US3821686A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Protective connector devices
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1971-10-21
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Granted: 1974-06-28
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Expires: 1991-10-21
Abstract
Abstract A power connector is provided with a body of metal oxide varistor material in conductive contact with each of the electrodes thereof. The metal oxide varistor material has an alpha in excess of 10 in the current density range of 10 3 to 102 amperes per square centimeter. The portions of the body in contact with the electrodes are spaced to provide a standby current flow which is low when normal operating voltage appears across the electrodes and when voltages in excess of the normal voltage appear across the electrode, a rapidly decreasing impedance is presented by the body in accordance with the alpha of the material of the body, thereby limiting the variation in voltage between the electrodes to a value close to the normal operating voltage.
Inventors
- 👤 J Harnden
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 04:59
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01C; H01C7/00; H01C7/10; H01C7/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
An electrical connector comprising: a pair of electrodes each including an elongated element, the longitudinal axes of the elongated elements of said electrodes being substantially parallel, the elongated elements of said electrodes adapted to engage a respective conductor of a pair of mating conductors, each of said electrodes provided with means for connecting said electrodes in circuit, a body of metal oxide varistor material in conductive contact with said electrodes; and a body of electrically insulating material surrounding said means for connecting and at least a portion of said electrodes and said body of metal oxide varistor material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
98 words
An electrical connector comprising: a pair of electrodes each including an elongated element, the longitudinal axes of the elongated elements of said electrodes being substantially parallel, the elongated elements of said electrodes adapted to engage a respective conductor of a pair of mating conductors, each of said electrodes provided with means for connecting said electrodes in circuit, a body of metal oxide varistor material in conductive contact with said electrodes; and a body of electrically insulating material surrounding said means for connecting and at least a portion of said electrodes and said body of metal oxide varistor material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The combination of claim 1 in which said material has an alpha in excess of 10 in the current density range of 10 3 to 102 amperes per square centimeter.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
77 words
The combination of claim 1 in which the portions of said body in contact with said electrodes are spaced to provide a standby current flow between said electrodes which is low when normal operating voltage appears across said electrodes and when voltages in excess of normal voltage progressively appear thereacross rapidly decreasing impedance is presented by said body in accordance with the alpha of the body of material thereby limiting the variation in voltage between said electrodes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The combination of claim 1 in which said body is a disc having a pair of opposed major faces, each of said electrodes condUctively contacting a respective major face of said disc.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
78 words
The combination of claim 1 in which a third electrode is provided having an elongated element having a longitudinal axis generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of each of the elongated elements of said other electrodes and adapted to engage a third mating conductor, another body of metal oxide varistor material in conductive contact with said third electrode and one of said other electrodes, said third electrode being provided with means for connecting said third electrode in circuit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination of claim 1 in which one of said pair of electrodes is a ground electrode.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
55 words
The combination of claim 3 in which said body is a disc having a pair of opposed major faces, a pair of spaced apertures, each extending from one major face to the opposite major face thereof, each of said electrodes extending through a respective one of said apertures and in conductive contact with said body.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
75 words
The combination of claim 7 in which each of said electrodes include a portion which extends along one surface of said disc, said portions extending toward one another and at their nearest points spaced a distance less than the distance between said apertures, whereby the standby operating voltage may be set independently of the spacing of the elongated portions of said electrodes for a body of material of predetermined voltage gradient versus current density characteristics.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
88 words
The combination of claim 1 in which said body is a block having a pair of elongated recesses extending from an outer surface inward into said body, the longitudinal axes of said elongated recesses being substantially parallel, another pair of recesses, each opening into a respective one of said first pair of recesses, each of said electrodes supported in a respective one of said second pair of recesses, each of the elongated elements of said electrodes aligned in a respective one of said first pair of elongated recesses.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
52 words
The combination of claim 1 in which said body is a wafer having a pair of major opposed surfaces and in which each of said electrodes is conductively secured to a respective region of one of said opposed major faces, the parallel elongated elements of said electrode extending outward from said body.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
62 words
The combination of claim 10 in which each of said electrodes is substantially flat rod with a pair of major opposed surfaces, each of said electrodes having a substantially ninety degree twist intermediate the ends thereof whereby the major surfaces of said elongated elements of said rods are perpendicular to the major faces of said rods making conductive contact with said wafer.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-06-27 | 1977-12-27 | 1978-06-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-06-27 | 1981-12-27 | 1982-06-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-06-27 | 1985-12-27 | 1986-06-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |