Apparatus and method for modifying an electrical circuit

A method of modifying a path within an electrical circuit, comprising:

• providing an electrical coupler formed of an electrically conductive material at an initial position in a cavity of a first housing, wherein:
• (i) the electrical coupler is moveable within the cavity along a movement axis,
• (ii) a wall of the cavity is electrically coupled to a first electrical contact and to the electrical coupler, and
• (iii) when the electrical coupler is disposed at the initial position, the electrical coupler is not electrically coupled to a second electrical contact;
• applying, in a case that an ambient temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature, a first force on the electrical coupler in a movement direction along the movement axis, the force being applied based on expansion of a material that expands as the ambient temperature exceeds the predetermined temperature;
• applying a second force on one of the electrical coupler and the wall of the cavity, the second force inhibiting movement of the electrical coupler along the movement axis;
• and
• physically contacting, in a case that the electrical coupler moves a predetermined distance in the movement direction from the initial position, the electrical coupler and a second housing, such that the first electrical contact is electrically coupled to the second electrical contact via the electrical coupler, the first housing, and the second housing.

A method of producing an electrical circuit path modifier that includes an electrical coupler, a driving portion, and an inhibiting portion, wherein the electrical coupler is electrically coupled to a first electrical contact but is not electrically coupled to a second electrical contact when disposed at an initial position, and is electrically coupled to both the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact when disposed at a second position, the method comprising:

• setting a plurality of deployment parameters for the electrical circuit path modifier, the deployment parameters including:
• a condition under which movement of the electrical coupler from the initial position to the second position initiates, and
• a timing for the electrical coupler to move from the initial position to the second position upon the condition being satisfied;
• determining, based on the timing and a distance between the initial position and the second position, a rate of movement of the electrical coupler;
• and
• determining, based on the rate of movement:
• at least one first parameter for the driving portion, the driving portion producing a first force causing movement of the electrical coupler from the initial position to the second position upon the condition being satisfied, and
• at least one second parameter for the inhibiting portion, the inhibiting portion producing a second force, the second force inhibiting the movement of the electrical coupler from the initial position to the second position.