Abstract: A MEMS hysteretic thermal actuator may have a plurality of beams disposed over a heating element formed on the surface of the substrate. The plurality of beams may be coupled to a passive beam which is not disposed over the heating element. One of the plurality of beams may be formed in a first plane parallel to the substrate, whereas another of the plurality of beams may be formed in a second plane closer to the surface of the substrate. When the heating element is activated, it heats the plurality of beams such that they move the passive beam in a trajectory that is neither parallel to nor perpendicular to the surface of the substrate. When the beams are cooled, they may move in a different trajectory, approaching the substrate before moving laterally across it to their initial positions.

Abstract: An electric apparatus (10) according to the present invention comprises electrically separated first and second terminals (14, 13), a first contact (16) that is connected electrically to the first terminal (14) within a casing (11), a second contact (15) that is connected electrically to the second terminal (13) within the casing and an operating member (20) for moving the first and second contacts relative to one another. In the present invention, at least the first contact (16) comprises a first conductive layer (41) with a given thickness including a face that is engageable with the second contact, a second conductive layer (42) that is connected to the first terminal (14), and insulating fiber (43) that is interposed between the first and second layers so that the above-mentioned second contact is engaged in the closing contacts movement by the insulating fiber when it is exposed by wear of the first layer (41) due to opening and closing movements of above mentioned contacts.

Abstract: An electrical apparatus comprising first and second PTC elements composed of a polymer composition with conductive particles dispersed therein, an insulating body, and first and second conductive terminals. Flexible conductive members having a first end that can be electrically connected to a source of electrical power and a second end that is adapted to receive and make electrical contact with the apparatus are provided. The PTC element and the insulating body are positioned between the first and second conductive terminals so that when the apparatus is inserted between the flexible conductive members, the members exert a pressure on the insulating body.

Abstract: An electrical apparatus comprising first and second PTC elements composed of a polymer composition with conductive particles dispersed therein, an insulating body, and first and second conductive terminals. Flexible conductive members having a first end that can be electrically connected to a source of electrical power and a second end that is adapted to receive and make electrical contact with the apparatus are provided. The PTC element and the insulating body are positioned between the first and second conductive terminals so that when the apparatus is inserted between the flexible conductive members, the members exert a pressure on the insulating body.

Abstract: A base body with a big cavity in its center, a frame body encased in the cavity and retained therein by the ends of the shorter legs of the U-shaped contact plates is disclosed. During an overload condition, overheating causes a spring engaging the clipper plate to expand, which frees the frame body from the shorter legs of the contact plates and the frame body is ejected upward by a coil spring inside the frame body. The frame body is detained in the cavity of base body when freed from the shorter legs of the contact plates by engagement between flanges on frame body and the ends of the longer legs of the U-shaped contact plates, and an LED trouble indicator is used to indicate the overload condition.

Abstract: An electrical switch comprising a housing, and spring supported in the housing. The spring is made from resilient, flat material and carries a contact at each end thereof, each contact being adapted to engage a respective counter-contact carried by the housing. Two spring tongues are formed on the spring and are supported on support bearings under stress so that a contact can be snapped out of engagement with the corresponding counter-contact upon actuation of an actuating member which engages the spring. Preferably the actuating member is temperature-sensitive or is connected to a temperature-sensitive member so that the switch may be used as a temperature-sensitive switching element, thermal relay or thermostat.