between the electrodes; a third laminar conductive member which is secured to the same face of the PTC element as the second electrode but is separated therefrom; and an electrical connector which connects the third conductive member and the first electrode. This permits connection to both electrodes from the same side of the device, so that the device can be connected flat on a printed circuit board, with the first electrode on top, without any need for leads. The connector is preferably a cross-conductor which passes through an aperture in the PTC element, because this makes it possible to carry out the steps for preparing the devices on an assembly which corresponds to a number of individual devices, with division of the assembly as the final step.

Abstract: The invention provides for a thermoset or thermoplastic gel composition containing a polymer with anhydride groups along the polymer backbone at least at outset of the fabrication process and an extender fluid, optionally including thermally conductive fillers. The gel compositions are useful for sealing wires, vibration dampening, sporting goods, and toys.

Abstract: Improved tape assemblies for delivering electrical devices to work stations at which the devices are installed. Each of the devices comprises a laminar electrical component sandwiched between two laminar metal members, and is preferably a PTC circuit protection device. In the assemblies, the electrical components are discrete components, but they are contacted by, and linked together through, laminar metal members which, after the assembly has been divided into separate devices, provide leads which contact and extend away from the electrical component. Preferably the metal members are prepared by cutting and forming a single strip of metal. Preferably the assembly is free from any longitudinally continuous carrier strip which much be discarded after the devices have been separated from each other. Preferably, the assemblies are sufficiently flexible to be wrapped around a reel and unwrapped at the work station.

Abstract: The invention provides for a method of molding an elastomeric material which avoids longitudinal mold lines and an improved molding composition as well as molded parts for hybrid insulators and the like.

Abstract: A circuit protection system employing arrangements of PTC devices and mechanical switches. The PTC device is not involved in the circuit until a fault is sensed. A current sensing relay senses an overcurrent and directs the current to the PTC device. As the voltage across the PTC device increases, a parallel arrangement of voltage sensing relays completes the operation of the protection system, and disconnects the load until the protection system is reset. The protection system may be reset manually or remotely.

Abstract: An image projection arrangement is provided. The arrangement includes a light source assembly for producing a first light beam. A reflective image display system is arranged in the path of the first light beam and has at least one cell for generating an image to be projected. A projection lens system is arranged in the path of a second light beam originating from the image display system for projecting the image produced by the image display system onto a projection screen. Between the light source assembly and the image display system on the one hand, and between this system and the projection lens system on the other hand, a transition from a first to a second medium is provided. This transition occurs at an interface having a normal direction. The first and second media have different refractive indices. The transition is arranged such that one of the first and second light beams is totally reflected by the transition while the other light beam is transmitted by the transition.

Abstract: A liquid crystal light composite in which discrete volumes of a liquid crystal material are dispersed in a matrix material is produced by a process in which a reactive additive formulation is added and photopolymerized. The reactive additive formulation includes mono- and multifunctional compounds in specified proportions and a photoinitiator. The reactive additive formulation reduces the operating field and may also improve other electro-optical properties.

Abstract: A gel-filled closure for environmentally protecting a connector forming a connection between a cable and at least one electrical component (which may be another cable) is disclosed. The closure includes first and second cavitied bodies, each having two lateral sides and two end sides; a hinge joining the first and second cavitied bodies along a lateral side thereof, such that the cavitied bodies are capable of pivoting around the hinge and closing around the connector and immediately adjacent portions of the cable and the at least one electrical component. A gel substantially fills each of the first and second cavitied bodies. At least one of the cavitied bodies has a flap disposed along the lateral edge thereof distal from the hinge, for directing gel flow in the lateral direction as the first and second cavitied bodies are closed. A locking mechanism for securing the cavitied bodies in a closed position is also provided.

Abstract: An electrical interconnection device including an electrical element and a sealing member sealed within a body. The body is constructed of a first section and a second section bonded together to form an enclosure for retaining the electrical element and sealing member. Sealed passageways extend from the sealing member to the electrical element. Substrates are inserted through the sealing member into the passageways for connection to the electrical element.

Abstract: An encapsulated liquid crystal layer is patterned by placing a mask into contact with a coated substrate. The mask is held against the substrate, for example, by a vacuum, to form a seal. The assembly is submerged in a solvent to dissolve the exposed region of the encapsulated liquid crystal material.

Abstract: A surge arrester (1) includes varistor elements (2) forming a stack (3) and having opposed end surfaces (4a, 4b). The varistor stack is electrically connected via the opposed end surfaces to end terminals (7a, 7b) having circumferential ridges (32a, 32b), which, in the event of failure of the varistor elements, are designed to relocate the resulting arc and direct it in a manner which reduces or minimizes damage to the surge arrester. The ridges serve as damage-tolerant sacrificial rooting points for an arc in the event of varistor element failure by presenting a substantial metal mass for the arc to erode away.

Abstract: A switching device for a telecommunications channel. The device comprises a voltage detector, a switch, and a storage device. The voltage detector produces an output voltage if the voltage between the lines of the channel exceeds a predetermined level, for example 110 volts. The switch can increase an impedance in one of the lines (preferably causing open circuit) in response to an input voltage. The first storage device, for example a capacitor, produces the input voltage when it reaches a charge V.sub.2 ; is initially at a voltage V.sub.1, for example zero, that is less than V.sub.2 ; after charging by the output voltage from the voltage detector, is at a voltage V.sub.3 greater than V.sub.2 ; and discharges from V.sub.3 to V.sub.1 in the absence of the output voltage. The voltage detector comprising a low-pass filter such that an AC signal on the channel produces an output voltage that charges the first storage device to a charge below V.sub.2.

Abstract: An assembly for dissipating heat from an active matrix liquid crystal display module while avoiding developing thermally induced mechanical stresses which can adversely affect the electro-optical properties of the liquid crystal material is disclosed. The module is affixed to a circuit board containing electrical leads for connection to drive electronics, in a way such that the substrate containing the active matrix elements is suspended through a window or through-hole in the circuit board and is sunken or nested into a soft elastomeric gel which is electrically non-conductive but thermally conductive. The gel provides the requisite thermal conductivity to dissipate the heat via a heat sink with which the gel is in thermal contact.

Abstract: An arrangement for holding elongate substrates in a desired array having a plurality of passageways divided into compartments separated by pairs of spaced apart parallel flexible arms. The arms allow only two substrates to be inserted into each compartment, providing separation of additional substrates and the cannonballing effect is thereby eliminated.

Abstract: A cable enclosure having a housing and a strain-relief device. The housing has an inlet for a cable, and the strain-relief device can be connected to the cable and the housing in a strain-relieving fashion. The strain-relief device can be connected to the housing after the strain-relief device has been secured to the cable and after the housing has been sealed around the cable.

Abstract: An insertion tool for inserting substrates having contacts disposed at their distal ends into a connection device and a method of use. The tool of the present invention is useful with any size substrate and contact, but is particularly useful for wires or fiber optic cable having small diameters with insufficient rigidity to withstand the connection force required to insert the contact into the connection device. The tool includes a pusher arm which engages the contact and forces the contact into the connection device. As the contact is inserted, the pusher arm is also inserted into the connection device and is subsequently removed from the connection device.

Abstract: An overcurrent protection system which will give a rapid response to overcurrents which cause a reduction in the voltage across the load, e.g. a partial or complete short across the load, and which will preserve the trip endurance of a PTC device used in the protection system. The new system maintains the trip endurance of the PTC device by removing the source voltage from the PTC, while still keeping the circuit protection arrangement in a fault state, thereby continuing to protect the load.

Abstract: A circuit protection device for protecting batteries is formed from a resistive element composed of a PTC conductive polymer composition and two electrodes. The device has a resistive element thickness of 0.025 to 0.20 mm; a crosslinking level equivalent to 1 to 20 Mrads; a surface area of at most 120 mm.sup.2 ; a resistance at 20.degree. C., R.sub.20, of at most 0.030 ohm; and a resistivity at 20.degree. C., .rho..sub.20, of at most 2.0 ohm-cm. Devices of the invention are sufficiently small to be easily inserted into an assembly comprising a battery, particularly a rechargeable battery, and the device. Such assemblies are used for powering portable electronic equipment such as cellular telephones.