Sensata Technologies, Inc.

Gigavac, LLC

David P Hatch

Murray Stephan McTigue

Daniel C Sullivan

Bernard Victor Bush

Frank Hendri Jacobs

Robert Zwijze

Shihong Huo

Daniel Sullivan

Edward O'Brien

Timothy M McBride

Lei Liu

Murray Stephan Mctigue

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.

Contact levitation triggering mechanisms for use with switching devices incorporating pyrotechnic features

Embodiments included herein are directed towards sensing devices and related methods. Embodiments may include a first gauge positioned on a port of the sensing device. A first resistor of the first gauge may be positioned in a first compression region of the port. A second resistor of the first gauge may also be positioned in the first compression region of the port.

Sensing device with gauge

Electrical switching devices, such contactor and fuse devices, are disclosed that have improved reliability particularly through thermal cycling. One electrical switching device according to the present invention comprises an outer housing and internal operational components within the outer housing. An internal housing in included in that outer housing that surrounds at least some of the internal operational components. A sealing material is also included within the outer housing that is capable of forming a hermetic seal within the outer housing, wherein the sealing material contacts the internal housing. The internal housing has a CTE that substantially matches the CTE of the sealing material. Electrical system according to the present invention comprises an electrical circuit and an improved electrical switching device electrically connected to the electrical circuit to reliably open or close the circuit.

Switching device with improved epoxy hermetic seal

In an embodiment, an apparatus may include a sense element having a first end and a second end; and a stud fitted inside the sense element. The stud may have a first end and a second end. The first end of the stud may be free floating with respect to the sense element. The second end of the stud may be attached to the second end of the sense element. The sense element may include one or more gauges. The gauges may sense strain on the sense element. The apparatus may include a ridge that may be used to provide overload protection of the apparatus. The ridge may be placed on the stud, the sense element, or the stud and sense element.

Sense element having a stud fitted within the sense element

An occupant weight sensor () for placement between a frame () fixed to the chassis of a vehicle and a second frame () supporting a vehicle seat has a sense element having a first body () formed with a planar sense surface on which are mounted piezoresistors electrically connected in a Wheatstone bridge configuration. A post () extends outwardly from the first body for attachment to the first frame. A second body is formed with a force transfer portion () permanently attached to the first body along an outer periphery circumscribing the sense surface. The piezoresistors are electrically connected to conditioning electronics received in a chamber formed between the two bodies. The effects of parasitic loads on the sense element are minimized by selected placement of the piezoresistors on the sense surface. Several variations are disclosed for attaching the sensor to the first and second frames and both longitudinally and laterally extending electrical connectors are shown.

Growing community of inventors

Whitinsville, MA, United States of America

David P Hatch