Abstract: A fuse element (10) for a protection device has a base member (11) and a covering member (12) coating at least part of a surface of the base member (11), and is heated to a predetermined heating temperature to be bonded to the protection device. The base member (11) is made of a first fusible metal having a melting point higher than the heating temperature. The covering member (12) is made of a second fusible metal having a melting point lower than the heating temperature.

Abstract: A thermal fuse device has an essentially annular frame made of electrically insulating material. First and second contact strips of electrically conductive material extend through opposite portions of the frame and have respective first ends extending inside the internal region of the frame, where they at least partially face each other, and respective second ends extending outside the frame for connection to an electrical or electronic circuit. The first end of the first contact strip is joined to the first end of the second contact strip by a quantity of heat-meltable material, in a condition where the first contact strip is resiliently pre-stressed so that, when the joint is broken, the first end of the first contact strip moves away from the first end of the second contact strip.

Abstract: Provided is an electrode material constituting a movable electrode 50 of a thermal fuse 1, wherein the electrode material has a clad structure where a base layer including Cu or a Cu alloy is joined to a contact point layer made of a Ag—CuO based oxide-dispersion-strengthened alloy. The present invention is an electrode material that is suitable for a movable electrode of a thermal fuse and can solve the problem of the failure of contact with the case in association with long-term use. In this electrode material, it is preferable that a contact layer including Ag be joined to a back surface of the base layer in order to improve resistance to contact with a case 10.

Abstract: A device for receiving a cylindrical fuse, having a housing which has member pairs which protrude from a housing base and which are spaced-apart from each other, wherein a substantially U-shaped contact is introduced in each case between the members of each member pair and the member pairs are provided for receiving the fuse, wherein each substantially U-shaped contact is formed by two contact members, of which at least one of the contact members is provided with a contact tongue which protrudes laterally over the contact members, the contact tongue(s) defining a contact blade.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermal fuse in a circuit structure, particularly a punched grid, having a plurality of circuit areas, having the circuit structure with connections sites (9) and having a fusible element (3), which is electrically and mechanically connected to the connection sites (9) of the circuit structure, a material of the fusible element (3) having a melting point, in order to melt at an ambient temperature greater than the melting point, such that material of the fusible element (3) collects at the connection sites (9) and the electrical connection formed by the fusible element (3) breaks.

Abstract: A process produces a connecting structure between two superconductors, in particular magnesium diboride superconductors embodied as a superconducting core wire surrounded by normally conducting metal. A substance which reduces the melting point of magnesium is admixed to a substance mixture including magnesium and boron, and the exposed ends of the core wires are brought into contact with the substance mixture, which is caused to react in situ at a reaction temperature corresponding to the lower melting point to give magnesium diboride.

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).

Abstract: A device for receiving a cylindrical fuse, having a housing which has member pairs which protrude from a housing base and which are spaced-apart from each other, wherein a substantially U-shaped contact is introduced in each case between the members of each member pair and the member pairs are provided for receiving the fuse, wherein each substantially U-shaped contact is formed by two contact members, of which at least one of the contact members is provided with a contact tongue which protrudes laterally over the contact members, the contact tongue(s) defining a contact blade.

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.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermal fuse in a circuit structure, particularly a punched grid, having a plurality of circuit areas, having the circuit structure with connections sited (9) and having a fusible element (3), which is electrically and mechanically connected to the connection sites (9) of the circuit structure, the material of the fusible element (3) having a melting point, in order to melt at an ambient temperature greater than the melting point, such that material of the fusible element (3) collects at the connection sites (9) and the electrical connection formed by the fusible element (3) breaks.

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.

Abstract: There is provided a method for insulating leads of a thermal fuse with an insulating tube that can reduce the quantity of the adhesive and prevent the defect of appearance and the lowering of the value of the product, by applying an adhesive on the circumference of the leads, and putting the insulating tube on the lead from the outer end of the lead while rotating the insulating tube, so that the adhesive is present inside the insulating tube. There is also provided a low-cost, downsized thermal fuse with excellent heat resistance, by using the alloy that has a melting point of 190° C. or above as the fusible alloy, and a copper wire plated with an Sn—Cu alloy for the lead.

Abstract: An electric apparatus (10) according to the present invention comprises electrically separated first and second terminals (14, 13), a first contact (16) that is connected electrically to the first terminal (14) within a casing (11), a second contact (15) that is connected electrically to the second terminal (13) within the casing and an operating member (20) for moving the first and second contacts relative to one another. In the present invention, at least the first contact (16) comprises a first conductive layer (41) with a given thickness including a face that is engageable with the second contact, a second conductive layer (42) that is connected to the first terminal (14), and insulating fiber (43) that is interposed between the first and second layers so that the above-mentioned second contact is engaged in the closing contacts movement by the insulating fiber when it is exposed by wear of the first layer (41) due to opening and closing movements of above mentioned contacts.

Abstract: A fuse 15 includes a housing 2 of an insulative resin having a lid 13 and a housing body 11, and a fuse body 1 having a melting portion formed between a pair of press-connecting terminals 4 and 5 arranged in a staggered manner, the fuse body being received in the housing 2. A sheathed wire is press-connected to and retained by the press-connecting terminals 4 and 5 of the fuse body 1, a portion of the sheathed wire, mounted between the press-connecting terminals 4 and 5, being cut, to thereby provide a fuse which has a simple construction, and can be easily mounted at an existing circuit, and also to provide a method of mounting such a fuse.

Abstract: A thin film surface-mount fuse having two material subassemblies. The first subassembly includes a fusible link, its supporting substrate with a groove on side surfaces and a plurality of conductive terminal pad layers. The second subassembly includes a protective layer which overlies the fusible link so as to provide protection from impacts and oxidation. The protective layer is preferably made of a polymeric material. The most preferred polymeric material is a polyurethane gel or paste. In addition, the most preferred supporting substrate is an FR-4 epoxy or a polyimide.

Abstract: A thermal cutoff having a mushroom-shaped floating contact member with an enlarged head and an elongated shank. The outwardly facing end of the enlarged head has a centrally located depression for reducing the area of the head end surface that engages a sliding contact for the purpose of increasing contact pressure and thereby reducing electrical resistance. The shank has a necked-in terminal end portion to facilitate assembly by minimizing the possibility that the shank end will hang up on a bushing that receives the shank. The head is enlarged sufficiently to accept a straight coil spring as well as a tapered coil spring.

Abstract: An elongated electrical lead has a first part of a hard and brittle arc quenching metal integrally joined to an easily bendable second part of a ductile metal. The lead is used in a thermal cutoff with the first part being inside of the thermal cutoff housing and having an end portion defining an electrical contact. The second part of the lead extends outwardly from the thermal cutoff for connecting same in an electrical circuit.

Abstract: An electrical switch with pyrotechnic control includes a housing containing a pyrotechnic composition and at least two contacts applicable, for example, to fire an explosive charge in a military application such as a warhead. The switch includes a thin foil having at least one conductive part spaced in the vicinity of the pyrotechnic composition by a spacing washer directly opposite the contacts. Triggering of the composition throws the thin foil in contact with the contacts to complete an electrical connection. The switch is operable with a small amount of the pyrotechnic composition and has a reduced controllable response time.

Abstract: A reusable control module mountable to a power-cartridge-operated interrupting module which includes a normally closed switch in shunt with a fuse. The control module houses a control circuit which ignites the power cartridge to open the switch. The control module includes two conductive shells threaded together to enclose the circuit, thereby providing a Faraday cage for the circuit and shielding the circuit from the environment. A current transformer is mounted in an exterior pocket in one of the shells over a mounting terminal thereon which extends out of the pocket to act as a single-turn primary for the transformer. The output of the transformer is connected to an input of the circuit. Circuit boards of the circuit are mounted within the shells, in part by a plastic plug, one end of which passes through one of the shells coaxially with a mounting neck. The other end of the plug has slots which engage and hold one edge of the boards. The plug contains a conductor connected to the output of the circuit.

Abstract: A flashlamp unit for individual and sequential firing of flashlamps includes a pair of flashlamps connected in an electrical circuit with a radiation-responsive N/O arc gap switch in series connection with one of said pair of flashlamps and including an arc gap having a radiation-responsive material thereover and therebetween.

Abstract: An arc extinguishing means for a high intensity discharge lamp comprises a meltable fuse wire a portion of which is surrounded by a refractory hollow sleeve of larger diameter than the fuse wire. The remaining volume of the sleeve is substantially filled with a pyrophoric material which, at an operating temperature available within the lamp, will spontaneously ignite in the presence of oxygen and generate sufficient heat to melt the fuse wire and thus open the circuit, extinguishing the lamp.

Abstract: A thermal cut-out which is adapted to open an electrical circuit in response to an excessive rise in temperature associated with the circuit protected by said cut-out. Said cut-out comprising a hollow body of electrically insulating material and having an opening through which a pair of contact members are put into said hollow body. A plug of electrically insulating material closing said opening and stressing the contacts to a condition in which they are biased apart. Said contact members being retained in engagement by an element as long as its temperature has not reached a predetermined temperature. Said element being made from a material which deforms or collapse at said predetermined temperature so that it cannot retain said biased contacts any longer in engagement and permits the contacts to open.

Abstract: A fusible electric cable protector has a casing that defines a first internal space containing the fusible elements and a granular arc-quenching filler. At least one of the pair of terminal elements closing the casing is conductively connected to one connecting element that extends axially outwardly from the aforementioned terminal element and whose purpose is to connect the cable protector into an electric circuit. That connecting element has a cylindrical outer surface and is hollow, thus defining a second internal space filled with a granular arc-quenching filler. The aforementioned first internal space and the aforementioned second internal space are in communication by a passageway in one of the pair of terminal elements. A plug normally closes the open end of the cylindrical connecting element.

Abstract: A piston, backed by a resilient disc, both slidable within a cylindrical case, is provided, on its leading end, with a penetrable conductor pellet, sheathed within an insulator cap. Upon firing of an explosive charge of disc form, arranged behind the piston with a polyethylene disc interposed between the charge and the piston, the latter will be driven forwardly against a pair of piercing points on the ends of a pair of conductor wires mounted in an insulator header in the leading end of the case, the driving force of the explosion being sufficient to cause the conductor wire points to pierce entirely through the insulator cap and to become embedded in the conductor pellet, thus closing a circuit across the conductor wires.

Abstract: A voltage sensitive switch is provided characterized by an irreversible change in resistance from a high resistance state greater than one megohm to a low resistance state less than one thousand ohms and comprising a mixture of substantially pure grade copper powder with copper oxide powder which further contains a binder. Said switch interconnects a pair of spaced electrodes for use in sequentially firing a plurality of flash lamps.

Abstract: In a high voltage expulsion type fuse, a fusible element is connected between an arcing rod and a contact element. The arcing rod is biased for movement by a spring, and when the fuse is assembled, the contact element is pulled through the fuse compressing the spring until the contact element is pulled partially through an opening in a contact bridge which is threaded into the metal exhaust ferrule of the fuse. Once the contact element is in the correct position, the bridge is swaged to attach the element to the bridge. The element has tapered grooves at the end that is inserted into the bridge so that when the bridge is swaged, the tapered grooves tend to force the contact element further into the opening so that a shoulder on the element remains firmly against the bridge. A threaded member attached to the end of the element may be engaged to pull the element through the bridge. After the bridge has been swaged, the thread member is broken off since it is no longer needed.

Abstract: A safety device for preventing deleterious overheating of an electrical lighter such as used in motor vehicles provides a short circuit in the electrical power supply circuit to the lighter upon occurrence of a dangerous overheating condition so that a circuit breaker in the circuit is actuated to deenergize the lighter. The safety device includes a pair of electrical contacts on the lighter socket separated by a thermoplastic insulating member in heat exchange relationship with the socket and being composed of a material which has a softening point above the normal operating temperature of the lighter but below the temperature at which thermal damage may occur in the vicinity of the lighter when overheating occurs. One of the contacts is spring biased toward the other and the softening of the insulating member allows the contacts to electrically engage under the force of the spring bias to establish a short circuit for actuating the circuit breaker.

Abstract: A multiple flashlamp array having a plurality of lamps fired individually and in sequence which includes a plurality of static solid switching devices capable of being easily activated by radiant energy generated during flashing of the lamps. Initially, the switches have a high resistance ("off position") and after being activated by radiation, they undergo chemical conversion to a conductive state ("on position"). The switches are prepared from compositions which impart improved shelf life under conditions of relatively high humidity at above normal ambient temperatures. The switch material composition comprises a mixture of a solid copper salt with a humidity resistant organic polymer binder and a finely divided metal reducing agent.

Abstract: A photoflash unit is designed to have a plurality of lamps fired individually and in sequence includes a plurality of switching devices capable of being easily activated by radiant energy generated during flashing of the lamps. Initially, the switches have a high resistance ("off" position) and after being activated by radiation, they undergo a chemical change to a conductive state ("on" position). The switches are prepared from compositions which impart improved shelf life under conditions of high relative humidity and include a light absorbing, heat transmitting protective coating having absorption characteristics in the range of 3000-5500 A.

Abstract: The reliability of radiation switches is improved in accordance with this invention by mechanically modifying the contact members of the switch structure to reduce the heat sinking effectiveness of the switch contact members.