Gigavac, LLC

Murray Stephan McTigue

Daniel C Sullivan

Bernard Victor Bush

Michael Henry Molyneux

David P Hatch

Daniel Sullivan

Brent James Swartzentruber

Eric Glenn Hufstedler

Samuel Naumowicz

Derek Turner

Chia-Kai Kevin Jui

Electrical switching devices that can have a housing cup having an opening and a header covering and making a seal with said cup. Internal components are included within the housing, with the internal components configured to change the state of the switching device from a closed state and an open state in response to input. The closed state allows current flow through said device and the open state interrupts current flow through said device. A plurality of fixed contact are included that are electrically connected to said internal components for connection to external circuitry, wherein the fixed contact pass though the header with a portion exposed above the header. A plurality of glass/ceramic eyelets are included, each of which is mounted to a respective one of the fixed contacts on the exposed portion of its one of the fixed contacts. Each of the eyelets can be radially symmetric about its one of the fixed contacts, with the eyelets covering less than all of the header.

Switching device with ceramic/glass eyelets

Fuse devices and electrical systems using the fuse devices are disclosed, with the fuse devices having internal components to cause a fuse blown event when the pre-determined current level is reached through the contacts. The internal components can comprise a levitation actuator that causes separation between one or more of the contacts as the current level approaches the predetermined level. This causes contact levitation and arcing, which increases the resistance at the contact being separated. This in turn causes the current through the contacts to seek another path that in the embodiments herein is a path to a pyro feature. The current activates the pyro feature, which causes the contacts to separate and puts the fuse device in 'fuse blown' condition where currents can no longer flow through the contacts.

Levitation fuse device

Contact assemblies are described herein having certain components, or portions thereof, that are formed integral to one another to reduce the complexity of manufacturing, improve the operation characteristics, and increase operational reliability of devices using the contact assemblies. New shapes to features and components of the contact assemblies are also disclosed, with the shapes providing the desired operational characteristics. Embodiments of the invention are also directed contactors or fuses (i.e., electrical switching devices) utilizing the contactor assemblies according to the present invention, and to electrical circuits and systems utilizing the electrical switching devices according to the present invention.

Contactor with integrated drive shaft and yoke

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

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

Disclosed herein are passive triggering mechanisms for activation of pyrotechnic features within electrical switching devices, such as contactor devices and fuse devices. The activation of the pyrotechnic features is configured to change the configuration of the internal components of the switching device and prevent current flow through the device. In some embodiments, the triggering mechanisms comprise features that respond to a magnetic field, such as a reed switch. In some embodiments, threshold strength of a magnetic field needed to trigger the passive triggering mechanism, which corresponds to a threshold level of current running through the switching devices indicating a dangerous overcurrent, can be adjusted based upon the distance between the passive triggering mechanism and a portion of the device such as a power terminal or feature connected to a power terminal.

Passive triggering mechanisms for use with switching devices incorporating pyrotechnic features

Disclosed herein are passive triggering mechanisms for activation of pyrotechnic features within electrical switching devices, such as contactor devices and fuse devices. The activation of the pyrotechnic features is configured to change the configuration of the internal components of the switching device and prevent current flow through the device. In some embodiments, the triggering mechanisms comprise features that respond to a magnetic field, such as a reed switch. In some embodiments, the reed switch responds to elevated current flow and can then use the signal with the elevated current flow to activate the pyrotechnic feature. In other embodiments, the reed switch uses a power signal from a secondary power source to activate the pyrotechnic feature.

Disclosed herein are efficient mechanical fuse devices that are capable of functioning at high current levels. These devices comprise mechanical features configured such that the fuse devices have a non-triggered state, which allows current to flow through the device, and a triggered state, which does not allow current to flow through the device. In some embodiments, the devices are configured such that a certain pre-determined current level flowing through the device will generate a sufficient electromagnetic field to cause the mechanical elements to transition the fuse device into the triggered state and thus interrupt a connected electrical circuit, device or system. In some embodiments, these devices can also comprise hermetically sealed components. In some embodiments, the fuse devices can comprise pyrotechnic features.

Mechanical fuse device

Disclosed herein are contactor devices, for example, devices that can be utilized as switching elements, comprising fixed contacts that are electrically isolated from one another and one or more moveable contacts that are configured to electrically contact the fixed contacts to provide an electrical connection between them. Movement of the fixed contacts into and out of electrical contact with the fixed contacts controls flow of electricity through the devices. The contactor devices also include pyrotechnic disconnect elements, which function as a circuit break or fuse-like element to protect against overcurrent. When the electrical current through the contactor device reaches a threshold level, a pyrotechnic charge activates, permanently forcing the moveable contacts out of electrical contact with the fixed contacts.

Contactor device integrating pyrotechnic disconnect features

Disclosed herein are efficient mechanical fuse devices that are capable of functioning at high current levels. These devices comprise mechanical features configured such that the fuse devices have a non-triggered state, which allows current to flow through the device, and a triggered state, which does not allow current to flow through the device. In some embodiments, the devices are configured such that a certain pre-determined current level flowing through the device will generate a sufficient electromagnetic field to cause the mechanical elements to transition the fuse device into the triggered state and thus interrupt a connected electrical circuit, device or system. In some embodiments, these devices can also comprise hermetically sealed components.

Growing community of inventors

Carpenteria, CA, United States of America

Murray Stephan McTigue