Patents by Inventor Marcel Hofsäss

Marcel Hofsäss has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6823580
    Abstract: For producing a temperature-dependent switch, which has a temperature-dependent switching mechanism which is accommodated in a housing and, depending on its temperature, establishes an electrically conducting connection between at least two connection electrodes arranged on the outside of the housing, the switching mechanism is placed in a lower part of the housing, the lower part is closed off with a cover part while forming at least one join, an adhesive layer is stamped on near the join in order to seal the join, and the adhesive layer is allowed to cure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Inventor: Marcel Hofsäss
  • Patent number: 6724293
    Abstract: A device has an electrical load and a cavity for receiving a temperature-dependent switching mechanism in order to protect the load from overtemperature and/or overcurrent. In the cavity there is a first countercontact for the switching mechanism which is electrically connected to the load, and a second countercontact which is electrically connected to an external terminal for supplying electricity to the load. The cavity is configured for receiving a housingless switching mechanism that, below its response temperature, is in direct contact with the two countercontacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Inventor: Marcel Hofsäss
  • Patent number: 6448883
    Abstract: A switch has a temperature-dependent switching mechanism with a stationary contact element; a movable contact element coacting with the stationary contact element; and a bimetallic element, having a predetermined functional service life, that as a function of its temperature lifts the movable contact element away from the stationary contact element, the two contact elements being, in one switch position, in contact with one another in order to carry a current that is to be guided through the switch, and in a second switch position, lifted away from one another so that the switch is open. The two contact elements are arranged and coordinated with one another in such a way that when the functional service life of the bimetallic element is reached, the switching mechanism is welded in the second switch position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Inventor: Marcel Hofsäss
  • Patent number: 6300860
    Abstract: A switch 10 has an insulating support 16 on which a first and a second external terminal 11, 14 are arranged, and a temperature-dependent switching mechanism 19 that, as a function of its temperature, makes between the first and the second external terminal 11, 14 an electrically conductive connection for an electrical current to be conducted through the switch 10, and having a switching member 22 that changes its geometric shape in temperature-dependent fashion between a closed position and an open position and in its closed position carries the current. An actuating member is connected electrically and mechanically in series with the switching member 22. The first external terminal 11 is connected to a planar cover electrode 12, to which the actuating member is fastened with its first end 25. The cover electrode 12 has on its inner side 32 a flat self-hold resistor that is electrically connected between the cover electrode 12 and the second external terminal 14.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Inventor: Marcel Hofsäss
  • Patent number: 6249210
    Abstract: A switch has an insulating support on which a first and a second external terminal are arranged, and a temperature-dependent switching mechanism that, as a function of its temperature, makes between the first and the second external terminal an electrically conductive connection for an electrical current to be conveyed through the switch, and having a switching member that changes its geometric shape in temperature-dependent fashion between a closed position and an open position and in its closed position carries the current, and an actuating member that is connected electrically and mechanically in series with the switching member. The first external terminal is connected to a planar cover electrode, to which the actuating member is fastened with its first end and on whose inner side is arranged a flat series resistor that is electrically connected between the first external terminal and the first end of the actuating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Inventor: Marcel Hofsäss
  • Patent number: 6249211
    Abstract: A temperature-dependent switch 10 has a temperature-dependent switching mechanism 11; a housing 12, receiving the switching mechanism 11 and having a lower part 14 and an upper part 15; and two stationary contacts 31, 32, provided on the upper part 15 on its inner side 37, each contact being connected to an associated external termina 35, 36. A current transfer member is arranged on the switching mechanism 11 and moved by it, which transfer member is in contact with the two stationary contacts 31, 32 in temperature-dependent fashion. There is arranged physically in the region of the current transfer member and upper part 15 at least one resistor 38 which is electrically connected between the stationary contacts 31, 32 at least when the current transfer member is in contact with them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Inventor: Marcel Hofsaess
  • Patent number: 6191680
    Abstract: A switch (10′) has one first and at least one second external terminal (11, 14) as well as a temperature-dependent switching mechanism (19) that makes, as a function of its temperature, an electrically conductive connection between the two external terminals (11, 14) for an electrical current to be conducted through the switch. The switching mechanism (19) has a switching member (22) which changes its geometrical shape between a closed position and an open position as a function of temperature and, in its closed position, carries the current flowing through the switch (10′). The switching mechanism (19) further has a spring element (21) which is permanently connected electrically and mechanically in series with the switching member (22). When a given safety temperature is exceeded for the first time, a safety element (37) keeps the switch in its open condition, irrespective of its subsequent temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Inventor: Marcel Hofsäss