Abstract: An electronic implement adapted for use in a circuit, and including a shape memory element, such as a shape memory alloy wire, wherein the element, when activated and/or deactivated, is operable to open, close, or otherwise modify at least one characteristic of the circuit.

Abstract: An electrical switching device employs an actuator mechanism formed of a shape memory alloy (SMA). The electrical switching device includes a housing, at least one non-actuated electrical contact supported in the housing, and an actuator assembly contained within the housing. The actuator assembly includes a movable contact for engaging the non-actuated electrical contact and an actuator formed of a shape memory alloy (SMA). Application of a first electrical current to the actuator causes the actuator to move the movable contact to either engage or disengage the non-actuated electrical contact.

Abstract: A self-recovering current-limiting device with a liquid metal includes two T-shaped electrodes for connection to an electric circuit to be protected. Each of the electrodes are made of a solid metal. Several compressor cavities which are partially filled with the liquid metal are situated one behind the other between the electrodes. The compressor cavities are formed by pressure-proof insulating bodies and by insulating intermediate walls which are provided with connecting channels and which are held by the insulating bodies. The insulating bodies and the intermediate walls form a uniform upper and lower half shell with opposite-lying joining surfaces. The half shells are connected in a sealed manner along joining surfaces in the area of a common middle plane of the connecting channels. Up to half of each of the electrodes is accommodated in corresponding recesses of the half shells, the electrodes extending with their respective middle limb out of the half shells.

Abstract: A self-recovering current-limiting device having liquid metal includes solid metal electrodes for connecting to an external electric circuit to be protected. A plurality of compression spaces which are partially filled with liquid metal are arranged one behind the other between the electrodes and are formed by pressure-resistant insulating bodies and by insulating partitioning walls having connecting channels. An enclosing insulating shaped housing is provided having a trough-like bottom part and a cover that tightly closes the bottom part via a non-positive and/or positive connecting device. The partitioning walls and the bottom part are interconnected as one piece. The connecting channels are configured as longitudinal holes which are open at the top. The electrodes are mounted in the bottom part. The nominal current range of the device may be easily adjusted.

Abstract: A self-regenerating current limiter with liquid metal includes solid metal electrodes for connection of the current limiter to an electric circuit to be protected. A plurality of compression chambers that are partially filled with liquid metal are located one behind the other between the electrodes. The compression chambers are formed by compression-proof insulating bodies and insulating partition walls that have communicating channels and that are supported by the insulating bodies. Non-conductive ceramic disks are mounted on the inner surfaces of the electrodes. The disks are located opposite the communicating channels of the adjacent partition walls.

Abstract: A temperature operated switch construction, terminal block therefor and methods of making the same are provided, the switch construction comprising a housing, a movable switch arm carried in the housing, a temperature actuated unit disposed in the housing and being operatively interconnected to the switch arm to cause movement of the arm between operating positions thereof in relation to the temperature being sensed by the temperature actuated unit, the housing comprising a main part and a removable terminal block carried by the main part, the terminal block carrying a switch unit that is operatively associated with the switch arm so that the switch unit is in a first condition thereof when the switch arm is in a first operating position thereof and the switch unit is in a second condition thereof when the switch arm is in a second operating position thereof, the switch unit comprising a reed switch and the switch arm carrying a magnet for operating the reed switch to the conditions thereof as the switch arm

Abstract: A temperature operated switch construction, terminal block therefor and methods of making the same are provided, the switch construction comprising a housing, a movable switch arm carried in the housing, a temperature actuated unit disposed in the housing and being operatively interconnected to the switch arm to cause movement of the arm between operating positions thereof in relation to the temperature being sensed by the temperature actuated unit, the housing comprising a main part and a removable terminal block carried by the main part, the terminal block carrying a switch unit that is operatively associated with the switch arm so that the switch unit is in a first condition thereof when the switch arm is in a first operating position thereof and the switch unit is in a second condition thereof when the switch arm is in a second operating position thereof, the switch unit comprising a reed switch and the switch arm carrying a magnet for operating the reed switch to the conditions thereof as the switch arm

Abstract: A temperature operated switch construction, terminal block therefor and methods of making the same are provided, the switch construction comprising a housing, a movable switch arm carried in the housing, a temperature actuated unit disposed in the housing and being operatively interconnected to the switch arm to cause movement of the arm between operating positions thereof in relation to the temperature being sensed by the temperature actuated unit, the housing comprising a main part and a removable terminal block carried by the main part, the terminal block carrying a switch unit that is operatively associated with the switch arm so that the switch unit is in a first condition thereof when the switch arm is in a first operating position thereof and the switch unit is in a second condition thereof when the switch arm is in a second operating position thereof, the switch unit comprising a reed switch and the switch arm carrying a magnet for operating the reed switch to the conditions thereof as the switch arm

Abstract: A temperature operated switch construction, terminal block therefor and methods of making the same are provided, the switch construction comprising a housing, a movable switch arm carried in the housing, a temperature actuated unit disposed in the housing and being operatively interconnected to the switch arm to cause movement of the arm beneath operating positions thereof in relation to the temperature being sensed by the temperature actuated unit, the housing comprising a main part and a removable terminal block carried by the main part, the terminal block carrying a switch unit that is operatively associated with the switch arm so that the switch unit is in a first condition thereof when the switch arm is in a first operating position thereof and the switch unit is in a second condition thereof when the switch arm is in a second operating position thereof, the switch unit comprising a reed switch and the switch arm carrying a magnet for operating the reed switch to the conditions thereof as the switch arm

Abstract: It has been discovered that electrically conducting, vitreous pyrolytic carbon in broken-bubble, foam-type, reticulated structures can be used as an extremely fast and efficient electrically operated motor to actuate mechanical devices, such as mercury liquid contact relays, by electrothermally-produced gas expansion. The gas pressure change is produced evenly and almost instantaneously throughout the volume of the reticular motor to move mercury contacts, to open or close a liquid contact relay, thus avoiding the expensive electromagnetic coils now used as relay motors.By passing an electrical current through conducting reticulated material formed from pyrolytic carbon, metals, conductive ceramics or plastics, the microscopic network of interconnecting filaments is heated, thus heating and expanding the fluid (air, hydrogen, helium, argon, etc.) contained in the reticular motor.

Abstract: A thermal cut-off fuse of a self-restoring type, which breaks the electric continuity between a pair of lead wires in response to melting and voluminal expansion of a temperature-sensitive member upon rise of the ambient temperature to a prescribed temperature and, in response to restoration of spring means upon fall of the ambient temperature below the prescribed temperature, reestablishes the electric continuity between the pair of lead wires.

Abstract: A current limiting device includes a duct containing a current-limiting material therein which serves to interconnect two spaced terminals but which is evaporable when subjected to an over-current flowing through the material between the terminals. The wall forming this duct includes a region made from a highly-temperature-resistant material which has a relatively small cross-section that connects with another region of the duct having a larger cross-section, and the wall part forming the region of smaller cross-section is surrounded by a resistor member connected electrically in parallel with the current-limiting material disposed therein and which has a resistance value such that the current-limiting material is relieved of current following onset of an over-current condition.