Patents Examined by Jacob Crum
  • Patent number: 9887057
    Abstract: A fuse includes first, second, and third terminals disposed on a substrate. Respective ends of one or more primary conductors of the fuse are connected to one of the first and the second terminals. The primary conductors have a first conductivity and are configured to open when a primary current between the first and the second terminals exceeds a first predetermined threshold. One or more secondary conductors have an end connected to the third terminal. The secondary conductors are configured to ignite when a secondary current through the secondary conductors exceeds a second predetermined threshold. When ignited, the secondary conductors open the primary conductors to thereby stop the primary current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Littelfuse, Inc.
    Inventors: Johnny Lam, Martyn A. Matthiesen, Matthew P. Galla, Jianhua Chen
  • Patent number: 9831056
    Abstract: A protection device comprises a resin base, PTC component, bimetal component, arm and upper plate which are housed in a resin housing wherein the base includes a terminal integrated with the base by insert molding. A resin cover is formed by insert molding to cover the PTC component, bimetal component, arm and upper plate which are superposed in this order over the terminal within a space in the base. The space in the resin base is substantially closed by the upper plate, the base and the cover are integrally bonded to define the resin housing, the terminal and the arm are electrically connected in series in a normal state, and in an abnormal state where the bimetal component is activated, the terminal and the arm are electrically cut off, while the terminal, PTC component, bimetal component, and arm are electrically connected in series in this order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Littelfuse Japan G.K.
    Inventors: Hirofumi Mochizuki, Katsuaki Suzuki, Arata Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9818670
    Abstract: A system includes a retainer assembly to align each of a group of cooling devices with a corresponding electrical component of a group of electrical components that are mounted to a circuit board, where the retainer assembly includes a group of apertures, such that each of the cooling devices protrudes through a corresponding aperture when the retainer assembly is installed on the circuit board, and where the retainer assembly includes a group of retaining springs, each of which is associated with a corresponding aperture, that applies a respective force, of a group of forces, to a corresponding one of the cooling devices when the retainer assembly is installed on the circuit board. The system also includes a set of fasteners to mount the retainer assembly to the circuit board, such that the cooling devices dissipate heat that is generated by the electrical components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Infinera Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas George Macall
  • Patent number: 9812275
    Abstract: Certain aspects are directed to a thermal fuse for preventing overheating of RF devices in a telecommunication system. In one embodiment, an RF thermal fuse comprises a body: a conductive bolt positioned in the body, the conductive bolt having a length sufficient to provide an impedance at a point of protection on a transmission line in response to the conductive bolt contacting a live conductor of the transmission line, wherein the impedance reflects a portion of the incident power of an RF signal from an RF signal source; and a driving mechanism that causes the conductive bolt to selectively contact the live conductor in response to an event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: CommScope Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Frantisek Hrnicko, Vaclav Volf, Libor Strachon, Thomas Kummetz, Stefan Eisenwinter, Matthew Thomas Melester, Jurgen Struller, Gabriel Toth
  • Patent number: 9799462
    Abstract: A switching device is disclosed, in particular a circuit breaker, with a thermal release, on which a moving switching piece is arranged by a contact link support. The moving switching piece is borne on a spring body and is arranged opposite stationary switching pieces. A heat-extraction apparatus composed of a heat-dissipating material is in each case arranged at the side, along the stationary switching pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Wolfgang Feil, Rainer Kreutzer
  • Patent number: 9779900
    Abstract: A heater-bimetal apparatus is disclosed. The heater-bimetal apparatus has a heating element having a first portion and a second portion, a bimetal element coupled to the heating element at a third portion between the first and second portions, and a support member coupled to the heating element at the third portion, the support member including registration surfaces adapted to be received in pockets formed in spaced portions of circuit breaker housing. Assemblies including the heater-bimetal apparatus and methods of assembly of heater-bimetal assemblies are provided, as are other aspects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Stephen Scott Thomas
  • Patent number: 9773631
    Abstract: A power circuit interrupting device including a first housing including a pair of fixed electrodes and a fuse having terminals at both ends thereof, and a second housing including a moveable electrode, the moveable electrode interrupting electrical connection between the fixed electrodes when the second housing is uncoupled from the first housing, and establishing the electrical connection between the fixed electrodes when the second housing is coupled with the first housing. The first housing has an opening provided for carrying out a continuity test for the fuse. The opening is always covered with the second housing in a condition that continuity of a circuit is allowed. The power circuit interrupting device serves to facilitate the continuity test for the fuse built therein and comply with such a maintenance procedure that the continuity test should be carried out after interrupting continuity of the power circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shin Ishizaki
  • Patent number: 9767974
    Abstract: A short-circuit shutdown switch is disclosed having a load current path and a cutting plunger. The load current path has a separating member with a first predetermined cutting zone, a second predetermined cutting zone, and a central section positioned between the first predetermined cutting zone and the second predetermined cutting zone. The cutting plunger is positioned to cut the first predetermined cutting zone and the second predetermined cutting zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: TE Connectivity Germany GmbH
    Inventors: Albert Koetter, Titus Ziegler, Thomas Hahnel, Rene Wagner, Uwe Kramer, Christian Maranke
  • Patent number: 9763366
    Abstract: A space-saving, high-density modular data pod and a method of cooling a plurality of computer racks are disclosed. The modular data pod includes an enclosure including wall members contiguously joined to one another along at least one edge of each wall member in the shape of a polygon and a data pod covering member. Computer racks arranged within the enclosure form a first volume between the inner surface of the wall members and first sides of the computer racks. A second volume is formed of second sides of the computer racks. A computer rack covering member encloses the second volume and the data pod covering member form a third volume coupling the first volume to the second volume. An air circulator continuously circulates air through the first, second, and third volumes. The method includes circulating air between the first and second volumes via the third volume and the computer racks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: INERTECH IP LLC
    Inventors: Earl Keisling, John Costakis, Gerald McDonnell
  • Patent number: 9756764
    Abstract: A system for managing heat transfer is provided by the present disclosure, which in one form includes a cavity having an inner wall portion, at least one heat-generating component disposed within the cavity, and a plurality of heat conducting members disposed adjacent one another. Each heat conducting member includes a resilient core and an outer shell wrapped around at least a portion of the resilient core. The outer shell is made of a material having a relatively high thermal conductivity, and the plurality of heat conducting members are positioned between the heat-generating component and the inner wall portion of the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: AeroVironment, Inc.
    Inventors: Uchenna Ofoma, Bart Dean Hibbs
  • Patent number: 9734974
    Abstract: The present invention refers to a low voltage circuit breaker with a control device for re-closing said low voltage circuit breaker. The control device is provided with an actuating element, comprising a shape memory material and operatively associated with maneuvering means for the circuit breaker. When this shape memory material performs a state transition, the actuating element causes the movement of said maneuvering means from a first operative position, associated with an open configuration of the circuit breaker, to a second operative position, associated with a closed configuration of the circuit breaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: ABB S.p.A.
    Inventors: Franco Colombo, Paolo Antonello
  • Patent number: 9715980
    Abstract: A breaker (1) is provided with: a fixed piece (2) which has a fixed contact; a movable piece which has a movable contact at a front end portion and pushes the movable contact against the fixed contact to bring same into contact with each other; a thermally responsive element that deforms in accordance with a change in temperature and thereby actuates the movable piece so that the movable contact separates from the fixed contact; and a case body (71) of a resin case that accommodates the fixed piece (2), the movable piece, and the thermally responsive element. The case body (71) has recess portions (75, 77) which are recessed from a peripheral portion, and the fixed piece (2) has a withdrawal portion (25) that withdraws from the recess portions (75, 77) of the case body (71) by a predetermined first distance (D1) or more, and is embedded in the case body (71).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: KOMATSULITE MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masashi Namikawa
  • Patent number: 9652004
    Abstract: Hand-held electronic devices and methods for improving thermal behavior of such devices are provided. In this regard, a representative hand-held electronic device includes: a processor operative to execute instructions; a kinetic energy harvester operative to generate electrical power responsive to movement of the hand-held electronic device; and a Peltier component in thermal communication with the processor, the Peltier component being operative to receive power from the kinetic energy harvester and to remove heat from the processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: HTC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Bogdan Ionut Tudosoiu
  • Patent number: 9620322
    Abstract: An arc suppressor fixable to a fusible element to suppress electrical arcs and prevent the spread of electric arc “burn-back.” The arc suppressor includes first and second inner members comprised of pre-cured silicone rubber, and first and second outer members comprised of an arc suppressing material (e.g., melamine). The inner and outer members form a sandwich around a portion of the fusible element, wherein the first inner member is located adjacent to a first surface of the fusible element and the second inner member is located adjacent to an opposing second surface of the fusible element. The first outer member is located adjacent to the first inner member and the second outer member is located adjacent to the second inner member. Mechanical fasteners tightly engage together the first and second inner members, the fusible element, and the first and second outer members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Mersen USA Newburyport-MA, LLC
    Inventor: Robert M. Burge
  • Patent number: 9609995
    Abstract: An actuator device which includes a fixed support structure, an actuation member movable, a biasing member tending to maintain the actuation member in a rest position, a shape-memory wire connected to the structure and to the actuation member, and an electric circuit for supplying an electric current to the shape-memory wire. The circuit includes a pair of terminals. One end of the shape-memory wire is connected to a first terminal. The circuit includes further an electric switch, including a first conducting member electrically connected with the second terminal, and a second conducting member carried by the actuation member and electrically connected with the other end of the shape-memory wire. The switch is closed when the actuation member is in the rest position, and remains closed until when the actuation member reaches a working position, and opens when the actuation member passes beyond the working position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: BITRON POLAND SP. ZO.O
    Inventor: Giuseppe Marone
  • Patent number: 9607798
    Abstract: A fuse unit includes: a bus bar including a plurality of fusible parts interposed between a power supply side terminal and a plurality of load side terminals; and an insulating resin portion formed by insert molding using the bus bar as an insert component. The insulating resin portion includes: first and second resin portions respectively arranged at peripheries on the sides of the power supply side terminal and the load side terminals with respect to the fusible parts; and a plurality of coupling portions coupling the first resin portion and the second resin portion in a position outside each of the fusible parts. Each of the coupling portions is formed such that a reinforcement portion having a lower heat shrinkage rate than the insulating resin portion and having a higher strength than the insulating resin portion is an insert component. The reinforcement portion is provided using the bus bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinya Onoda, Yoshinori Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 9608250
    Abstract: A wire arrangement body includes: a wire arrangement groove portion of a groove shape that receives one or more wires; a lid portion that is rotatably connected to the wire arrangement groove portion about a first hinge and covers the wire arrangement groove portion so as to seal a groove opening of the wire arrangement groove portion; and a wire drawing piece that is rotatably connected to the lid portion about a second hinge. The wire arrangement body is provided so that a rotation axis of the second hinge crosses at a right angle to a rotation axis of the first hinge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shigeyuki Ogasawara, Keizo Aoki
  • Patent number: 9601293
    Abstract: A base member includes a terminal fixing part for blocking an entire surface of an opening part of a housing at a position further inner than an opening end part of the housing when the base member is inserted in the housing. A first electrode part formed by a tip part of two bent stages that are composed of a horizontal part, a vertical part, and a horizontal part and configured by bending a portion of a part of the fixed side fixed a conductive member, which is continuous with a first external connection terminal, in a direction perpendicular to a continuous direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Uchiya Thermostat Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideaki Takeda
  • Patent number: 9589756
    Abstract: A fusible link mounting structure, comprising a three-series fusible link formed by providing three pieces of fuse elements in series within a single common housing, a cavity having a mounting space formed according to a size of the common housing for the three-series fusible link, a plurality of tabs projected from a bottom of the cavity into the mounting space, and a monopole fusible link formed by providing a piece of fuse element in a single monopole housing, wherein a total length of the mounting space is set to be shorter than a sum of lengths of three-pieces of the monopole housings, and the tabs are arranged corresponding to positions of fuse terminals provided in the three-series fusible link, and also arranged at such positions that a plurality of the terminals do not interfere with the monopole housing, when the monopole fusible link is mounted in the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tetsuro Saimoto, Takafumi Toda, Takeyuki Hamaguchi
  • Patent number: 9558906
    Abstract: An electrical switch is disclosed, especially an electrical circuit breaker, including an overcurrent tripping device which, in the event of an overcurrent situation, switches off the flow of current through the switch; and a thermal tripping device which, in the event of a thermal overload, switches off the flow of current through the switch. In at least one embodiment, the overcurrent tripping device includes a first shaft which is disposed such that, in the event of an overcurrent situation, it is rotated from a first position into a second position and thereby indicates the overcurrent situation; and the thermal tripping device includes a second shaft which is disposed such that, it is rotated in the event of a thermal overload and is also rotated as well in the event of a rotation of the first shaft and when rotated initiates a switching-off of the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Zbynek Augusta, Filip Musil