Spring Or Other Energy Storage Means Patents (Class 337/239)
  • Patent number: 11189892
    Abstract: A current interrupt device, which may be included in a battery module, includes first and second connection parts each having one surface on which an inclined surface is formed; wherein the inclined surface of the first connection part and the inclined surface of the second connection part contact each other to form a contact interface, the first connection part and the second connection part are electrically connected to each other, and when an external force equal to or greater than a predetermined force is applied to the inclined surface of the first connection part or the inclined surface of the second connection part, the inclined surface of the first connection part and the inclined surface of the second connection part are dislocated with respect to each other on the contact interface to interrupt electrical connection between the first connection part and the second connection part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Inventors: Kyoung Ho Kim, Song Taek Oh, Jung Seok Choi, Jong Pil Park
  • Patent number: 11031763
    Abstract: An electrical connection and control system is provided including a power source configured to provide a direct current output and an electrically powered element configured to receive power from the power source. The power is supplied via strips of nanowire material applied upon a surface. Controllers are provided to control the electrically powered elements via switches and/or via network connections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Budderfly, Inc.
    Inventors: Albert Subbloie, Kenneth Buda
  • Patent number: 10211020
    Abstract: A self-powered wireless fuse switch is disclosed that is a plug-in replacement for a fuse found in the electrical system of vehicles. The self-powered wireless fuse adds remote-controlled switching capabilities for short and long-range control of power to subsystems of a vehicle electrical system. The wireless fuse switch includes a wireless control module having an internal power supply and an internal transceiver that receives commands from a remote control unit. A separate fuse module includes an outer housing and fuse blades that extend from the outer housing and interface with a fuse socket of the vehicle to selectively allow or interrupt power from the vehicle to the subsystem of the vehicle electrical system. The fuse module includes a fusible link, a relay controller and a relay in the outer housing. The fuse module receives power from and communicates with the wireless control module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Blue Eclipse, LLC
    Inventor: Craig A. Tieman
  • Patent number: 9530581
    Abstract: A switch includes a spring. The switch further includes a collapsing element. The spring has a first state in which it is being held in tension by a restraining element and a second state in which it is not being held in tension because the restraining element has failed. The collapsing element is situated such that when sufficient power is applied to the collapsing element heat from the collapsing element will cause the restraining element to fail. The switch further includes a first contact coupled to the spring. The switch further includes a second contact coupled to the spring. The first contact and the second contact are separate from each other when the spring is in the first state. The first contact and the second contact are electrically connected to each other when the spring is in the second state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Clovis Satyro Bonavides, Daniel F Dorffer, Jim Taylor Hill
  • Patent number: 9520249
    Abstract: A switch includes a spring. The switch further includes a collapsing element. The spring has a first spring state in which it is being held in tension by a restraining element and a second spring state in which it is not being held in tension because the restraining element has failed. The collapsing element is situated such that when sufficient power is applied to the collapsing element heat from the collapsing element will cause the restraining element to fail. The switch further includes a first contact coupled to the spring. The switch further includes a second contact coupled to the spring. The first contact and the second contact have a first 1-2 electrical connection state when the spring is in the first spring state. The first contact and the second contact have a second 1-2 electrical connection state different from the first 1-2 electrical connection state when the spring is in the second spring state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Clovis Satyro Bonavides
  • Patent number: 9508517
    Abstract: A subsea fuse for use in a high-pressure environment is provided. The subsea fuse includes a fuse element, a first lid and a second lid, and electrical connections for contacting the fuse element. Furthermore, a hollow elongated element made of a flexible material is provided. The first and second lids and the hollow elongated element form a liquid-tight chamber, which is filled with a liquid. The fuse element is arranged inside the liquid-tight chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Rune Breili
  • Patent number: 9472364
    Abstract: A circuit protection device includes a base assembly, a spring on top of the base, a conductive terminal that fits over the base and spring, and a cap that first over the base, spring and terminal. The base includes latches on the front side of the base. The conductive terminal includes a first end on the front side of the base and a second end on a rear side of the base that is opposite to the front side. The cap includes a first protrusion extending downward from the cap above one of the latches and a second protrusion extending downward from the cap above the other latch. The circuit protection device also includes a means for activating the circuit protection device after reflow in response to a force applied to the cap in a first direction defined from a top of the cap towards the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Littelfuse, Inc.
    Inventors: Martyn A. Matthiesen, Anthony Vranicar, Jianhua Chen, Dapeng Hou
  • Patent number: 9425010
    Abstract: Circuit breaker for motor vehicle power lines, having a first planar connection flap, a second connection flap and a connection portion which electrically connects the connection flaps and which forms a desired breaking location. A particularly simple production with low material use can be achieved by the connection flaps and the electrical connection portion closing an explosion chamber of a pyrotechnical igniter in such a manner that the desired breaking location bursts owing to the gas pressure of the pyrotechnical igniter brought about in the event of actuation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Auto Kabel Managementgesellschaft mbH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Hentschel
  • Patent number: 8665057
    Abstract: An electronic circuit includes a conductor path on a circuit board, and at least one SMD component, electronic component and/or electromechanical component mounted on the circuit board and connected to the conductor path. A circuit connection is established via a soldered joint and a spring-loaded or stressed springy contact bridge that provides fuse protection. In the event of excessive power dissipation or high temperature, the soldered joint melts or softens and the contact bridge springs open to interrupt the circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Conti Temic microelectronic GmbH
    Inventors: Roberto Schlenker, Michael Nagel, Juergen Martin
  • Patent number: 8143991
    Abstract: A current and temperature overload protection device has a brace, a thermal sensing contact, a solder layer, two ports and two resilient elements. The thermal sensing contact, the solder layer, the two ports and the two resilient elements are mounted on the brace, where each resilient element is bent to connect between respective ports and the thermal solder layer. The current and temperature overload protection device is mounted on a circuit board connected in a circuit loop of the circuit board, and the thermal sensing contact is connected to a heat-generating device. Therefore, the current and temperature overload protection device provides protection to the circuit loop from thermal and current overload issues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Inventor: Chin-Chi Yang
  • Patent number: 7864024
    Abstract: An electronic assembly includes an electronic circuit on a circuit board. The circuit includes a conductor path on the circuit board, and at least one SMD component, electronic component and/or electromechanical component that is mounted on the circuit board and connected to the conductor path. A circuit connection between any two of the conductor paths and/or the components is established via a soldered joint and a spring-loaded contact bridge. In the event of excessive power dissipation, the soldered joint melts or weakens and the contact bridge opens due to the spring force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Conti Temic microelectronic GmbH
    Inventors: Roberto Schlenker, Michael Nagel, Juergen Martin
  • Patent number: 6995648
    Abstract: A power circuit includes a first low voltage power bus, a second low voltage power bus, a fuse electrically connected between the first low voltage power bus and the second low voltage power bus, and a fuse barrier. The fuse has a non-interrupted state and an interrupted state. The fuse barrier includes a spring having a first end and a second end, a fastener connecting the first end of the spring to one of the first low voltage power bus and the second low voltage power bus, and an insulating barrier. The insulating barrier is disposed from the second end of the spring. The insulating barrier engages a portion of the fuse in the non-interrupted state thereof. The spring drives a portion of the insulating barrier through the fuse in the interrupted state thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Arthur J. Jur, Douglas M. Brandt, Mark A. Faulkner
  • Patent number: 5781094
    Abstract: A secondary short preventing mechanism of a fuse is constituted by a pair of female terminal members in which male terminal receiving portions are formed at their longitudinally one ends respectively so that the male terminal receiving portions are to be engaged with and electrically connected to male terminal portions, and a fuse fusing portion is formed between their longitudinally other ends; and a housing for housing the female terminal portions, the housing having a vertically extending insulation partition for horizontally separating the male terminal receiving portions from each other in a loosely fitted state. Each of the male terminal receiving portions has raised pressing contact portions which oppose to each other at different levels, that is, at upper and lower positions in their longitudinal directions, the upper pressing contact portion being directed toward the insulation partition, and at least one of the pressing contact portions having elasticity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Goro Nakamura, Kenji Muramatsu
  • Patent number: 5394289
    Abstract: The interrupter includes and apparatus having a pair of oppositely rotatable, spring loaded, sharp edged elements positioned above a pair of wire fuses. Such fuses complete the current path in respective conductors of a two conductor electrical appliance power system. Each edged element is retained by a latching tension of the other fuse, so that opening of either of the two fuses releases the element above the other fuse, causing such element to rotationally descend and apply a cutting force to the other fuse and thus assist in its opening to assure that both conductors of the power system are opened in an immediately successive manner in response to a current overload.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Assignee: ROCOM Electric Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Kelvin K. W. Yao, Wan Y. Keung
  • Patent number: 5311393
    Abstract: A transient voltage surge suppressor comprises a first series circuit formed of a normally-off voltage surge-responsive gas discharge tube and a first voltage clamping device connected across input terminals to which a line voltage is applied. It also includes a second series circuit formed of a first electrical energy absorbing impedance element and a second voltage clamping device connected across the first voltage clamping element, thereby forming a voltage-clamping, voltage divider circuit which clamps the voltage across the first voltage clamping element at a voltage level reduced in comparison with that obtained by the first series circuit alone. When the gas discharge tube turns on, it places both voltage clamping devices in the circuit simultaneously, so that the let-through voltage appearing across output terminals can be reduced to the voltage clamped by the voltage-clamping, voltage divider circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1994
    Assignee: Atlantic Sientific Corporation
    Inventor: Anthony O. Bird
  • Patent number: 4906962
    Abstract: A spring powered switching mechanism in which the energy required to complete switching is stored in a spring (or springs) which are constrained in a "cocked" or stressed condition by a fuse wire. The fuse wire has the characteristic of having a relative flat coefficient of resistivity over a large temperature range. The mechanism is operative to close (or open) electrical circuits permanently upon receipt of the appropriate electrical signal to the "fuse" or "bridge" wire which is caused to break as a result of the receipt of the electrical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1990
    Assignee: Babcock, Inc.
    Inventor: Frederick A. Duimstra
  • Patent number: 4871990
    Abstract: To provide a novel cartridge fuse which can prevent the melted fuse member ends from being shorted together after the fuse member has been blown out and to firmly hold terminal members connected by a fuse member within a housing, the cartridge fuse comprises a fuse housing formed with an insulating partition extending therewithin to some extent to form a pair of terminal compartments; a pair of opposing terminal members each formed with a stay portion extending beyond the insulating partition and a contact portion housed within the terminal compartment, a fuse member connected to the stay portions of the opposing terminal members; and elastic members for applying a tension to fuse member in the longitudinal direction thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1989
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Tomohiro Ikeda, Yuji Hatagishi, Mitsuhiko Totsuka, Toshiharu Kudoh
  • Patent number: 4661881
    Abstract: An overload protector for a telephone set or other telecommunications terminal comprises an electrical component having DC continuity and DC resistance mounted by leads on a circuit board, the leads soldered to the conductor pattern. On application of an overload, the component heats up to a level at which sufficient heat travels along the leads to melt the solder. Usually both leads become unsoldered. One or both leads part from the conductor pattern under the effect of gravity; under the effect of a compression spring on one or both leads and held in compression between component and circuit board; or a combination of both. A convenient component is a carbon block resistor, in the Tip or Ring line. A heat insulating member can be positioned around the component. The insulating member can be a sleeve loosely fitting over the resistor and retaining heat in the resistor, or a coating or layer directly on the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1987
    Assignee: Northern Telecom Limited
    Inventors: John C. Watson, Bing G. Chan
  • Patent number: 4486804
    Abstract: An overload protector for a telephone set or other telecommunications terminal comprises an electrical component having DC continuity and DC resistance mounted by leads on a circuit board, the leads soldered to the conductor pattern. A compression spring is positioned on each lead, held in compression between component and circuit board. An insulating member fits around the component. In application of an overload, the component heats up to a level at which sufficient heat travels down the leads to melt the solder. Usually both leads become unsoldered. A convenient component is a carbon block resistor, in the Tip or Ring line. The insulating member would be a sleeve loosely fitting over the resistor and retaining heat in the resistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1984
    Assignee: Northern Telecom Limited
    Inventors: John C. Watson, Bing G. Chan
  • Patent number: 4047143
    Abstract: Several embodiments of a circuit protective device are disclosed that rely on a unique, spring-biased housing that cooperates with a leaded fusible element to effect a reliable open-circuit condition in response to a predetermined overload condition. The leads not only provide the means for interconnecting the device with associated circuitry, but are specially configured to provide a simplified, inexpensive and reliable way of holding the assembled device together, in opposition to a predetermined closed-circuit tensional biasing force applied thereagainst by the housing, during normal operation. The leads may also advantageously be configured during the assembly of the device to provide the means for directly mounting the device on, and optionally (with pre-formed stops) in spaced relationship with, a circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1976
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1977
    Assignee: Western Electric Company, Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Burden, Frank N. Malaney
  • Patent number: 3969695
    Abstract: A fuse for elevated circuit voltages, e.g. 4-34 kv, has a tubular insulating casing closed on both ends thereof by means of plug terminals. The latter are provided with blind bores of which each receives one end of a fusible element, a spring means for clamping said end of said fusible element against the lateral wall of said blind bore, and a solder joint conductively interconnecting said end of said fusible element and one of said plug terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1975
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1976
    Assignee: The Chase-Shawmut Company
    Inventor: Richard A. Belcher