With Fuse Link Attaching Support Or Securing Means Patents (Class 337/231)
  • Patent number: 11355298
    Abstract: A method of assembly of an open-cavity, wire-in-air fuse which provides improved manufacturing yield and fuse reliability, involving coiling, braiding or twisting a fusible element around a sacrificial member during the manufacturing process to provide support for the fusible element to prevent mechanical breakages and necking problems commonly encountered during manufacture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Littelfuse, Inc.
    Inventors: Albert Enriquez, Victor Oliver Tabell, Lily Rosios
  • Patent number: 11114266
    Abstract: A sub-structure element support system is disclosed. The sub-structure element support system includes a novel molded structure designed to support an electrical element, such as a fuse. The molded structure is a protective and insulative sleeve for the electrical element and reduces forces on the electrical element during free-fall and operation conditions. The molded structure also facilitates automation during manufacturing and reduces cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Littelfuse, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott Faust
  • Patent number: 10957643
    Abstract: A semiconductor device including an electrically programmable fuse includes a substrate, a first electrode on the substrate, dielectric material on the first electrode, one or more second electrodes including a conductive material disposed on the first electrode between portions of the dielectric material, and one or more voids encapsulated by the conductive material such that the one or more voids have boundaries defined in part by portions of the conductive material corresponding to fuse links disposed between the one or more voids and the dielectric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Juntao Li, Chih-Chao Yang
  • Patent number: 10446354
    Abstract: Provided herein are protection devices, such as fuses, including a coiled fusible element. In some embodiments, a fuse includes a body including a center portion extending between a first end and a second end, and a first endcap surrounding the first end and a second endcap surrounding the second end. The fuse may further include a fusible element disposed within a central cavity of the body, wherein the fusible element includes a first coil disposed within the first endcap and a second coil disposed within the second endcap. The fusible element further includes a central wire extending diagonally between the first and second coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: LITTELFUSE, INC.
    Inventors: Maria Lily E. Rosios, Marko Arciaga, Hilda Hidalgo
  • Patent number: 9761402
    Abstract: A fuse includes a fuse element and a fuse body. A portion of the fuse element is housed in a fuse body. The fuse element includes a first terminal and a second terminal disposed outside of the fuse body. The first terminal and the second terminal electrically connects the fuse element to a circuit to be protected and a power source. A first endbell and a second endbell is coupled to the fuse element. A predetermined amount of arc quenching material is disposed within the fuse body. The arc quenching material contacts at least a portion of the fuse element. The predetermined amount of the arc quenching material is less than a total volume size of the fuse tube. The arc quenching material is compacted. A remaining air gap in the fuse tube is filled with a liquid adhesive and cured to a solid state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Littelfuse, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Schlaak, Gregory Stumpo, Ken Venhaus, Derek Lasini
  • Patent number: 9117615
    Abstract: An improved fusible element for use within a circuit protection device is provided which includes a double wound fusible element configured to withstand high surge current associated with inductive and capacitive loads. The fusible element includes an insulated core having a longitudinal axis, a first wire wound about the core along the longitudinal axis of the core, and a second wire wound substantially orthogonally about a longitudinal axis of the first wire such that the fusible element is configured to withstand an over-current surge condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: LITTLEFUSE, INC.
    Inventors: Bienvenido Salonga, Francisco De Guia, Alvin Salvador
  • Publication number: 20140240082
    Abstract: An improved fuse element for use in a circuit protection fuse. The fuse element may include an insulating substrate portion and a conductive metallic portion disposed on at least one surface of the insulating substrate portion, wherein the metallic portion extends along, and is in continuous, intimate contact with the substrate portion. When the metallic portion melts and separates upon the occurrence of an overcurrent condition, the substrate portion bridges the resulting gap that is formed in the metallic portion and provides electrical arc suppression therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: LITTELFUSE, INC.
    Inventors: Ben Zheng, Style Liu, Marko Arciaga, Anthony Minervini
  • Patent number: 8581686
    Abstract: A reflowable thermal fuse includes a conduction element with first and second ends, disposed within a housing. The reflowable thermal fuse also includes an elastic element disposed within the housing and adapted to apply force on the conduction element in an activated state of the reflowable thermal fuse. A restraining element is utilized to secure the elastic element and prevent the elastic element from applying force on the conduction element in an installation state of the reflowable thermal fuse. Application of an activating current through the restraining element causes the restraining element to break and thereby release the elastic element and place the reflowable thermal fuse in the activated state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew P. Galla, Jianhua Chen, Martyn A. Mattheisen
  • Patent number: 8188627
    Abstract: A temperature protection device for a brushless DC Motor, wherein a thermal fusing type protector is provided at a depression formed on a casing of the plastic-packaged brushless DC Motor. In this way, the thermal fusing type protector can be provided conveniently at a position where the casing temperature is highest after plastic packaging, and if the protector is fused due to high temperature, it can be replaced easily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignees: Panasonic Corporation, Panasonic Ecology Systems Guangdong Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Decong Yang, Zewei Rao, Hanzhong Zhou, Zhengnan Zeng, Shufeng Shi, Hitoshi Taya
  • Publication number: 20100245022
    Abstract: A reflowable thermal fuse includes a conduction element with first and second ends, disposed within a housing. The reflowable thermal fuse also includes an elastic element disposed within the housing and adapted to apply force on the conduction element in an activated state of the reflowable thermal fuse. A restraining element is utilized to secure the elastic element and prevent the elastic element from applying force on the conduction element in an installation state of the reflowable thermal fuse. Application of an activating current through the restraining element causes the restraining element to break and thereby release the elastic element and place the reflowable thermal fuse in the activated state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew P. Galla, Jianhua Chen, Martyn A. Matthiesen
  • Publication number: 20100148914
    Abstract: Radial fuses for protecting an electrical circuit include a nonconductive base provided with inverted flat faces sloped obliquely relative to one another that define a wider receiving area for installation of a fuse element. Restricted freedom of movement of the fuse element is accomplished, and greater fuse reliability is ensured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: Essie Rahdar, Seong Kook Kim
  • Patent number: 7696854
    Abstract: A heavy current coupling that includes an electrically conductive elastic fastening and fuse element supported by the housing. The fastening and fuse element is configured to electrically connect first and second contacts, with the first and second contacts being spaced from one another. Wherein the fastening and fuse element burns through when a predetermined maximum current is exceeded, thereby interrupting the electrical connection between the first and second contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Amphenol Tuchel Electronics GmbH
    Inventors: Henning Rittstieg, Wolfgang Langhoff
  • Publication number: 20090079533
    Abstract: A mounting assembly couples a current limiting fuse to an element that defines a longitudinal axis. The mounting assembly includes a mounting member on the element; a first attachment member coupled to the mounting member in a fixed position relative to the mounting member; and a second attachment member coupleable to the current limiting fuse. The first and second attachment members are configured to be attached to one another in a plurality of discreet positions about an axis that is non-parallel to the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Applicant: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: FRANK J. MUENCH, JR., ALLEN LEROY JOHNSON, GORDON THOMAS BORCK, RUSSELL JOHN LENZ
  • Patent number: 7489229
    Abstract: A fuse component includes an electrically insulating substrate having a top surface, a thick film fuse element applied to the top surface and a cover layer. The cover layer is made of an electrically insulating material having good caloric conductivity. The cover layer can be directly applied to the thick film fuse element and the adjoining zones of the top surface of the substrate. The cover layer can contain a glass having a specific caloric conductivity of >2 W/mK. The cover layer can have a window disposed above a section of the fuse element, the section of the fuse element located within the window being at least partially covered by a solder containing layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Wickmann-Werke GmbH
    Inventors: André Jöllenbeck, Uwe Röder, Andreas Baus
  • Publication number: 20080143471
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a fuse assembly, which includes a main body, two metal legs, a meltable rod having its both ends being connected by inner ends of the metal legs respectively, and a cover. A thin tin layer is connected tightly between the inner end of the metal leg and the rod without any space. The fuse assembly then obtains a perfect electrical connection. It cab be used on any electrical product with a high effective and stable function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventor: Chun-Chang Yen
  • Patent number: 7248141
    Abstract: In order to provide a current fuse with high solderability without containing harmful materials, solder chips containing 30 to 60 percent by weight of zinc, 0.1 to 2 percent by weight of copper, 0.1 to 1 percent by weight of nickel, and the remainder percent by weight being tin, or further containing 0.01 to 0.5 percent by weight of aluminum are inserted into the interior of the electrodes before pressing the electrodes into the ends of the substrate of the fuse, the exterior of the electrodes is heated to melt the solder chips, thereby connecting between the electrodes and the fuse wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Koa Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Satoru Kobayashi, Kazuyuki Kato
  • Patent number: 7231708
    Abstract: In a method for marking a fuse in order to allow for the rapid visual identification of certain characteristics of that fuse, the fuse is provided with: a first color-coded visual indicia indicative of an amperage rating of the fuse; a second color-coded visual indicia indicative of an action value of the fuse; and/or a third color-coded visual indicia indicative of a voltage rating of the fuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Inventors: R. Dennis Chandler, Raymond Leblond
  • Patent number: 6798330
    Abstract: A miniature fuse of surface mount type having a stable pre-arcing time-current characteristic and a strong time lag characteristic The fuse is easy to produce, and provides a constant pre-arcing time. The main body of the fuse is of rectangular ceramic construction of split type. A fusible member (60) wound around a ceramic rod (58) and is rested on a recessed portion (62) of the lower ceramic casing (54). The end portion (76) of the fusible member (60) is engaged with the side surface of the casing. The upper ceramic casing (52) is laid on the lower casing, so that the caps (56) are fit onto the opposite ends of the main body. The end portion (76) of the fusible member (60) and the cap (56) are connected by welding. At the time of welding, projections (74) to be fit in the recessed portions (72) provided at the main body, is formed at the cap (56), so that the cap (56) can be fixed to the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: SOC Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroo Arikawa, Koh Ishimura, Seiji Norisue
  • Publication number: 20040169578
    Abstract: A fuse component includes an electrically insulating substrate having a top surface, a thick film fuse element applied to the top surface and a cover layer. The cover layer is made of an electrically insulating material having good caloric conductivity. The cover layer can be directly applied to the thick film fuse element and the adjoining zones of the top surface of the substrate. The cover layer can contain a glass having a specific caloric conductivity of >2 W/mK. The cover layer can have a window disposed above a section of the fuse element, the section of the fuse element located within the window being at least partially covered by a solder containing layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2004
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventors: Andre Jollenbeck, Uwe Roder, Andreas Baus
  • Patent number: 6734780
    Abstract: A fuse assembly 1 including a pair of terminals 2 which are arranged in parallel to each other, a housing 4 having a cavity 20 for containing one end portions 3a of the terminals, and a fusible body 5 interconnecting the terminals 2. The fusible body 5 consists of a pair of supporting portions 39 connected to end faces 8 of the terminals 2, and a connecting portion 40 interconnecting the supporting portions 39. The fuse assembly 1 further includes anchoring parts 30 for fixing the fusible body 5 to the housing 4 and second anchoring parts 31 for fixing the terminals 2 to the housing 4. The anchoring parts 30 include through holes 45 formed in the supporting portions 39, and projections 46 projected from an inner face 17 of the housing 4 and adapted to be engaged in the through holes 45. Thus, conduction of heat generated in the fusible body 5 to electrical equipments connected to the terminals can be restrained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Takayoshi Endo, Hiroki Kondo, Goro Nakamura, Takahiro Sato
  • Patent number: 6642833
    Abstract: A high-voltage current-limiting fuse comprises an elongated housing, an auto-centering connector centrally located about the elongated axis of the housing, and an elongated fusible element attached to the connector and secured along the elongated axis of the housing by the connector. The auto-centering connector is located about the elongated axis of the housing by a surface near one end of the housing, and the elongated conductive fusible element is connected to the connector and contained within the housing. The auto-centering connector is connected to an end of the fusible element, and mechanically located but electrically insulated relative to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Radhakrishnan Ranjan, Eli Valle, Constance Moore Dotson, Arthur Thomas Ehmke, Cesar Eliut Lopez
  • Patent number: 6552646
    Abstract: A capless fuse which includes a hollow fuse body, a fuse element within the fuse body and terminal pins having helical springs which are inserted into respective ones of the ends of the fuse body and directly connected to the ends and to the fuse element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Bel-Fuse, Inc.
    Inventor: Chiu Kan Wong
  • Patent number: 6545585
    Abstract: A fuse 1 includes a pair of terminals 2, housing 4 and fusible body 5. The terminals 2 are provided so that their one ends are housed in the housing 4 and their other ends are exposed externally from the housing 4. The terminals 2 each has a recess to enlarge the interval therebetween. The recess 6 consists of a flat face 10 and step face 11. The housing 4 includes a pair of end walls 12a, 12b, and a pair of partition walls 22. The inner faces 15a, 15b of the pair of end walls 12a, 12b are opposite to each other in a direction orthogonal to the direction the pair of terminals are arranged in parallel and extend along the end faces of the terminals 2. The partition wall extend from the inner face 15b toward the inner face 15a. The second partition walls each covers the flat face 10. In this configuration, when the power with a current value which exceeds the fusing current value of the fusible body is supplied, supply of the power to the load can be surely stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Takayoshi Endo, Takahiro Sato, Hiroki Kondo, Norihiro Ohashi, Goro Nakamura
  • Patent number: 6538550
    Abstract: A high current fuse includes a housing with electrically-conductive caps attached at opposite ends. At least two winding supports are positioned in the housing, extending between the caps, and spaced from one another. Each winding support is wound by at least one electrically-conductive element. These elements are electrically connected to the caps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: McGraw-Edison Company
    Inventors: Frank John Muench, Jr., Gordon Thomas Borck, Allen Leroy Johnson
  • Patent number: 6496096
    Abstract: A fuse assembly, in which a pluraity of members constituting a housing of the fuse assembly can be mounted tightly and whether the fuse element has blown out or not can be easily checked, is provided. The fuse assembly 1 has a pair of terminals 2, a fuse element 5 and a housing 4. Each end 3a of the terminals 2 is received into the housing 4. The fuse element 5 connects the terminals 2 with each other. The fuse element 5 has a pair of locking claws 61. The housing 4 has casing members 4a and 4b, which receive each end 3a of the terminals 2 and the fuse element 5 when the casing members 4a and 4b are fit with each other in the housing 4. Each casing member 4a and 4b has a locking recess 64 for engaging with the locking claw 61. One locking claw 61 engages with one locking recess 64, while an opposite locking claw 61 engages with an opposite locking recess 64.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroki Kondo, Goro Nakamura, Takahiro Sato
  • Patent number: 6275135
    Abstract: A large current fuse 1 for automobiles comprising a fuse body 2 consisting of a pair of flat plate portions 4, 4 formed of a sheet metal by pressing process, an arm portion 5 bridging the flat plate portions, and a fuse element 3 attached to the arm portion, wherein a first housing member 10 and a second housing member 30 are arranged around the fuse body at an intermediate portion thereof, the first and second housing members being detachably fitted to each other, whereby the fuse element can be entirely covered with the first and second housing members. At least one of the first housing member and the second housing member is formed of a transparent resin so that the fuse element can be visually observed through the one housing member. A radiation fin is provided on at least one of the first and the second housing members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuko Hibayashi, Norio Matsumura
  • Patent number: 6194989
    Abstract: A fuse includes a tube, a pair of blade terminals projecting from opposite ends of the tube, at least one fuse element disposed in the tube and electrically coupled between the terminals, and a pair of metallic end caps disposed on opposite ends of the tube. Electrically insulative elements are disposed between the end caps and the terminals. The tube is filled with an arc-quenching material inserted through a fill hole that is plugged by a plastic drive rivet. Each terminal is attached to a metallic end plate by means of a staking tang inserted into a slot of the end plate, and by means of a separate solder joint. Each insulative element includes an axial sleeve through which a respective terminal extends for a part of its length. The fuse element comprises a one-piece metal element bent to form a pair of parallel, superimposed strips divided into sections by means of fusible weak points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventor: Robert S. Douglass
  • Patent number: 6067004
    Abstract: A fuse comprising first and second tab-shaped terminal plates, a fuse link, a first resin reinforcing member, a second resin reinforcing member. The fuse link is interposed between the first and second tab-shaped terminal plates. The first resin reinforcing member is for reinforcing a first boundary portion defined between the first tab-shaped terminal plate and the fuse link, and is integrally molded so as to cover the first boundary portion. The second resin reinforcing member is for reinforcing a second boundary portion defined between the second tab-shaped terminal plate and the fuse link, and the second resin reinforcing member is integrally molded so as to cover the second boundary portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuko Hibayashi, Norio Matsumura
  • Patent number: 6040754
    Abstract: A thin type thermal fuse is structured by a resin base film, a pair of belt-shaped lead conductors, a low melting-point fusible alloy piece, flux and a resin cover film. Tip portions of the pair of belt-shaped lead conductors is fixed on the resin base film. The low melting-point fusible alloy piece is coupled between the tip end portions of the belt-shaped lead conductors. The flux applied on the low melting-point fusible alloy piece. The resin cover film which is disposed on a one surface of the resin base film so that a space between said films at peripheries of both the resin cover film and the resin base film is sealed and a space between the resin cover film and the belt-shaped lead conductors is sealed. In the thin type thermal fuse, a relation of (V/L).sup.1/2 /d.ltoreq.1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Uchihashi Estec Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshiro Kawanishi
  • Patent number: 5994994
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a fuse for improving the reliability and facilitating automation the process and, in this fuse, an inner cap 14 is provided between a glass tube 12 and a cap terminal 13; a passage 22 for ventilating the inside of the glass tube 12 is provided between the inner cap 14 and the glass tube 12; an end portion 15a of the fuse element 15 is taken out between the cap terminal 13 and the inner cap 14 through an element insertion hole 14b formed on a bottom plate 14a of the inner cap 14 in order to electrically connect the end portion 15a with at least the cap terminal 13; and the cap terminal 13 is fixed to the inner cap 14.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Sinzetto
    Inventors: Hideo Ito, Tomohiro Shinzawa
  • Patent number: 5982268
    Abstract: A thin type fuse of the present invention has a structure in which each tip portion of a pair of lead conductors is put out from one side of an insulating substrate film on to the other side thereof so as to keep watertightness, the tip portions of the lead conductors on the other side of the insulating substrate film are connected by a fuse element, and the other side of the insulating substrate film is covered with an insulating covering film which is in contact with the fuse element. The contact of the fuse element with the insulating covering film is surface contact and a flux is filled around said contact surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Uchihashi Estec Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Toshiro Kawanishi
  • Patent number: 5926084
    Abstract: A fuse includes at least one ceramic part at least partially surrounded by a sinterable mass coating that is electrically conductive after a sintering process. The sinterable mass coating is disposed in the vicinity of the two remote sides of the first part. The fuse also includes a second part firmly connected to the first part by the mass coating. The second part has an electrically conductive surface and a fuse element. A method for manufacturing a blowout fuse includes fixing a first part of the fuse made from metal or a ceramic material to a second part of the fuse made from metal or a ceramic material using a sinterable mass. This method includes the steps of applying a mass to be fixed by sintering to at least one portion of the surface of the first part and/or one portion of the surface of the second part. The mass acts as an intermediate layer between the two parts to be connected and wholly or partially covers both surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Wickmann-Werke GmbH
    Inventor: Bernd Frochte
  • Patent number: 5905426
    Abstract: A fuse includes a tube, a pair of blade terminals projecting from opposite ends of the tube, at least one fuse element disposed in the tube and electrically coupled between the terminals, and a pair of metallic end caps disposed on opposite ends of the tube. Electrically insulative elements are disposed between the end caps and the terminals. The tube is filled with an arc-quenching material inserted through a fill hole that is plugged by a plastic drive rivet. Each terminal is attached to a metallic end plate by means of a staking tang inserted into a slot of the end plate, and by means of a separate solder joint. Each insulative element includes an axial sleeve through which a respective terminal extends for a part of its length. The fuse element comprises a one-piece metal element bent to form a pair of parallel, superimposed strips divided into sections by means of fusible weak points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventor: Robert S. Douglass
  • Patent number: 5739740
    Abstract: An electrical fuse having an insulator, through which a cavity extends from one end to the facing end and which has a cross-sectionally square or rectangular casing part, is further developed in such a way that in the case of easy manufacture a reliable sealing of the cavity openings and a reliable fixing of the fuse element ends, as well as the connections or terminals to the end portions of the insulator are ensured, particularly in such a way that connections projecting over the insulator profile are avoided. For this purpose the insulator has on at least one side an offset end portion of constant cross-section. The fuse is in each case provided with a solder coating at least covering the ends of the end portions, has electrical connections and also a fuse element, which passes through the cavity and whose ends are in each case conductively connected to the electrical connections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Wickmann-Werke GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Stark, Andre Jollenbeck
  • Patent number: 5363082
    Abstract: A flip chip Surface Mount Fuse is disclosed. This fuse is comprised of a generally rectangular insulating member having a groove across its full length. A fuse element is placed inside the elongated groove and thick film metallizations are provided, through printing techniques, on opposite sides of the insulating member inside the groove to secure the fuse element and to provide termination to the insulating member. The opening of the groove is filled with an electrically insulating coating. The coating can be applied to form a time delay fuse or a fast acting fuse. Fuses can be manufactured in any desired size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1994
    Assignee: Rapid Development Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Leon Gurevich
  • Patent number: 5214406
    Abstract: A surface-mounted fuse has a hollow, open-ended insulating fuse body with a square sided central portion terminating in opposite, preferably square-sided, recessed, tapered end portions. A pair of preferably square-sided conductive end caps are provided having end walls respectively confronting the open ends of the fuse body and side walls enveloping the tapered end portions thereof. The side walls of the end caps define annular tapered cavities to receive without compressing the fuse wire one or more bent back ends of a fuse wire. The recessing of the tapered end portions of the fuse body provides axially outwardly facing abutment shoulders which limit the extent to which the end caps can be moved over the fuse body during assembly. The end walls of the end caps are then spaced from the ends of the fuse body to form outer spaces of greater size than the fuse element thickness, so that the ends of the fuse element are not compressed between the end cap end walls and the ends of the fuse body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1993
    Assignee: Littelfuse, Inc.
    Inventors: Lloyd W. Reese, Larry J. Brashear, Daniel B. Onken
  • Patent number: 5196819
    Abstract: A fusible printed circuit includes one or more conductors extending along a dielectric substrate. The circuit can be flexible or rigid. Each conductor is comprised of a layer of electrically conductive material and has one or more gaps formed in the conductive layer at locations opposite a segment of the fusible material so that electrical current flowing through each conductor is required to pass, in its entirety, through the segment of fusible material at the location of each gap in the layer of conductive material. The integral fuses are designed to specific electrical parameters and may be located randomly along circuit runs. The fusible material is cold welded to the conductors at the gaps. Pressure concentrators support the fuses and minimize motion stress on the fuses. The fuses can be sealed within a protective overlay which captures debris when the fuses are blown and controlled venting of the debris can also be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1993
    Assignee: Rock Ltd. Partnership
    Inventor: Joseph A. Roberts
  • Patent number: 5162773
    Abstract: A high breaking capacity micro-fuse includes a body having a wall which forms a cavity in a body, pair of conductive terminals extending through the wall, and a fusible element extending between the pair of conductive terminals and connected thereto in the cavity. An insulating member with a hole through which the fusible element extends has a shape by which a space is provided between the inner surface of the wall of the body and the insulating member when the insulating member is disposed in the cavity of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1992
    Assignee: SOC Corporation
    Inventor: Masaaki Shiozaki
  • Patent number: 5130688
    Abstract: A fuse of the miniature or sub-miniature type with a housing of insulating material and having metal points of connection at, or in the vicinity of, two spaced ends thereof for connecting a fuse wire, and a fuse wire secured to the points of connection and stretched between them within the housing. According to the invention, at least one ridge or wall of insulating material is provided between the two points of connection in the housing so that each of the points of connection is, as it were, situated in a separate chamber. The fuse extends across the ridge and makes an angle at the passage across the ridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1992
    Assignee: Littlefuse Tracor B.V.
    Inventors: Pierter J. Van Rietschoten, Dirk De Kler, Leendert Vermij
  • Patent number: 5097246
    Abstract: A subminiature fuse includes a ceramic substrate with a glass coating disposed over a portion thereof. A fusing link is disposed on the glass coating, and weld pads for receiving fuse leads are disposed on opposite sides of the glass coating. The substrate, with leads attached, is encapsulated in plastic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1992
    Assignee: Cooper Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: James W. Cook, Terence J. Evans
  • Patent number: 5086285
    Abstract: A chip fuse is disclosed which includes a rectangular parallelepiped box shaped main body with an opening on the upper side thereof, and a cover covering the opening. Two main terminals are disposed on opposite shorter side walls of the main body. A plurality of subsidiary terminals are located along inner faces of the opposite longer walls of the main body. A fusible element is extended, inside the main body, between one of the main terminals via a some or all of the plurality of subsidiary terminals and the other of the main terminals in a zigzag manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1992
    Assignee: SOC Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroo Arikawa, Yasutada Yuza
  • Patent number: 4951026
    Abstract: A high speed fuse 8 having terminals 14 staked to non-electrically conductive end bells 12 with fusible element 30 connected to ridges 44 on terminal 14 by projection welding, and round balls 18 plugging sand holes 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1990
    Assignee: Cooper Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Arlie H. Ehlmann
  • Patent number: 4929921
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a fuse includes wrapping the fuse element on an insulating bridge. The ends of the bridge include a metal foil coating which helps increase the conductivity and reliability of the solder bond between the fuse element and end ferrule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1990
    Assignee: Cooper Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Varinder K. Kalra, Keith A. Spalding
  • Patent number: 4924203
    Abstract: A microfuse (10) with a ceramic chip (12), thick film pads (14), fusible wire (16), attached to pads (14) without solder or flux, in an insulating enclosure or fuse tube (40). Ferrules (42) are attached to metallized areas (14) with solder (44). Performance and manufacturing of fuse (10) is improved by utilizing a wire bonding technique to improve the quality of the manufacturing process and increase the reliability of the fuse, and to reduce manufacturing cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1990
    Assignee: Cooper Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Leon Gurevich
  • Patent number: 4920327
    Abstract: A chip-type micro-fuse including a fusible element, a hollow body made of heat-resistant and insulative materials having at lesat two recesses which are respectively formed on an outer peripheral surface thereof, near the ends thereof and two end caps adapted to respectively cover the ends of the body for electrically connecting the body with external circuits. The end portions of the fusible element are respectively connected at the recesses to the end portions of the body. Further, the recess defined near one end portion of the body is positioned diagonally spaced with respect to another recess defined near the other end of the body. Thus, the fusible element is diagonally stretched between the ends of the body across the inner space of the body. When assembled, the end portions of the fusible element are respectively drawn out from the interior of the fuse without damaging the fusible element and connected at the recesses to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1990
    Assignee: SOC Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroo Arikawa, Yasutada Yuza
  • Patent number: 4862134
    Abstract: An electrical fuse comprises a fusible conductor welded or bonded onto separated contact surfaces. The fusible conductor is coated with a metal, selected solely for optimum welding or bonding to contact zones of the contact surfaces. The metallic coating of the fusible conductor is then removed at the fusible portion of the coated fusible conductor by etching after the fusible conductor is welded or bonded to the contact surfaces the contact zones surrounding the point of contact protected by a resin cover resistant to the etchant. The electrical characteristic of the fuse is thus determined solely by the core wire and its properties. The resin cover in the contact zones is preserved between the fusible conductor and each contact surface for improved safety against cracks or micro-cracks and their possible adverse effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1989
    Assignee: Wickmann Werke GmbH
    Inventors: Karl Poerschke, Klaus Stark, Bernd Frochte
  • Patent number: 4851806
    Abstract: Within an electrically insulating housing there is provided a continuous hollow space open at both ends. Tubular portions of end contacts are insertably disposed at both ends of the hollow space. Flat portions of the end contacts form clamping locations for a fusible conductor and also solder legs. At the clamping locations there are clamped the ends of the fusible conductor. Each of the solder legs form an associated wave soldering region and a reflow soldering region. During fabrication of the fuse device the end contacts which then still possess a tubular-shaped configuration are inserted into the ends of the hollow space of the electrically insulating housing. There is then drawn-in the fusible conductor and predetermined portions of each of the end contacts are pressed flat for form the flat portions. In this way, the ends of the fusible conductor are clamped at the clamping locations. Thereafter, the flat portions are bent to form the solder legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1989
    Assignee: Schurter AG
    Inventors: Heinrich Rohrer, Werner Staubli
  • Patent number: 4851805
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the production of a sub-miniature fuse, as well as to a sub-miniature fuse. Known casing with three chambers and a separate cover are difficult to manufacture and are prone to faults due to their complicated shape. According to the invention, an internally substantially smooth surface and externally cylindrical casing is formed, preferably from identical tube halves, whose end faces are closed either by correspondingly constructed connecting electrodes or by concomitantly shaped end walls, the electrodes always carrying the fuse wire on their inside and the connecting leads on their outside. Preference is given to the use of an intermediate member, which encloses the electrodes and the fuse wire fixed thereto. In each case production is simplified. There is also no need for shrink-on tubes for the insulation of contact caps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1989
    Assignee: Wickmann Werke GmbH
    Inventor: Karl Poerschke
  • Patent number: 4771260
    Abstract: A microfuse (10) with a ceramic chip (12), thick film pads (14), fusible wire (16), attached to pads (14) without solder or flux, ceramic coating (18) and plastic body (20). External lead (24) configuration can be axial, radial or surface mount. The method of manufacturing the fuse (10) is improved by utilizing a wire bonding technique in order to improve the quality of the manufacturing process and increase the reliability in performance of the fuse and reduce manufacturing cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1988
    Assignee: Cooper Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Leon Gurevich
  • Patent number: 4608548
    Abstract: A miniature electrical fuse designed for at least 60 volt circuit applications in printed circuit application features protection against housing explosion under fuse blowing conditions by means of arc barrier-forming shroud members formed by confronting rigid arc barrier walls of base and cover members between which end terminals of the fuse are sandwiched. The walls form arc barriers which closely confront or contact the fuse wire on all four sides thereof ahead of the points where the fuse wire ends are connected to the terminals. These points of connection are advantageously out of alignment with the rest of the fuse wire. The terminals preferably extend from the confronting ends of the base and cover members where projections from the cover bearing on the terminals secure the terminals in place and seal the openings thereat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1986
    Assignee: Littelfuse, Inc.
    Inventor: John Borzoni