US5440802A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of making wire element ceramic chip fuses
Assignee: Cooper Technologies Co
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Filing: 1994-09-12
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Granted: 1995-08-15
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Expires: 2014-09-12
Abstract
Abstract A method of manufacturing a chip fuse includes the steps of depositing a plurality of columns of electrically conductive metal film on a green, unfired ceramic substrate, and disposing a plurality of wire elements on the substrate over the film columns and perpendicular to the film columns. A cover of green, unfired ceramic is bonded to the substrate over the wire elements and film columns to form a laminate. The laminate is then die cut into individual fuses, which are then fired to cure the ceramic and form an intermetallic bond between the wire elements and the metal film. End termination coatings are then applied to the fuses to facilitate connecting the fuses in an electrical circuit. The invention relates to a chip fuse manufactured according to the method.
Inventors
- 👤 Stephen Whitney
- 👤 Vernon Spaunhorst
- 👤 Joan Winnett
- 👤 Varinder Kalra
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 10:49
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H85/00; H01H85/02; H01H85/04; H01H85/041; H01H85/0411; H01H2085/0414; H01H69/00; H01H69/02; H01H69/022; H01H85/0415; H01H85/0418; H01H85/046; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49002; Y10T29/49107; Y10T29/49117; Y10T29/49124; Y10T29/49155; Y10T29/49162; Y10T29/49787
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
A method for making chip fuses, comprising the steps of: depositing a plurality of spaced, parallel columns of electrically conductive film on an upper surface of a green ceramic plate; disposing a plurality of electrically conductive wire elements on the upper surface of the plate in mutually parallel spaced relationship and substantially perpendicular to the film columns; bonding a cover plate of unfired ceramic material to the upper surface of the plate, the cover plate covering the film columns and wire elements to form a laminate structure; dividing the laminate structure to form a plurality of individual fuses; and firing the fuses to cure the ceramic and to create an intermetallic bond between the wire elements and the conductive metal film at mutual points of contact.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
126 words
A method for making chip fuses, comprising the steps of: depositing a plurality of spaced, parallel columns of electrically conductive film on an upper surface of a green ceramic plate; disposing a plurality of electrically conductive wire elements on the upper surface of the plate in mutually parallel spaced relationship and substantially perpendicular to the film columns; bonding a cover plate of unfired ceramic material to the upper surface of the plate, the cover plate covering the film columns and wire elements to form a laminate structure; dividing the laminate structure to form a plurality of individual fuses; and firing the fuses to cure the ceramic and to create an intermetallic bond between the wire elements and the conductive metal film at mutual points of contact.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of dividing the laminate structure into individual fuses is performed so that each fuse includes strips of metal film at opposed end portions and a wire element connecting the strips.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method according to claim 2, wherein the step of dividing the laminate structure is performed so that each fuse includes opposite end faces and opposite lateral faces and each strip of metal film extends to one end face and both lateral faces.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of applying at least one layer of an electrical termination coating to opposite end portions of the fuses after the firing step.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method according to claim 4, wherein the step of applying a termination coating is performed so that the layer contacts a portion of the metal film extending to an end face and opposite lateral faces of the fuse.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 4, wherein a first coating step includes applying a layer of a silver alloy.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 4, wherein a second coating step includes applying a layer of nickel over a first termination coating layer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method according to claim 4, wherein a third coating step includes applying a layer of a tin/lead alloy over a second termination coating layer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of depositing the conductive metal film is by screen printing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of disposing the wire elements is by rolling.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of pressing the wire elements into the surface of the substrate.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of dividing the laminate structure is by cutting the laminate with a steel rule die.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-08-14 | 1999-02-13 | 1999-08-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-08-14 | 2003-02-13 | 2003-08-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-08-14 | 2007-02-13 | 2007-08-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |