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).

  • Patent number: 11387068
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Littelfuse, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Schlaak, Engelbert Hetzmannseder, Derek Lasini
  • Publication number: 20210183607
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2020
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Applicant: Littelfuse, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Schlaak, Engelbert Hetzmannseder, Derek Lasini
  • Patent number: 10930463
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Littelfuse, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Schlaak
  • Patent number: 10483069
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: LITTELFUSE, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Schlaak, Gregory Stumpo, Ken Venhaus, Derek Lasini
  • Publication number: 20190259556
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2019
    Publication date: August 22, 2019
    Applicant: Littelfuse, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Schlaak
  • Patent number: 10325745
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: LITTELFUSE, INC.
    Inventors: Derek Lasini, Michael Schlaak, Matthew Miller, Matthew Yurkanin
  • Patent number: 10325746
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: LITTELFUSE, INC.
    Inventor: Michael Schlaak
  • Publication number: 20190148098
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2019
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Applicant: LITTELFUSE, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Schlaak, Gregory Stumpo, Ken Venhaus, Derek Lasini
  • Patent number: 10290458
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Littelfuse, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Schlaak, Ganesh Chennakesavelu, William Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 10290457
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Littelfuse, Inc.
    Inventors: Derek Lasini, Michael Schlaak
  • Patent number: 10262828
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Littelfuse, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Schlaak, Gregory Stumpo, Ken Venhaus, Derek Lasini
  • Publication number: 20190096622
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Applicant: Littelfuse, Inc.
    Inventors: Derek Lasini, Michael Schlaak, Matthew Miller, Matthew Yurkanin
  • Patent number: 10224166
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: LITTELFUSE, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Schlaak, Gregory Stumpo, Ken Venhaus, Derek Lasini
  • Publication number: 20180138003
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2016
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Applicant: Littelfuse, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Schlaak, Julio Urrea
  • Publication number: 20180138004
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Applicant: Littelfuse, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Schlaak
  • Publication number: 20180061607
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: Littelfuse, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Schlaak, Ganesh Chennakesavelu, William Gonzalez
  • Publication number: 20170263407
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Applicant: Littelfuse, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Schlaak, Gregory Stumpo, Ken Venhaus, Derek Lasini
  • Patent number: 9761402
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Littelfuse, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Schlaak, Gregory Stumpo, Ken Venhaus, Derek Lasini
  • Publication number: 20160268089
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Applicant: LITTELFUSE, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Schlaak, Gregory Stumpo, Ken Venhaus, Derek Lasini
  • Publication number: 20160141138
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2015
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Applicant: LITTELFUSE, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Schlaak, Gregory Stumpo, Ken Venhaus, Derek Lasini