Abstract: A first voltage variable material (“VVM”) includes an insulative binder, first conductive particles with a core and a shell held in the insulating binder and second conductive particles without a shell held in the insulating binder; a second VVM includes an insulating binder, first conductive particles with a core and a shell held in the insulating binder, second conductive particles without a shell held in the insulating binder, and semiconductive particles with a core and a shell held in the insulating binder; a third VVM includes only first conductive particles with a core and a shell held in the insulating binder.

Abstract: A first voltage variable material (“VVM”) includes an insulative binder, first conductive particles with a core and a shell held in the insulating binder and second conductive particles without a shell held in the insulating binder; a second VVM includes an insulating binder, first conductive particles with a core and a shell held in the insulating binder, second conductive particles without a shell held in the insulating binder, and semiconductive particles with a core and a shell held in the insulating binder; a third VVM includes only first conductive particles with a core and a shell held in the insulating binder.

Abstract: A circuit protection device includes a solid-state resettable switch, a first terminal in electrical communication with a first portion of the switch, the first terminal configured to be connected to a load. A second terminal is placed in electrical communication with a second portion of the switch, the second terminal configured to be connected to a power source. A controller is configured to enable the switch to be opened if an accumulated energy meets or exceeds a preset I2t rating, the accumulated energy based on a current sensed from an electrical point between one of (i) the load and the switch or (ii) the voltage source and the switch.

Abstract: A fuse for a high voltage/high current application, such as a hydro-electric vehicle (“HEV”) application is provided. The fuse employs a variety of arc quenching features to handle a large amount of arcing energy that is generated when such fuse is opened due to a fuse opening event. In one embodiment, an insulative substrate, such as a melamine substrate, is metallized with a fuse element. The fuse element extends to multiple surfaces of the substrate. A fuse opening portion of the element is located so that the arcing energy is forced to travel along multiple insulative planes, increasing an impedance across the opening of the element and decreasing the likelihood of a sustained arc. Also, the substrate and element are disposed in a sealed housing, which is packed in one embodiment with an arc quenching material, such as sand.

Abstract: An automotive blade-type fuse and method of manufacturing same are provided. The fuse includes a pair of metallic terminals separated by and in electrical communication with a fuse element. An insulative housing is provided that covers at least a portion of the of an inner edge of each of the terminals and exposes the outer edges of the terminals-and at least a portion of the upper edges of the terminals. The terminals can define grooves that interface with projections extending inwardly from the housing to hold the terminal firmly within the housing. Also, the upper edges of the terminals are bent inward to crimp the housing between an intermediate portion of the terminals and the bent upper end edges.

Abstract: An electrical protection device is provided. The device can be removably attached to or mounted inside of a power source, such as a vehicle, e.g., automobile, battery and can employ a replaceable fuse element. The device includes an overcurrent protection element, such as a fuse element, and provides any one or more of the following types of electrical protection: (i) overcurrent protection; (ii) accident or catastrophic event power cutout protection; and (iii) load dump protection. The system is configurable to protect certain vehicle electrical components from an overcurrent and allow others to operate independent of the overcurrent protection. Systems and methods employing the protection device are also illustrated and discussed.

Abstract: A voltage variable material (“VVM”) including an insulative binder that is formulated to intrinsically adhere to conductive and non-conductive surfaces is provided. The binder and thus the VVM is self-curable and applicable in a spreadable form that dries before use. The binder eliminates the need to place the VVM in a separate device or to provide separate printed circuit board pads on which to electrically connect the VVM. The binder and thus the VVM can be directly applied to many different types of substrates, such as a rigid FR-4 laminate, a polyimide, a polymer or a multilayer PCB via a process such as screen or stencil printing. In one embodiment, the VVM includes two types of conductive particles, one with a core and one without a core. The VVM can also have core-shell type semiconductive particles.