Abstract: An intelligent circuit protection system and method for automating component replacement and providing information to a user or operator about a load for circuit protection. The circuit protection method includes sensing current and voltage across a fuse protecting a load; sending at least one signal indicative of the current and voltage; and using the at least one signal to determine if the load is operating normally.

Abstract: An intelligent circuit protection system and method for automating component replacement and providing information to a user or operator about a load for circuit protection. The circuit protection method includes sensing current and voltage across a fuse protecting a load; sending at least one signal indicative of the current and voltage; and using the at least one signal to determine if the load is operating normally.

Abstract: A fuse for a moderately hazardous environment comprising: (i) a fuse element; (ii) first and second terminals connected to the fuse element; and (iii) a metal enclosure placed around the fuse element, the enclosure configured to protect the environment from an opening of the fuse element, and wherein the first and second terminals extend from the metal enclosure.

Abstract: A circuit protection device includes: (i) a housing configured to hold a fuse; (ii) a first contact configured to connect the fuse to a power source; (iii) a second contact configured to connect the fuse to a load; and (iv) a sensing circuit placed in parallel with the fuse, the sensing circuit configured to operate on a leakage current running through the circuit after the fuse opens.

Abstract: A fuse for a moderately hazardous environment comprising includes: (i) a fuse element; (ii) first and second terminals connected to the fuse element; and (iii) a metal enclosure placed around the fuse element, the enclosure configured to protect the environment from an opening of the fuse element, and wherein the first and second terminals extend from the metal enclosure.

Abstract: A fuse for a moderately hazardous environment comprising includes: (i) a fuse element; (ii) first and second terminals connected to the fuse element; and (iii) a metal enclosure places around the fuse element, the enclosure configured to protect the environment from an opening of the fuse element, and wherein the first and second terminals extend from the metal enclosure.

Abstract: A circuit protection device includes: (i) a housing configured to hold a fuse; (ii) a first contact configured to connect the fuse to a power source; (iii) a second contact configured to connect the fuse to a load; and (iv) a sensing circuit placed in parallel with the fuse, the sensing circuit configured to operate on a leakage current running through the circuit after the fuse opens.

Abstract: A circuit protection method includes: (i) sensing current and voltage across a fuse protecting a load; (ii) sending at least one signal indicative of the current and voltage; and (iii) using the at least one signal to determine if the load is operating normally.

Abstract: A circuit protection system includes: a fuse holder configured to hold at least one fuse; electronics programmed to: (i) monitor current across the fuse and (ii) determine a short circuit failure mode or a current overload failure mode when the fuse opens; and an indicator in communication with the electronics, the indicator configured to indicate whether the fuse opened due to the short circuit failure mode or the current overload failure mode.

Abstract: Electrical fuse indicators which may be used to diagnose and identify a fault state or failure mode of the electrical fuse include in various exemplary embodiments, indicator materials such as a reactive material, which are incorporated into various fuse indicator devices to cooperate with a visually perceptible indicator portion or layer to indicate the failure mode or fault state if the electrical fuse.

Abstract: A fuse for a moderately hazardous environment comprising includes: (i) a fuse element; (ii) first and second terminals connected to the fuse element; and (iii) a metal enclosure placed around the fuse element, the enclosure configured to protect the environment from an opening of the fuse element, and wherein the first and second terminals extend from the metal enclosure.

Abstract: An automotive seat includes optical sensors for determining a load on the seat, such as a person. The sensors may be used with a computer and computer software to analyze data from the sensors in determining a weight of the load, and the sensors may also be used to determine a shape of the load. From the weight and shape of the load, the computer may decide whether the load is suitable for safe deployment of an automatic restraining device, such as an airbag.

Abstract: A photoelectric switch is sealed against the infiltration of contaminants, for example, oil mist within a combustion-powered tool comprising a switch. In a housing structure sealed by an O-ring when assembled, two photoelectric devices define a line of sight therebetween. A plunger is biased to an inoperative position, in which a shutter portion thereof blocks the line of sight. In an operative position, the shutter portion unblocks the line of sight. The plunger has a stem portion sealed by another O-ring. Where electrical leads from the devices extend through apertures defined within the back member, the apertures are sealed by solder used to connect leads to copper layers, which may be screen-printed upon an outer surface of the back member. A cap mounted upon the back member covers the contacts and admits electrical wires soldered to the layers.

Abstract: For a combustion-powered tool, an ignition system is powered by a battery and is arranged so that a sudden discharge of a capacitor, as charged via an oscillator, produces a spark at a spark gap of a spark plug, so that the oscillator is enabled if a trigger switch is closed while a head switch is closed, but not if the trigger switch is closed while the head switch is opened, and if a battery voltage, as monitored, is not less than a reference voltage, and so that a silicon-controlled rectifier, which is arranged to produce a sudden discharge of the capacitor, is switched to a conductive state if the capacitor voltage, as monitored, and is not less than a reference voltage. The head and trigger switches, which are photoelectric, are polled intermittently to determine whether they are closed. Predominantly, solid-state components are used.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fastener assembly for use in attaching articles to printed circuit boards, and include a fastener, which has a generally tubular body, flanged at one end, is adapted to receive a screw. The fastener has a polygonal cross-section over a portion of its length. The flange which is located at one end of the tubular body, has an integral spring washer and includes indentations which allow solder to flow from one side of the printed circuit board to the other. The fastener with its integral spring washer provides improved clamping characteristics and avoids problems associated with large coefficients of thermal expansion of printed circuit board material in a direction perpendicular to the board.

Abstract: An electrically insulating fastener having three pre-assembled elements. A nut with a tubular body and an integral spring flange has a disc-shaped spacer attached to the flange. The spacer has a central opening with a cylindrical collar formed around it. A flexible and resilient rubber sleeve is fitted over the collar. The nut, spacer, and sleeve form a unitary fastener which can be used with a headed threaded fastener to make electrical connections through heat sinks of various thicknesses.

Abstract: An insulator used in connecting heat generating electrical components to heat sinks. Fasteners which include insulators of the present invention include flexible engaging means for preassembling an insulating washer portion to a conductive fastener element. The insulators may be made of high performance plastic material or of a coated metal. The fasteners used with the insulators preferably have integral spring washers to maintain thermal conductivity between the components and the associated heat sinks. The insulator preferably have integral bosses which prevent arcing between the conductive fasteners and the heat sinks.

Abstract: The invention includes a method and a fastener for use in attaching articles to printed circuit boards. The fastener, which has a generally tubular body, flanged at one end, is adapted to receive a screw. The fastener has a polygonal cross-section over a portion of its length. The flange which is located at one end of the tubular body, has an integral spring washer and includes indentations which allow solder to flow from one side of the printed circuit board to the other. The fastener with its integral spring washer provides improved clamping characteristics and avoids problems associated with large coefficients of thermal expansion of printed circuit board material in a direction perpendicular to the board.

Abstract: An electrical connector embodying the present invention includes a planar base member having an aperture and a blade receiving portion comprised of a plurality of resilient legs. The legs have concavo-convex surfaces near their free ends which facilitate insertion of a blade connector. Opposing concavo-convex surfaces are biased toward each other. As a result, the connector has a self-cleaning wiping action, and yet allows a blade connector to be installed with low insertion forces.

Abstract: A self-aligning mounting arrangement for aligning a fastener to secure a first workpiece to a second workpiece. The arrangement includes a plurality of bores each of substantially identical cross-sectional area in one of the workpieces. These bores are arranged in a matrix grid pattern having a predetermined grid dimension. The cross-sectional area of each bore is a predetermined fractional part of the average cross-sectional area of the fastener used to secure the two workpieces. The predetermined grid dimension is a predetermined proportion of a cross-sectional dimension of the fastener.