Metal oxide varistor with laterally spaced electrodes

Claim 2

The combination comprising a substrate having first and second opposed major surfaces comprised of a metal oxide varistor body lying along at least said first major surface and having an alpha in excess of 10 in the current density range of from 10 3 to 102 amperes per square centimeter and first and second electrodes lying in ohmic contact with said first major surface and laterally spaced to form a conduction gap therebetween along said first major surface having a minimum width less than the thickness of said substrate between said major surfaces.

Claim 3

The combination comprising a substrate having first and second opposed major surfaces; said substrate consisting of a metal oxide varistor body; said varistor body having an electrical resistance which varies as a function of applied voltage in accordance with the formula I (V/C)alpha where V is the voltage in volts applied to the body, I is the current in amperes through the body resulting from such voltage, and C and alpha are constants; said body having an alpha in excess of 10 in the current density range of from 10 3 to 102 amperes per square centimeter; first and second electrodes lying in ohmic contact with said first major surface and laterally spaced on said first major surface to form a conduction gap therebetween along said first major surface; said conduction gap having a minimum width less than the thickness of said varistor body measured normal to said first major surface.

Claim 4

The combination comprising a substrate having first and second opposed major surfaces; said substrate consisting of a metal oxide varistor body; said varistor body having an electrical resistance which varies as a function of applied voltage in accordance with the formula I (V/C)alpha where V is the voltage in volts applied to the body, I is the current in amperes through the body resulting from such voltage, and C and alpha are constants; said body having an alpha in excess of 10 in the current density range of from 10 3 to 102 amperes per square centimeter; first and second electrodes lying in ohmic contact with said first major surface and laterally spaced on said first major surface to form a conduction gap therebetween along said first major surface; said conduction gap having a minimum width less than the thickness of said varistor body measured normal to said first major surface.

Claim 5

The combination according to claim 2 wherein said varistor body comprises predominantly zinc oxide.

Claim 6

The combination according to claim 1 in which said substrate is additionally comprised of a dielectric support associated with said varistor body.

Claim 7

The combination according to claim 1 in which a third electrode lies in ohmic contact with said first major surface, said third elecTrode lying in laterally spaced relation with said second electrode and laterally separated from said first electrode by said second electrode, said second and third electrodes forming a conduction gap therebetween along said first major surface having a minimum width along said first major surface exceeding the maximum width along said first major surface of the conduction gap between said first and second electrodes.

Claim 8

The combination according to claim 1 in which said substrate is formed entirely by said varistor body and additionally including a third electrode lying in ohmic contact with said second major surface.

Claim 9

The combination according to claim 1 in which adjacent edges of said first and second electrodes are substantially parallel.

Claim 10

The combination according to claim 1 including a metal oxide varistor body having an alpha in excess of 10 within the current density range of from 10 3 to 102 amperes per square centimeter and presenting at least one major surface, first and second electrodes lying in ohmic contact with said body along said major surface and laterally spaced relatively to form a conduction gap therebetween, and dielectric means overlying said varistor body along the conduction gap and cooperating with adjacent edges of said electrodes to protect said varistor body against alteration of its electrical characteristics.

Claim 11

The combination according to claim 8 in which said dielectric means and said electrodes together completely envelop said varistor body.

Claim 12

The combination according to claim 8 additionally including packaging means cooperating with said dielectric means and said electrodes to envelop said varistor body.

Claim 13

A varistor comprising a metal oxide varistor body having an electrical resistance which varies as a function of applied voltage in accordance with the formula I (V/C)alpha where V is the voltage in volts applied to the body, I is the current through the body in amperes resulting from such voltage, and C and alpha are constants; said body having an alpha in excess of 10 in the current density range of from 10 3 to 102 amperes per square centimeter; said body having at least one major surface; first and second electrodes lying in ohmic contact with said major surface and laterally spaced on said major surface to form a conduction gap therebetween along said major surface; said conduction gap having a minimum width less than the thickness of said body measured normal to said major surface.

Claim 14

A varistor comprising a metal oxide varistor body having an electrical resistance which varies as a function of applied voltage in accordance with the formula I (V/C)alpha where V is the voltage in volts applied to the body, I is the current through the body in amperes resulting from such voltage, and C and alpha are constants; said body having an alpha in excess of 10 in the current density range of from 10 3 to 102 amperes per square centimeter; said body having at least one major surface; first and second electrodes lying in ohmic contact with said major surface and laterally spaced on said major surface to form a conduction gap therebetween along said major surface; said conduction gap having a minimum width less than the thickness of said body measured normal to said major surface.

Claim 15

The combination comprising a metal oxide varistor body having an alpha in excess of 10 in the current density range of from 10 3 to 102 amperes per square centimeter and presenting first and second opposed major surfaces, first and second electrodes lying in ohmic contact with said first major surface and laterally spaced to form a conduction gap therebetween along said first major surface having a minimum width less than the thickness of said body between said major surfaces, and a third electrode lying in ohmic contact with said second major surface. pg,24

Claim 16

The combination comprising a metal oxide varistor body having an alpha in excess of 10 in the current density range of from 10 3 to 102 amperes per square centimeter and presenting first and second opposed major surfaces, first and second electrodes lying in ohmic contact with said first major surface and laterally spaced to form a conduction gap therebetween along said first major surface having a minimum width less than the thickness of said body between said major surfaces, and a third electrode lying in ohmic contact with said second major surface. pg,24

Claim 17

A varistor according to claim 11 wherein said varistor body comprises predominantly zinc oxide.