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:
Feb. 20, 2001
Filed:
Feb. 23, 1999
Louis Rector, Allegany, NY (US);
Hugh M. Hyatt, Bremerton, WA (US);
Anthony Minervini, Orland Park, IL (US);
Robert Swensen, Mt. Prospect, IL (US);
Andrew J. Neuhalfen, Algonquin, IL (US);
Andrew W. S. Elliott, Orinda, CA (US);
Littelfuse, Inc., Des Plaines, IL (US);
Abstract
The thin film, electrical device is an subminiature overvoltage circuit protection device in a surface mountable configuration for use in printed circuit board or thick film hybrid circuit technology. The surface mountable device (SMD) is designed to protect against electrostatic discharge (ESD) damage to electronic components. The circuit protection device comprises three material subassemblies. The first subassembly generally includes a substrate carrier, electrodes, and terminal pads for connecting the protection device,to a PC board. The second subassembly includes a voltage variable polymer material with nonlinear resistance characteristics, and the third subassembly includes a cover coat for protecting other elements of the circuit protection device. The devices of the present invention employ various electrode configurations and profiles to control the electrical field created between the electrodes and increase the active area of the electrodes in contact with the voltage variable material to enhance the electrical characteristics of the device.