Abstract: A compact fusible disconnect switch device having a reduced switch housing size and increased power density is configured to be face mounted to a panel. A fuse cover assembly allows installation and removal of a fuse without having to open the panel. Line-side and load-side terminals are provided on a common side of the housing. In-line mechanical ganging and simultaneous application is provided for combinations of the compact fusible disconnect switch devices.

Abstract: A thermal overload protection apparatus for protection of an electrical component is disclosed. In one exemplary implementation, such apparatus may comprise a switching element for short-circuiting or disconnecting electrical connections, an actuator apparatus for switching the switching element to a short-circuit or disconnect position, and a tripping element which trips the actuator apparatus on a thermally sensitive basis. In some implementations, the actuator apparatus may be configured to be switched over for activation from an inactive state, in which the switching element cannot be switched by the actuator apparatus, into a trippable state, in which the switching element is capable of being switched by the actuator apparatus. Innovations herein also relate to corresponding arrangements having a conductor track mount, at least one component arranged thereon, and at least one associated overload protection apparatus.

Abstract: The invention relates to an overvoltage protection device having one or more parallel-connected voltage-limiting elements which are located in one physical unit, such as varistors, diodes or means of this type configured in the form of a disc, comprising a shell apparatus in order to electrically disconnect the overvoltage-limiting elements when they are thermally overloaded, and means for indication and/or signalling of the fault state which then occurs, wherein the switching apparatus is connected via a means which can be released thermally, such as adhesive or a solder, to a connecting contact of the at least one overvoltage-limiting element, and/or to an external terminal contact or plug contact. According to the invention, the switching apparatus is in the form of a solid U-shaped switching fork, the fork tines of which run essentially parallel to the side surfaces of the overvoltage-limiting element, holding the latter in the space between the tines.

Abstract: A fusible switch disconnect device includes a housing adapted to receive at least one fuse therein, and switchable contacts for connecting the fuse to circuitry. A tripping mechanism is provided to disconnect the switchable contacts when predetermined circuit conditions occur.

Abstract: An arrangement for releasably securing or connecting together at least two components includes a securing element that interconnects the components and that can be melted, thermally decomposed or otherwise separated by applying heat thereto. The securing element is preferably a monofilament or multifilament thread of natural or synthetic material, such as high strength polymer material. The arrangement further preferably includes a compression bracing structure such as a housing that bears compression forces between the components, while the securing element bears tension forces. The arrangement further preferably includes an electric resistance heating element that can be electrically energized and is arranged to apply heat to the thread, so as to melt or decompose and separate the thread and thereby release and separate the two interconnected components.

Abstract: A circuit protector is connected in a circuit to protect the circuit from overloading. The circuit protector includes a casing inside which first and second terminals electrically connected to the circuit are fixed. A first cantilever member is fixed to the first terminal and has a cantilever arm that assumes a first shape in a normal condition and is convertible into a second shape in an overloading condition. A second member is supported in the casing by a pivot and has one end fixed to the second terminal by a fastener and an opposite end forming a contact engageable with the cantilever arm in the first shape and separable from the cantilever arm in the second shape. The fastener has a low melting point whereby an overloading causes the fastener to melt and break and thus allowing the second member to rotate and separating the contact from the cantilever arm. The second member is biased by a spring to facilitate separation of the contact from the second member when the fastener is broken.

Abstract: Self-shadowed microelectromechanical structures such as self-shadowed bond pads, fuses and compliant members and a method of fabricating self-shadowing microelectromechanical structures that anticipate and accommodate blanket metalization process steps are disclosed. In one embodiment, a self-shadowed bond pad (10) configured for shadowing an exposed end (44A) of a shielded interconnect line (44) connected to the bond pad (10) from undesired metalization during a metalization fabrication process step includes electrically connected overlaying first, second and third bond pad areas (42, 72, 92) patterned from respective first, second and third layers (40, 70, 90) of material deposited on a substrate (20). The exposed end (44A) of the interconnect line (44) abuts an edge of the first bond pad area (42).

Abstract: A fail-safe assembly for an electronic or electrical component, device, system or apparatus with coacting operatively associated contacts has an impact member, normally maintained in a stressed and disengaged portion, and a meltable or fusible member for holding and for actuating the release of the impact member to guard against the danger of fire and damage due to current overload and/or unacceptable increases in the temperature in the current-carrying members for operating the coacting contacts or the ambient temperature for any reason and assures, on melting of the meltable or fusible member, that there are sufficient forces created to open and maintain the coacting contacts in the open position.

Abstract: A quick-break fuse including at least one fuse link formed as a fusible eent, a mechanical actuator operatively connected with the fuse link for disconnecting the same, an energy accumulator for actuating the mechanical actuator, a tripping wire for actuating the energy accumulator and which melts through as a result of transfer of current thereto caused by a voltage drop at a first melting within the fuse link-forming fusible element, and a meltable element connected with the energy accumulator for actuating the same upon being melted by heat generated in response to an excessive current which flows therethrough.

Abstract: A bridge switch consists of a fusible link between two balanced electrical loads connected in parallel. This fusible link stops a movable member from completing a secondary circuit. When that fusible link is destroyed the movable member is allowed to close the electrical contact(s) that will cause power to go to a secondary circuit. When one side of the parallel circuit to which the bridge switch is connected fails causing current to flow through the fusible link at a rate high enough to destroy that link allowing the movable member to activate the secondary circuit and/ or removing power from the primary circuit. More than one bridge switch may be employed in the total circuit where the second bridge switch is connected across two elements of the secondary circuit with the movable member restoring power to the primary parallel circuit without removing it from the secondary parallel circuit. This would then create a third parallel circuit.

Abstract: A thermal fuse which interrupts at least one current path which runs through it when a triggering temperature value is exceeded, with a fuse housing in which at least two thermal fuse elements are arranged and from which at least two connection contacts project for forming at least one current path, where a closed contact segment is bridged in the interior of the housing, via a movement contact when the fuse has not responded, and a fuse element puts spring stress on the movement contact assigned to it, in the contact closing direction, which contact interrupts at least one current path when triggered, characterized in that the fuse housing is formed in a pipe shape and has two holder chambers for insertion of the thermal fuse elements, which are separated from one another by a partition floor which essentially closes off the cross-section of the pipe and that the thermally sensitive elements of at least two thermal fuse elements impact the partition floor.

Abstract: The invention provides an isolating fusible link, in series with a transformer primary circuit breaker device, for producing an isolating gap after an occurrence of a primary fault condition. More particularly, the invention provides an apparatus comprising a power transformer primary circuit breaker device adapted to be electrically connected in a circuit and including a first contact, and a second contact movable out of engagement with the first contact to open the circuit and movable into engagement with the first contact to close the circuit; and a fuse device including a fusible link connected in electrical series with the breaker device, and adapted to fuse upon an overcurrent condition in the circuit, and structure for moving and maintaining the second current out of engagement with the first contact in response to fusing of the fusible link.

Abstract: A filament switching device is arranged to be mounted within the screw base of a conventional, dual-filament, incandescent light bulb. The device has a frame which branches around the evacuation tube of the bulb thereby allowing sufficient room for switching components within the device and yet avoiding interference with the evacuation tube of the bulb. Mounted within the frame of the switching device is a fixed contact and a cantilevered contact. The cantilevered contact can swing in a direction transverse to the evacuation tube to make electrical contact with the fixed contact. The cantilevered contact is held separated from the fixed contact by a fusible conductor. Upon failure of one of the filaments in the bulb a surge of current flows through the fusible conductor, parting it and allowing the cantilevered contact to swing into electrical contact with the fixed contact. This swing of the cantilevered contact substitutes the failed filament with the other filament.

Abstract: A fire extinguishing system is automatically actuated in response to flames from a fire on the upper surface of a stove having a vent hood. A pressurized fire extinguisher includes a lever actuated valve spring biased to the open position and contains a supply of fire extinguishing material. A discharge manifold extends between the valve of the fire extinguisher and a plurality of nozzles which are positioned within the vent hood to distribute the fire extinguishing material over the upper surface of the stove when the valve is released into the open position. A fusible link secures a strut which maintains the valve in a closed position. A fuse extends from an area above the upper surface of the stove to a capsule of gun powder which surrounds the fusible link. A fire in the stove top area ignites the exposed end of the fuse which controllably transfers fire to the capsule of gun powder.