Power zener package

Claim 2

A power semiconductor unit comprising in combination: a semiconductor unit defining a pair of spaced surfaces between which current flows in semiconductor action and thereby generates a temperature rise which damages the semiconductor if excessive; a first electrode in face to face contact with one of said surfaces so as to define a path for current flow and heat flow; a second electrode in face to face contact with the other of said surfaces so as to define a path for current flow and heat flow, said second electrode defining a cavity adjacent the electrode and partaking of the temperature thereof; means mechanically responsive to temperature disposed in said cavity and effective to move from a unit operating position to a unit disabling position when the temperature in the cavity exceeds the value associated with said first mentioned temperature rise; and elements responsive to said means in said second position effective to interrupt current flow between said surfaces.

Claim 3

A self-protective circuit element comprising, in combination, a semiconductor device, a normally closed switch in series circuit with the semiconductor device, temperature responsive means for sensing the temperature of the semiconductor device, heat transfer means defining a space in which the temperature responsive means is positioned for conductively transferring heat from the semiconductor device to the temperature responsive means, current responsive means for sensing the current through the switch, means coupling the temperature responsive means to the switch effective both to open the switch in response to heating of the semiconductor device above a predetermined temperature, thereby protecting the semiconductor device from excessive temperatures, and to close the switch in response to cooling of the semiconductor device below a certain operating temperature, means coupling the current responsive means to the switch effective both to open the switch when the current through the switch exceeds a certain level, thereby protecting the semiconductor device from excessive currents, and close the switch after a certain time has elapsed subsequent the opening of the switch, a casing for housing the semiconductor device and the switch so as to present the circuit element as an integral unit, and a plurality of electrically insulated conductive terminals for providing a plurality of electrically insulated current paths to the semiconductor device and the switch from outside the casing.

Claim 4

A power semiconductor unit comprising in combination: a semiconductor device through which current flows in semiconductor action, causing self heating of the semiconductor device to a temperature which damages the semiconductor device if excessive, a cavity defining heat transfer meMber in conductive heat transfer relation with the semiconductor device for transferring heat from the semiconductor device, a normally closed set of contacts in series circuit with the semiconductor device, means mechanically responsive to temperature positioned in the cavity so as to sense the semiconductor temperature through the heat transfer member and effective to open the contacts when the sensed temperature is excessive, the mechanically responsive means effecting closure of the switch after the semiconductor device has cooled below a certain temperature, means for sensing current through the contacts, means coupling the current sensing means to the contacts effective both to open the contacts when the sensed current exceeds a predetermined value, and to close the contacts at a certain time after the contacts are opened and a casing including a plurality of terminals for enclosing the semiconductor device and contacts and for providing a plurality of electrically insulated current paths to the contacts and the semiconductor device.

Claim 5

A self-protective circuit element comprising, in combination, a controlled rectifier having a gate terminal, switch means in series circuit with the gate terminal for controlling the gate terminal operation in accordance with the rectifier temperature so as to open the gate terminal when the rectifier temperature exceeds a certain level and close the gate terminal when the rectifier temperature is below the certain level, the switch means including temperature responsive means for sensing the rectifier temperature, heat transfer means for conductively transferring heat from the rectifier to the temperature responsive means so as to facilitate the sensing of the rectifier temperature by the temperature responsive means and means for opening and closing the gate terminal in accordance with the sensed rectifier temperature, and a casing for enclosing the rectifier and the switch means so as to present the circuit element as an integral unit, the casing including a plurality of electrically insulated conductive terminals for providing a plurality of electrically insulated current paths to the rectifier and the switch means from outside the casing.