With Fusible, Combustible Or Explosive Material Patents (Class 337/401)
  • Patent number: 12126161
    Abstract: An arc detection assembly is provided and includes first and second conductors including first and second terminal ends, respectively, which are engageable to form an electrical connection and an arc detection system. The arc detection system includes a fusible link disposed proximate to one of the first and second terminal ends and configured to break in response to an arcing condition between the first and second terminal ends and a monitoring circuit coupled to the fusible link and configured to determine when breakage of the fusible link occurs and to thereby determine that the arcing condition has occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventor: Antwan Shenouda
  • Patent number: 12113346
    Abstract: A current measurement apparatus configured to quickly block current. The current measurement apparatus includes a first terminal, a second terminal, a resistor interposed in a separated space between the first terminal and the second terminal; a circuit board, a control unit mounted on the circuit board and configured to measure a current flowing in the resistor by using a voltage value between the first terminal and the second terminal and a resistance value of the resistor, and a cutting unit located above or below the resistor and configured to cut the resistor according to a control signal of the control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: LG Energy Solution, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hyeon-Jin Song
  • Patent number: 12002638
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a bypass switch used in a super-high voltage direct current transmission sub-module including a case; a first bus bar; a second bus bar; a fixing contact provided in a hollow part and connected to the first bus bar; a movable contact provided in the hollow part, and connected to the second bus bar so as to come into contact with or be separated from the fixing contact; an insulating cover coupled to the rear surface of the second bus bar, and having an accommodation part therein; a movable part extension rod provided on the accommodation part and coupled to the movable contact; and an actuator provided on the rear part of the insulating cover, and providing power for moving the movable part extension rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: LS ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Gyeongho Lee
  • Patent number: 11875959
    Abstract: A switching device for fast disconnection of short-circuit currents includes a switching bridge with a movable contacting element and a fixed contacting element. The switching bridge is operable in a closed state, in which the movable contacting element is in contact with the fixed contacting element, and an open state, in which the movable contacting element is spaced apart from the fixed contacting element. The switching device further includes an electromagnetic switching drive with a coil for generating a magnetic field and a magnet anchor, a guide sleeve to guide the movement of the magnet anchor in the magnetic field of the coil, a pyrotechnic propellant charge located in the cavity, and a supporting device for supporting the guide sleeve. The magnet anchor is arranged within the guide sleeve such that a cavity is formed below the magnet anchor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Johannes Meissner, Julia Otte, Kai Schroeder, Madeline Dumont
  • Patent number: 11631560
    Abstract: A guiding pull ring member for guiding a unit top contact in a switch assembly into a mounting contact. The guide ring member includes a mounting ring defined in a first plane, a grasping ring coupled to one side of the mounting ring and being defined in a second plane perpendicular to the first plane, and a V-shaped guide piece coupled to the mounting ring at a side opposite from the grasping ring and extending perpendicular to the first plane. The guiding pull ring member has particular application for a solenoid operated vacuum interrupter recloser switch mounted to a utility pole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: S&C Electric Company
    Inventors: David Goldman, Thomas Fanta
  • Patent number: 11443910
    Abstract: Electrical switching device are disclosed having a housing with internal component within the housing. The internal components comprise contacts configured to operate, to change the state of the switching device from a closed state, allowing current flow through the switching device to an open state which interrupts current flow through the switching device. A pyrotechnic feature is included that is configured to interact with the internal components to transition the switching device from the closed state to the open state when the pyrotechnic feature is activated. The pyrotechnic feature is configured to trigger in response to levitation between the contacts at elevated current signal flowing through the switching device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Gigavac, LLC
    Inventors: Bernard Victor Bush, Murray Stephan McTigue, Daniel Sullivan, David Hatch
  • Patent number: 10892126
    Abstract: A novel temperature-triggered fuse device is configured to be activated at a designer-specified ambient temperature by utilizing wetting force among a pair of wetting material bays and a solder bridge or a solder ball. The solder bridge or the solder ball is typically positioned on top of the pair of wetting material bays separated by an electrically-insulated gap. Preferably, the wetting material bays are at least partly made of gold, nickel, or other elements suitable for generating an increased wetting force to the solder bridge or the solder ball upon increases in ambient temperature. The novel temperature-triggered fuse device can be integrated into various types of integrated circuits (IC's), or can function as a discrete fuse connected to one or more electronic components for robust protection from power surges and/or thermal runaway-related device malfunctions, meltdowns, or explosions. Various methods of producing the temperature-triggered fuse device are also disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Manufacturing Networks Incorporated (MNI)
    Inventor: Faraj Sherrima
  • Patent number: 10534134
    Abstract: A fluid-filled hollow optical fiber cell broadly includes a hollow-core optical fiber and a fluid. The optical fiber presents first and second fiber ends and a longitudinal passageway that extends continuously between the fiber ends. The fluid occupies the passageway, with the fiber ends being closed to hermetically seal the fluid within the optical fiber. The first fiber end has a rounded closed shape formed by at least partly melting the first fiber end to form melted fiber material, with the fiber material being permitted to solidify without splicing the first fiber end to another fiber so that the fiber material terminates the passageway at the first fiber end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Kansas State University Research Foundation
    Inventors: Kristan L. Corwin, Chenchen Wang, Ryan Luder, Sajed Hosseini Zavareh, Brian Washburn
  • Patent number: 9773628
    Abstract: A breaker includes conductors, each including an elongated flat cut portion, cutting chambers arranged in correspondence with the cut portions, a single cutting member that includes blades to cut the cut portions in the cutting chambers, a gas generator that generates gas to move the cutting member toward the cut portions, and an arc attenuation portion located between the two cut portions that are adjacent to each other. The conductors are located between two devices. Each cut portion is cut to form two separated cutting ends and electrically disconnect the devices. The arc attenuation portion attenuates an arc generated between the two cutting ends of one of the two adjacent cut portions and the two cutting ends of the other cut portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takaki Fukuyama, Yoshiki Nakamura, Keisuke Hori
  • Patent number: 9221343
    Abstract: A system for decoupling a HV source from an electric vehicle's electrical system is provided that includes (i) at least one electrical contactor, where the HV source is electrically connected to the vehicle's electrical system when the electrical contactor is in a closed state and not electrically connected to the vehicle's electrical system when the electrical contactor is in an open state; (ii) a supplemental restraint system (SRS) that monitors collision data from a plurality of impact sensors and outputs an activation signal in response to monitored collision data; and (iii) a pyrotechnic switch, where the pyrotechnic switch has a pre-activated first state that provides a conductive path that allows the HV source to be electrically connected to the vehicle's electrical system and an activated second state that severs the conductive path and prevents the HV source from being electrically connected to the vehicle's electrical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas Paul Tokarz, Madan Gopal
  • Patent number: 9007163
    Abstract: A device for protecting an electrical installation from surges. The device includes a protective component for protecting from overvoltages and two thermal disconnectors. Each thermal disconnector includes a respective mobile contact suitable to move from a closed position to an open position to disconnect the protective component from the electrical installation, and a respective thermosensitive element for making the mobile contact move from the closed position to the open position when the temperature of the protective component exceeds a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: ABB France
    Inventors: Michael Duval, Alain Lagnoux
  • Publication number: 20150048922
    Abstract: To provide a protection element evens the amount of flux on a fusible conductor and improves variations in fusing characteristics. A protection element is provided with: an insulated substrate; a heating body; an insulating member; two electrodes; a heating body internal electrode; a fusible conductor which is stacked over the two electrodes from the heating body internal electrode and fuses a current path between the two electrodes by heating; a flux coated on the fusible conductor so as to superimpose on the heating body; and a cover member attached to the insulated substrate covering at least the fusible conductor. The cover member has a cylindrical protrusion formed on an inner surface of the cover member so as to contact the flux, and a communication hole communicating with the inner surface side of the cover member from the protrusion is opened on a side wall surface of the cover member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventors: Yuji Kimura, Kouichi Mukai, Yuji Furuuchi
  • Patent number: 8941461
    Abstract: A circuit protection device includes a substrate with first and second electrodes connected to the circuit to be protected. The circuit protection device also includes a heater element between the first and second electrodes. A sliding contact is connected by a sensing element to the first electrode, second electrode, and heater element, thereby bridging and providing a conductive path between each. A spring element is held in tension by, and exerts a force parallel to a length of the substrate against, the sliding contact. Upon detection of an activation condition, the sensing element releases the sliding contact and the force exerted by the spring element moves the sliding contact to another location on the substrate at which the sliding contact no longer provides a conductive path between the first electrode, second electrode, and heater element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony Vranicar, Martyn A. Matthiesen, Wayne Montoya
  • Patent number: 8904889
    Abstract: The restraining strap has a rectangular cross section with a broad side against cylindrical sections holding a release member. The moment of inertia for a rectangular cross section strap is represented by the formula I=BH3/12. The lower moment of inertia reduces the load on the fusible link. With no limit to the number of wraps around the cylindrical sections, higher preloads can be accommodated by increasing the number of wraps of the restraining strap without affecting the moment of inertia or the amount of force borne by the fusible link. The actuator has a catch extending between the restrainer and actuator. The catch ends engage the restrainer and actuator and, upon release from the actuator, the catch rotates to allow the restrainer to unwind from about the cylindrical sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: NEA Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Rudoy, Larry Leroy McCormick, Edwin Vega, Nury Izrailov
  • Patent number: 8904781
    Abstract: An actuation system having a configuration of first and second components, each component having longitudinally extending fingers interlaced with one another. Relative longitudinal movement is permitted between the fingers in a manner to permit the second component to be movable longitudinally with respect to the first component between a first position and a second position. A biasing member is provided within the configuration that biases the second component towards the second position. A wire is wound about the fingers that restrains the second component in the first position. A release device selectively causes the wire to be loosened about the fingers such that the biasing member moves the second component from the first position to the second position. An actuator connected to the second component moves with the second component from the first position to the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Simmonds Precision Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Martin E. Buttolph
  • Publication number: 20140306795
    Abstract: A bus bar forming die (1) includes an upstream-side die block (25) configured to shape an upstream-side fuse-element portion (9) of a bus bar (23), a downstream-side die block (27) configured to shape a downstream-side fuse-element portion (15) of the bus bar (23), and a fixation portion die block (29) configured to shape fixation portions (21) of the bus bar (23). The upstream-side die block (25), the downstream-side die block (27), and the fixation portion die block (29) are configured to shape the bus bar (23) while placed in respective predetermined positions. Each of the upstream-side die block (25), the downstream-side die block (27), and the fixation portion die block (29) is replaceable in accordance with an intended shape of the bus bar (23).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Inventor: Motofumi Kato
  • Patent number: 8836464
    Abstract: An explosion-proof and flameproof ejection type safety surge-absorbing module includes a protective member and a surge-absorbing unit. The protective member includes a base and an upper lid coupled with the base. The base has two corresponding partitions extending upwards. The surge-absorbing unit includes a body, two connecting leads, and a resilient metallic plate. The body has two sides defining two electrode surfaces. One of the electrode surfaces is connected with one of the connecting leads. The resilient metallic plate has a first end welded to the electrode surface with a contact component and a second end curved and striding across an outer side of one of the partitions to penetrate through the bottom of the base. When the body of the surge-absorbing unit is overheated due to high temperature caused by a surge, the contact component will melt so the resilient metallic plate is ejected away from the electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Ceramate Technical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Robert Wang
  • Patent number: 8830026
    Abstract: A thermal trip unit for a circuit breaker having a primary conductive path for conducting a load current is provided. The thermal trip unit comprises a shape memory alloy (SMA) member adapted to change from a first shape to a second shape at a predetermined thermal condition, a holding member coupled electrically in series with the circuit breaker primary conductive path, said holding member arranged to operatively support said SMA member, wherein said SMA member is configured and disposed within the circuit breaker to trigger a trip response of the circuit breaker at said predetermined thermal condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Brian Frederick Mooney, Thomas Frederick Papallo, Brent Charles Kumfer
  • Patent number: 8817447
    Abstract: A deactivation device for disconnecting an electrical energy source from a load includes at least two one-time switches. The one-time switches become inoperative upon switching in response to the presence of a load exceeding a critical value, thereby disconnecting an electrical connection. The one time switches are connected in parallel, and the deactivation device is configured in such a way that, except for a one-time switch, which is provided for disconnecting the energy source from the load and for connecting the energy source to the load, the at least one other one-time switch remains open. In the case of an inoperativeness of the one one-time switch, the at least one other one-time switch is used for disconnecting the energy source from the load and for connecting the energy source to the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Stefan Butzmann
  • Publication number: 20140232512
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are directed to a circuit protection device. A circuit protection device may comprise a housing defining a cavity and a metal oxide varistor (MOV) disposed within the cavity. The circuit protection device may further comprise a first terminal electrically attached at a first end to the MOV by solder and extending outside of the housing at a second end. An arc shield is disposed within the housing between the first end of the first terminal and at least partially over the solder. The circuit protection device may further comprise a spring configured to bias the arc shield against a micro switch having an indicator portion disposed at least partially outside of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: LITTELFUSE, INC.
    Inventors: Wen Yang, Hailang Tang, Hongbing Liu
  • Patent number: 8790804
    Abstract: A useful lifetime of an energy storage device can be extended by providing a series connection of a battery cell and an self-programming fuse. A plurality of series connections of a battery cell and an self-programming fuse can then be connected in a parallel connection to expand the energy storage capacity of the energy storage device. Each self-programming fuse can be a strip of a metal semiconductor alloy material, which electromigrates when a battery cell is electrically shorted and causes increases in the amount of electrical current therethrough. Thus, each self-programming fuse is a self-programming circuit that opens once the battery cell within the same series connection is shorted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Hariklia Deligianni, Harold J. Hovel, Fei Liu
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20130323548
    Abstract: In an aspect, a battery assembly is adapted to accommodate a plurality of unit cells, the battery assembly has: a unit cell wiring configured to provide at least one connection for the unit cells; a cut-off device having a fuse circuit and a heater circuit, the fuse circuit configured to disconnect the connection by heat produced in the heater circuit; and a power supply wiring configured to supply the heater circuit of the cut-off device with an electric power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: EMPIRE TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT LLC
    Inventor: Takashi Iwamoto
  • Publication number: 20130307661
    Abstract: A protective device for control electronics of a motor vehicle component, such as a radiator fan drive, has a thermal protection element between the control electronics and a connecting lead frame. The thermal protection element trips when the temperature in the control electronics rises above a threshold temperature value. The thermal protection element has two conductor segments with conductor ends facing each other and forming an interruption point and one connecting end each. The interruption point is bridged by a fluxing agent, the fusion temperature of which is matched to the threshold temperature value. One of the connecting ends of the thermal protection element is connected to a contact of the connecting lead frame and the other connecting end is connected to a contact of the control electronics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: BROSE FAHRZEUGTEILE GMBH & CO. KOMMANDITGESELLSCHAFT, WUERZBURG
    Inventor: GEORG WINHEIM
  • Publication number: 20130278376
    Abstract: Certain aspects are directed to a thermal fuse for preventing overheating of RF devices in a telecommunication system. The RF thermal fuse includes a body, a conductive bolt, and a driving mechanism. The body can be positioned on a transmission line between an RF signal source and an RF device. The conductive bolt is positioned in the body. The conductive bolt has a length sufficient to provide impedance at a point of protection on the transmission line in response to the conductive bolt contacting a live conductor of the transmission line. The impedance is sufficient to reflect a portion of the incident power of an RF signal from the RF source. The driving mechanism can cause the conductive bolt to contact the live conductor in response to a temperature at or near the point of protection exceeding a threshold temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: Andrew LLC
    Inventors: Frantisek Hrnicko, Vaclav Volf, Libor Strachon, Thomas Kummetz, Stefan Eisenwinter, Matthew Thomas Melester, Jürgen Struller, Gabriel Toth
  • Publication number: 20130279058
    Abstract: An electrical fuse apparatus comprises a conductor element defining an electrically conductive path between respective wire terminals for connecting the fuse apparatus to an electrical circuit. The conductor element includes a first reactive material and at least one ignition point for receiving external energy to initiate an exothermic reaction of the first reactive material with a second reactive material. The reaction generates a quantity of heat sufficient to melt the conductor and break the conductive path. The fuse can be an element in electrical circuits, including power controllers. A method for protecting a system using an exothermic fuse apparatus is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventor: Rainer J. Seidel
  • Patent number: 8531263
    Abstract: A circuit protection device includes a conductive layer which is connected to first and second terminals. A spring is electrically connected to the first and second terminals. When an over-voltage or over-temperature condition occurs within a charging circuit, one or more heat generating resistive elements melts material associated with one or more of the ends of the spring thereby releasing the spring to create an open circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Littelfuse, Inc.
    Inventors: G. Todd Dietsch, Olga Spaldon-Stewart, Stephen Whitney
  • Patent number: 8502636
    Abstract: A modular by-pass device of an electrical component includes a housing possessing a movable means of sealing, and is equipped with conducting terminals, one of whose ends is connected to one of the terminals of the electrical component circuit, the other end being fastened to the wall of the housing projecting into the interior of the housing and constituting a contact post. An actuator providing transposition between two positions of a control device include a plunger shaft and a spring arranged in the space formed between the plunger shaft and the internal wall of the housing. A trigger includes a retention device of the plunger shaft held in place by a fusible material. A reversing switch includes a contact zone providing electrical continuity between two contact posts of the terminals carried by the housing. The disclosed embodiments finds application more particularly in the isolation and short-circuiting of a battery element, which has become defective.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Souriau
    Inventors: Jean-Louis Striebig, Pierre Savaro
  • Patent number: 8432246
    Abstract: An electric circuit breaker apparatus is used in a vehicle including an electric circuit having a converter and a storage battery. The electric circuit breaker apparatus interrupts power supply from the storage battery to the converter when a collision of the vehicle is detected. The electric circuit breaker apparatus includes a power supply circuit breaker driven by a low explosive type actuator, which is actuated when a collision of the vehicle is detected. Actuation of the power supply circuit breaker interrupts a power supply path connecting a positive terminal of the storage battery to the converter and grounds a portion of the power supply path closer to the converter than the interrupted portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeyuki Suzuki, Takaki Fukuyama, Toshinori Tanase
  • Publication number: 20130093562
    Abstract: A power disconnecting device includes: two electrical contacts which are electrically conductively connected to one another via a conductor in a closed state of the conductor; and a holding unit which holds the conductor in the closed state, the conductor being pre-tensioned in the direction of an open position, the two electrical contacts not being electrically conductively connected via the conductor in the open position of the conductor. The holding unit has a thermosensitive element, and a heating element is assigned to thermosensitive element. The thermosensitive element changes its shape upon activation of the heating element, thus resulting in the conductor moving into the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventor: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • Publication number: 20130009745
    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: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: AUTO KABEL MANAGEMENTGESELLSCHAFT MBH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Hentschel
  • Publication number: 20120194317
    Abstract: A circuit protection device includes a substrate with first and second electrodes connected to the circuit to be protected. The circuit protection device also includes a heater element between the first and second electrodes. A sliding contact is connected by a sensing element to the first electrode, second electrode, and heater element, thereby bridging and providing a conductive path between each. A spring element is held in tension by, and exerts a force parallel to a length of the substrate against, the sliding contact. Upon detection of an activation condition, the sensing element releases the sliding contact and the force exerted by the spring element moves the sliding contact to another location on the substrate at which the sliding contact no longer provides a conductive path between the first electrode, second electrode, and heater element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2011
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Inventors: Anthony Vranicar, Martyn A. Matthiesen, Wayne Montoya
  • Patent number: 8174351
    Abstract: An appliance assembly includes an appliance and an appliance member. The appliance includes a wall defining a plurality of holes. The appliance member is carried by the appliance. The appliance member includes a housing which includes a snap-fit arrangement coupled with the appliance. The snap-fit arrangement includes a first plurality of ears and a second plurality of ears, the first and second plurality of ears snap-fittingly engaging the plurality of holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Group Dekko, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph J. Scheiber, Michael S. Coverstone, Jeremiah Lewis
  • Patent number: 8164412
    Abstract: The invention relates to a thermal link (1) for electrical appliances, comprising an insulating part (10) with electrical terminals (11) and contact springs (12) for providing electrical contact between said terminals (11), a fusible material insert (15) that acts as the thermal trip element and a transmission pin (13), which is displaceably mounted in the insulting part (10), one end of which engaging with the fusible material insert (15) and the other end with the contact springs (12). Said link is characterised in that the fusible material insert (15) is situated in a casing (141) that is configured as one piece with the heat transfer plate (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Inner Control Hermann Kohler Electrik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Peter Sieber, Roland Wolf, Lutz Pahlke
  • Patent number: 8154377
    Abstract: The invention relates to a circuit breaker for electrical supply lines, particularly power supply lines or battery cables, for motor vehicles, which circuit breaker is comprised of a first connecting element (1), a second connecting element (3) connectable to said first connecting element (1), and a current path whereby in the conducting state of the circuit breaker a current passes between the first connecting element (1) and the second connecting element (3). The technical problem of providing a circuit breaker for electrical supply lines which can be manufactured and advantageously ensures an error-free operation is solved in that a pyrotechnic separating unit (5) is thermally actuatable by Joule heat emitted by at least one of said connecting elements (1, 3) and in that, the connection between the connecting elements (1, 3) can be released by means of the actuated pyrotechnic separating unit (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Auto Kabel Managementgesellschaft mbH
    Inventors: Franz-Josef Lietz, Oliver Kastrop, Tomas Schulz, Reiner Mäckel
  • 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: 8021069
    Abstract: A redundant release apparatus having a multi-segment split spool with a central bore adapted to axially restrain a tensioned member. Two tensioned tapes are overlappingly wound around the spool segments thereby preventing radial movement of the spool segments. Overlapping winding design of each of the tapes provide predictable unwinding dynamics upon release. The multiple segments require less radial motion for release of the tensioned member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Space Systems/Loral, Inc.
    Inventor: Varouj G. Baghdasarian
  • Publication number: 20110163841
    Abstract: A temperature switch comprises a material (14) which melts and concomitantly undergoes a change in an electrical characteristic at a predetermined temperature. The temperature switch also includes at least two electrical contacts (10, 12) for detecting the change in the electrical characteristic. The material (14) comprises an organic cation and an anion and is preferably an ionic liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: KIDDE IP HOLDINGS LIMITED
    Inventor: ALEXANDRA GEORGINA REDCLIFFE GORDON
  • Patent number: 7920044
    Abstract: An appliance assembly includes an appliance and a thermal assembly. The thermal assembly includes a housing attached to the appliance, a temperature sensing device carried by the housing and electrically coupled with the appliance, and a thermal fuse carried by the housing and electrically coupled with the appliance, the thermal assembly being a modular assembly and thereby configured for being, as a single unit, attached to and detached from the appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Group Dekko, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph J. Scheiber, Michael S. Coverstone
  • Patent number: 7911314
    Abstract: A electric circuit includes a connection to a current source, an electric load, and a thermal-mechanical fuse which, in the case of failure at an excessive heat emission, interrupts the current supply to the load, which is effectuated by a feeder in which is arranged a spring having two ends, at least one end is soldered to a solder point provided in the feed line. The one solder point is under a mechanical pretension caused by the restoring force of a spring, that separates the solder joint between the spring and the solder point in the feed line, when the solder melts at the solder point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Inventors: Alexander Dauth, Jürgen Paul, Rolf Merte, Michael Luppold
  • Publication number: 20110057762
    Abstract: A short-circuit device for the electrical bypass of an electric module has a contact arrangement, which is disposed in a switching chamber. The contact arrangement has an open circuit-breaker setting, in which a current flow via the contact arrangement is interrupted, and a contact setting, in which a current flow via the contact arrangement is made possible. A pyrotechnic drive for transferring the contact arrangement from its circuit breaker setting into its contact setting, enables cost-effective, rapid bypass or short-circuiting, and the provision of a large current carrying capacity simultaneously. The switching chamber is a vacuum switching chamber in which a vacuum prevails.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2009
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Jens Burger, Jörg Dorn, Thomas Kübel, Roman Renz, Andreas Stelzer, Andreas Zenkner
  • Publication number: 20110006875
    Abstract: A modular by-pass device of an electrical component includes a housing possessing a movable means of sealing, and is equipped with conducting terminals, one of whose ends is connected to one of the terminals of the electrical component circuit, the other end being fastened to the wall of the housing projecting into the interior of the housing and constituting a contact post. An actuator providing transposition between two positions of a control device include a plunger shaft and a spring arranged in the space formed between the plunger shaft and the internal wall of the housing. A trigger includes a retention device of the plunger shaft held in place by a fusible material. A reversing switch includes a contact zone providing electrical continuity between two contact posts of the terminals carried by the housing. The disclosed embodiments finds application more particularly in the isolation and short-circuiting of a battery element, which has become defective.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: SOURIAU
    Inventors: Jean-Louis Striebig, Pierre Savaro
  • 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: 7843307
    Abstract: A thermal fuse employing a thermosensitive pellet is provided, which exhibits stabilized characteristics in a low operating temperature region. The thermal fuse includes at least a switching movable member, a thermosensitive pellet member, a pair of leads having a first lead portion and a second lead portion, and a metal casing. The thermosensitive pellet member contains a polyolefin wax. The thermosensitive pellet member is housed in the metal casing to which the pair of leads are attached. The switching movable member is operated by deformation associated with softening or melting of the thermosensitive pellet member, to attain a cut-off state between the pair of leads. The thermal fuse employing a thermosensitive pellet is suitable for an operating temperature of 50 to 180° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: NEC SCHOTT Components Corporation
    Inventor: Tokihiro Yoshikawa
  • Patent number: 7772958
    Abstract: A circuit breaker with a first contact sleeve (3, 14), a second contact sleeve (4, 16), an insulating sleeve (5, 18) disposed between the first contact sleeve (3, 14) and the second contact sleeve (4, 16) has a switching piston (6, 20) with at least one contact section (8) and an isolating section (7, 19), which is disposed at the side of the contact section (8), whereby the switching piston (6, 20) is movable between a closed position in which the contact section (8) of switching piston (6, 20) connects the first contact sleeve (3, 14) with the second contact sleeve (4, 16) so as to be electrically conductive, and an open position in which the contact section (8) of the switching piston (6, 20) does not connect the first contact sleeve (3, 14) with the second contact sleeve (4, 16), in which the first contact sleeve (3, 14), second contact sleeve (4, 16) and insulating sleeve (5, 18) is movable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Lisa Dräxlmaier GmbH
    Inventor: Eugen Schlötzer
  • Publication number: 20100141375
    Abstract: A circuit interruption device for printed wiring boards having a positive expulsion device for removing melted fuse material, plasma and debris from the printed wiring board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventor: Julius M. Liptak
  • Patent number: 7718308
    Abstract: A thermal fuse includes an insulating case having a bottom and having an opening provided therein, a fusible alloy provided in the insulating case, a lead conductor having one end connected to the fusible alloy and other end led out from the insulating case through the opening of the insulating case, a flux provided on the fusible alloy, and a sealer for sealing the opening of the insulating case. The volume of a space between the fusible alloy in the insulating case and the sealer is larger than the volume of the flux. Sealing of the fuse is prevented from deteriorating, and the insulating film is prevented from damage even when the thermal fuse is used for breaking a large current at a high voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Kenji Senda, Atsushi Kono, Tatsuya Wada
  • Patent number: 7671717
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an unrecoverable line-type temperature sensitive detector having short-circuit fault alarm function, comprises a detecting cable comprising at least two detecting conductors disposed in parallel and a fusible insulation layer, a resistor, and a resistance signal measuring device, wherein the detecting cable further comprises a semiconductor layer, and wherein the semiconductor layer and the fusible insulation layer are disposed between the detecting conductors so as to space the detecting conductors apart. The detector of the present invention may distinguish short-circuit fault from short circuit caused by fire, and thus overcome the disadvantage of not distinguishing short-circuit fault from short-circuit due to fire in the conventional detector. Therefore, the problem of lack of short-circuit fault alarm function in the prior art is resolved. Accordingly, the present invention improves the reliability of unrecoverable line-type temperature sensitive detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Sureland Industrial Fire Safety Limited
    Inventors: Weishe Zhang, Gangjin Li
  • Publication number: 20100033295
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides high temperature thermal cutoff devices having a high-temperature thermal pellet with a transition temperature of greater than or equal to about 240° C. and comprising at least one organic compound. The pellet is disposed in a housing, which is sealed with a high-temperature seal that provides substantial sealing up to at least the transition temperature. The high-temperature TCO also has a current interruption assembly, which establishes electrical continuity in a first operating condition corresponding to an operating temperature of less than said transition temperature and discontinues electrical continuity when the operating temperature exceeds the transition temperature. Methods of making such high-temperature thermal cut off devices are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Applicant: Therm-O-Disc, Incorporated
    Inventors: Perry Kent, Truong Nguyen
  • Patent number: 7639114
    Abstract: A temperature fuse protection device uses a hot melt metal to rivet for connecting two terminals in the circuit that are separated for making the two terminals electrically-connected and the circuit complete. There is a spacing in between the two free ends of the two terminals when no external force is being imposed. When an electric overloading or high circuit temperature event occurs, the hot melt metal would be heated to melt and break, which would then make the free ends of the two terminals to be disconnected, and therefore, the circuit will be at “OFF” status.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Inventor: Tsung-Mou Yu