Electromechanical device and insulation method thereof

• US 6,240,728 B1
• Filed: 07/09/1999
• Issued: 06/05/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/15/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Eitek S.p.A.
• Original Assignee: Eltek SpA
• Inventors: Gadini, Costanzo
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, HOANG M
• Application Number:
  US09/341,439
• Time in Patent Office: 697 Days
• Field of Search: 605/28, 605/29
• US Class Current: 60/529
• CPC Class Codes: F03G 7/06 using expansion or contraction of bodies due to heating, cooling, moistening, drying or the like using thermal expansion of non-vaporising liquids F01K

Abstract

An actuator device has electrical components, which are subjected to electric voltage, located inside a housing near movable mechanical elements. Insulation of the electrical components from the environment is achieved by introducing into the housing an expanding material, specifically a silicone elastomer of a type suitable to reticulate for forming a protective foam.

Claims

1. An electromechanical device, of the type comprising a housing containing components subject to electric voltage, located near mechanical elements which are movable during operation of the device, whereby an insulating material is present within said housing, which surrounds said components subject to electric voltage and can be directly in contact with at least a portion of said movable mechanical elements, wherein said material is expandable, whereby following a movement of said mechanical elements which occurs during at least the first operation of the device, at least a portion of said expandable material can be compressed or torn off or occupy different regions inside said housing, while allowing said components subject to electric voltage to be insulated from the environment.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein said movable mechanical elements can execute wide motions.

3. A device according to claim 1, wherein said expandable material is capable of reticulating, forming a foam.

4. A device according to claim 1, wherein said expandable material comprises a silicone elastomer.

5. A device according to claim 1, wherein said expandable material is able to quickly coat all surfaces of said components subject to electric voltage.

6. A device according to claim 1, wherein said expandable material is moisture-resistant.

7. A device according to claim 1, wherein said expandable material is able to quickly expand and reticulate.

8. A device according to claim 1, wherein said expandable material consists of two components.

9. A device according to claim 1, wherein said expandable material is curable at room temperature.

10. A device according to claim 1, wherein said expandable material is resistant to high operating temperatures of the device.

11. A device according to claim 1, wherein said expandable material is substantially thermally neutral.

12. A device according to claim 1, wherein said expandable material is able to form a uniform continuous film on surrounding surfaces.

13. A device according to claim 1, wherein said housing is rigid.

14. A device according to claim 1, wherein said housing has at least one opening.

15. A device according to claim 1, wherein said device is adapted to be actuated in response to heat.

16. A device according to claim 1, wherein said movable mechanical elements comprise a shaft and a thermal actuator for moving said shaft.

17. A device according to claim 1, wherein said movable mechanical elements comprise a spring.

25. A device according to claim 1, wherein said expandable material has a low mechanical resistance to tearing.

26. A device according to claim 1, wherein said expandable material is elastic.

27. A device according to claim 1, wherein said expandable material is compressible.

18. A method to insulate from the environment components of an electromechanical device, said components being contained inside a housing near mechanical elements movable during the operation of the device, and an insulating material being present within said housing, which surrounds said components and can be directly in contact with at least a portion of said movable mechanical elements, comprising injection of an expandable insulating material into said housing, and causing said material to expand within said housing once injected, whereby said insulating material, once expanded within said housing, can be at least partly compressed, or torn off, or occupy different regions inside said housing, following movement of said mechanical elements which occurs during at least the first operation of the device, while allowing said components subject to electric voltage to be insulated from the environment.

19. A method according to claim 18, wherein said insulating material is a silicone elastomer.

20. A method according to claim 18, wherein said insulating material consists of two components.

21. A method according to claim 20, wherein said insulating material is introduced into said housing through a static mixer.

22. A method according to claim 18, whereinsaid insulating material is curable at room temperature.

23. A method according to claim 18, further comprising removing insulating material that leaks from the housing.

28. A method according to claim 18, wherein said insulating material can reticulate and form a protective foam.

29. A method according to claim 18, wherein said insulating material has a low mechanical resistance to tearing.

30. A method according to claim 18, wherein said insulating material is elastic.

31. A method according to claim 18, wherein said insulating material is compressible.

24. A method of use of a silicone elastomer for insulating from the environment components of an actuator device, said components being contained in a housing near mechanical elements that are movable during operation of the device and said elastomer being directly in contact with at least a portion of said movable mechanical elements, comprising causing said silicone elastomer to expand and reticulate to form a protective foam, and following movement of said mechanical elements which occurs during at least the first operation of the device, subjecting the expanded material to being compressed or torn off or occupying different regions inside said housing, while allowing said components subject to electric voltage to be insulated from the environment.

32. A method according to claim 24, further comprising subjecting said components to an electric voltage.