Fusible Element Device With Other Patents (Class 337/4)
  • Patent number: 11660978
    Abstract: A system including a vehicle having a motive electrical power path, and a power distribution unit having a current protection circuit disposed in the motive electrical power path. The current protection circuit includes a first leg of the current protection circuit comprising a thermal fuse, a second leg of the current protection circuit comprising a contactor. The first leg and the second leg may be coupled in a parallel arrangement. The system further has a controller that includes a current detection circuit structured to determine a current flow through the motive electrical power path, and a fuse management circuit structured to provide a contactor activation command in response to the current flow. The contactor may be responsive to the contactor activation command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventor: Robert Stephen Douglass
  • Patent number: 10615586
    Abstract: There is provided an overcurrent protection device configured to protect a load from an overcurrent. A first overcurrent detector configured to detect the overcurrent, based on a value of a current flowing through the load, time for which the current flows through the load, and an overcurrent cutoff characteristic upon non-operation of the load. An overcurrent breaker that cuts off the overcurrent to the load when the first overcurrent detector detects the overcurrent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: DENSO TEN LIMITED
    Inventors: Yasunori Kozuki, Kosuke Urashima, Nobuhiro Shingo, Takaaki Kato
  • Patent number: 10290437
    Abstract: In accordance with certain embodiments, an improved switching mechanism and related components are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Innovative Switchgear IP, LLC
    Inventor: Roger L. Schafer
  • Patent number: 10109444
    Abstract: An electronic module for protecting power semiconductor devices of an HVDC converter against high current surges and damaging electrical discharges includes a capacitor, a short circuit device, a movable portion, a short circuit portion and a spring element. The short circuit device is connected in parallel with the capacitor and has first and second busbars. The movable portion is connected to the first busbar and the short circuit portion is connected to the second busbar. The spring element is arranged between the movable portion and the short circuit portion. When a short circuit current flows through the first busbar, an electromagnetic force between the busbars causes the first busbar to repel the second busbar and move towards the short circuit portion. The latter provides a short circuit path connecting the first busbar to the second busbar short circuiting the capacitor and bypassing the power semiconductor devices of the HVDC converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Daniel Boehme
  • 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: 20140339892
    Abstract: A disconnection unit is configured for disconnecting a battery from a power system. A fuse is configured to interrupt a circuit between the battery and the power system. The fuse is integrated into the disconnection unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: Boris Gendlin, Stefan Soboll, Lars Huebner, Johannes Helmich
  • Patent number: 8854174
    Abstract: A fusible switching disconnect device includes a switch housing and terminal cover therefore that blocks access to a line side fuse clip and prevents insertion of a rectangular fuse module when switch contacts in the device are closed. An interlock element further presents the fuse from being retracted when the switch contacts are closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: Jiehua Su, Matthew Rain Darr
  • Publication number: 20140091893
    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: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Clovis Satyro Bonavides, Daniel F Dorffer, Jim Taylor Hill
  • Publication number: 20140043133
    Abstract: A fusible switch disconnect includes a fuse, a primary switch connected in series with the fuse. and a semiconductor switch device connected in parallel with the fuse. The semiconductor device is configured to resist current flow through the fuse and the primary fuse to facilitate arcless operation of the primary switch when connected to energized, DC circuitry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Inventor: Robert Stephen Douglass
  • Publication number: 20130307660
    Abstract: Provided are: a plug body including a main body housing, a fuse having a pair of terminals protruding outside the main body housing with the fuse being accommodated in the main body housing, and a cover attached to the main body housing; a circuit accommodating body configured to accommodate a pair of terminals on a mating side connected to the pair of terminals of the fuse; a rotatable lever connected to the plug body and the circuit accommodating body and configured to connect and disconnect between the pair of terminals of the fuse and the pair of terminals on the mating side; and a fuse biasing portion configured to bias the fuse accommodated in the main body housing toward the cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomohiro IKEDA, Fumitoshi HENMI, Yuichi MOTOSHIGE
  • Patent number: 8587401
    Abstract: A fuse includes an upper shell, a lower shell and a cavity formed by the upper shell and the lower shell; first and second conductors which are respectively disposed between the upper shell and the lower shell. The first ends of each conductors are disposed in the cavity and form a clearance. The second ends of the conductors extend out from the cavity. A conductive bar is welded to the first and second conductors to form a first weld line and a second weld line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: BYD Company Limited
    Inventors: Zhiwei Tong, Qing Lai, Jianhua Zhu
  • Patent number: 8461956
    Abstract: An over-current protection device includes a first conductive member, a second conductive member, a resistive device and a temperature sensing switch. The first conductive member includes a first electrode foil and a second electrode foil those are formed on a same plane. The resistive device is laminated between the first conductive member and the second conductive member and exhibits positive temperature coefficient or negative temperature coefficient behavior. The temperature sensing switch can switch the first electrode foil and the second electrode foil between electrically conductive status and current-restriction status, e.g., open circuit, according to temperature variation. The threshold temperature of the temperature sensing switch is lower than the trip temperature of the resistive device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Polytronics Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Chun Teng Tseng, David Shau Chew Wang
  • Patent number: 8400253
    Abstract: Disclosed are a thermal fuse resistor having a case injection-molded by using thermosetting resin having heat resistance less than that of a filler, a manufacturing method of the thermal fuse resistor, and a method of installing the thermal fuse resistor such that a resistor and a thermal fuse are laid down on a printed circuit board. In the thermal fuse resistor, through changing a material of the case, the case has a lighter weight and is not easily broken, so that the thermal fuse resistor is advantageously used for an electronic appliance because of its lightness and slimness. The thickness of the case of the thermal fuse resistor serves as the thickness of the electronic appliance employing the thermal fuse resistor, so that the thermal fuse resistor allows the electronic appliance to have a slim structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Smart Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jong II Jung, Doo Won Kang, Gyu Jin Ahn, Sung Kwang Kim, Kyung Mi Lee
  • Patent number: 8400252
    Abstract: Disclosed is a fuse resistor representing superior manufacturing efficiency and assembling reliability. The fuse resistor includes a resistor, a thermal fuse that is disconnected by heat generated from the resistor, and a case receiving the resistor and the thermal fuse therein and having a space section for transferring radiant heat of the resistor to the thermal fuse. Fillers are not required so that the manufacturing process is simplified. Since the assembling process is completed by covering a body of the case with a cap after the resistor and the thermal fuse have been inserted into the body, the manufacturing efficiency is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Smart Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jong Il Jung, Doo Won Kang, Gyu Jin Ahn, Sung Kwang Kim, Kyung Mi Lee
  • Patent number: 8384509
    Abstract: The invention relates to holders for receiving fuses, with a housing having a receiving shaft, the receiving shaft containing contacts which are provided for contacting at least one fuse inserted into the receiving shaft, a cover which is adjustably arranged in the receiving shaft, a fuse holding device which is adjustably guided in the receiving shaft, wherein the cover has a unit being engageable with a guiding mechanism and which holds the cover at a predetermined position within the housing, a coupling device for detachably coupling the cover to the fuse holding device, wherein the unit of the cover is formed by feet which protrude laterally from the cover and are engageable with the guides in the housing, and wherein the guiding mechanism comprises stops and/or stop faces which are provided in the guiding mechanism, and which hold the cover in a top position of the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Woehner GmbH & Co., KG Elektrotechnische Systeme
    Inventors: Alex Buettner, Frank Leistner
  • Patent number: 8217740
    Abstract: An electromagnetic relay comprises a coil generating magnetic force when power is distributed, a contact point part opened and closed by the magnetic force, and a fuse functional part having a conductor wired electrically in series with the contact point part and disconnected when predetermined heat quantity is received, and the fuse functional part is disposed at a position which receives arc heat generated in the contact point part when switching the contact point part from conduction state to cut-off state. Thereby, a small electromagnetic relay which enables interruption of current in all current value range can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Eiji Nakagawa
  • Publication number: 20120133477
    Abstract: An electrical contactor with high DC and AC interrupt capability is disclosed. The invention is intended for applications where load break capability is only required under abnormal operating conditions. Under overload conditions, an alternate path is automatically provided through a sacrificial fuse to divert current from opening, or open and arcing, contacts such that the fuse interrupts the fault current and not the contacts. The current rating of the sacrificial fuse may be orders of magnitude less than the normal carry current of the contactor. The contactor provides a one-time load break function that is renewable by the replacement of a fuse.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: RENEWABLE POWER CONVERSION, INC.
    Inventor: Richard Travis West
  • 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: 7965168
    Abstract: A fuse is provided that includes a housing and a first lead and a second lead. The fuse further includes a fuse element having a current capacity. The fuse element forms a part of an electrical pathway between the first lead and the second lead. The fuse also includes a switch unit in communication with the housing and in series with the fuse element. The switch unit has an open state and a closed state. When the switch unit is in the closed state, the electrical pathway is connected to form a closed pathway between the first lead and the second lead, and when the switch unit is in the open state, the electrical pathway is disconnected to provide an open circuit between the first lead and the second lead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Leonard D. Nicoletti, III
  • 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: 7808361
    Abstract: A dual protection device includes a cover, a first protection unit, a second protection unit and a base. The first protection unit includes an elastic contact piece and a first conductive member. The elastic contact piece has a first end fixed to the cover and a second end including a first contact point. The first conductive member has a second contact point to contact with the first contact point. The elastic contact piece bends to separate the first contact point from the second contact point when overloaded. The second protection unit has a second conductive member, which is respectively connected with the first conductive member and a second terminal by fuse members. A biasing member is compressed between the second conductive member and the base so as to separate the second terminal from the second conductive member when the fuse members melt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Inventor: Tsung Mou Yu
  • Patent number: 7791448
    Abstract: A dual protection device for a circuit includes a first protection unit and a second protection unit functioning independently. The first protection unit includes an elastic contact piece having a first contact point and a conductive member having a second contact point to contact with the first contact point. When overloaded, the elastic contact piece is deformed and bent toward an opposite direction to separate the first contact point from the second contact point, thereby protecting the circuit. The second protection unit has a fuse member and a second terminal. The fuse member is connected between the conductive member and the second terminal. If the first protection unit does not function as expected and the temperature climbs to a predetermined value, the fuse member melts. The conductive member is disconnected from the second terminal, thereby protecting the circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Inventor: Tsung Mou Yu
  • Patent number: 7791864
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for regulating the distribution of electricity at events such as trade shows to prevent exhibitors from utilizing electricity not purchased from the convention center or other entity controlling electricity distribution, including lockable electric outlet boxes having a lockable fuse holder containing a fuse that restricts or limits a specific electrical outlet box or group of outlet boxes to a maximum electrical current or amperage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Interface Group - Nevada, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond T. Matyas, Dan Roman, Sergio Corona, Richard Heller
  • Patent number: 7750788
    Abstract: A dual protection device for a circuit includes a first protection unit and a second protection unit functioning independently. The first protection unit includes an elastic contact piece having a first contact point and a first conductive member having a second contact point to contact with the first contact point. When overloaded, the elastic contact piece is deformed and bent toward an opposite direction to separate the first contact point from the second contact point, thereby protecting the circuit. The second protection unit has a flexible second conductive member disposed between the first conductive member and the second terminal. A fuse member forces a free end of the second conductive member to connect with the second terminal. When the fuse member melts due to high temperature, the free end of the second conductive member is separated from the second terminal, thereby protecting the circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Inventor: Tsung Mou Yu
  • Patent number: 7742269
    Abstract: The circuit breaker according to the present invention has first and second terminals having favorable electric conductivity and joined to each other with solder; and a heater whose circumference is insulated installed for melting the solder and supplied with electric power from the current path separate from current paths passing through the first and second terminals; wherein the first and second terminals are separated by a spring force and insulated when the solder is melted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Toshiaki Shinohara
  • Patent number: 7737816
    Abstract: A dual protection device for a circuit includes a first protection unit and a second protection unit functioning independently. The first protection unit includes an elastic contact piece which has a first contact point. A first conductive member has a second contact point to contact with the first contact point. The elastic contact piece is deformed and bent toward an opposite direction to separate the first contact point from the second contact point when overloaded. A second protection unit has a second conductive member which is connected between the second terminal and the first conductive member. A fuse member and a biasing member are disposed at two opposite sides of the second conductive member. When the fuse member melts due to high temperature, the second conductive member is pushed by the biasing member to be separated from the second terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Inventor: Tsung Mou Yu
  • Patent number: 7728709
    Abstract: An electric component includes a first base body that connects to a first contact, and an ally conducting element positioned along a current path between the first contact and a second contact. The electrically conducting element melts when an operating voltage of the electric component is exceeded. The electric component also includes an electrically insulating material that substantially surrounds the electrically conducting element and that is arranged so as to prevent an electric flashover between regions of the current path that are bridged by the electrically conducting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: EPCOS AG
    Inventors: Hermann Grünbichler, Martin Schwingenschuh
  • Patent number: 7639112
    Abstract: A fuse is provided that includes a housing and a first lead and a second lead. The fuse further includes a fuse element having a current capacity. The fuse element forms a part of an electrical pathway between the first lead and the second lead. The fuse also includes a switch unit in communication with the housing and in series with the fuse element. The switch unit has an open state and a closed state. When the switch unit is in the closed state, the electrical pathway is connected to form a closed pathway between the first lead and the second lead, and when the switch unit is in the open state, the electrical pathway is disconnected to provide an open circuit between the first lead and the second lead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Leonard Nicoletti, III
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20090128280
    Abstract: A fusible switch disconnect device includes a housing adapted to receive at least one fuse therein, and switchable contacts for connecting the fuse to circuitry. A tripping mechanism is provided to disconnect the switchable contacts when predetermined circuit conditions occur.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2008
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventors: Matthew R. Darr, Robert Stephen Douglass, Matthew Thomas Dowil
  • Patent number: 7345569
    Abstract: A protection device includes a bi-metallic plate electrically connected between the first and second terminals, and the bi-metallic plate is bent upward to separate two contact points when the protection device is overloaded to cut off the circuit. A contact plate has a first end in contact with the second terminal and a second end of the contact plate is forced to be connected to a second end of the carrier by a breakable piece that is made by low melting point metal. When the protection device is overloaded and the bi-metallic plate does not bend as expected, the breakable piece collapses or melts at a pre-set temperature to separate the second end of the contact plate and the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Inventor: Tsung-Mou Yu
  • Patent number: 7345568
    Abstract: A protection device includes a bi-metallic plate having a first end fixed to a first terminal and a second of the bi-metallic plate has a first contact point so as to contact a second contact point on a first end of a carrier. A contact plate has a first end in contact with a second terminal and a second end of the contact plate is forced to connect to a second end of the carrier by a low melting point metal. When the protection device is overloaded, the bi-metallic plate is bent to separate the first contact point and the second contact point. Besides, if the bi-metallic plate does not bend as expected, the low melting point metal melts to separate the second end of the contact plate and the carrier when a pre-set temperature is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Inventor: Tsung-Mou Yu
  • Patent number: 7301431
    Abstract: An electric component includes a first base body that connects to a first contact, and an ally conducting element positioned along a current path between the first contact and a second contact. The electrically conducting element melts when an operating voltage of the electric component is exceeded. The electric component also includes an electrically insulating material that substantially surrounds the electrically conducting element and that is arranged so as to prevent an electric flashover between regions of the current path that are bridged by the electrically conducting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: EPCOS AG
    Inventors: Hermann Grünbichler, Martin Schwingenschuh
  • Publication number: 20030201865
    Abstract: A thermal switch comprises an elongate tubular sealed housing. A control circuit is mounted in the housing. The control circuit comprises a thermostat, a fuse and a thermal overload switch electrically connected in series. An electrical connector is mounted to the housing and is connected to the control circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Inventors: Robert A. Ritt, Ruben Rivera
  • Publication number: 20030155965
    Abstract: A method for using a low voltage power supply to generate a temperature-independent voltage and temperature-dependent voltage is provided. Further, an apparatus that uses a low voltage power supply to generate a temperature-independent voltage and temperature-dependent voltage is provided. The apparatus generates a temperature-dependent voltage and a temperature-independent voltage using an amplifier stage that generates a feedback signal; a startup stage that generates a startup signal dependent on the feedback signal; and an output stage that outputs the temperature-dependent voltage and the temperature-independent voltage dependent on the feedback and startup signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2002
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Inventors: Claude Gauthier, Brian Amick, Spencer Gold, Kamran Zarrineh
  • Patent number: 6608546
    Abstract: A 42V fuse and a fuse support used in an electric circuit of an automobile. The 42V fuse includes first and second terminals, a fuse line connecting the first and second terminals, and a housing. The fuse support has a pair of guide blocks. A groove extends through each block. The grooves enable the 42V fuse to be connected to the fuse support. Further, the grooves restrict the connection of a 14V fuse to the fuse support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Pacific Engineering Corp.
    Inventors: Hideki Andoh, Akihiko Shimizu
  • Patent number: 6587028
    Abstract: A fused disconnect switch assembly includes a switch housing assembly and a pull out fuse assembly. The switch housing assembly includes a housing defining a fuse receptacle, first and second terminal contacts within the housing and located adjacent the fuse receptacle, and an alarm terminal extending from the fuse receptacle to an exterior of the fuse housing. The pull out fuse assembly includes a housing, a line side terminal extending from the housing, a load side terminal extending from the housing, and a primary fuse having first and second conductive end caps. The fuse end caps are coupled to respective line side and load side terminals of the pull out fuse assembly housing, and the first and second terminal contacts of the switch housing assembly receive the load side and the line side terminal blades of the pull out fuse assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: Ronald Emil Mollet, Brian Corey Hall
  • Patent number: 6583711
    Abstract: A temperature sensitive circuit breaker includes two contacts electrically mounted on a circuit board and an insulating pivot seat attached to the circuit board between the two contacts. A lever has a first end pivotally connected to the pivot seat and connected to one of the contacts, and a second end electrically connected to the other contact. A non-metallic expansive rod is mounted on the circuit board below the lever to push the lever upward to make the second end of lever separate from the contact when a high temperature on the circuit board is transferred to the expansive rod. The breaking member causes a high temperature to melt itself when a current passes through the breaking member to open a circuit on the circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Inventor: Chin-Chi Yang
  • Patent number: 6563685
    Abstract: The thermal protection relay determines a value representative of the thermal image of an apparatus to be protected according to a measured current value, to a previous value of the thermal image and to preset heating and cooling time constants. The relay takes into account a non-zero initial thermal image, determined from experimental thermal resistance curves of the apparatus. In the case of a motor, for example, this enables the cold tripping curve of the relay to be lowered without modifying the hot tripping curve, so as to bring the tripping curves of the relay closer to the thermal resistance curves of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Schneider Electric Industries SA
    Inventor: Bernhard Gotzig
  • Patent number: 6492747
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fuse having an input connection (1), an output connection (2) and two parallel current paths which connect both connections to one another. The current paths are namely a main current path (3) and a partial current path. The electric fuse comprises a single fuse element (5) arranged in the main current path (3). In addition, a switch (6) which is arranged inthe partial current path is provided. The switch (6) is configured in such a way that it opens when given limiting values are exceeded, said limiting values pertaining to the current flowing through the fuse and/or to the temperture of the fuse element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Leoni Bordnetz-Systeme GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Volker Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 6459354
    Abstract: The breaker apparatus is disclosed which comprises a projecting wall standing upright from the base of a breaker body; a pair of plate-shaped fixed electrodes laid on the front and back surfaces of the projecting wall; a recessed plug to be fitted on the projecting wall; a U-shaped movable electrode to be stored in the plug for bringing the both fixed electrodes into conduction by clamping the projecting wall on the front and back surfaces thereof; a fuse storage section for storing a fuse connected to one of the fixed electrodes in the surrounding wall standing upright from the base in parallel with the projecting wall; a cover for covering the opening of the fuse storage section and being fittable to the surrounding wall; an engaging surface formed on the plug and facing in the fitting direction of the plug; and a cover motion stopper provided on the cover for engaging with the engaging surface of the plug with the plug fitted to the projecting wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignees: Autonetworks Technologies, Ltd., Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazumoto Konda, Junji Muta, Tatsuya Sumida, Yoshito Oka, Ichiaki Sano
  • Patent number: 6456187
    Abstract: A breaker apparatus comprises: a breaker switch including a pair of fixed electrodes standing upright on the breaker body, a plug detachably mounted on the breaker body, and a movable electrode provided on the plug for disconnecting and connecting between both fixed electrodes by being pulled out or pushed in to the both fixed electrodes; and a fuse mounted in parallel with the breaker switch, characterized in that a locking lever is pivotably mounted on one of the breaker body and the plug and the locking lever is pivoted to the locking position where the plug is locked in the fitted state, in that the breaker body is provided with a micro switch having a swinging strip for detecting whether or not the locking lever is pivoted to the locking position so that the micro switch is activated when the tip of the locking lever pivots along the length of the swinging strip and presses the swinging strip on the way to activate the micro switch, and in that the tip of the locking lever is formed so that the length is
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignees: Autonetworks Technologies, Ltd., Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazumoto Konda, Junji Muta, Tatsuya Sumitda, Yoshito Oka, Ichiaki Sano
  • Patent number: 6407656
    Abstract: In the breaker device, a pair of stationary electrodes 20, 21 are arranged on the front and the rear side of the protruding wall 18, that is, the pair of stationary electrodes 20, 21 are collected at one place. Therefore, the pair of stationary electrodes 20, 21 have a space round both the stationary electrodes in common. Accordingly, the size of the breaker device can be reduced. Further, when the radius of curvature of the continuity section 73 connecting the pinching pieces 71, 72 is made large, concentration of stress in the movable electrode 70 can be relieved. Therefore, the pinching forces of both the pinching pieces 71, 72 can be increased. Accordingly, it is possible to ensure a sufficiently high contact pressure between the movable electrode 70 and the stationary electrodes 20, 21.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignees: Autonetworks Technologies, Ltd., Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazumoto Konda, Junji Muta, Tatsuya Sumida, Yoshito Oka, Ichiaki Sano
  • Publication number: 20020014943
    Abstract: An overcurrent interrupting device includes a power MOSFET (10) for controlling an electric current flowing from a power supply to a load; a current detection circuit (30) for detecting a current value of an electric current flowing from the power MOSFET (10) to a load (L); a determination value selection circuit (50) for selecting a determination value used for determining an overcurrent; an overcurrent determination circuit (40) for determining whether or not the current value represents occurrence of an overcurrent, on the basis of the current value detected by the current detection circuit (30) and the determination value selected by the determination value selection circuit (50); and a boosting and switching circuit (20) for controlling activation/deactivation of the power MOSFET (10) on the basis of a result of determination rendered by the overcurrent determination circuit (40).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2001
    Publication date: February 7, 2002
    Applicant: YAZAKI CORPORATION and TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuto Sugiyama, Keiichi Ito, Kazuyuki Shiraki, Isao Yoneyama
  • Publication number: 20010002118
    Abstract: The breaker apparatus is disclosed which comprises a projecting wall standing upright from the base of a breaker body; a pair of plate-shaped fixed electrodes laid on the front and back surfaces of the projecting wall; a recessed plug to be fitted on the projecting wall; a U-shaped movable electrode to be stored in the plug for bringing the both fixed electrodes into conduction by clamping the projecting wall on the front and back surfaces thereof; a fuse storage section for storing a fuse connected to one of the fixed electrodes in the surrounding wall standing upright from the base in parallel with the projecting wall; a cover for covering the opening of the fuse storage section and being fittable to the surrounding wall; an engaging surface formed on the plug and facing in the fitting direction of the plug; and a cover motion stopper provided on the cover for engaging with the engaging surface of the plug with the plug fitted to the projecting wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2000
    Publication date: May 31, 2001
    Applicant: Harness System Technologies Research, LTD.
    Inventors: Kazumoto Konda, Junji Muta, Tatsuya Sumida, Yoshito Oka, Ichiaki Sano
  • Patent number: 6239977
    Abstract: A PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card International Association) modem card includes a PCB (printed circuit board) sealed in a slender enclosure, typically the size of a credit card. The PCB contains a hole for receiving a drop-in electronic component, such as a resetting fuse. The fuse comprises a block of positive-temperature-coefficient material sandwiched between a pair of parallel contacts. Each contact includes a tab for surface mounting the fuse to an array of conductive films located on the surface of the PCB. The tabs lie in a common plane and in a plane parallel to the planes of the contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: 3Com Corporation
    Inventors: Tim Urry Price, Patrick A. Tucker
  • Patent number: 6132257
    Abstract: An electrical socket device includes a base member formed with an open top side for access to a mounting chamber. Two conductive prong engaging members are mounted on the base member inside the mounting chamber, and are formed with prong engaging portions. One of the prong engaging members is further formed with a first fuse contact. A conductive fuse contacting member is mounted on the base member inside the mounting chamber, and has a second fuse contact aligned with and spaced apart from the first fuse contact. A thermal fuse has first and second fuse terminals held removably by the fuse contacts. A cover member is mounted on the base member to cover the top side of the base member, and includes a plug engaging portion formed with prong inserting slots aligned with the prong engaging portions, and a fuse locating portion formed with an access opening for exposing the fuse contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: Ceramate Technical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert Wang, Jack Wang
  • Patent number: 6111758
    Abstract: An electronic component (100) includes a body portion (105) for enclosing first and second electronic devices (415, 430). The component (100) has first and second leads (110, 115) extending therefrom for providing a connection to the first device (415) and third and fourth leads (125, 130) extending from the component (100) for providing a connection to the second device (430). The first device (415) can be a short circuit connection, a fuse, or a resistor, while the second device (430) can be a different device, such as an open circuit connection. When the first and second leads (110, 115) are inserted into a connector (205) of an external circuit (202), the first device (415) is electrically coupled to the circuit (202). When, alternatively, the third and fourth leads (125, 130) are inserted into the connector (205), the second device (430) is electrically coupled to the circuit (202).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Scientific-Atlanta, Inc.
    Inventor: Doyle N. Dowd
  • Patent number: 5942966
    Abstract: The invention concerns a closing-edge-type fuse with a safety strip (1) which comprises an electric switch device and consists of a plurality of contact elements (2, 2a) which are disposed in a row in a resilient tube (3). In the rest position, under the effect of resilient prestress, the contact elements (2, 2a) abut one another at contact points provided at the end face. Under the effect of an external force when the tube (3) is deformed, the contact elements (2, 2a) are moved apart breaking the contact. A resilient contact element bed (4, 4a), which is adapted to the shape of the contact elements (2, 2a) and accommodates each of the contact elements individually, is provided in the resilient tube (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Inventors: Andre Haake, Oliver Haake, Patrick Haake
  • Patent number: RE36317
    Abstract: An indicating fuse assembly includes an electrically non-conductive housing; an array of first and second electrically conductive contacts supported by the housing, each pair of first and second contacts being adapted for connecting a replaceable fuse, the contacts being connected in a powered circuit wherein each fuse, when connected between a respective pair of the contacts, is electrically series-connected with a load of the circuit; and a plurality of illuminators electrically connected within the housing for displaying open circuit conditions of corresponding ones of the fuses when the contacts are connected in the powered circuit, electrical current in the illuminators being limited to a minor fraction of a rated current of the corresponding loads. At least some the illuminators can include bipolar pairs of light emitting diodes for activation of the respective illuminators without regard to polarity of the circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Inventor: Jose F. Arratia