US 2004/0104803 A1 · Current control device

Abstract

A current control device is described wherein a pressure conduction composite is compressed and decompressed to alter its conductivity and thereby current conduction through the device. The pressure conduction composite is composed of a nonconductive matrix, a conductive filler, and an additive. The invention consists of electrodes, a nonconducting isolator, and pressure plates contacting the composite. Electrically activated actuators apply a force onto pressures plates. Actuators are composed of a piezoelectric, piezoceramic, electrostrictive, magnetostrictive, and shape memory alloy materials, capable of extending and/or contracting thereby altering pressure and consequently resistivity within the composite. In an alternate embodiment, two or more current control devices are electrically coupled parallel to increase power handling.

Claims9

Dependent claims

A current control device comprising:

(a) two electrodes;
(b) an electrically nonconductive isolator;
(c) at least one pressure plate electrically nonconductive and movable;
(d) at least one actuator, said actuator fixed at one end and attached at a second end to said pressure plate;
and
(e) a pressure conduction composite, said pressure conduction composite and said isolator disposed between said electrodes, said pressure conduction composite contacting said electrodes, said isolator, and said at least one pressure plate.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

10/720,293Filed 24 Nov 2003

Priority

8 Feb 2002

Published

3 Jun 2004

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification14 codes

H01C 7/13
Non-adjustable resistors formed as one or more layers or coatings; Non-adjustable resistors made from powdered conducting material or powdered…:…
H01C 7/027
Having positive temperature coefficient: consisting of conducting or semi-conducting material dispersed in a non-conductive organic material
H01C 10/103
Adjustable by mechanical pressure or force: by using means responding to magnetic or electric fields, e.g. by addition of magnetisable or…
H01C 10/106
Adjustable by mechanical pressure or force: on resistive material dispersed in an elastic material

Current control device

Life of this patent

Current control device

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims9