Abstract: In aspects of the disclosure, a fuel cartridge wherein the fuel is in a powdered form is admixed with inert materials such as alumina or other ceramics to improve thermal conductivity. Said cartridge having fuel zones, heating zones, and controllers to selectively heat fuel zones and thereby generate hydrogen via decomposition of fuel is disclosed.

Abstract: A discharge gap device which is provided between an antenna input terminal or a secondary side earth and a commercial power source, or between the power lines of a commercial power source as a ground discharge countermeasure for electrical equipments such as a television set, a video cassette recorder, and a television and video compound device. The discharge gap device functions only as a discharge gap unit and has two conductors. Normally, the conductors are not electrically connected to each other, and upon application of over-voltage, discharge occurs between the conductors; that is, the conductors are electrically connected to each other.

Abstract: A vent-safe protector for a telecommunications gas tube (102) includes two electrodes (108,140) (150',140) separated by a non-linear resistive material (134). Each electrode is connected to a gas tube protector terminal (108, 142) to provide an alternate discharge path if the gas tube (102) fails. The non-linear resistive material (134) is substantially non-conductive when the electrical potential between the electrodes is less than the material's breakdown voltage V.sub.B. Above that voltage it becomes conductive and supports a plasma discharge therethrough, effecting a sudden increase in conductivity between the electrodes for discharging high energy potentials with a voltage foldback functionally analogous to the foldback behavior of the gas tube protector.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, it comprises a fireproof enclosure having a first and a second electrical terminal. The first electrical terminal is coupled to an electrical contact internal the fireproof enclosure. An actuating member is provided in the trip mechanism. A first end is inside the mechanism, while a second end extends outside. The actuator member is biased to have the first end in contact to the electrical contact at a first position. The first end has a bimetallic latch coupled thereto. The bimetallic latch comprises a contact portion at the point of coupling to the first end and a first and second wing portion extending from the contact portion. Ledges are disposed on the interior of the trip mechanism. The wing portions engage the ledges to hold the actuator member at a second position. The second position establishes a gap between the electrical contact and the contact portion of the bimetallic latch.

Abstract: A lightning arrester including a metallic enclosure with an opening, a first electrode of electrically conducting metal traversing the enclosure opening and having a first discharge surface within the enclosure, a plug of electrically insulating material placed about the first electrode to hermetically seal the enclosure opening, and an inert gas mixture filling the enclosure. The first electrode has a thin long cylindrical portion and a flat end portion, like a nailhead, which provides the first discharge surface. Portions of the enclosure provide a second electrode having a second discharge surface within the enclosure which faces the first discharge surface, with a predetermined gap therebetween. The long thin portion of the first electrode within the enclosure is surrounded by a sleeve composed of a fusible, electrically and thermally conducting material.

Abstract: A clip-on protection device for use with an over-voltage protector to protect sensitive apparatus including telephones. The device comprises a housing in which is disposed in electrically insulated spaced array, electrical contact means and head conduction means. Each one of these means is formed with fingers that extend from the housing. Movable elements are disposed within the housing. These movable elements include fusible spacers. The housing clips onto the over-voltage protector with the fingers engaging the respective electrodes thereof. A sustained overload condition causes the fusible spacers to fuse whereupon the movable elements operate to short the electrical contact means to ground.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are gas tube arrestor configurations employing multiple-function fail-safe elements which coact with the gas tube arrestor to define both a fusible path for fail-safe shorting and grounding of the arrestor in the event of certain forms of excessive overloads, as well as ionization gaps to provide backup overvoltage protection in the event of gas tube failure. In the illustrated embodiments, annular fusible rings are coaxially coupled to the gas tube housing in such a way as to provide, when fused, a short circuit connection between electrodes, the fusible rings also including pole face sections for defining an ionizable gap which functions as a backup air gap protector should the gas tube fail, e.g. because of a gas leak.Novel modular arrangements embodying the foregoing for use in central office and residential applications are also illustrated.

Abstract: A station protector is used in protecting pairs of telephone lines at a station from high voltages or surge currents occurring on the telephone lines and includes a base assembly having an upstanding wall at one end, an arrester mounting section adjacent the opposite end, and a pair of line terminals and a ground terminal disposed between the wall and the arrester mounting section. A removable ground clip assembly is disposed in the arrester mounting section so that a three-electrode gas tube arrester having a line electrode at each end of the tube and a ground electrode therebetween can be mounted on the base assembly to provide protection for the telephone lines. The ground clip assembly contains movable contact assemblies insertable into each of a pair of cavities located in the arrester mounting section and resiliently biased so that a contact rod portion in the contact assembly is normally coupled to the ground terminal.

Abstract: A line protector includes a body having first and second end terminals and an intermediate terminal for connection to a ground potential. End caps are mounted on the end terminals and have peripheral edges maintained spaced from the intermediate terminal by means of a displaceable element responsive to excessive currents in the line being protected. High currents will cause the end caps to move toward the intermediate terminal and provide a short circuit therewith to ground to protect telephone equipment connected thereto. The intermediate terminal is mounted in a clip which has centering means formed therein to maintain the mechanical and electrical spacing of the intermediate terminal with respect to the end caps equal to one another. The protector assembly is mounted with a standard housing and base structure to be interchangeable with existing central office plug-in protectors.