Thermal switch assembly
AssigneeThermo-O-Disc, Incorporated
InventorsJames B. Kalapodis, William F. Quinn
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A thermal switch having a current carrying switch blade actuator of shape memory metal has a resistance less than 20 milliohms and a contact force greater than 150 grams. The actuator is deformed to less than about 8% strain, and a very hard high strength dielectric material is used for a spacer.
Claims16
A thermal switch including a current carrying actuator blade of shape memory metal having a blade end engaging a fixed contact surface with a contact force of at least 150 grams, said blade having top and bottom surfaces and a peripheral surface plated with a precious metal so that current is carried from the precious metal plating on the top surface to the precious metal plating on the bottom surface through the precious metal plating on the blade peripheral surface.
A thermal switch including a current carrying actuator blade of a shape memory metal having a blade end engaging a fixed contact surface with a contact force of at least 150 grams, said switch having a resistance not greater than 20 milliohms, said blade having a thickness less than 0.020 inch, said blade having top and bottom surfaces and a peripheral surface coated with a precious metal, and said blade having a deformed state in which it is under less than about 8% strain.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.