Texas Instruments Corporation

Kevin R French

Steven K Sullivan

Karl A Kohm

Christopher S Simpson

Stephen B Proia

Mark G Dexter

A solid state motor protector has a first PTC chip (positive temperature coefficient of resistivity) electrically connected in series relation with a second resistor having a generally fixed temperature coefficient of resistivity and mechanically coupled to the first resistor in close/direct thermal coupling. Another embodiment has a plate like isolator () formed with an opening receiving a polymer PTC chip () and having terminals () which serve as fixed resistors. Yet another embodiment has an additional PTC resistor and a fixed resistor used in a motor reversing mechanism. Still another embodiment has a fixed resistor on either side of a PTC resistor for use in protecting the windings of a single phase motor. Another embodiment has a stack of polymer PTC resistor chips () with one chip serving as a voltage blocking chip and the other chip serving as fixed resistors.

Solid state motor protector

A current interrupter ( ) includes bimetallic member ( ) as a switching member having a formed portion ( ) providing snap action movement between oppositely dished configurations. An integrally formed extended length portion ( ) having a stiffening feature extends from the formed portion and mounts a movable contact at its free end. Stiffening feature embodiments include folded opposed marginal edges and one or more longitudinally extending ribs formed in the extended length portion. In one embodiment, the bimetallic member is cantilever mounted in a housing member ( ). In another embodiment, a bimetallic member ( D) has first and second extended length portions ( ) extending from opposite sides of a formed portion to provide a circuit interrupter with a double break system.

Circuit interrupter and method

End cap apparatus (,) is received in the open end of an electrochemical cell casing (,) and is particularly adapted to be crimped thereto electrically separated from the casing by a gasket (,). The end cap apparatus incorporates current interrupt safety protection features including high rate overcharge protection through an over-temperature and/or low pressure switch (,), low rate overcharge and overdischarge protection through a low pressure switch (,), extended short circuit protection through an over-temperature switch driven by l,r heating of internal components (,), and pressure venting through a frangible portion (,) of a diaphragm. The diaphragm can be integrally formed with a header (,) or can be a separate element (,).

Current interrupt apparatus for electrochemical cells

A surge protector particularly adapted for use with telecommunication equipment is non-conductive during normal operation and becomes conductive upon surge conditions of a first level and provides a short circuit condition when subjected to surge condition above a second, greater level. The protector comprises a semiconducting chip (16) disposed between first (32, 32') and second (30, 30') electrodes and is provided with an environmental seal (60, 60') shrunk abut the outer peripheral surfaces of the electrodes while being non-adhering to both provide contaminant protection and free slidability of the electrodes within the sleeve.

Growing community of inventors

North Dighton, MA, United States of America

Kevin R French