The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 01, 1994
Filed:
Feb. 25, 1993
Applicant:
Inventors:
Jim L Upshaw, Austin, TX (US);
Jonathan J Hahne, Austin, TX (US);
Richard J Hayes, Austin, TX (US);
Raymond C Zowarka, Jr, Austin, TX (US);
John P Kajs, Austin, TX (US);
Robert L Sledge, II, Austin, TX (US);
Assignee:
Board of Regents, The University of Texas System, Austin, TX (US);
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
H01H / ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
307112 ; 89-8 ; 124-3 ; 200 6108 ; 337-4 ; 361103 ;
Abstract
An apparatus and method are provided for controlling the switching characteristics of an explosively actuated switch. The switch comprises a conductor that is only partially severed by explosive forces. A bridge region, the conductive portion of the conductor remaining after the explosion, is then severed by thermal breakdown. Variations in the bridge region enable a user to vary the switching characteristics of the switch.