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: Reactive fuses that contain reactive fuse elements for use in electrical circuits and other applications are provided. In various exemplary embodiments reactive materials and reactive foils are employed to provide a focused, localized heat source which can by used to open or sever a fuse element, or precisely join one or more metallic components. In particular, reactive material can be utilized to open a fuse element in response to the heat generated by a sustained overload current. Alternatively, reactive material may be utilized in the construction of a reactive fuse to join, for example, metallic components to a base fuse element or fuse cap.

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.