Raychem Limited

William D Carlomagno

Andrew N Au

Timothy E Fahey

David A Horsma

Shou-Mean Fang

Guillaume Peronnet

Stephen Hunter Diaz

Gabe Cherian

William M Robinson

Alexandru S Gliga

Willie K Grassauer

David K Haygood

Dennis E Cummings

Harry E White

H Paul Sherlock

Raymond Noel

Thomas H Clifford

William M Deasy

The invention provides a technique for interconnecting electronic components in which interconnection wires are bonded to contacts on a first component without the use of a material other than the materials of the contacts and the wires; the wires are then severed to a desired length of between 2d and 20d, where d is the diameter of the wires, and bonded to contacts on the second component by means of a conductive material such as solder. Preferably, solder is provided as pools located in recesses in a layer of insulating material. The invention also provides a bonding head for a wire bonder for bonding the wire to the contact on the first component and for weakening or severing the wire at the desired point.

Interconnection of electronic components

Circuit protection devices which comprise a PTC conductive polymer element and a second electrical component which is thermally coupled to the PTC element and which, when a fault causes the current in the circuit to become excessive, generates heat which is transferred to the PTC element, thus reducing the time taken to 'trip' the PTC element. The second component is for example a voltage-dependent resistor which is connected in series with the PTC element under the fault conditions and is thus protected from damage. Alternatively, the second component is a thick film resistor which is connected in series with the PTC element.

Composite circuit protection devices

Circuit protection devices which comprise a PTC conductive polymer element and a second electrical component which is thermally coupled to the PTC element and which, when a fault causes the current in the circuit to become excessive, generates heat which is transferred to the PTC element, thus reducing the time taken to 'trip' PTC element. The second component is for example a voltage-dependent resistor which is connected in series with the PTC element under the fault conditions and is thus protected from damage. Alternatively, the second component is a thick film resistor which is connected in series with the PTC element.

Circuit protection devices which comprise a PTC conductive polymer element and a second electrical component which is thermally coupled to the PTC element and which, when a fault causes the current in the circuit to become excessive, generates heat which is transferred to the PTC element, thus reducing the time taken to 'trip' the PTC element. The second component is for example a voltate-dependent resistor which is connected in series with the PTC element under the fault conditions and is thus protected from damage. Alternatively, the second component is a thick film resistor which is connected in series with the PTC element.

Circuit protection devices which comprise a PTC conductive polymer element and a second electrical component which is thermally coupled to the PTC element and which, when a fault causes the current in the circuit to become excessive, generates heat which is transferred to the PTC element, thus reducing the time taken to 'trip' the PTC element. The second component is for example a voltage-dependent resistor which is connected in series with the PTC element under the fault conditions and is thus protected from damage.

Mechanical means and methods for delivery of solder preforms arranged in generally rectilinear patterns and oriented so that the ends of the solder preforms may join two planar surfaces upon the application of heat are disclosed. Several embodiments facilitate the delivery of solder preforms in the forms of posts, clips and rings.

Solder delivery systems

Circuit protection devices which contain PTC conductive polymer elements and which are used in situations in which the device is mounted onto, or itself comprises, a rigid wall which is spaced apart from the PTC element and through which the electrodes pass. The behavior of the device can be adversely affected if the electrodes, which are prevented from moving by the rigid wall, prevent the PTC element from expanding to the extent necessary to provide the desired PTC effect. The invention includes the use of specially designed electrodes which lessen the danger that the PTC element, when it is tripped, is prevented from expanding to the extent necessary for effective operation.

Conductive polymer circuit protection devices having improved electrodes

An article which in use is heated to an elevated utilization temperature comprises a thermochromic composition, which when heated to a transition temperature, provides a visible color change in less than about 5 seconds. The transition temperature is at least 30.degree. C. greater than the utilization temperature. To place visible indicia on the article, the article is heated to a temperature at least as great as the transistion temperature.

Method of marking a substrate using a markable thermochromic article

An apparatus is provided for installing sleeves onto elongated substrates such as electrical wiring or cable, where the sleeves are slideably arranged on fingers extending from a carrier belt. The apparatus includes a base having a belt path for receiving the carrier belt and a finger guideway for receiving a finger of the carrier belt. Stripping means are slideably mounted on the base for forcing a sleeve from a finger onto a substrate. An indexing element is provided for moving the carrier belt to a position so that a finger having a sleeve arranged thereon is in the finger guideway each time after a sleeve is stripped from a finger. In use of the device, the sleeve can be stripped from a finger into the die in two stages, where an elongate substrate is inserted into the removed portion of the sleeve between the two stages. For installing non-cylindrical sleeves on cylindrical substrates, a die is mounted to the base at a position to receive the sleeve as it is stripped from a finger. The die includes a narrow passageway for forming a sleeve into a substantially cylindrical configuration. Preferably, the die comprises at least two passageways for receiving the sleeve, the passageways being adapted for sleeves of different shape and/or material, where the die is rotatably mounted so that either of the passageways can be positioned to receive a sleeve. In use of the device, a sleeve can be stripped from a finger into the die in two stages, where an elongate substrate is inserted into the removed portion of the sleeve between the two stages.

Method for installing a sleeve on a substrate

Apparatus for installing sleeves on substrates

An apparatus for the facile installation of non-cylindrical marker sleeves on wire-like members such as electrical wiring or cable. The apparatus is particularly directed to the handling of non-cylindrical marker sleeves which are tightly and slidably arranged on fingers of a carrier belt. A stripper mechanism employing a series of split tines is slidably positioned on a base capable of fixedly holding the carrier belt and fingers. The split tines are directed along either side of each finger to engage a first end of each non-cylindrical sleeve and to force the sleeve from its supporting finger. A die is fixed to the base to receive the sleeves as they are stripped from the carrier fingers. The die includes a plurality of formed channels which receive the non-cylindrical sleeves and force them into a substantially cylindrical configuration as they are stripped into respective channels. If the stripper mechanism does not force the sleeves entirely off the carrier fingers, a knife may be passed between the ends of the fingers and the die to sever the unstripped portions of the sleeves. The die holds the stripped portions of the sleeves in place and in a substantially cylindrical configuration in order that wire-like members may be passed through the sleeves unresisted. The wire-like member and sleeve assemblies may then be lifted from the channels and the sleeve easily positioned where desired. Subsequent portions of the severed sleeves or a new set of sleeves may then be stripped into the again vacant die.

Growing community of inventors

Redwood City, CA, United States of America

William D Carlomagno