Abstract: A power distribution circuit includes a power input in electrical communication with a power input line, a switching circuit electrically connected to the power input line, and an overcurrent protection circuit electrically connected to the power input line. The overcurrent protection circuit includes a discrete silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) circuit, and a pulse qualifier configured and adapted to drive the discrete SCR circuit. A method for controlling a power distribution circuit includes detecting an ON status of at least a switching circuit. A semi-conductor control signal line connects the semi-conductor switch and the voltage command circuit. The method includes detecting an overcurrent status of the switching circuit with an overcurrent detection circuit. The method includes clamping voltage on the semi-conductor control signal line to cause the semi-conductor switch to be turned off.

Abstract: A device comprising a gate pad, a source pad and a passive actuator arranged to form a reversible mechanical and electrical connection between the gate pad and the source pad only if the temperature in the passive actuator exceeds a threshold value.

Abstract: A varistor component and a method for securing a varistor component are disclosed. In an embodiment a varistor component includes a first external contact, a second external contact, a varistor electrically connected to the first external contact, a path between the varistor and the second external contact and an active releasing device having a shutter and a heat sensitive element, wherein, under abnormal operation conditions, the heat sensitive element releases the shutter, and the shutter moves along a straight line and closes the path between the varistor and the second external contact.

Abstract: An overheating destructive switch, which comprises: a base, a first conductive member, a second conductive member, a movable conductive member, an overheating destructive member, an operating component, and a second elastic member. The movable conductive member connects the first conductive member and the second conductive member, and the operating component comprises an operating member and a first elastic member. The first elastic member is compressed and confined between a contact member and the overheating destructive member, and is provided with a first elastic force. A second elastic force of the second elastic member acts on the operating member. The overheating destructive member is destructed under a fail temperature condition, resulting in lessening or loss of the first elastic force, whereupon the second elastic force forces the operating member to displace, which causes the movable conductive member to separate from the second conductive member to form a power-off state.

Abstract: A transient overvoltage protection system to be positioned in parallel with an equipment item to be protected, has at least three lines and includes three conductive branches intended to be connected to the three lines. The first and second conductive branches are equipped with first and second voltage-sensitive protection elements and are able to rise in temperature when the voltage between its terminals is higher than a voltage threshold. A thermally sensitive disconnection device comprising at least one thermofusible element in thermal contact with at least one of the first and second protection elements, is arranged so as to keep the three branches in a connected position, the thermally sensitive disconnection device having an elastic return device exerting a force tending to bring the three conductive branches to a disconnected position.

Abstract: A surge suppression device comprising a voltage sensitive element, heat sensitive materials, terminals, a blocking element and a non-conductive barrier is disclosed. One of the terminals comprises an arm portion, a contact portion and an extension portion extended from the contact portion. The blocking element has a part engaging with the extension portion and another part contacting with the barrier and separating the barrier from the arm portion of the terminal. The device has higher structural stability and sensitivity and is only failed in the event that the voltage sensitive element is failed due to aging or grid fault.

Abstract: A three-phase electric motor of a compressor receives first, second, and third phases from a three-phase power supply. A method for protecting the motor includes, using a line break protector, disconnecting the motor from only the first phase in response to a temperature being greater than a predetermined temperature threshold. The method also includes measuring a first current flowing through the line break protector, and determining a current value based on the first current independent of current in the second and third phases. The method further includes disconnecting the motor from the first, second, and third phases in response to the current value being less than or equal to a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A trip device is disclosed, the device comprising: a power source side heater connected to a power source side of a molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) to receive current; a load side heater connected to a load side of the MCCB to receive the current; and a bimetal including a direct heat unit contacting the power source side heater and an indirect heating unit facing the power source side heater, wherein the bimetal is partially fixed between the power source side heater and the load side heater and is curved when over-current or short-circuited current flows in the MCCB.

Abstract: This current invention is about a switching implement enabled to perform the remote-controlled switching of electric consumers, consisting of multiple electro-mechanical bistable switches, plus at least one actuating element allocated to the bistable switches such that it can selectively change the state of any of the bistable switches from one of its two states to the other and vice versa.

Abstract: A circuit protection device having a warning function includes a casing with a button, a first terminal and a second terminal connected thereto. A resilient bi-metallic plate is connected between the two terminals and bends to be separated from the second terminal when the circuit protection device is overheated. A warning light is located within the button and connected to the first terminal. When a main circuit is connected, no current flows through the warning light which is not activated. When the main circuit is overheated, the bi-metallic plate bends to cut off the main circuit and a connection member on the warning light is in contact with the second terminal to form a circuit to light up the warning light.

Abstract: A power management system and associated method includes provision of local wireless energy control units at remote sites for controlling power delivery to customer loads, and a central station with a wireless transmitter for broadcasting commands to the wireless energy control units. The wireless energy control units each comprise a bank of switches for controlling power delivery to electrical loads at each local site. The controllable switches preferably have a deformable bimetal member controlled by a heated coil for engaging and disengaging electrical contacts. Each wireless energy control unit is capable of being pre-configured so as to specify the order or priority in which electrical loads are disengaged, in response to commands to reduce power consumption received from the central station. The central station issues power reduction commands according to different priority levels or alert stages, causing the local wireless energy units to disengage local loads accordingly.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, thin bodies of plastic, such as sheets or strands, with substantially different thermal coefficients of expansion are laminated together to make plastic bodies which move in response to heat. The movable plastic bodies can be secured to a suitable base to make a variety of devices for amusement, temperature monitoring and display. Applications for amusement include a thermally blooming flower, a solar activated butterfly, and curling hair for a doll. Applications for temperature monitoring include safety lids for drinking cups, sunlight blockers and ventilators.

Abstract: An electrostatic micro switch includes a fixed electrode disposed on a fixed substrate; a movable substrate elastically supported by the fixed substrate, the movable substrate including a movable electrode facing the fixed electrode. The movable substrate includes a semiconductor including a plurality of regions having different values of resistivity and a region of high resistivity is disposed near the movable electrode.

Abstract: A power management system and associated method includes provision of local wireless energy control units at remote sites for controlling power delivery to customer loads, and a central station with a wireless transmitter for broadcasting commands to the wireless energy control units. The wireless energy control units each comprise a bank of switches for controlling power delivery to electrical loads at each local site. The controllable switches preferably have a deformable bimetal member controlled by a heated coil for engaging and disengaging electrical contacts. Each wireless energy control unit is capable of being pre-configured so as to specify the order or priority in which electrical loads are disengaged, in response to commands to reduce power consumption received from the central station. The central station issues power reduction commands according to different priority levels or alert stages, causing the local wireless energy units to disengage local loads accordingly.

Abstract: An electrical receptacle has an outlet and senses the operating temperature and automatically turns off when the temperature rises above a predetermined threshold. The receptacle has a reset button that must be manually operated to enable operation of the outlet to resume.

Abstract: An electrical receptacle senses its operating temperature and automatically turns off when the temperature rises above a predetermined threshold. The receptacle has a button that visually indicates when the receptacle has reached its temperature threshold. After automatically turning off, the receptacle remains permanently non-conducting.

Abstract: A power management system and associated method includes provision of local wireless energy control units at remote sites for controlling power delivery to customer loads, and a central station with a wireless transmitter for broadcasting commands to the wireless energy control units. The wireless energy control units each comprise a bank of switches for controlling power delivery to electrical loads at each local site. The controllable switches preferably have a deformable bimetal member controlled by a heated coil for engaging and disengaging electrical contacts. Each wireless energy control unit is capable of being pre-configured so as to specify the order or priority in which electrical loads are disengaged, in response to commands to reduce power consumption received from the central station. The central station issues power reduction commands according to different priority levels or alert stages, causing the local wireless energy units to disengage local loads accordingly.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, thin bodies of plastic, such as sheets or strands, with substantially different thermal coefficients of expansion are laminated together to make plastic bodies which move in response to heat. The movable plastic bodies can be secured to a suitable base to make a variety of devices for amusement, temperature monitoring and display. Applications for amusement include a thermally blooming flower, a solar activated butterfly, and curling hair for a doll. Applications for temperature monitoring include safety lids for drinking cups, sunlight blockers and ventilators.

Abstract: Devices capable of protecting electronic components during the occurrence of a disturbance event using printed circuit board manufacturing techniques. A three (3) layer structure is formed comprising a polymer-based formulation sandwiched between two electrode layers. The devices can be manufactured in panel form providing high quantities of devices which can be removed from the panel and applied directly to the component to be protected. Desired patterns can be formed on either one of the electrode layers by photo-etch techniques thereby providing a process that can be tailored to a large number of applications.

Abstract: A bistable structure provided by the invention is characterized as including a deflection element that has mechanically constrained end points and a compliant span between the end points that is substantially free to deflect between two stable positions when a force is applied at a point along the span. The deflection element span is provided, as-fabricated, curved in one of the two stable positions and in a mechanically unstressed condition along the length of the span. The as-fabricated curve of the deflection element span includes a curve maxima at a point along the span length that is at least about ¼ of the span length from the end points of the span. The deflection element span is constrained to substantially prohibit development of a second bending mode that is characteristic for the span as the element deflects between the two stable positions.

Abstract: A power management system and associated method therefore includes a plurality of local wireless energy control units at remote sites for controlling power delivery to customer loads, and a central station with a wireless transmitter for broadcasting commands to the wireless energy control units. The wireless energy control units each comprise a bank of switches for controlling power delivery to electrical loads at each local site. The controllable switches preferably have a deformable bimetal member controlled by a heated coil for engaging and disengaging electrical contacts. Each wireless energy control unit is capable of being pre-configured so as to specify the order or priority in which electrical loads are disengaged, in response to commands to reduce power consumption received from the central station. The central station may issue power reduction commands according to different priority levels or alert stages.

Abstract: Devices capable of protecting electronic components during the occurrence of a disturbance event using printed circuit board manufacturing techniques. A three (3) layer structure is formed comprising a polymer-based formulation sandwiched between two electrode layers. The devices can be manufactured in panel form providing high quantities of devices which can be removed from the panel and applied directly to the component to be protected. Desired patterns can be formed on either one of the electrode layers by photo-etch techniques thereby providing a process that can be tailored to a large number of applications.

Abstract: A heater element for use in a circuit breaker whose initial shape can be varied to achieve various trip ratings for different circuit breakers. The material composition of the heater element and the bimetal strip indirectly heated by the heater element are kept the same. The electrical resistance presented to current passed through the heater element is varied by varying the shape of the heater element. The shape of one heater element relative to another heater element varies according to one geometric parameter. The geometric parameter may be surface geometry, thickness, or cross-sectional area.

Abstract: An apparatus for a thermal actuator for a micromechanical device, especially a liquid drop emitter such as an ink jet printhead, is disclosed. The disclosed thermal actuator comprises a base element and a cantilevered element extending from the base element and normally residing at a first position before activation. The cantilevered element includes a first layer constructed of an electrically resistive material, such as titanium aluminide, patterned to have a first resistor segment and a second resistor segment each extending from the base element; a coupling device that conducts electrical current serially between the first and second resistor segments; and a second layer constructed of a dielectric material having a low coefficient of thermal expansion and attached to the first layer.

Abstract: A protection apparatus for storage battery for storing and feeding power comprises an anomaly detection unit for detecting an anomalous state in at least one of the voltage, a current flow, and the frequency in at least one of an input power and an output power of the storage battery, the temperature and the pressure in the storage battery, and an external force applied to the storage battery, and a short-circuit unit for shorting both electrodes of the storage battery when an anomaly is detected in at least one of the input power, the output power, and the storage battery.

Abstract: A calibrated bimetallic actuator has contoured areas having either raised or recessed generally annular shaped forms about the locations thereon where the actuator is affixed in assembled position on associated electronic components or other devices or where a contact is affixed to the actuator to prevent loss of calibration by restricting transfer of force stresses in the bimetallic actuator during manufacture and assembly thereof into the associated components or devices. The action of the contoured areas on the actuator enables fabrication and assembly of miniaturized electronic components using bimetallic actuators for use in many applications.

Abstract: A micrometer sized, single-stage, horizontal and vertical thermal actuator capable of repeatable and rapid movement of a micrometer-sized optical device off the surface of a substrate. The horizontal and vertical thermal actuator is constructed on a surface of a substrate. At least one hot arm has a first end anchored to the surface and a free end located above the surface. A cold arm has a first end anchored to the surface and a free end. The cold arm is located above and laterally offset from the hot arm relative to the surface. The cold arm is adapted to provide controlled bending near the first end thereof. A member mechanically and electrically couples the free ends of the hot and cold arms such that the actuator exhibits horizontal and vertical displacement when current is applied to at least the hot arm.

Abstract: A thermal actuator for micro mechanical or micro electro-mechanical devices, the actuator comprising a supporting substrate, an actuator extension portion, a first arm attached at a first end thereof to the substrate and at a second end to the extension portion, the first arm being arranged, in use, to be conductively heatable, a second arm attached at a first end to the supporting substrate and at a second end to the extension portion, the second arm being spaced apart from the first arm, the first arm being arranged, in use, to undergo thermal expansion, thereby causing the actuator to apply a force to the extension portion, and wherein the first arm comprises at least one heat sink element substantially at a point of maximum heating of the first arm, being the point where, in use, maximum heating of the first arm would occur.

Abstract: A thermal overload relay includes an inversion operation mechanism that is driven by a releasing lever to open or close a contact. The inversion operation mechanism includes a movable plate supported at one end so as to be inverted, and a tension spring for driving the movable plate for inversion. The releasing lever presses a middle of a wire of the tension spring to drive the movable plate for inversion. A projection is formed in the middle of the wire of the tension spring to contact with the releasing lever. Thus, a stable inversion operation can be made regardless of the positioning of an adjustment dial.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microswitch containing conductors located on a first level and conductors located on a second level, where the conductors on the first level are supported by a deformable element which can switch by means of an actuator with a bimetallic effect, and where the effect of this switching is that the gap between the conductors on the first level and the conductors on the second level is modified, characterised in that the actuator with a bimetallic effect consists of resistors in close and localised contact with the deformable element, and in that the resistors are capable, when traversed by an electric control current, of expanding sufficiently under the effect of the heat produced by the passage of the electric command current to cause, by the bimetallic effect, the deformable element to trigger before the heat produced in the resistors has been able to propagate into the deformable element.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermal bend actuator 7 including: a first anchor portion 9 for securing to a fixed substrate 2; a first thermally conductive active beam member 10 secured at a proximal end to said first anchor portion 9 and extending to a movable distal end; a second beam member 12 similarly anchored at a proximal end to said first anchor portion 9 so as to extend parallel to said first active beam member 10, each of said first and second beam members being directly or indirectly interconnected at their respective proximal ends remote said first anchor portion 9; wherein said first thermally conductive active beam member 10 is configured to define a labyrinthine conductive pathway 14 having a combined effective length in a direction extending between said fixed proximal end and said movable distal end that exceeds twice the effective direct linear path therebetween.

Abstract: A coaxial surge protector includes a housing in which is situated a transmission line in the form of a two-sided printed circuit board. The surge protector includes input and output signal connectors mounted on a housing and connected to the transmission line, and a gas discharge tube electrically coupled between the transmission line and circuit ground. A thermally activated shunt assembly is thermally coupled to the gas discharge tube and senses when the gas discharge tube is in an overheating condition. Upon such condition, the shunt assembly provides an electrically conductive shunt in parallel with the gas discharge tube to divert current flowing through the gas discharge tube to flow through the shunt assembly to ground in order to minimize further overheating of the gas discharge tube.

Abstract: Thermal triggering apparatus, for a protection device featuring an electrically conductive bimetallic strip and a plate of thickness (e) which supports the bimetallic strip. The bimetallic strip has a first end free that is capable of deforming and a second end or foot which is fitted into a cavity in the plate characterised in that the foot of the bimetallic strip passes through the cavity so that it protrudes below the bottom face of the plate by a length (a) that easily exceeds the thickness (e) of the plate, and the protruding part of the foot has an electrical connection point linked to a conductive part so as to form the direct heating element of the bimetallic strip.

Abstract: A new Automatic Thermal Shut-Off Switch for preventing heat damage to a high pressure low volume water pump. The inventive device includes a T-shaped housing having a longitudinal cavity, a bimetallic compression spring within the cavity, a disc within cavity on top of the spring, a pin orthogonally secured to the disc, a first contact, and a second contact electrically in contact. The housing is positioned within an unused port within a pump housing and conducts the heat produced by the pump. The conducted heat expands the spring thereby forcing the pin upwardly to separate the first contact from electrically contact with the second contact.

Abstract: A receptacle including a casing to hold a positive contact metal plate, a negative contact metal plate, which is connected to the negative terminal of power supply, and a ground plate, a T-shaped copper plate mounted inside the casing and connected to the positive terminal of power supply, a bimetal strip connected to the positive contact metal plate and disposed in contact with the T-shaped copper plate, an insulative member turned about a post inside the casing and supported on a spring, and a press button mounted on the outside of the casing, wherein when the press button is depressed, the bimetal strip is forced away from the T-shaped copper plate by the insulative member to cut off power supply; when the receptacle is electrically overloaded, the bimetal strip is heated to deform and to disconnect from the T-shaped copper plate to cut off power supply.

Abstract: In a circuit breaker having a thermal-magnetic trip, the voltage across the bimetal is used to sense load currents. This voltage signal representative of current through the bimetal can be used as an input to an arcing fault detector. The signal is converted to a bandwidth limited di/dt signal. If the magnitude of the di/dt signal exceeds a threshold indicative of the onset of an arc a predetermined number of times within a given interval, the circuit breaker is tripped. The voltage across the bimetal can also be used in other devices requiring a measure of load current such as, for example, a meter or an overcurrent alarm.

Abstract: A monolithic micromachined temperature switch obviates the necessity of assembling discrete components and also allows the temperature switch to be disposed in a relatively small package. In one embodiment of the invention, the temperature switch includes a bimetallic element operatively coupled to a pair of electrical contacts. In order to minimize contact wear due to contact arcing, a biasing force such as an electrostatic force is applied to the switch which provides snap action of the electrical contacts in both the opening and closing directions which enables the temperature set point to be adjusted by varying electrostatic force biasing voltage. In an alternate embodiment of the invention, the biasing force for providing the snap action effect can be eliminated by substituting the movable contacts with a field effect transistor with a movably mounted gate terminal.

Abstract: A surge absorber in which a thermal response switch is inserted in an input line at the input side of a surge absorbing element. The switch includes a conductive spring piece and a conductive hook piece. The base end of the conductive spring piece is fixed on either the first lead or the second leads and the tip of the conductive spring piece is provided with a pawl. The base end of the conductive hook piece is fixed on either the first lead or the second leads and the tip of the conductive hook piece is engaged with the pawl. At least one of the conductive spring piece and the conductive hook piece is made of a thermal response piece. Upon stopping of the applied continuous overvoltages or overcurrents, the switch can automatically be restored depending on an extent of the overcurrent by a manual operation.

Abstract: A surge absorber including a surge absorbing element for protecting communication equipment from transient surges and a thermal response switch with an automatic restoration function connected in parallel with the surge absorbing element. The inventive surge absorber prevents abnormal and deleterious heating of the surge absorbing element when continuous overvoltages or overcurrents are applied to the surge absorber.

Abstract: A device for isolating an arrester has first and second electrical terminals mechanically and electrically coupled together. The electrical connection includes a mechanism for automatically interrupting the electrical connection and creating a spark gap. A gas generating device is provided for physically and electrically separating the first and second terminals subsequent to creation of a spark.

Abstract: An extended life incandescent lamp which employs thermal, voltage, or radiation activated differential switching to substitute a series-connected reserve filament for an inoperative primary filament without increasing the normal in-rush current.

Abstract: A metal oxide varistor (MOV) is directly electrically connected between a line conductor and ground to dissipate the energy associated with voltage surges appearing on the line conductor. A thermostatic switch, in the form of a resilient arm held in electrical connection with one of the MOV electrodes by low melting point solder, opens in response to a failing MOV to insert a spark gap electrically in series with the MOV. Overvoltage protection is thus maintained, albeit limited to higher level voltage surges.