Electrically activated surface mount thermal fuse
First Claim
1. A reflowable, surface-mountable thermal fuse comprising:
- a conduction element with first and second ends;
a sensor in mechanical communication with the conduction element;
an elastic element adapted to apply force on the conduction element in an activated state of the thermal fuse;
a plurality of mounting pads that enable surface mounting the thermal fuse; and
a restraining element adapted to secure the elastic element and thereby prevent the elastic element from applying force on the conduction element in an installation state of the thermal fuse, wherein application of an activating current through the restraining element causes the restraining element to break and thereby release the elastic element and place the thermal fuse in the activated state without severing the conduction element, allowing opening of the conduction element during a subsequent fault condition.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A reflowable thermal fuse includes a conduction element with first and second ends, disposed within a housing. The reflowable thermal fuse also includes an elastic element disposed within the housing and adapted to apply force on the conduction element in an activated state of the reflowable thermal fuse. A restraining element is utilized to secure the elastic element and prevent the elastic element from applying force on the conduction element in an installation state of the reflowable thermal fuse. Application of an activating current through the restraining element causes the restraining element to break and thereby release the elastic element and place the reflowable thermal fuse in the activated state.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A reflowable, surface-mountable thermal fuse comprising:
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a conduction element with first and second ends; a sensor in mechanical communication with the conduction element; an elastic element adapted to apply force on the conduction element in an activated state of the thermal fuse; a plurality of mounting pads that enable surface mounting the thermal fuse; and a restraining element adapted to secure the elastic element and thereby prevent the elastic element from applying force on the conduction element in an installation state of the thermal fuse, wherein application of an activating current through the restraining element causes the restraining element to break and thereby release the elastic element and place the thermal fuse in the activated state without severing the conduction element, allowing opening of the conduction element during a subsequent fault condition. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A reflowable, surface-mountable thermal fuse comprising:
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a conduction element comprising an outer tube with first and second ends; a sensor in mechanical communication with the conduction element, said sensor being contained by the outer tube which is adapted to contain the sensor when the sensor loses resilience and melts; an elastic element adapted to apply force on the conduction element in an activated state of the thermal fuse; a plurality of mounting pads that enable surface mounting the thermal fuse; and a restraining element adapted to secure the elastic element and thereby prevent the elastic element from applying force on the conduction element in an installation state of the thermal fuse, wherein application of an activating current through the restraining element causes the restraining element to break and thereby release the elastic element and place the thermal fuse in the activated state without severing the conduction element; and wherein under a fault condition causing the sensor to lose resilience and melt, force applied by the elastic element causes an opening to form in the sensor to prevent current from flowing through the sensor.
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16. A reflowable, surface-mountable thermal fuse comprising:
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a conduction element with first and second ends; a sensor in mechanical communication with the conduction element; a heat producing device in electrical communication with the sensor adapted to generate heat during a fault condition, the generated heat causing the sensor to lose resilience; an elastic element adapted to apply force on the conduction element in an activated state of the thermal fuse; a plurality of mounting pads that enable surface mounting the thermal fuse; and a restraining element adapted to secure the elastic element and thereby prevent the elastic element from applying force on the conduction element in an installation state of the thermal fuse, wherein application of an activating current through the restraining element causes the restraining element to break and thereby release the elastic element and place the thermal fuse in the activated state without severing the conduction element, allowing opening of the conduction element during a subsequent fault condition. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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19. A reflowable, surface-mountable thermal fuse comprising:
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a housing with a plurality of pads that enable mounting the thermal fuse via a surface mount technique; first, second, and third pads of the plurality of pads disposed at least partially outside of the housing; a conduction element with first and second ends, disposed within the housing and in electrical communication with the first and second pads; an elastic element disposed within the housing and adapted to apply force on the conduction element in an activated state of the thermal fuse; and a restraining element with a first end in electrical communication with the first pad and a second end in electrical communication with the third pad, wherein the restraining element is adapted to secure the elastic element and thereby prevent the elastic element from applying force on the conduction element in an installation state of the thermal fuse, and wherein application of an activating current through the first pad to the third pad causes the restraining element to break and thereby release the elastic element and place the thermal fuse in the activated state without severing the conduction element, allowing opening of the conduction element during a subsequent fault condition. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification