Raychem Limited

William M Robinson

Jeffrey A Bennett

John Seymour Mattis

Chuck F Cooper

Willie K Grassauer

Gabe Cherian

Ronald James Mosso

William D Carlomagno

Gary H Wiseman

David K Haygood

Harry E White

John T Fossett

Michele B Small

Thomas H Clifford

William M Deasy

H Paul Sherlock

Raymond Noel

A surge arrester (1) includes varistor elements (2) forming a stack (3) and having opposed end surfaces (4a, 4b). The varistor stack is electrically connected via the opposed end surfaces to end terminals (7a, 7b) having circumferential ridges (32a, 32b), which, in the event of failure of the varistor elements, are designed to relocate the resulting arc and direct it in a manner which reduces or minimizes damage to the surge arrester. The ridges serve as damage-tolerant sacrificial rooting points for an arc in the event of varistor element failure by presenting a substantial metal mass for the arc to erode away.

Surge arrester having ridged terminals

A surge arrester has end terminals having circumferential ridges, which, in the event of failure of varistor elements of the surge arrester, are designed to relocate the resulting arc and direct it in a manner which reduces or minimizes damage to the surge arrester. Grooves lead from the inner surface of the terminals to the ridges, to facilitate arc relocation.

Surge arrester having grooved and ridged terminals

A surge arrester includes varistor elements forming a stack and having opposed end surfaces. The varistor stack is electrically connected via the opposed end surfaces to end terminals having circumferential ridges, which, in the event of failure of the varistor elements, are designed to relocate the resulting arc and direct it in a manner which reduces or minimizes damage to the surge attester. The ridges serve as damage-tolerant sacrificial rooting points for an arc in the event of varistor element failure by presenting a substantial metal mass for the arc to erode away.

A surge arrester has a single varistor element or a stack of varistor elements held between two end terminals by a plurality of elongate strength members disposed therearound. The ends of the strength members are inserted into recesses in the end terminals. Crimping of the end terminals distorts the recesses sufficiently to hold the strength members firmly therewithin, but without shearing and crushing (or otherwise damaging) the strength members.

Surge arrester

A sealed vented surge arrester and method of manufacture is described wherein the valve elements are held under compressive loading while strength members including a moisture sealing void filling compound are pressed fit from the sides of the unit with a shed applied over it. The design achieves all the desirable features of tubular strength members with an ease of manufacture from utilizing half-shell or more members which can be applied from the sides along the longitudinal axis of the valve elements during manufacture to provide better void filling between the structural members and the valve elements.

Electrical surge arrester

The invention provides a method of twisting the conductors of one or more electrical wires, the method comprising:

Method of twisting the conductors of electrical wires

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

A solder delivery system has a continuous element of solder material adjacent to at least one polymeric layer, which is provided with window means to control the flow of solder. The layers, if there are more than one, may be separate pieces, or may be parts of a folded sheet or a tube of polymeric material. In use, the conductors to be soldered are placed adjacent to corresponding terminals of a substrate and the system placed in contact with and perpendicular to the conductors, with the window means towards the conductors. On the application of heat and pressure, the solder melts and flows toward the terminals, and solder bridges are prevented by the 'window frames' which lie between the terminals.

Solder delivery system

A solder delivery system has a continuous element of solder material disposed between two polymeric layers, one of which is provided with window means to control the flow of solder. The layers may be separate pieces, or may be parts of a folded sheet or a tube of polymeric material. In use, the conductors to be soldered are placed on corresponding terminals of a connector body and the system placed in contact with and perpendicular to the conductors, with the side having the window means towards the conductors. On the application of heat and pressure, the solder melts and flows toward the terminals, and solder bridges are prevented by the 'window frames' which lie between the terminals.

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Palo Alto, CA, United States of America

William M Robinson