Patents by Inventor Michael Schlaak
Michael Schlaak 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).
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Patent number: 11387068Abstract: An active/passive fuse module including a base, a busbar disposed on a top surface of the base and including a fuse element and first and second terminal portions extending from opposite ends of the fuse element, the fuse element extending over a cavity in the top surface of the base, a pyrotechnic interrupter (PI) disposed atop the base, the PI including a piston disposed within a shaft above the fuse element, a first pyrotechnic ignitor coupled to a controller, the first pyrotechnic ignitor configured to detonate and force the piston through the fuse element upon receiving an initiation signal from the controller, and a second pyrotechnic ignitor coupled to the busbar by a pair of leads, the second pyrotechnic ignitor configured to detonate and force the piston through the fuse element upon an increase in voltage across the leads.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2020Date of Patent: July 12, 2022Assignee: Littelfuse, Inc.Inventors: Michael Schlaak, Engelbert Hetzmannseder, Derek Lasini
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Publication number: 20210183607Abstract: An active/passive fuse module including a base, a busbar disposed on a top surface of the base and including a fuse element and first and second terminal portions extending from opposite ends of the fuse element, the fuse element extending over a cavity in the top surface of the base, a pyrotechnic interrupter (PI) disposed atop the base, the PI including a piston disposed within a shaft above the fuse element, a first pyrotechnic ignitor coupled to a controller, the first pyrotechnic ignitor configured to detonate and force the piston through the fuse element upon receiving an initiation signal from the controller, and a second pyrotechnic ignitor coupled to the busbar by a pair of leads, the second pyrotechnic ignitor configured to detonate and force the piston through the fuse element upon an increase in voltage across the leads.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2020Publication date: June 17, 2021Applicant: Littelfuse, Inc.Inventors: Michael Schlaak, Engelbert Hetzmannseder, Derek Lasini
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Patent number: 10930463Abstract: A fuse including a first housing part and a second housing part that are joined together to define a cavity, a fuse element disposed within the cavity, a first terminal extending from a first end of the fuse element and out of the housing, and a second terminal extending from a second end of the fuse element and out of the housing, the housing having a vent channel extending from an outer surface of the housing to the cavity for allowing vapor to escape from the cavity.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2019Date of Patent: February 23, 2021Assignee: Littelfuse, Inc.Inventor: Michael Schlaak
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Patent number: 10483069Abstract: A fuse including a fuse body defining an inner cavity and having at least one fuse body aperture formed therethrough, a fuse element including a first terminal and a second terminal, a first endbell and a second endbell coupled to the fuse element, the first endbell having at least two grooves formed in a surface thereof and having a first O-ring seal disposed in at least one of the grooves, the second endbell having at least two grooves formed in a surface thereof and having a second O-ring seal disposed in at least one of the grooves, an adhesive securing the first and second endbells to the fuse body, an arc quenching material disposed within the inner cavity and contacting at least a portion of the fuse element, and end caps coupled to the fuse body, the end caps sealing a portion of the fuse element within the fuse body.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2019Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: LITTELFUSE, INC.Inventors: Michael Schlaak, Gregory Stumpo, Ken Venhaus, Derek Lasini
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Publication number: 20190259556Abstract: A fuse including a first housing part and a second housing part that are joined together to define a cavity, a fuse element disposed within the cavity, a first terminal extending from a first end of the fuse element and out of the housing, and a second terminal extending from a second end of the fuse element and out of the housing, the housing having a vent channel extending from an outer surface of the housing to the cavity for allowing vapor to escape from the cavity.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2019Publication date: August 22, 2019Applicant: Littelfuse, Inc.Inventor: Michael Schlaak
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Patent number: 10325745Abstract: Approaches herein provide a multiple element fuse including a first fuse element having a first pair of terminals joined by a first fusible link, and a second fuse element including a second pair of terminals joined by a second fusible link. The first pair of terminals may be directly physically coupled with the second pair of terminals. In some embodiments, the first pair of terminals and the second pair of terminals are stacked relative to one another and joined by one or more linking elements, thus causing the first fusible link and the second fusible link to extend parallel to one another. In some embodiments, a first plurality of terminal pairs are integrally linked adjacent one another along a same plane, and then subsequently coupled to a second plurality of terminal pairs.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2017Date of Patent: June 18, 2019Assignee: LITTELFUSE, INC.Inventors: Derek Lasini, Michael Schlaak, Matthew Miller, Matthew Yurkanin
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Patent number: 10325746Abstract: A fuse including a first housing part and a second housing part that are joined together to define a cavity, a fuse element disposed within the cavity, a first terminal extending from a first end of the fuse element and out of the housing, and a second terminal extending from a second end of the fuse element and out of the housing, the housing having a vent channel extending from an outer surface of the housing to the cavity for allowing vapor to escape from the cavity.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2016Date of Patent: June 18, 2019Assignee: LITTELFUSE, INC.Inventor: Michael Schlaak
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Publication number: 20190148098Abstract: A fuse including a fuse body defining an inner cavity and having at least one fuse body aperture formed therethrough, a fuse element including a first terminal and a second terminal, a first endbell and a second endbell coupled to the fuse element, the first endbell having at least two grooves formed in a surface thereof and having a first O-ring seal disposed in at least one of the grooves, the second endbell having at least two grooves formed in a surface thereof and having a second O-ring seal disposed in at least one of the grooves, an adhesive securing the first and second endbells to the fuse body, an arc quenching material disposed within the inner cavity and contacting at least a portion of the fuse element, and end caps coupled to the fuse body, the end caps sealing a portion of the fuse element within the fuse body.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2019Publication date: May 16, 2019Applicant: LITTELFUSE, INC.Inventors: Michael Schlaak, Gregory Stumpo, Ken Venhaus, Derek Lasini
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Patent number: 10290458Abstract: Embodiments of the fuse include a fuse body having a first end and a second end. A fuse element is disposed within a cavity of the fuse body, an end of the fuse element extending beyond an edge of the fuse body. An arc disc is disposed on the edge of the fuse body, and includes a notch such that the end of the fuse element extends to an outer surface of the arc disc. The end of the fuse element is configured to be folded over the outer surface of the arc disc. An end cap is disposed over the end of the fuse body and the arc disc, and the end cap includes a hole at a top surface. Solder deposited within the hole provides an electrical connection between the arc disc, the fuse element, and the end cap.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2016Date of Patent: May 14, 2019Assignee: Littelfuse, Inc.Inventors: Michael Schlaak, Ganesh Chennakesavelu, William Gonzalez
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Patent number: 10290457Abstract: Provided herein are protection devices, such as fuses. In some embodiments, a fuse may include a hollow body having first and second ends, each of the first and second ends having an end surface and a side surface extending from the end surface. The fuse may further include a fusible element disposed within a central cavity of the hollow body, the fusible element extending between the first and second ends. The fuse may further include an inner cap formed over at least one of the first and second ends. The inner cap may include a center portion in contact with the fusible element, and a plurality of spring legs extending from the center portion, wherein the plurality of spring legs is in contact with the side surface of the first and/or second ends. The fuse may further include endcaps surrounding the first and second ends.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2018Date of Patent: May 14, 2019Assignee: Littelfuse, Inc.Inventors: Derek Lasini, Michael Schlaak
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Patent number: 10262828Abstract: A fuse includes a fuse element and a fuse body. A portion of the fuse element is housed in a fuse body. The fuse element includes a first terminal and a second terminal disposed outside of the fuse body. The first terminal and the second terminal electrically connects the fuse element to a circuit to be protected and a power source. A first endbell and a second endbell is coupled to the fuse element. A predetermined amount of arc quenching material is disposed within the fuse body. The arc quenching material contacts at least a portion of the fuse element. The predetermined amount of the arc quenching material is less than a total volume size of the fuse tube. The arc quenching material is compacted. A remaining air gap in the fuse tube is filled with a liquid adhesive and cured to a solid state.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2017Date of Patent: April 16, 2019Assignee: Littelfuse, Inc.Inventors: Michael Schlaak, Gregory Stumpo, Ken Venhaus, Derek Lasini
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Publication number: 20190096622Abstract: Approaches herein provide a multiple element fuse including a first fuse element having a first pair of terminals joined by a first fusible link, and a second fuse element including a second pair of terminals joined by a second fusible link. The first pair of terminals may be directly physically coupled with the second pair of terminals. In some embodiments, the first pair of terminals and the second pair of terminals are stacked relative to one another and joined by one or more linking elements, thus causing the first fusible link and the second fusible link to extend parallel to one another. In some embodiments, a first plurality of terminal pairs are integrally linked adjacent one another along a same plane, and then subsequently coupled to a second plurality of terminal pairs.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2017Publication date: March 28, 2019Applicant: Littelfuse, Inc.Inventors: Derek Lasini, Michael Schlaak, Matthew Miller, Matthew Yurkanin
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Patent number: 10224166Abstract: A fuse including a fuse body defining an inner cavity and having at least one fuse body aperture formed therethrough, a fuse element including a first terminal and a second terminal, a first endbell and a second endbell coupled to the fuse element, the first endbell having at least two grooves formed in a surface thereof and having a first O-ring seal disposed in at least one of the grooves, the second endbell having at least two grooves formed in a surface thereof and having a second O-ring seal disposed in at least one of the grooves, an adhesive securing the first and second endbells to the fuse body, an arc quenching material disposed within the inner cavity and contacting at least a portion of the fuse element, and end caps coupled to the fuse body, the end caps sealing a portion of the fuse element within the fuse body.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2016Date of Patent: March 5, 2019Assignee: LITTELFUSE, INC.Inventors: Michael Schlaak, Gregory Stumpo, Ken Venhaus, Derek Lasini
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Publication number: 20180138003Abstract: A fuse including a fuse body, a fuse element including a first terminal end extending from a first end of the fuse body, and a second terminal extending from a second end of the fuse body, wherein at least one of the first terminal end and the second terminal end extending out of the respective first and second ends of the fuse body include a strain relief feature, and wherein the strain relief feature is configured to flex in response to thermal fluctuation of the fuse or the surrounding components to which it is attached.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2016Publication date: May 17, 2018Applicant: Littelfuse, Inc.Inventors: Michael Schlaak, Julio Urrea
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Publication number: 20180138004Abstract: A fuse including a first housing part and a second housing part that are joined together to define a cavity, a fuse element disposed within the cavity, a first terminal extending from a first end of the fuse element and out of the housing, and a second terminal extending from a second end of the fuse element and out of the housing, the housing having a vent channel extending from an outer surface of the housing to the cavity for allowing vapor to escape from the cavity.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2016Publication date: May 17, 2018Applicant: Littelfuse, Inc.Inventor: Michael Schlaak
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Publication number: 20180061607Abstract: Embodiments of the fuse include a fuse body having a first end and a second end. A fuse element is disposed within a cavity of the fuse body, an end of the fuse element extending beyond an edge of the fuse body. An arc disc is disposed on the edge of the fuse body, and includes a notch such that the end of the fuse element extends to an outer surface of the arc disc. The end of the fuse element is configured to be folded over the outer surface of the arc disc. An end cap is disposed over the end of the fuse body and the arc disc, and the end cap includes a hole at a top surface. Solder deposited within the hole provides an electrical connection between the arc disc, the fuse element, and the end cap.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2016Publication date: March 1, 2018Applicant: Littelfuse, Inc.Inventors: Michael Schlaak, Ganesh Chennakesavelu, William Gonzalez
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Publication number: 20170263407Abstract: A fuse includes a fuse element and a fuse body. A portion of the fuse element is housed in a fuse body. The fuse element includes a first terminal and a second terminal disposed outside of the fuse body. The first terminal and the second terminal electrically connects the fuse element to a circuit to be protected and a power source. A first endbell and a second endbell is coupled to the fuse element. A predetermined amount of arc quenching material is disposed within the fuse body. The arc quenching material contacts at least a portion of the fuse element. The predetermined amount of the arc quenching material is less than a total volume size of the fuse tube. The arc quenching material is compacted. A remaining air gap in the fuse tube is filled with a liquid adhesive and cured to a solid state.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2017Publication date: September 14, 2017Applicant: Littelfuse, Inc.Inventors: Michael Schlaak, Gregory Stumpo, Ken Venhaus, Derek Lasini
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Patent number: 9761402Abstract: A fuse includes a fuse element and a fuse body. A portion of the fuse element is housed in a fuse body. The fuse element includes a first terminal and a second terminal disposed outside of the fuse body. The first terminal and the second terminal electrically connects the fuse element to a circuit to be protected and a power source. A first endbell and a second endbell is coupled to the fuse element. A predetermined amount of arc quenching material is disposed within the fuse body. The arc quenching material contacts at least a portion of the fuse element. The predetermined amount of the arc quenching material is less than a total volume size of the fuse tube. The arc quenching material is compacted. A remaining air gap in the fuse tube is filled with a liquid adhesive and cured to a solid state.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2015Date of Patent: September 12, 2017Assignee: Littelfuse, Inc.Inventors: Michael Schlaak, Gregory Stumpo, Ken Venhaus, Derek Lasini
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Publication number: 20160268089Abstract: A fuse including a fuse body defining an inner cavity and having at least one fuse body aperture formed therethrough, a fuse element including a first terminal and a second terminal, a first endbell and a second endbell coupled to the fuse element, the first endbell having at least two grooves formed in a surface thereof and having a first O-ring seal disposed in at least one of the grooves, the second endbell having at least two grooves formed in a surface thereof and having a second O-ring seal disposed in at least one of the grooves, an adhesive securing the first and second endbells to the fuse body, an arc quenching material disposed within the inner cavity and contacting at least a portion of the fuse element, and end caps coupled to the fuse body, the end caps sealing a portion of the fuse element within the fuse body.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2016Publication date: September 15, 2016Applicant: LITTELFUSE, INC.Inventors: Michael Schlaak, Gregory Stumpo, Ken Venhaus, Derek Lasini
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Publication number: 20160141138Abstract: A fuse includes a fuse element and a fuse body. A portion of the fuse element is housed in a fuse body. The fuse element includes a first terminal and a second terminal disposed outside of the fuse body. The first terminal and the second terminal electrically connects the fuse element to a circuit to be protected and a power source. A first endbell and a second endbell is coupled to the fuse element. A predetermined amount of arc quenching material is disposed within the fuse body. The arc quenching material contacts at least a portion of the fuse element. The predetermined amount of the arc quenching material is less than a total volume size of the fuse tube. The arc quenching material is compacted. A remaining air gap in the fuse tube is filled with a liquid adhesive and cured to a solid state.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2015Publication date: May 19, 2016Applicant: LITTELFUSE, INC.Inventors: Michael Schlaak, Gregory Stumpo, Ken Venhaus, Derek Lasini