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:
Jan. 27, 2009
Filed:
Dec. 05, 2006
Jean-francois DE Palma, Arlington, MA (US);
Jerry L. Mosesian, Newburyport, MA (US);
Jean-Francois de Palma, Arlington, MA (US);
Jerry L. Mosesian, Newburyport, MA (US);
Ferraz Shawmut S.A., Villeurbanne, FR;
Abstract
A voltage suppression device for suppressing voltage surges in an electrical circuit, comprised of a voltage sensitive element having a predetermined voltage rating, the voltage sensitive element increasing in temperature as voltage applied across the voltage sensitive element exceeds the voltage rating. Terminals are provided for electrically connecting the voltage sensitive element between a power line of an electrical circuit and a ground or neutral line of the electrical circuit. A normally closed, thermal switch is electrically connected in series with the voltage sensitive element between one line of the electrical circuit and the voltage sensitive element, the thermal switch being thermally coupled to the voltage sensitive element wherein the thermal switch moves from a normally closed position to an open position to form a gap between the thermal switch and the voltage sensitive element when the temperature of the voltage sensitive element reaches a level indicating an over-voltage condition. When the thermal switch moves to the open position, residual follow on current is shunted by a fuse element connected in parallel with the thermal switch. Current flows through the fuse element until the fuse element melts. Electrical arcing is contained inside the fuse until extinguished.