Abstract: A fuse in one embodiment includes first and second leads. A fuse element provides electrical communication between the first and second leads. The fuse element includes a material with a melting point of less than 250° C. and acts as both an overcurrent fuse and a thermal fuse by melting when subjected to a predetermined current or upon reaching a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A high voltage fuse is disclosed. The high voltage fuse is compact and includes a molded plastic housing that holds connecting terminals, a fuse element, and optionally, a spring between one of the terminals and the fuse element or thin wire. When the fuse opens upon melting of the fuse element, the spring pulls apart ends of the wire and separates them as far as the spring and housing allow. The terminals may be mounted in separated parts of the housing, separated in some embodiments by the spring acting as an arc barrier. When the fuse element melts and the ends are pulled apart, the separation itself, or the arc barrier, prevents arcing between ends of the fuse element. In another embodiment, the housing itself furnishes a non-conducting plastic spring which urges the fuse link apart, the spring itself dividing the housing into two separate parts to prevent arcing.

Abstract: An electrostatic discharge control system and circuit uses a voltage variable material to protect an electrical circuit, such as radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, from electrostatic damage, The circuit includes two separate electrical circuit traces with a gap between the traces. The circuit includes and protects an electrical device, such as an integrated circuit, connected between the traces. The circuit includes a voltage variable material disposed adjacent to the gap and configured to directly electrically couple the first circuit trace to the second circuit trace upon occurrence of an electrostatic discharge event. The voltage variable material may be anisotropic.

Abstract: An electrical circuit protection device has an overcurrent protection portion and an overvoltage protection portion. The overcurrent protection portion has a surface. The overvoltage protection portion is disposed on the surface and thermally coupled to the overcurrent protection portion. A number of terminations connect the overcurrent protection portion and the overvoltage protection portion to a printed circuit board or other electrical circuit.

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 or a polymer. The VVM can also be directly applied to different types of substrates that are placed inside a device. In one embodiment, the VVM includes doped semiconductive particles having a core, such which can be silicon, and an inert coating, which can be an oxide. The particles are mixed in the binder with conductive particles.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multifunction resistor having an improved voltage variable material (“VVM”). More specifically, the present invention provides a polymer VVM that has been formulated with a high percentage loading of conductive and/or semiconductive particles. A known length of the relatively conductive VVM is placed between adjacent electrodes to produce a desired Ohmic normal state resistance. When an electrostatic discharge event occurs, the VVM of the multifunctional resistor becomes highly conductive and dissipates the ESD threat. One application for this “resistor” is the termination of a transmission line, which prevents unwanted reflections and distortion of high frequency signals.

Abstract: An integrated overvoltage and overcurrent circuit protection device for use in telecommunication circuits. The integrated circuit protection device combines a overcurrent device such as a fuse and a overvoltage protection device such as a thyristor to respectively protect against overcurrent conditions and transient overvoltages. Integration of the two devices in a common package ensures proper coordination and matching of the components, reduces the final product cost and reduces the physical space required on a telecommunications circuit for overvoltage and overcurrent circuit protection.

Abstract: The present invention provides connectors having circuit protection. Specifically, the present invention provides a device that operates with existing or new connectors to provide overvoltage protection to same. The device includes a strip of conductive material along which voltage variable material (“VVM”) is applied. The strip also includes an exposed portion not having the VVM deposition. The VVM contacts a plurality of signal conductors of the connector. The exposed portion contacts at least one ground conductor of the connector. When an overvoltage condition occurs along one of the signal conductors, the VVM switches from a high impedance to a low impedance state, allowing the transient threat to dissipate, at least in part, to one or more ground conductor.

Abstract: A fuse arrangement for use in a vehicle is provided having a configuration wherein a common bus terminal connected to a voltage supply is connected to terminals of one or more axial fuses. The other fuse terminals are, in turn, connected to a wiring harness that is located on an opposite side of the fuse box from the common bus terminal in a base of a fuse box. Additionally, the present invention includes a fuse array including a planar substrate with fuses constructed on the substrate by film metallization. Furthermore, the invention includes a carrier strip used for packaging automotive fuses that is made of a flexible material capable of being rolled into a package for shipping to an end user. The invention also includes a mini fuse having reduced terminal spacing for use in vehicles with mixed voltage systems wherein the reduced terminal spacing fuse is used for a particular voltage.

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 or a polymer. The VVM can also be directly applied to different types of substrates that are placed inside a device. In one embodiment, the VVM includes doped semiconductive particles having a core, such which can be silicon, and an inert coating, which can be an oxide. The particles are mixed in the binder with conductive particles.

Abstract: An electrical circuit protection device has an overcurrent protection portion and an overvoltage protection portion. The overcurrent protection portion has a surface. The overvoltage protection portion is disposed on the surface and thermally coupled to the overcurrent protection portion. A number of terminations connect the overcurrent protection portion and the overvoltage protection portion to a printed circuit board or other electrical circuit.

Abstract: An arrangement of voltage variable materials for the protection of electrical components from electrical overstress (EOS) transients. A device having a plurality of electrical leads, a ground plane and a layer of voltage variable material. The voltage variable material physically bonds the plurality of electrical leads to one another as well as provides an electrical connection between the plurality of electrical leads and the ground plane. A die having a circuit integrated therein is attached to the ground plane. Conductive members electrically connect the plurality of electrical leads to the integrated circuit. At normal operating voltages, the voltage variable material has a high resistance, thus channeling current from the electrical leads to the integrated circuit via the conductive members.

Abstract: The present invention provides overvoltage circuit protection. Specifically, the present invention provides a voltage variable material (“VVM”) that includes an insulative binder that is formulated to intrinsically adhere to conductive and nonconductive surfaces. The binder and thus the VVM is self-curable and may be applied to an application in the form of an ink, which dries in a final form for use. The binder eliminates the need to place the VVM in a separate device or for 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 or a polymer. The VVM can also be directly applied to different types of substrates that are placed inside a device.

Abstract: An integrated overvoltage and overcurrent circuit protection device for use in telecommunication circuits. The integrated circuit protection device combines a overcurrent device such as a fuse and a overvoltage protection device such as a thyristor to respectively protect against overcurrent conditions and transient overvoltages. Integration of multiple devices in a common package ensures proper coordination and matching of the components, reduces the final product cost and reduces the physical space required on a telecommunications circuit for overvoltage and overcurrent circuit protection.

Abstract: An arrangement of voltage variable materials for the protection of electrical components from electrical overstress (EOS) transients. A device having a plurality of electrical leads, a ground plane and a layer of voltage variable material. The voltage variable material physically bonds the plurality of electrical leads to one another as well as provides an electrical connection between the plurality of electrical leads and the ground plane. A die having a circuit integrated therein is attached to the ground plane. Conductive members electrically connect the plurality of electrical leads to the integrated circuit. At normal operating voltages, the voltage variable material has a high resistance, thus channeling current from the electrical leads to the integrated circuit via the conductive members.

Abstract: A connector port for providing power to a serial device and termination of differential signals received therefrom is provided. The port includes circuitry providing a data interface and a power interface. The data interface is operably connected between an input differential wire pair and an output differential wire pair for providing termination of the input wire pair and transmission of signal onto the output wire pair. Further, the power interface includes a fuse link operably connected between a voltage input and a voltage output for providing overcurrent protection.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multifunction resistor having an improved voltage variable material (“VVM”). More specifically, the present invention provides a polymer VVM that has been formulated with a high percentage loading of conductive and/or semiconductive particles. A known length of the relatively conductive VVM is placed between adjacent electrodes to produce a desired Ohmic normal state resistance. When an electrostatic discharge event occurs, the VVM of the multifunctional resistor becomes highly conductive and dissipates the ESD threat. One application for this “resistor” is the termination of a transmission line, which prevents unwanted reflections and distortion of high frequency signals.

Abstract: An arrangement of voltage variable materials for the protection of electrical components from electrical overstress (EOS) transients. A device having a plurality of electrical leads, a ground plane and a layer of voltage variable material. The voltage variable material physically bonds the plurality of electrical leads to one another as well as provides an electrical connection between the plurality of electrical leads and the ground plane. A die having a circuit integrated therein is attached to the ground plane. Conductive members electrically connect the plurality of electrical leads to the integrated circuit. At normal operating voltages, the voltage variable material has a high resistance, thus channeling current from the electrical leads to the integrated circuit via the conductive members.

Abstract: The present invention provides an integrated overvoltage and overcurrent circuit protection device for use in telecommunication circuits. The integrated protected circuit device combines an overcurrent device and a fuse and an overvoltage protection device such as a thyristor to respectively protect against overcurrent conditions and transient overvoltages. Integration of the two devices in a common package ensures proper coordination and matching of the components, reduces the final product cost and reduces the physical space required on a telecommunications circuit for overvoltage and overcurrent circuit protection.

Abstract: The present invention provides connectors having circuit protection. Specifically, the present invention provides a device that operates with existing or new connectors to provide overvoltage protection to same. The device includes a strip of conductive material along which voltage variable material (“VVM”) is applied. The strip also includes an exposed portion not having the VVM deposition. The VVM contacts a plurality of signal conductors of the connector. The exposed portion contacts at least one ground conductor of the connector. When an overvoltage condition Occurs along one of the signal conductors, the VVM switches from a high impedance to a low impedance state, allowing the transient threat to dissipate, at least in part, to one or more ground conductor.