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:
Aug. 30, 2005
Filed:
Jul. 10, 2002
Stephen J. Whitney, Lake Zurich, IL (US);
David Perry, Lakewood, IL (US);
Stephen J. Whitney, Lake Zurich, IL (US);
David Perry, Lakewood, IL (US);
Littelfuse, Inc., Des Plaines, IL (US);
Abstract
The present invention provides connectors having circuit protection. Specifically, the present invention provides a device that operates with existing or new connectors to provide overvoltage protection to same. The device includes a strip of conductive material along which voltage variable material ('VVM') is applied. The strip also includes an exposed portion not having the VVM deposition. The VVM contacts a plurality of signal conductors of the connector. The exposed portion contacts at least one ground conductor of the connector. When an overvoltage condition occurs along one of the signal conductors, the VVM switches from a high impedance to a low impedance state, allowing the transient threat to dissipate, at least in part, to one or more ground conductor.