634results about "Electrothermal relays" patented technology

MEMS Device Having Contact and Standoff Bumps and Related Methods. According to one embodiment, a movable MEMS component suspended over a substrate is provided. The component can include a structural layer having a movable electrode separated from a substrate by a gap. The component can also include at least one standoff bump attached to the structural layer and extending into the gap for preventing contact of the movable electrode with conductive material when the component moves.

A micromanipulator comprising a tubular structure and a structural compliance mechanism that are formed from a tube made of an elastic and / or superelastic material. Fabricated with laser machining and has no mechanical joints, the micromanipulator can be manipulated in various motions and degree-of-freedoms without permanent deformation. Shape Memory Alloys (SMAs) in one embodiment are implemented as main actuators of the micromanipulator. The micromanipulator can be implemented with multiple SMAs to manipulate the mechanism with multiple degree-of-freedom. In another implementation, multiple segments of the mechanisms are formed and arranged in various configurations, including a “double-helix”-like configuration, for enabling intricate motions of the micromanipulator. The micromanipulator is useful for intravascular interventional applications and particularly ultrasonic imaging when coupled with an ultrasound transducer.

MEMS Device Having A Trilayered Beam And Related Methods. According to one embodiment, a movable, trilayered microcomponent suspended over a substrate is provided and includes a first electrically conductive layer patterned to define a movable electrode. The first metal layer is separated from the substrate by a gap. The microcomponent further includes a dielectric layer formed on the first metal layer and having an end fixed with respect to the substrate. Furthermore, the microcomponent includes a second electrically conductive layer formed on the dielectric layer and patterned to define an electrode interconnect for electrically communicating with the movable electrode.

A protection circuit is provided for protecting a secondary battery from overcharging and excessive discharge current by a simple circuit. The protection circuit is provided with a connection terminal (T3) for connecting the secondary battery (6); a connection terminal (T1) for connecting a charging device for charging the secondary battery (6) and / or a load device driven by a discharge current from the secondary battery (6); a bimetal switch (SW1) that is provided between the connection terminals (T1, T3) and turned off in the case of exceeding a specified temperature set beforehand; a heater (R2) for heating the bimetal switch (SW1); and an integrated circuit (IC1) for turning the bimetal switch (SW1) off by causing the heater (R2) to generate heat if a voltage applied to the connection terminal (T3) by the secondary battery (6) exceeds a preset reference voltage.

The invention relates to a single phase ac motor over current protector in the field of compression refrigerating machine motor protector. It comprises a casing, a cover, an electric-heat wire, a double mental sheet, a fist hook, a second hook, a moving contact, a static contact, a fixed base and a trigger mechanism, wherein the static contact is fixed on the first hook; the electric-heat wire is fixed positioned inside the electric-heat wire channel by a pair of first and second column; the second column is connected with the second hook; the double mental sheet is disk type and positioned on the double mental sheet base upper to the electric-heat wire; the trigger mechanism comprises a top rod and a spring sheet; the top rod is positioned in the top rod hole of the fixed base; the top end and the low end of the double mental sheet are corresponding with the spring sheet; the fixed end of the spring sheet is fixed on spring sheet fixed base which is the lower part of the fixed base; the free end extents to the contact space-limit which is the channel lower part of the fixed base; the moving contact is fixed on the free end and is corresponding with the static contact.

Devices capable of protecting electronic components during the occurrence of a disturbance event using printed circuit board manufacturing techniques. A three (3) layer structure is formed comprising a polymer-based formulation sandwiched between two electrode layers. The devices can be manufactured in panel form providing high quantities of devices which can be removed from the panel and applied directly to the component to be protected. Desired patterns can be formed on either one of the electrode layers by photo-etch techniques thereby providing a process that can be tailored to a large number of applications.

Devices capable of protecting electronic components during the occurrence of a disturbance event using printed circuit board manufacturing techniques. A three (3) layer structure is formed comprising a polymer-based formulation sandwiched between two electrode layers. The devices can be manufactured in panel form providing high quantities of devices which can be removed from the panel and applied directly to the component to be protected. Desired patterns can be formed on either one of the electrode layers by photo-etch techniques thereby providing a process that can be tailored to a large number of applications.

A mechanical release mechanism is provided. The mechanical release mechanism includes two structural members in slideable relation one to another. A latch holds one structural member in a latched position relative to the other structural member. A shape memory alloy member disposed within one of the structural members is used to move the latch holding the other structural member thereby allowing relative motion between the structural members.

A MEMS (microelectromechanical system) electrical switch device is provided for circuit protection applications. The device includes a mechanical latching mechanism by which the switch is held in the closed position, and a mechanism by which this latch is released when the load current passing through the device reaches or exceeds some desired magnitude. In addition, a mechanism is provided by which the switch may be reset to its closed position by applying an electrical control voltage to certain terminals of the device. A number of these devices, or arrays of these devices, can be fabricated by parallel processes on a single substrate, and photolithography can be employed to define the mechanical structures described above. Other embodiments include additional electrical isolation of the resetting mechanism, enhancement of the separation distance of the contact points of the switch in the open position, and prevention of arcing at the latch mechanism. A method of fabricating the device is provided. A method of using the aforementioned device is also provided.

An actuator is provided. The actuator comprises a base portion, a cantilever beam connected to the base portion, and an actuator cell adjacent to the cantilever beam. The actuator cell comprises a first metal electrode positioned on the cantilevered beam, a second metal electrode positioned near the first metal electrode, and phase change material between the first and second metal electrodes, wherein the phase change material connects the first metal electrode to the second metal electrode, wherein applying a burst of energy to the phase change material causes the phase change material to change between an amorphous state and a crystalline state, causing the cantilevered beam to move between a first position and a target position, wherein the cantilevered beam remains at the target position upon removal of the energy.

In a direct current cutoff switch1, a PTC 5, which is a non-linear resistor, is parallel connected to a contact circuit composed of a fixed contact 4-2 and a movable contact 8-2 via electrodes 5-1. When the switch is closed, no current flows in the PTC 5 with a prescribed resistance value at 25° C., since voltage between both the electrodes 5-1 is almost “0”. When the switch is opened in order to cut off current, the contacts form a closed circuit since the PTC 5 is parallel inserted between the fixed contact 4-2 and the movable contact 8-2. For this reason, it is difficult for surge voltage to occur and an arc hardly occurs between both the contacts. The PTC 5 instantaneously heats due to passing current, reduces the resistance value and passes peak current. Then, the resistance value rises and becomes stable in a high value such that weak current which is negligible at 42V, which is rated voltage. Thus, current is substantially cut off.

The invention concerns a microsystem, in particular for producing microswitches or microvalves, constituted on a substrate (50) and used for producing a shift between a first operating state and a second operating state by means of a heat actuated device with bi-metal switch effect. The heat-actuated device comprises a deformable element (51) connected, by opposite ends, to the substrate (50) so as to present naturally a deflection without stress relative to the substrate surface which faces it, said natural deflection determining the first operating state, the second operating state being produced by the heat-actuated device which induces, by the effect of temperature variation, a deformation of the deformable element (51) tending to reduce its deflection and submitting it to a compressive stress by buckling effect in a direction opposite to its natural deflection.

A thermally compensated circuit breaker has a movable contact assembly (24) which mounts a movable electrical contact (24m) for movement between open and closed contacts positions with a stationary electrical contact (26). The contacts are maintained in the closed circuits position by a latching mechanism (24b, 28g) which prevents opening of the contacts through an opening contacts force provided by a spring (24e). A current carrying trip arm (40a, 44a) deflects upon sufficient I.sup.2 R heating to transfer motion to the latch to separate the latch (24b) from the latch receiving catch (28g) to trip the circuit breaker. The trip arm (40a, 44a) is part of a pivotably mounted actuator assembly (40, 44) having a movable end portion spaced from the pivot disposed adjacent a motion transfer member (28c). A calibration screw (42a) is located so that the longitudinal axis is in line with a movable end portion of the actuator assembly and the motion transfer member. In one embodiment the head of the calibration screw is captured in a slot in the free end of a calibration base (42d) attached to the trip arm so that deflection of the trip arm directly transfers motion to the motion transfer member and in another embodiment the calibration screw head is captured in a slot in the free end of the trip arm so that a bowing deflection of the trip arm causes a calibration base (46) to which it is attached at an end thereof to rotate with the calibration base directly transferring motion to the motion transfer member.

A small-sized simple switch for circuit protection of the present invention is simple in structure and easy to operate, and can be readily switched for safety protection of circuits. An alloy plate of the present invention is highly resilient. When in overload, the alloy plate expands and becomes deformed due to the different thermal expansion coefficient and is deformed upward to become disengaged from a wire connecting pad with which it is originally in contact, causing the switch to be switched from the "ON" condition to the "OFF" condition. The alloy plate pushes a lever pivoted to the moving end of the alloy plate to move up such that the lever pushes one end of a pivoted reset button to move up. A user only has to depress the reset button and the switch will be again in the "ON" condition such that repeated ON / OFF conditions of the protection circuit can be effected. If there is no overload on the circuit, the switch of the present invention will be operated to be in "ON" or "OFF" condition as ordinary switches.

A sensing system, sensing method, and method of producing a sensing system capable of providing a cumulative measurement capability, such as in the form of a RFID tag capable of measuring cumulative heat and humidity for continuous monitoring of storage and shipping conditions of various goods. The system includes integrated circuitry and a plurality of sensing elements, preferably having cantilevered bimorph beams. Each sensing element is responsive to an environmental condition so as to deflect toward and away from open contacts in response to changes in the environmental condition. Each sensing element produces a digital output when it contacts and closes its open contacts. The integrated circuitry interfaces with the sensing elements so that the digital outputs of the sensing elements are processed to generate a system output of the sensing system.

A switch 10 has an insulating support 16 on which a first and a second external terminal 11, 14 are arranged, and a temperature-dependent switching mechanism 19 that, as a function of its temperature, makes between the first and the second external terminal 11, 14 an electrically conductive connection for an electrical current to be conducted through the switch 10, and having a switching member 22 that changes its geometric shape in temperature-dependent fashion between a closed position and an open position and in its closed position carries the current. An actuating member is connected electrically and mechanically in series with the switching member 22. The first external terminal 11 is connected to a planar cover electrode 12, to which the actuating member is fastened with its first end 25. The cover electrode 12 has on its inner side 32 a flat self-hold resistor that is electrically connected between the cover electrode 12 and the second external terminal 14.

A system (10) for establishing bypass of a failed battery cell (18) includes a failed cell sensor (26) which on sensing a failed cell generates an electric signal that destroys clamping relation of two retaining wire spools (24) to release retaining means (14,16). Such release enables a unitary plunger assembly (28) to be moved by a spring (49) to position a cylindrical pin contact (52) in electrical shorting relation to the first and second electrodes (57,58) connected across the cell (18).

A temperature-dependent switch 10 has a temperature-dependent switching mechanism 11; a housing 12, receiving the switching mechanism 11 and having a lower part 14 and an upper part 15; and two stationary contacts 31, 32, provided on the upper part 15 on its inner side 37, each contact being connected to an associated external termina 35, 36. A current transfer member is arranged on the switching mechanism 11 and moved by it, which transfer member is in contact with the two stationary contacts 31, 32 in temperature-dependent fashion. There is arranged physically in the region of the current transfer member and upper part 15 at least one resistor 38 which is electrically connected between the stationary contacts 31, 32 at least when the current transfer member is in contact with them.

A safety controller provides a safety output to a target controlled system such as a magnet contactor based on an input from an input device such as a safety door switch to thereby control operation of machine equipment. Safety output parts serve to transmit a solid-state output as the safety output and a connection output part transmits a connection output to another safety controller. A control part having two CPUs controls the safety output and the connection output according to a program based on the input from the input device. Two or more of such safety controllers are connected through their connecting output parts and the connecting input parts to together form a safety system.

A motor operator for an overhead power switch is disclosed including a microcontroller, a unique and powerful array of well-integrated sensors, a motor and drive developing substantial torque and speed and coupled to a switch actuator and responsive to the microcontroller, and a sophisticated program algorithm stored in memory at the actuator site for dynamically controlling, i.e., governing the various control modes as called for by changing conditions. The sensors include an encoder associated with the motor and drive that develops position information signals fed to the dynamic microcontroller to compute real time information including position, speed, and stopping distance used in conjunction with remote operate commands to open, close and monitor status of the switch in the various ways disclosed. Under the supervision of the microcontroller, a motor drive power switching circuit selectively applies a source of power, such as from an on site battery, to an electric motor to drive the switch toward open or closed position at different speeds, output force levels such as at different torques, and in continuous or incremental movements depending on conditions determined by the microcontroller in response to sensor inputs.

MEMS structures employing movable conductive member and a number of current-carrying stationary contact terminals which advantageously permit higher current carrying capability that prior art devices in which currents flowed through movable conductive members. Current carrying capability in excess of 1.0 amp without the need for additional current limiting devices is realized thereby lowering overall system manufacturing costs for systems employing our structures.

A method and an apparatus are disclosed for disconnection of a fault current which has occurred in an AC power supply system. A disconnection command which is produced in a protective device is supplied to a synchronization controller in order to open a circuit breaker, in which synchronization controller a command is delayed until the circuit breaker can be opened in synchronism with the power supply system. The method includes monitoring of the disconnection command emitted from the protective device and monitoring a fault-current signal, or a status signal emitted from the circuit breaker, and formation of an emergency disconnection command if the fault-current signal or the status signal is still present following a delay time after emission of the disconnection command, which delay time is greater than a sum of a natural response time of the circuit breaker and a time for quenching of a switching arc produced on opening of the circuit breaker.

An electrical receptacle has an outlet and senses the operating temperature and automatically turns off when the temperature rises above a predetermined threshold. The receptacle has a reset button that must be manually operated to enable operation of the outlet to resume.

The multistable actuator (10) includes:a mobile part (12) intended to be moved between at least two stable positions,movement means (14, 16) for moving the mobile part,guide means (122, 186, 24, 246, 247, 248, 249) for guiding the movement of the mobile part (12), andsupport means (20, 22, 28, 30, 246, 247, 248, 249) for holding the mobile part (12) in each of the stable positions that it occupies,wherein the movement means (14, 16) are two opposing movement means made of a shape memory alloy.Application in a tactile interface.

A protector (1) has a metal header (30) that mounts a first terminal (31) and a second terminal (32) electrically isolated from one another. A metallic housing (10) is fixed to the header (30) and forms a chamber. A stationary contact (40) is electrically connected to the first terminal (31), a heater (50) is electrically connected between the second terminal (32) and the header (30), and an arm assembly (60) is arranged inside the chamber, with an end thereof being fixed to the housing. The arm assembly (60) includes an electrically conductive movable plate (70) having a movable contact (77) engageable with the stationary contact (40), a thermally responsive member (80) arranged at a position where it lies over or under the movable plate (70) and an electrically conductive weld slug (90) that fixes the movable plate (70) and the thermally responsive member (80) to the housing (10).

A MEMS switch assembly comprising a substrate and a resilient switching member is provided. The resilient switching member comprises a transverse torsion member having a flexible portion, and a leaf spring and cantilever that extend from the flexible portion of the torsion member. The switching assembly further comprises a first anchoring member mounting the torsion member to the stable structure, and a second anchoring member mounting the leaf spring to the stable structure. In this manner, the leaf spring has a flexible portion between the first and second anchors that can be alternately flexed in opposing directions to deflect the cantilever end in the respective opposing directions. The leaf spring can exhibit a first stable geometry (e.g., a convex geometry) when flexed in one of the opposite directions, and a second stable geometry (e.g., a concave geometry) when flexed in another of the opposite directions. Thus, the switch can be switched between two stable states using a momentary force and can maintain these two stable states without further expenditure of energy.

An apparatus (1) that is capable of a first stable configuration and a second stable configuration is disclosed. The bistable mechanism (10) has a leg (30, 32) that is coupled on one end by a base member (22, 24) and on the other end by a shuttle (20). The leg (30, 32) stores potential energy as it is deflected. The potential energy stored in the leg (30, 32) has a maximum potential energy position with a low potential energy position on either side of the maximum. An apparatus and method are also disclosed for a latching mechanism (910) and the associated method. The latching mechanism (910) is comprised of a grasping member (932), a lock slider (928), and a detent slider (916). These three members (916, 928, 932) operate together to induce a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration by actuating the lock slider (928) in a single direction.

A microrelay device formed on a silicon substrate wafer for use in opening and closing a current path in a circuit. A pair of electrically conducting latching beams are attached at their proximal ends to terminals on the substrate. Proximal ends of the beams have complementary shapes which releasably fit together to latch the beams and close the circuit. A pair of shape memory alloy actuators are selectively operated to change shapes which bend one of the beams in a direction which latches the distal ends, or bend the other beam to release the distal ends and open the circuit. The microrelay is bistable in its two positions, and power to the actuators is applied only for switching it open or closed.